Going shopping in a typical Nigerian market could be a fun and exhausting experience all in one, but it can be totally worth it, especially when you know the right tips and tricks to guide you through.
If you are one of those people who stay away from big markets, you may be unknowingly spending way more than you should on household items. But not to worry, with the simple guides in this article, you will soon find out getting good value for your money and saving more in the market is not so difficult.
Here are a few strategies to master:
1. Blend in!
The typical Nigerian market is not the place to show off your nice clothes, accessories or accents; the richer you seem, the more likely you are to be cheated by traders – this is a fact!
Dress simply, use the local slangs when necessary so you do not seem like a stranger and blend in with the crowd. Acting like you do not know your way around or like you are from out of town will also make traders try to sell to you at ridiculously higher prices.
2. Explore your options
Do not stick to buying from one trader or feel obligated to purchase goods from every store you make a stop at. Remember that you are in a market place and not meeting with friends, so demand better items and if you feel like you are not satisfied with what you see, simply walk away.
It is also a known fact that the best deals on items can be found deep inside the market and not at the finer stores you find at the entrance; so go ahead and experience all that the market has to offer even if it means getting your hands dirty.
3. Don’t be afraid to haggle
There is really no point in going to a big Nigerian market if you are not going to haggle, you could as well just walk into a supermarket with fixed price tags. Haggling is a core part of the Nigerian market culture and being a pro at it is something you could perfect with little practice.
Always remember that the sellers will not think twice about taking advantage of you. So your mission should be to get items at the lowest prices possible and avoid getting cheated.
Never agree to the first price mentioned by a seller; negotiating prices is not something to be ashamed of, so no matter how ridiculous your request for a discount sounds to you, go ahead and ask. You will be surprised how much less they would actually be willing to sell.
Legit.ng video team has recently conducted a market prices research, that proves the traders want to get as much money from visitors as possible:
With these three simple tips, you can be sure to get great value for your money in a typical Nigerian market and save way more money easily. Happy shopping!
Source: Legit.ng