Visiting the Grand Bazaar while in Istanbul, Turkey, is a must. This is one of the most famous markets in the world and worth seeing even if you do not intend to buy something. But if you are, check out some of the tips that will help you have the best possible shopping experience.
Don’t Forget to Haggle
Haggling is an activity enjoyed by both sellers and buyers at Grand Bazaar. Don’t rush to pay the first price you are given and instead try to knock it down. If they start too high for your taste, you start too low, and you can meet in the middle. Maybe you managed to find a seller in a good mood and ended up with some great things for cheap.
Visit in the Morning
Grand Bazaar opens its doors at 9 AM, and you should look to visit around that time for various reasons. The most important one is that you won’t have to go through crowds and will have enough time (and space) to really explore it. Also, the sellers will tend to give you better prices in order to start the day with a sale.
Don’t Buy the First Thing You See
There are close to 4,000 shops in Grand Bazaar, so you shouldn’t buy the first thing you see. There is a good chance you’ll find it cheaper or better somewhere else. Also, being patient will help you not to save money.
Know When to Say No
Sellers can be really pushy and might try to trick you into buying things you don’t want or don’t need. Don’t crack under pressure, and learn to say no. Buy on your own terms, and don’t forget to have fun.