Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Bargain!, Marrakesh
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Africa » Morocco » Wilaya de Marrakech » Marrakesh » Local Customs » Bargain! Reviews

Marrakesh Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Bargain!, Marrakesh

Travel tips and advice posted by real travelers and Marrakesh locals.
• 9 Photos
• 7 Reviews

See all Marrakesh Local Customs
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Bargain!: Sharpen your bargaining skills
  • Tip Rating:
  • sunlovey
  • By sunlovey on May 10, 2006
  • Marrakesh Page by sunlovey
  • necklaces being sold in the souks - Marrakesh
    necklaces being sold in
    the souks
    by sunlovey
    Or be prepared to be ripped off. This is the way it is. The price your told initially is not set in stone, they expect you to bargain. And if you don't you'll feel foolish when you ask a marrakeshi if you got a good deal. I found that it worked best to offer half of the price I was told and work from there. They will look at you like you're crazy, then say another price, then you'll do the same. At some point, hopefully, you'll arrive at a price you're both happy with.

    If they won't budge/go down on the price enough to make you happy, I suggest that if you really want the item you're bargaining over, you scan their "shop" for something else you like as well and say "OK, I'll pay 200 dirham for it if you throw this item in as well." This worked more often than not.

    Sometimes they will refuse your offers entirely as a bluff. Be prepared to walk away. I had a man chase me half way through one of the souks to sell me an item, and at MY price.

    However, don't be a cheapskate. A LOT of these items are handcrafted, and a lot of these people get by on A LOT less money than you make at home. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a little more than you want to, to get something you'll never find at home.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Marrakesh?

    Read reviews about Marrakesh Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Bargain!: Bargain!
  • Tip Rating:
  • ptitetoile
  • By ptitetoile on December 12, 2003
  • Marrakesh Page by ptitetoile
  • Bargain! - Marrakesh
    by ptitetoile
    If you want to by things in the souks or anywhere else, you HAVE TO bargain!

    As tourist, you are the main target because you are not supposed to know the real value of the things you buy...So a good advice....if you want to buy something special, ask to a local person (a moroccan friend is better ) what is the normal price of it. Most of the time, the saleman say a price according to the person... so it is up to you to negociate to the price you are willing to pay for it...if it does not work...leave! Another advice is to say that you had a better offer is another shop, that encourage the saleman to beat this offer.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bargain!: A gift.
  • Tip Rating:
  • belgianchocolate
  • By belgianchocolate on April 11, 2005
  • Marrakesh Page by belgianchocolate
  • Bargain! - Marrakesh
    by belgianchocolate

    When you are a really poor bargainer , you will
    get loads of gifts. ;-) We got plenty.

    In the picture you can see some sort of rasp.
    It is used to remove the hardened areas of
    skin of your feet. It is made of baked clay.



    For your information ,
    I don't need it.
    I got baby feet ,
    size 45. ;:-)

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bargain!: The 'art' of bargaining
  • Tip Rating:
  • vtveen
  • By vtveen on February 7, 2008
  • Marrakesh Page by vtveen
  • Bargaining will start soon - Marrakesh
    Bargaining will start soon
    by vtveen
    When buying something in the souk, kasbah or shops, it is obvious you will have to bargain. It looks like buying crafts or gifts is not done without haggling. It seems a little bit like an auction and one should NEVER offer a price if you are not really interested in buying something.
    Be aware: if you offer a price, you are obliged to pay (and buy) if the shopkeeper agrees.

    Before starting the game of bargaining keep in mind the absolute maximum price you are willing to pay. It’s also good to know that the shopkeeper’s first price is not a guide to how low he will go. They are all different; sometimes they will go to ten percent of the original quote, others may not budge much. If the price stays above your maximum, stop bargaining, walk away (perhaps you get another lower offer) and try it somewhere else.

    I have to admit my bargaining skills are not that good and I often feel still having paid too much after the ‘game’.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bargain!: Bartering again!!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Firestar24
  • Updated By Firestar24 on June 21, 2006
  • Marrakesh Page by Firestar24
  • The Souks - Marrakesh
    The Souks
    by Firestar24

    SIGH!!


    Yet another country that doesn't like to tell you what an item is really worth... I would probably love haggling if I was any good at it, but I end up feeling like I've paid way too much every time I go shopping. And it's not just paranoia - in almost every instance I found a shop up the road with cheaper products.

    Having said that, it is nice to talk to local people and we've sparked some really good conversations arguing over the price of saffron!

    Anyway, apparently, the trick is to always be willing to walk away - Never Give In!!!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Marrakesh?

    Read reviews about Marrakesh Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Bargain!: Great shopping
  • Tip Rating:
  • Veroali
  • By Veroali on December 2, 2008
  • Marrakesh Page by Veroali
  • Shopping - Marrakesh
    Shopping
    by Veroali,
    3 more photos
    Shopping in Medina is fabulous experience. First the way Medina is organized. One lane fruit, other one jeweleries, other one sweets, etc. Not so much interesting for women is street with technical staff and repairing motorcycles. Some streets where are sold chickens and turkeys you can smell long in advance and also after. These streets and little lanes are mostly off the beaten path of Medina, which is even more interesting.
    All shops with the same commodity are just next to each other. The most beautiful and colorful are carpets shops, shops with clothes, candies, spice, shoes, vegetable, jeweleries. And many others...

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bargain!: Bargain before you buy
    Brajaja
  • By Brajaja on May 27, 2009
  • Marrakesh Page by Brajaja
  • Don't expect to find fixed prices in Souks or markets. In Morocco you have to invest time for everything you want to buy. However don't start bargaining if you do not intend to buy. It's a great ofence. If bargain is not your thing you can look for shops with fixed price which are usually more expensive.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Marrakesh Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 292 - Photos: 476
    Things To Do
    Tips: 708 - Photos: 1,512
    Nightlife
    Tips: 59 - Photos: 113
    Transportation
    Tips: 125 - Photos: 144
    Restaurants
    Tips: 250 - Photos: 397
    Shopping
    Tips: 112 - Photos: 156
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 93 - Photos: 163
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 70 - Photos: 47
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 78 - Photos: 59
    Local Customs
    Tips: 95 - Photos: 117
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 31 - Photos: 20
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 17
    General Tips
    Tips: 162 - Photos: 212
    Flights
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 0

    Best Marrakesh Travel Deals

    Mazagan Beach Resort
    5* hotel in El Jadida, Morocco. luxurious suites, near the beach!

    Morocco Tours
    National Geographic Award Winner Custom Itineraries & Private Guides

    10% Off Oceanfront Rooms
    The Panoramic View Oceanfront Resort & Residence

    Luxury Morocco Tours
    Exquisite hotels and luxury tours Discover Morocco with Cox&Kings

    Boutique Hotels Marrakech
    Small and stylish personally reviewed hotels

    Sponsored Links

    More Marrakesh Travel Deals

    Marrakech Hotel Deals
    Super fast, online confirmation Bargain Rates, Instant Reservations

    Travel & Tours to Morocco
    Helping you create your ultimate Morocco holiday. Get a free quote

    Mystical Morocco
    Fes/Marrakech/Sahara Nov '09 $3,250 inc air

    Sponsored Links


    Marrakesh Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.