Berber Bazaar Buying Guide

Shopping in the Souk’s of Morocco can be tricky at best, and extremely high pressure rip offs at worst.

I’m not talking about malls, restaurants or other such “reputable” establishments with employees, listed prices and proper doors. I’m talking about the independently run shops of the Medina, with their crammed shelves, walls, floors and roofs, their “inviting” calls (“Excuse me, excuse me, please look at my shop, where are you from?…”).

These “artisans” have practiced methods, honed over generations, perfected to attract and trap unwitting customers. The process starts out in the Beckoning phase of the sale with phrases including:

• “Excuse me, please check out my shop”
• “Where are you from? Oh I have family in <insert country here>”
• “Looking is free!”

There are some general rules you should follow during this phase:

• Don’t gaze at any one item
• Don’t engage. Do be firm and polite… “No thank you” or similar response if you’re not interested

If you are interested in something in the shop, I’m confident you have now been invited inside the tiny stall. Welcome to phase two: Blocking.

Never point at a product!

The shop owner will now block your exit, focusing your attention on everything within reach. Pointing at everything in sight, handing you items, and informing you of their handcrafted nature – they were, after all, made by the vendors “brother”! If you focus on any product, whether you’re actually interested in purchasing it or not, it will be handed to you. Some additional tips to follow:

• Don’t pick up, or take any product (even if it’s attempted to be handed to you)
• Draw attention to other similar products to get more comparable prices
• Don’t buy from the first shop you see the product, it’s likely in another shop around the corner or next door!
• Do use this opportunity to get a baseline price (without any negotiation), make sure to get a price from a few vendors before you buy to understand the baseline
• Never demonstrate excitement as this will indicate how high the initial price should be set

If you in fact want to purchase an item, or are trying to get a baseline, as about a similar product first. You are now entering the Bargaining phase. Marbaha (welcome!)

This phase is not for the faint of heart. Let’s dive in with some do’s and don’ts:

• Never provide the first price (they may ask you what you would pay, get them to start the bidding*)
• Never take the first price
• Counter, hard. Perhaps 1/4 of their initial price. Don’t go over half. Definitely don’t go over 3/4!
• You can discuss, but don’t fall for their “reasons” “justifying” the price. “It’s hand crafted.” (it’s not) “It’s one of a kind” (it’s not) “It’s 100% waterproof” (it’s not). They will say almost anything if it means the sale.
• CRITICAL: WALK AWAY. This is a critical step, you must walk away. You can always come back. Only by walking away will you get their final and (maybe) honest price.
• BONUS: NEVER buy from the centre of town, the closer you are, the more expensive the stall costs, and the more likely you are to pay a premium as a result.

*That’s right, any price you get in the Medina is not a price, it’s a bid.

If you do end up walking away, but are interested in buying the product, you now have your “final” price, but you can always go back and try one last time. Just be mindful not to wander too far, you are unlikely to find your way back to that particular stall. The Media is a series of narrow and winding laneways, all interconnected in all directions. Many will have roof systems in any number of materials including fabric, wood, plastic and metal. The combination of the narrow and tall construction, the roof material blocking GPS, the multidirectional laneways, and the near constant “helpful” tips from locals provides for the perfect magical shopping experience.

Happy shopping, marhaba!