Visitors to Turkey should experience the colorful and exciting bazaar. In both the local, open air markets and the grand old covered markets you can find clothing, spices, fresh fruit and vegetables and traditional ceramic wares, rugs, gold and jewelry.Although bargaining is not acceptable in stores where the price is clearly marked on the merchandise, the bazaars offer you plenty of opportunity to practice your bargaining skills. It is best to get an idea of the real value of the goods before you start and then venture an offer of half the price. Don’t start to haggle unless you really have the intention of purchasing the goods if the shopkeeper comes down in price. It is rude to strike a deal through bargaining and then not buy.
Some supermarkets in Turkey have introduced a form of scanner shopping, mainly for customers to learn the price of an unmarked item. However, unlike in Turkey, major retail chains in Europe and the US, supermarkets especially, are moving toward personal scanners rather than personal assistants. If you want to bypass the checkout line, pick up your personal scanner on the way in and just pay on the way out.
Here in the US the other day, I went to one of these superstores and did some shopping. After I had chosen my items I strolled up to the checkout lane with my shopping basket, but things had changed. There was a scanner and do-it-yourself credit card machine. Suddenly I realized that I was in the self-checkout lane.
I stood and watched in amazement how service trends are changing. As I stood there reading the instructions, a lady turned to me and said: “It’s great! When I come up to the checkout, everything’s already bagged, I go to my car, and I’m done. No waiting in line.”
I wondered to myself if the new service trend was really beneficial for the customer. As I continued to stand there another woman came up. I acted like I was interviewing people and asked her was she satisfied with the scan service. She answered me, saying, “It makes checkout so much quicker if I can keep a tally as I walk through the aisle and it give me more time shopping and less time waiting to checkout.”
By now I was getting into the role of interviewer. I asked the next person who had a child with her. Before answering she told me her name was Betsy. “I usually have a little one, so it’s easier to check out,” Betsy said. “I scan the little bar codes and at the end I can just pay. Usually by the end that’s when she starts to scream, so I can get out fast.” She thanked me for asking and left.
Another customer walked up to the “Check you out” lane. I asked him what he thought and he said: “I can use this scanner to create lists of items for delivery, such as bulky hardware items. It’s great!” He left.
A couple of women strolled up to the “Check you out” lane where I was standing. I asked them if I could ask them a question and they were pleased to accommodate me. I asked them if they were pleased with the new scan service and they told me that when they visited New England in the fall that they visited a supermarket that arms shoppers with a scanner and wireless touch-screen display attached to the shopping cart. One added: “I do miss the interaction with the cashiers because I am a people person. But it’s good to beat the line.”
By this time, I was getting tired of standing and had not paid for my items yet. I went to the normal check-out lane. As I paid I smiled and said, “Thank you.”
I know when I return to Turkey next month things will not have changed as drastically as it has in the past year in the US. But I have a sneaky feeling that scanners will gradually replace salespeople there, too!
When I get back to Turkey I don’t think I will be dashing into a shop to buy what I need and dash out. I imagine a lot of shopkeepers will still be offering tea and expect to have a little chat.
If you are planning a shopping trip in Turkey take a Turkish friend with you. They will enjoy helping you get a good price. They always say they can get it more cheaply, so why not let them?
Note: Keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
