Many tourists associate Turkey with a shopping paradise. This association probably dates back to the eighties of the twentieth century, when it was possible to bring purchased clothes from Turkey, including fur, leather and famous sweaters of excellent quality. Many compatriots at that time, along with pleasure, on the occasion of a vacation, bought some goods for trade in Russia and other neighboring countries.
Times have changed, prices and assortment are different, but the tradition of shopping in Turkey has remained the same. What products do travelers from Russia plan to buy in Turkey? Completely different, since the choice in the markets of the eastern country and in shopping centers is enormous.
The art of shopping
Shopping in Turkey can create a variety of emotions, both positive and negative. The joy of random purchases can ease the disappointment when, after making a deal, you realize that you paid too much and the prices at the neighboring stand are much lower. Therefore, we recommend that you consider and make informed decisions, not on impulse, as well as as a result of searching, comparing offers and concluding deals that occur after a good bargain.
Shopping in Turkey is an art, both bargaining and finding a good opportunity. The search can be especially tiring when you cross kilometers of narrow streets, corridors of shopping malls or avenues of the Grand Bazaar. In this situation, most travelers appreciate the significant role of comfortable shoes.
Many tourists are afraid of the situation in which they have to bargain. If we have such fears, then shopping in hypermarkets and discount grocery stores is the ideal solution. Prices are fixed in advance, printed on the products and are not subject to discussion. Also, there is no bargaining in pharmacies and bakeries - the prices for bread are officially set in Turkey.
The deal should be made in bazaars, markets, small shops with various goods, especially when buying souvenirs, leather goods, carpets, ceramics, etc. The main principle of bargaining is: do not start bargaining if you do not want to buy anything at all. Negotiations mean that you are initially interested in buying. Of course, if the price does not suit you, you can always end the deal by explaining that the price is too high and leave. Often, such a procedure allows you to reduce the price, which seemed to be the last. When bargaining, you should not worry about naming a price that is too low. You do not announce prices 5 or 10 percent lower, only 50 percent. After the seller's reaction, you will see how much this or that product really costs.
It is also useful to establish closer contact with the seller when determining the price. The point is that he will stop treating us as another foreign tourist, but will consider us as a person. Sellers often ask where you come from, as this is a standard procedure. At such a moment it is worth asking where the seller is from.
One of the endlessly dubious questions that travelers ask all the time, especially people who are new to the country, is: “What currency should I pay in Turkey?” The answer seems obvious: Turkey’s official currency is the Turkish lira, and prices quoted in it are usually the best value.
Keeping too close track of exchange rate fluctuations, whether to pay in dollars or euros, takes much of the joy out of shopping and haggling. Remember that regardless of the currency, it is worth spending more energy comparing offers from different sellers and effectively negotiating the final price, rather than worrying about whether you made a mistake by taking dollars to Turkey.
In many places, using a debit or credit card is a smart alternative to cash payments. Before you go on holiday, check out our tips on non-cash payments and visit your bank that issued your card to find out all the costs associated with using it in another country.
