How to bargain like a pro in Istanbul

For centuries Istanbul has been a hub for commerce. Goods and services from all around the world converged in the city to be distributed to other parts of Turkey as well as Europe. Thus, it is inevitable that the culture of bargaining has its roots deeply imbedded in the soul of the city.

Bargaining is known to the everyday shopper as a way of negotiating the price of an item or service through discussion. In Istanbul, this type of negotiating is a common act among tourists and local shopkeepers as well as the city's inhabitants. Though the meaning of the word has a very clear-cut meaning, the act of bargaining itself may not come so easily to a person looking for a discount. Haggling is universal, and the "how tos" are almost the same worldwide; however, there are still a few specific actions and phrases used specially in Istanbul that can help you purchase items for the best price.

When it comes to bargaining, the first step is preparing yourself for the negotiations. Just like everything else in this historical city, even the act of bargaining is deeply affected by Ottoman culture. Be prepared to exchange friendly greetings with the owners as well as drink tea or Turkish coffee. Remember there will be lots of back and forth price exchanging and probably the shopkeeper will spend much time telling you about the quality of the products and how they are made in a friendly tone. It is wise to keep in mind that these are techniques for sizing you up, so keeping a poker face during these chats can help you during the final negotiation.

After this, the next and most important step is doing your homework. Before you start asking for lower prices on items and services look around the city and area to compare prices and quality. Go to at least a few shops before buying items to make sure you are getting the best deal, as it will provide insight into approximately how much the locals are paying before you get into any sort of negotiation. If done properly, this first step can also give you an upper hand while engaging in the final monetary transaction for goods or services; the rest is as easy as A-B-C.

The first rule of bargaining is to never show how much you really want an item. Try to suppress the excitement of having found the perfect rug because if the seller thinks that the item might not interest you, it will be easier to get a discount. While asking how much an item is, act casual. Pick up a few decoy items and ask their prices as well. If you do not know whether it is acceptable to negotiate on an item, simply state that it is a bit too expensive and wait for the shopkeeper to offer a lower price. Do not be afraid to turn away or walk out of the store, usually the sellers will call out after you, imploring you to come back for the item with a discounted price.

The price tags on items in areas known to attract tourists are usually about 30-40 percent more than their value. While negotiating, always offer a little bit more than half the price on the tag. The seller raises the prices knowing you will want to lower, so do not be discouraged if they laugh at your offer or even seem offended. Remember they are masters at this, and most of the time their outrage is just for the show.

Haggling is a two-way game, learn to look past these deceitful puzzles and take charge when it's your turn to put on a show and act bargain-savvy. Tell the store owner that you have looked around and that his prices are way above the normal asking price. This is where doing your homework properly pays off. Do not be afraid to give the salesman specific names of stores and areas in the city that have lower prices. Let him know that you are smart about your purchases and that you know the normal price for the item or service. Also remember that buying multiple items almost always means a discount, so you might want to get a few other things in there as well.

Timing is key; turning away or walking out of the shop at the right time is the make-or-break part of the deal. If you make the shopkeeper believe that they are about to lose a customer and a sale, they will jump at the chance to draw you back into the game. Be determined and don't show any hesitance in leaving the item behind. Local shopkeepers love a good challenge, and after a good negotiation, both parties will be happy with the deal.