Safe Journey to to you Julie and Phyllis and everyone!  See you in Istanbul!

Jill

Hola, Thank you so much for responding. This is extremely helpful.

Have a wonderful and safe Journey.

Ciao Ciao

We are hoping that our experiences with bargaining in Mexico (half hour away from San Diego) will help.  Hearing "Ladies, ladies over here..." isn't a big deal, we just keep walking and ignore them all the time. Think about it, they can't force anyone to buy anything or stop and look in their shops, so it shouldn't be intimidating right?

If interested in something, I usually offer one-third of their asking price and never pay more than half the initial price.  The best thing in Mexico has been to tell the merchants that we live just across the border and will come back in a week or two.  Then they really drop their prices and get animated.  Otherwise they think we are tourists from some other part of the country or world, and need to make that purchase now-or-never.  This strategy might work in Istanbul or might not:  "Oh we'll be back in a week when the cruise ship returns" really casually.  It's all a game and can be fun.

Our Istanbul friends said that they don't negotiate on every item, probably not for gold jewelry at least.  Guess we'll find out soon!

Thanks Jill,  This is exactly what I was looking for out here today.. I'd prefer to NOT exchange too much money if they are taking the US dollar.  Especially at the Grand Bazaar.  Awesome.!~

 Safe travels to you too.  See you soon!

Hey all - Just remember - If you exchange for Lire's, you need to be prepared to spend ALL of them - It is very difficult to trade back for US dollars.

They take Euros and US cash in the Grand Bazaar and in most tourist locations. Personally, I may exhange maybe $50 US for Turkish Lira (about 75 liras)- but that's it. Exchange only what you think you will spend. Most of the vendors will take either, so come with some small bills, as change MAY be given in Lira's.

It is true - you are best to walk away from a sale if it is not the price you want. They WILL come after you and try to get lower. That is the fun of bargaining.Try not to be intimidated. They are aggressive, but saying NO strong and walking away is also a very strong bargaining tool. And, make it fun! Don't take it too seriously. It can be overwhelming if you let it.

Know what the exchange rate is before you leave. They WILL quote you in US or Euros as well.  Right now $1US = 1.47 Turkish Lira. So you can round it out to 1US = 1.5 Lira. $5US = 7.5 Lira, $10US = 15 Lira, and so on. At restaurants and places that are not in the tourist area, they usually only take Lira or credit cards. Always check before being seated.

I leave tomorrow, and will not have access to this site, but you are welcome to email me at jillc@olivia.com for any last minute questions.  Safe travels everyone!

Hola Jill, We have received price details directly from the hotel-Point- we are staying in, that are giving us the total in Euros.

We also asked for excursions from their hotel and we were also quoted in Euros.

What is the recommendation on amounts to have in Lira- Euros, while in Turkey.?

 I know that it is the Turkish Lira that is used as currency.

 Just confused as to why they are pricing things in Euros. Will the sales vendors accept Euros in addition to Liras or is it only Liras?

Please let us know asap. Ciao Ciao