Enjoying the Retail Delights of Alanya, in Turkey

Turkey is a renowned country in which to find some excellent bargains. The city of Alanya is no exception and the narrow streets and boulevards are lined with vendors plying their wares - from rare one-of-a-kind trinkets to souvenirs and other goods you won’t find anywhere else. But some of the best finds need a little seeking out. You not only know where to search for them, but you'll also have to know how to get them at the very best prices. Get the driver of your transfer to Alanya to point out some of the best places to find some hidden treasures and follow these insider tips to make sure you get good value for your money.

Take it Easy

The worst thing you can do, really, is to sally forth and try to 'conquer’ as soon as soon as you step off your transfer to Alanya. Many tourists make this mistake out of sheer eagerness and misplaced priorities. The point is, you are in a new city - a place that you’re probably visiting for the first time - and you should take time to get to know it before rushing in to engage in shopping. Make it a point to avoid shopping for the first few days of your holiday. Get to know the currency vis-à-vis its ‘weight’ in terms of the prices of things and how much or how far you can go as far as haggling is concerned. And, most importantly, when paying, be very sure that you’re paying at the right rate of exchange. You may want to download an app on your smartphone that provides the exchange rate in real time, and then calculate exactly how much money you’re shelling out.

Timing Matters

Unlike in Western malls, where shopping is done anytime of the day, local shops and vendors in this Turkish city are bound by their age-old beliefs and traditions. It's a wise idea to schedule your shopping very early in the morning. The first few hours after dawn are an important time for salesmen in Turkey as they believe that their very first customer in the day is the one that will bring them luck – which is why they tend to give their first customer very special treatment! (This also applies to the driver on your transfer to Alanya, so if you have an early morning flight, lucky you!) Vendors are most amicable in the morning, and often tend to give in to customers’ haggling a little easier. Moreover, when you shop in the morning, salesmen will not only give you all the time you need to examine their goods, they may also throw in some good bargains to sweeten the deal.

Understand the Local Sales-related Culture

Local vendors - especially those selling wares along narrow streets and back alleys or in the more traditional parts of the city - have an unspoken disposition regarding the matter of the ‘right’ way of selling. For example, you should always ask the salesman about the price first, before you further delve into getting more information about the product. Salesmen in the city tend to become annoyed if, after they spend a lot of time and effort in trying to sell you the goods, you end up not buying after learning too late that it is too expensive. Also, you should have some presence of mind when going about the shops, and try to deal only with reputable salesmen - avoid those who tend to be too aggressive or pushy. Understand these unspoken ‘rules’ and you will have a more successful shopping expedition – and plenty of bargains to take on the return leg of your transfer to Alanya airport.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer to Alanya, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.