Shopping, Guides & Souks
So you’ve landed in Marrakech and entered the old medina. Suddenly, you’re surrounded by endless vendor stalls of handmade items for the wardrobe, the home and everywhere else.
You’re overwhelmed. You’re also curious, and you’ve got some money to spend. But at a closer glance, you notice that nothing has a price tag! So, what to do now, honey?
This article will help you understand WHAT is going on in the Moroccan markets, how to deal (literally) and how to walk away with some new treasures that didn’t break the bank.
Vocabulary: Souk
Souk is just the Arabic word for “market” and in Morocco, there’s all different kinds of souks. Clothing souks, furniture souks, leather souks, shoe souks, food souks…you name it souks. To make it more confusing, most souks don’t have officially starting or ending points or signs, so just know that when you’re in the medina, you’re in THE area with the souks - and then you just have to start looking around at what interests you.
Rule #1: Carry cash, but spread it out.
Don’t expect vendors in the souks to accept credit cards unless you’re making a big purchase, like buying a rug for your living room, or a golden bathtub (this actually exists, we can testify). My favorite rule of thumb is to have about 2000 MAD (around $200) to start with, and hide it in different parts of my wallet and purse in different increments. By doing this trick, you will never show a merchant how much money you actually have when you open your wallet, which can be helpful when you want to strike a deal with your “last 100 dirhams”.
Rule #2: Nothing has a price tag and everything can be negotiated.
This is where the term “haggling” comes in. To haggle means to playfully negotiate back and forth with the seller about the price of an item in question. My favorite method is to look around and not express too much outward interest at any particular item. Remember, if you oogle over something - the price automatically goes up when the seller knows you want it badly. So, be cool. Be aloof. When you finally want to ask the price, ask casually - like you don’t care. The seller will give you a price, most likely on the high end.
Rule #3: Offer your lowest price first
After the first price is given by the seller, offer your lowest price. He will probably laugh at you. Don’t take it personal - this is his job, after all. The next part of the process is the actual “haggling”, where you do a delicate back and forth dance of increasing and decreasing the price until you’re both happy with a price that works for you.
Rule #4: It is not rude to walk away
You don’t have to buy anything, but in Moroccan culture remember that asking the price means you’re interested enough to probably buy. So if you aren’t interested in that item, don’t ask the price unless you’re ready to haggle or firmly say you’re not interested. It is not considered rude to walk away, but it is considered rude to laugh at the price quoted by the seller and insult him. Remember - this is how things are done in Morocco and it’s all just a big psychological game!
Rule #5: None of these rules apply in boutiques or cooperatives
There are so many amazing international designers based in Marrakech, and they are doing amazing things with fashion and home design. Be prepared to pay international prices for their goods. In co-ops, especially where women are concerned, it would be considered poor form to ask for a discount or try to negotiate a price, as most of these are operating as non-profit associations that benefit a particular charity or cause.
But what about guides? I heard they rip you off too!
We disagree! Having a guide with you during a shopping experience can be helpful, safe and also ensure that you walk away having purchased what you want for a price that you feel comfortable with. But - be careful when choosing your guide. It is true that many guides make a killing by taking guests to shops that offer huge kickbacks and commissions and are even known to throw guests into high pressure buying situations. It is within our core values to never do this to our guests. Adil and our fellow guides charge a fair hourly rate for their work and will take you to souks and shops where you want to go. They will assist with language barrier translations when necessary, but they will not haggle for you. Rather, they will advise when a price is fair or not and within reason. And, they might even offer to carry your bags if your hands get full!
Beware of unlicensed guides!
This is tricky one in Morocco, but guides actually have to be professional - meaning they have to be authorized by the Ministry of Tourism with a license to be a tour guide of any kind. There are loads of people posting tours of sites that are often cheap and seem like a good deal, but this is illegal and can result in your unlicensed guide getting caught by the police and then your tour ends on a really low note. If you hire a guide, make sure he or she has a license or a “badge” to carry with them to prove their authorization. This will also ensure that you are in the hands of someone professional!
All of our guides are licensed and authorized to operate tours anywhere in Morocco.
Most important rule of all: Have fun!
Morocco is one of THE BEST PLACES IN THE WORLD when it comes to souks and shopping. You should enjoy it! Think of it like a big maze combined with a treasure hunt and no matter what, you win!
If you’d like to book your souk experience with My Moroccan Adventure, just email us to get started!