Shopping the Souks of Morocco – How to Haggle

When you think of Morocco, one of the things that probably comes to your mind is their souks.  Here you can find anything and everything that Morocco is known for.  You can walk away with some amazing finds, that will allow you to bring a little taste of Morocco back to your home.  Morocco is known for its beautifully crafted artisans and we love shopping the souks and being able to support local artisans.

Although the hustle and bustle can be quite exciting it can also be overwhelming and uncomfortable.  At first, I was uncomfortable haggling, but it is important to know that it is all part of the culture, and venders are prepared to entertain.  It is all part of the fun of shopping in the souks.

Thomas is amazing at bargaining and has shown me the way into this scene and how to walk away with some of our best purchases.

Here are our tips when haggling so you don’t walk away feeling like you’ve overpaid or that you have made a purchase you were pressured into.  Trust me it happens.  We met a few people on our trip that got very overwhelmed and ended up purchasing goods well over their budget and items that they didn’t even want and simply bought because they felt pressured. 

Do your research and know your max budget.  Take your time and shop around and ask around.  This will give you a sense of the true value of the goods from other vendors. We have even gone as far as asking tourists and locals unaffiliated with the shops what they paid, and or what something usually sells for.  Also, know how much this item would sell for back home.  Once you figured out your max budget, be firm and stick to it.   Start your negotiations at least 50% less than the asking price.  Remember everything is negotiable and it is just a matter of finding that makes you and the vendor happy. 

If you find something you can’t live without start haggling, these souks are very easy to get lost in, and chances are you may not be able to find your way back to that same shop. You can always ask for a business card so you have the address if you have time to find your way back. 

Don’t entertain any negotiations if you are not serious about purchasing, you don’t want to waste anyone’s time.  And trust us once you start the negotiation process you are fully in it. Remember that this is how the vendors make their living.  Once you start haggling you can easily gauge whether a vendor is interested in meeting you at a price you will be comfortable with, or if what you are asking is truly out of his league.  They will usually ask you what you want to pay and will start negotiating, they may even follow you as you leave the store.  That’s when you know there is room to work with on price.   If they don’t and say you’re crazy then you know not to waste your time.

Most importantly be friendly, engage in friendly conversation, and if you are not interested kindly tell them you are not interested, thank them and walk away. Always smile and have fun with it. We found having friendly conversations and smiling made a more positive experience in our transactions and interactions with the vendors.   

We also found knowing a few words in Arabic helped.  We found that using these few words showed the locals that we are trying and will reply smiling “you speak Arabic?” Here are a few we used all the time.

As-salam alakom – Peace be upon you (this is a sentence to greet someone with respect)

Shukran– Thank you

Inshallah – If God wills (people will use this sentence often, you can use this when saying goodbye)

Bikum – How Much

What should you buy at the souks that Morocco is famously known for:

Leather Goods – The leather in Morocco is highly unique and tanned using a method that dates back to the medieval times.  You can purchase shoes, Moroccan slides/slippers (known as babouche), bags, wallets, belts and jackets

Poufs – This also falls under leather goods, but we wanted to keep it separate because they are iconic pieces on its own.  Most popular are leather poufs that are either made from goat or camel.  They are dyed or stained to any color you desire and available in a wide variety of patterns/ embroidery.  You buy them unstuffed, and can easily be compacted down making it easy to travel with.  Simply stuff them when you get home.  

We found this amazing company can ship poufs internationaly.
Check them out on their website www.welovepoufs.com.
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Pottery – Something that you will only find in Morocco.  Hand panted ceramics in all shapes, colors and patterns.  Beautifully crafted plates, tagines and bowls.

Lanterns – This is very famous Moroccan piece.  They come in different sizes, shapes and materials.  Brass is the most expensive and heaviest but definitely worth it.

Rugs and Carpets- These rugs are definitely trending at the moment and getting them straight from Morocco is ideal.  You can even watch how they make these beautiful pieces.  They can even customize them and ship them directly to your home. 

Berber Baskets – These baskets originate from the Sahara and were originally used as breadbaskets, but today you can find them used as décor or plant pots, or keeping things fresh in the kitchen.  No matter what you chose to use them for, they will surely add beauty and design to any space.