The Art of Meeting People and Negotiating Purchases at the Grand Bazaar

 The Grand Bazaar has always been more than a large shopping area.  For centuries, it was a major destination where people in the vast Ottoman Empire came together to trade goods, share stories and ideas, and form relationships.  The warm welcome, affability and pride of the artisans and their sellers constitutes deep and lasting memories.

Since its beginnings as a major trading center in 1461, to its 2014 Travel & Leisure ranking as the world’s most-visited tourist attraction (91,250,000 annual visitors!), the Grand Bazaar has remained one of Istanbul’s most celebrated cultural icons. The maze of exotic shops sells it all, from carpets to lanterns, jewelry to ceramics, and just about everything in between. The enormous covered market- composed of 60 streets lined with 5,000 shops- is bustling with local and tourist shoppers looking for a bargain on these coveted goods, and sellers looking to get them to pay the highest price possible.

The art of buying something at the Grand Bazaar comes down to bargaining, which is a cultural experience itself. Navigating the bargaining scene can be a bit daunting for someone who is used to paying a set price. Equip yourself with a little bit of bargaining knowledge ahead of time and the Grand Bazaar will feel less intimidating and more enjoyable. 

When it comes to bargaining at the Grand Bazaar, think of a dance.  Shop owners are very friendly and want to make a connection with you.  This is one reason why the Grand Bazaar so enchanting.  Shop owners will offer you tea, engage in conversation, and try to get a feel for what you are interested in and what you are willing to pay.  As a dance, it is okay to show some level of indifference or ambivalence about an item. It’s wise to seek out similar shops and have an idea of what the item is going for elsewhere, so make sure you have an opportunity to visit without being pressed for time. Keep in mind a price that you are comfortable paying, so you have some leverage when the bargaining begins- after all, the bazaar’s sellers are experts. 

As you begin to casually ask the seller how much the item costs, make sure they don’t divert the conversation by asking what you’re willing to pay. When they do make an offer, don’t be afraid to look a little appalled and reject it as you walk away. If the seller is determined to make a sale, they will drop the price to keep you around. If not, you will most likely find the same item in a handful of other shops. It helps to do a little research ahead of time to determine the difference between a high and low quality item.  Don’t be afraid to inspect things and truly know what you’re about to buy! In fact, it’s not uncommon for the seller to lower the price after you point out a flaw.

There's no need to feel guilty about rejecting an offer and moving along. No matter how long you spend with the sellers, no matter the cups of tea and breezy conversation they offer you, you have no obligation.  You've agreed to view their wares and maybe hear a pitch, not necessarily to buy. In the end, it may be that even a "fair price" is more than an item is worth to you, and you and the seller never reach an agreement -- and that's OK. If you do decide to accept an offer, USD is accepted at the Grand Bazaar.  With thousands of stores to choose from, you're sure to come home with some treasures.  Click on the handy color-coded map from Istanbul Trails below to enlarge it and get an idea of what you can buy in the various "districts".

Ready to see for yourself what more than 90 million people annually deem worth a visit? Contact us to start planning a customized group tour of Turkey for your institution, friends and family, university or church group .  

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