Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Before starting to bargain, decide how much you like the carpet or rug, and how much
you are prepared to pay for it. It's important that you stick to this - the shopkeepers here
are professional bargainers and have loads of practice in talking customers into purchases
against their better judgement.
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Your first offer should be around 60% of the initial asking price. The shopkeeper will
laugh, look offended or profess to be puzzled - this is all part of the ritual.
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He will then make a counter offer of 80-90%. You should look disappointed, explain
that you have done your research and say that you are not prepared to pay that amount.
Then you should offer around 70%.
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By this stage you and the shopkeeper should have sized each other up. He will cite the
price at which he is prepared to sell and if it corresponds with what you were initially
happy to pay, you can agree to the deal. If not, you should smile, shake hands and walk
away.
The same rules also apply in some textile, jewellery and antique shops in the bazaar, but
they don't apply to all. The fashionable stores in Halıcılar Çarşışı Sokak started the trend
toward set pricing here a number of years ago and many other shops have followed their
lead.
Shopping by Neighbourhood
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Sultanahmet & Around
Top-notch ceramics, rug and bathware stores are found in and
around the Arasta Bazaar.
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Bazaar District
Options galore in the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and streets
between the two.
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Beyoğlu
Galata, Cihangir and Çukurcuma are bursting with fashion boutiques, designer
homewares stores and antique shops.
NEED TO KNOW
Business Hours
The most common shopping hours are from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, but this is by no
means always the case. We have indicated specific hours in most reviews.
