Istanbul, Turkey Hotels and City Guide

Istanbul - Shopping

Shopping in Istanbul

Since 1461, Istanbul has been a shoppers Mecca. The unrivaled Grand Bazaar opened its ornate doors in that year, and ever since the city has been a hub for commerce. The very word “bazaar” conjures images of old stalls, interesting curios, haggling customers, and a circus atmosphere, but Istanbul has its share of modern malls and boutiques where visitors can find high-end designer fashions. From the bustling Egyptian Spice and Mahmutpasa Bazaars to the sophisticated Nisantasi district, you will find marvels and modernity, trinkets and trendy.

What should you buy in Istanbul? Turkish carpets and leather goods are among the best in the world, and what’s more, you can have a custom leather jacket or pants made for you by master craftsman. What a souvenir to take home. Anything made prior to the 20th Century cannot be exported from Turkey, but you can still quality antiques, kilims, and beautiful copper utensils. Turks are also renowned for their wonderful textiles, and embroidered cloths make excellent gifts. You can find these in Istanbul’s bazaar district. Take a walking tour through them for the best shopping and sight-seeing experience.

Something that may surprise visitors is that vendors at bazaars expect you to haggle on the prices. When done right, this should be more of a leisurely social activity than a tense negotiation. It is seen a rude not to haggle, so relax and enjoy – and you’ll likely get a good bargain. First, comparison shop. For example, if you are looking for carpets, stop at several vendors and check out prices on several items, throwing in some items you don’t even want. Once you settle on a product you want, ask what the price is. If you are asked, “What will you pay?” turn it around to, “How much is it?”. Offer half the quoted price and work from there. There are some intricacies in this process, and it is important to know them ahead of time so you can enjoy yourself and get the most for your money (and not be cheated too!).

You won’t have to worry about honing your haggling skills in Nisantasi. This is Istanbul’s high-end shopping district where visitors can find Armani, Hugo Boss, and DKNY among others. An exciting treat for foreigners is the chance to see some of Turkey’s top designers, such as Özem Suer and Esra and Tuba Çetin. Serious shoppers will love the Cevahir Mall in Sisli, where top names can be found in over 300 stores.

The great thing about Istanbul is that you can go from the upscale Vakko (comparable to Saks Fifth Avenue) to used book stores in a few strides. Istiklal Caddesi, for example, is a wonderful street filled with incredible variety. From sophisticated apparel to art galleries to bookstores, this three kilometer-long boulevard attracts millions of eager shoppers (up to three million a day on busy weekends). Even if you don’t buy a single thing, you are rewarded with amazing architecture and a charming atmosphere.

Tax Refunds

Turkey attaches an 18 percent value-added tax (VAT), or katma deger vergisi (KDV), to most good and services. This relatively steep tax is refundable for foreign visitors to Turkey. Look for signs in shops that read, “Global Refund: Tax Free Shopping.” If you do find a shop offering the refund, ask for a KDV refund receipt. Ask for this when haggling for prices, not after you have purchased your item(s). Keep your KDV receipt. When you go to the airport to leave Istanbul, take the receipt to the Global Refund desk. Your receipt will be stamped to confirm that you are exiting Turkey, and then you can get your refund in the departure lounge after you have gone through immigration. You can receive your refund in Turkish lira or as a credit on a credit card account.

A word of warning: 18 percent is a lot of tax to get back, so ensure that you do receive your refund by being aware of anything you sign. Salespeople may say that they have to charge you a value-added tax, the KDV, which is standard. Here is the issue: some may give you the KDV receipt and ask you to sign it. When you arrive at the airport, your request for a refund is denied. Why? Because the receipt says that you have already received your refund directly from the store. In essence, the shop then gets your refund. It is easy to sign away your refund, especially if you do not speak or read Turkish and are in a hurry – and because you may trust the salesperson.

Do not sign anything you cannot read or understand. In the midst of harried shopping or in the elation of a good deal, you may skip over the fine print. Never sign anything saying you have received the refund unless you actually have. You don’t need to sign your refund receipt at the shop anyway. If you are pressured to or suspect you are being cheated, leave the vendor and find another. There are plenty of merchants that will act honestly and help you get the refund you deserve.

Hotels in Istanbul, Turkey