One of the joys of visiting Africa is the opportunity to shop in an African market. There is nothing quite like it. Often crowded, always colorful and interesting and filled with friendly folks who see the fun of bargaining as a vital part of the process of selling their products. It is a fantastic spot for taking pictures as well as buying gifts for your friends.If you pay the first price they ask you'll surely be paying too much.
Here are some tips on shopping in an African market.
NEVER pay the first price. It's not that anyone is trying to rip you off, its just the tradition. I usually will respond to a first offer by jokingly saying that the craftsman is a robber. Be sure that he understands you are joking. If he looks at you in a puzzled way, he has not gotten the joke. Make sure you laugh and he will then understand.
ALWAYS assume that a supposedly valuable commodity is bogus (gold, gemstones, antiques, etc). Again, this is not necessarily because someone is trying to put one over on you, they may have been fooled by someone as well. If you are not an expert in distinguishing between real vs fake of whatever you are buying, either pay a price that would be acceptable if it turns out to be faux or find someone capable of distinguishing. I've come home with more than my share of beads I thought were gemstones only to find out they were fake.
Don't show too much interest. The more that you can take a disinterested posture, the more likely you will get a good price for it. The more interest you show, the less they are willing to bargain on the price.
Don't be afraid to walk away. Chances are they will follow you; if not right away, at some point, you'll turn around and they will be there with the item trying to get you to purchase it before leaving.
Have fun! Be loud, be silly, enjoy the experience and the vendors will enjoy it with you.
The Mask
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