Introduction to Bargaining

Lesson objective

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• bargain for basic items such as clothing
• describe the colours of items
• use masculine, feminine, and plural adjectives correctly
• compare objects using comparative and superlative forms

Bargaining in Morocco

Bargaining is a normal part of life in Morocco. It can feel tiring for someone who is not familiar with it, but understanding the language and culture can make it easier.

Before bargaining, it is important to know which items normally have negotiable prices and which have fixed prices. The place where an item is sold can affect whether its price is fixed — for example, products such as soap, vegetables, and eggs may have fixed prices in a нanut, but their prices may be negotiated in a market or with a street seller.

Watching how Moroccan buyers shop can help you understand when bargaining is expected.

Items usually bargained for

• clothing
• household and kitchen utensils
• appliances and furniture
• house or apartment rent
• taxi fares for unscheduled trips
• items purchased in a traditional market
• items purchased from street sellers without permanent shops
• petit taxi fares when the meter is not working
• used or second-hand items
• domestic work and services such as plumbing or electrical work

For services, the price should be agreed on before the work begins.

Items seldom bargained for

• everyday products such as mint, parsley, bread, and coriander
• butane-gas refills
• cigarettes and alcohol
• meals and drinks in restaurants
• scheduled bus fares
• taxi fares on regular routes
• price-controlled foods such as sugar, oil, tea, flour, milk, and butter
• products purchased in a pharmacy
• meat and vegetables when the price per kilogram is displayed
• school supplies

Common buyer tactics

A buyer may avoid showing too much interest, walk away after the seller gives the supposed lowest price, point out problems or defects in the product, say that the same item costs less in another shop, say that they do not have enough money, or compliment the seller, the shop, the products, or the seller’s friendliness.

Common seller tactics

A seller may avoid showing too much interest in selling, turn away after the buyer gives the supposed highest price, emphasize the product’s high quality, say that products in other shops are not the same quality, say that accepting the buyer’s price would cause a financial loss, or compliment the buyer’s language, friendliness, or bargaining ability.