How Not to Get Scammed in Morocco’s Souks

Today’s guest post is from Nadia Latif the site editor of Gap Daemon a fantastic new social network and advice site for backpackers and gap year travellers.

The first time I visited Marrakech, aged eleven, my Dad took me to the souks to teach me how to haggle (he’s an Arab and well-practised; I am British-born and decidedly not).

Squirming with embarrassment, I attempted to knock down the price of a pair of beaded slippers while the stall owner grinned at me. My Dad, on the other hand, threw looks of deepest contempt at the stall owner, offered 20% of the asking price and was accused of trying to rob him blind. It culminated with an agreed price and an offer of mint tea – things went from hostile to hospitable in the space of ten minutes and the whole thing left me deeply confused.

Haggling – if you get good at it – is seriously good fun. Here’s my guide to shopping in the souks, and how to avoid getting scammed while you’re at it.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Haggling

Rule number one: there are no price tags in Moroccan souks for good reason. People haggle until a price is agreed. If you see something you like, try to gauge how much you want to pay for it before you start haggling; it’ll help you keep things in perspective.

Ask how much it is and expect a vastly inflated answer in return. Knock it down by at least half (remember to smile: sounds patronising, but a friendly face goes a long way). Expect to be told “no way!” and – if you feel it’s worth it – increase your offer a little. If not, walk away. More often than not, you’ll be chased back and the whole process resumes again.

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Mint Tea

I can’t stress enough how important mint tea is to souk culture. Expect to be invited to share a cup of strong, tooth-achingly-sweet tea with shopkeepers, especially if you’ve made a relatively big purchase. It’s rude to refuse and why would you want to? It’s a really nice way to sit back, relax, and chill with the locals.

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Scams in the Souks

The Moroccan government is trying to crack down on the scamming of tourists, but souks are very hard to police; they are windy and tricky, with lots of dark corners and dead ends. You will spend (especially in Fez) a lot of your time wandering around completely lost. And this is when you are most vulnerable.

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My top tips for avoiding getting scammed (and the things to look out for):

• Young, teenage boys are a particular nuisance – many give misleading directions, follow you around until you are completely lost and then demand payment for the time they’ve spent ‘guiding’ you. I’ve fallen for this twice (twice! I was so annoyed with myself) in Marrakech – shopkeepers and/or older locals are a safer (though not always) bet.
• Get directions to the riad/hostel you’re staying in before you arrive. Many will offer to meet you at a designated place – take them up on that offer, especially if you’re staying in Marrakech or Fes, where the souks are labyrinthine. I have personally experienced someone offering to take me to my riad, trying to grab my bag and leading me off to a guest-house that was not the one I asked directions for (it was his friend/boss and he got commission for every tourist he brought there).

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The Golden Rule

Just say no and don’t feel rude – someone is bound try and scam you, but be patient, insistent and above all friendly. Don’t get visibly angry, don’t shout. If you are followed, calmly tell them you are not interested in a guide and won’t be paying them.

Exploring the souks of Morocco is an experience I’d recommend to anyone; I absolutely love them. And if I’m honest, I think by now I’d feel a little let down if someone didn’t try to scam me; it keeps me on my toes at least!

Creative Commons Photo Credits: Chetbox & Mar10o

Tags: featured, Haggling, Market, Marrakech, Morocan Souk, Morocco, Shopping

Category: Africa