Visiting Souk is an important part of visiting Dubai. Souks are an integral part of the city and the rush you will encounter will be hard enough. Thus, be prepared for anything coming your way. Souks aren’t something you should take lightly. It is a mission for you. Not only is the rush to be taken into account but the bargaining, movement and tackling the labyrinth has to be taken into account as well. Here are some of the tips for tackling souks in Dubai.
Tips to shop in a Souk
You would like to take the following tips into account, the next time you visit a souk:
- Make Way
Souks are places where the rush has no account, thus, give way to the Moped riders, other visitors who are in a hurry as well as the carriages flowing through the market. Stay in the left or the right lane to avoid the rush.
- Politely Decline
There will be ‘n’ number of guides waiting to grab you and take money from you. Politely decline them, if they are persisting, then simply walk away. Souks are not places where you need the history classes from people. It is a marketplace where you refine your bargaining skills.
- Do your homework
Before going to get the gold or something that is not locally available in your country do the research on the internet if it is worthy of where you are going to buy it. Know the worth of the item you are going to purchase.
- Do Bargain
The best buyer is the one who knows the tactics of Bargaining. Don’t just accept what they are offering. Go for the half-price first, they will surely bring the price down to the 60 to 70% of the initial cost. If you are still not satisfied, there are many shops in the souk there. Walking away is also a way of bargaining. Shopping in the Souks become easier when you walk away from there because the sellers will definitely bring down the price for you.
- Cash is important
The Spice Souks of the city are the best places to buy Spices that are indigenous to Arabian lands. But they often charge more for the Card payments, thus it is important to carry cash as they often ask if you are going to pay by cash or card. And they do prefer cash as well.
- Other shops
Don’t just stand over one shop. The souks are full of shops. You can always go back there but if you already bought the item then there is no more option. Explore the options that you have for the item that you are purchasing.
- Flexibility is the key
When you are the buyer you cannot bargain to the price zero nor should you go on with anything they say. Flexibility between them has to be there. Watch what they are providing you. If you rigidly ask them to drop the price they will be stubborn on their part as well. So, be flexible while you are buying things.
Concluding it up
The souks of Dubai are the places where you get to buy the cheapest and the best as well. Keep a keen eye for everything as well as follow these tips to be the best buyer in the souk. The competition is high in regards to being the best bargainer and buyer. So the tips for tackling souks are given to you and now the ball is in your court. Go shopping in the souks to know what it means to be there.
