Day of Haggling

We saved our last day in Marrakech for some final shopping. Sue had some ideas of things she'd like to import for our house, and the kids had a few things in minds as well.  My job was to be the negotiator.

We got some really cool art, seat cushions, a tea set and other things. At each stop, Sue and/or the kids would pick something out, and then would leave me to do the bartering.

Bryce tried out some horns:

Laurel is fascinated with keys and locks, and tried out this over sized custom model:

In Morocco, it's considered an insult if you don't haggle, so you don't really have any choice.  I was always at a disadvantage, since the family would spend 10 minutes picking out something, and then leave me to work out a price.  It was obvious that I wasn't going to walk away (which is a great technique).  On top of that, the negotiations would usually occur in French, and I'd have to mentally do currency conversions in my head, so it was pretty taxing. Nevertheless, I came up with a system that seemed to work well. Here's how it went:

1. I would take Madani aside, and ask him how much something was worth.
2. The vendor would quote me a ridiculously high price. I would laugh.
3. I would come back with a super-low price.  The vendor would laugh and then start explaining to me how much work was involved, the quality of the craftsmanship, etc.
4. The vendor would lower his price a little. I would raise mine a little, trying to maintain an average of Madani's target.
5. Eventually we'd be close, and the vendor would make it look like he wouldn't budge. 
6. I would start to walk away, and he would come down a little bit to the target.
7. Often the "I've only got 500 dirhams" tactic would work if the target was 500 dirhams.
8. Finally we'd come to a deal, and begin to shake hands yet a few times the agreed upon price would be increased a bit while we were our hands were grasped together in mid-shake.  A last minute version of thumb wrestling I suppose (or number confusion for the buyer).
9. Nonetheless upon completion of the transaction the vendor would be all smiles, and thumping of my back and would even give a couple of small things to the kids as a gift. 

The only time I failed to make a deal was at the end of the day, when I was tired of haggling. Bryce wanted a little stuffed leather camel. The vendor wanted 180 dirhams (about $20).  I tried to offer 30 dirhams, but mixing up my French I offered him 300 instead.  He came back with 400 dirhams. We were clearly going in the wrong direction. Once I realized my mistake I offered him 30 instead, but he probably thought I was messing with him and let me walk away.