Market local souvenirs — Local services in Sal

SCAM!!!!!!!!!!

We arrived by taxi at the main street, and as soon as we got out, a man approached us. He asked, “Are you from hotel X? (Hide your bracelet!!!)” He claimed to be a security guard at the hotel (LIE to gain your trust), but said today was his day off. He told us about a market (=not mercado municipal) that was supposedly much cheaper than the shops on the main street and offered to walk us there, giving information about some of the items along the way.

When we arrived, he went into a shop and said it was his family’s. He gave us a bracelet and showed the goods. Immediately, we felt pressured to buy something. He asked €100 for two small wooden figurines, claiming they were real ebony. Of course, we didn’t want to pay that much. Eventually, we paid €35, which is still too high, but almost three times less.

There was also a woman running a stall with her brother, selling bags, bracelets, headbands, etc. They tricked us with a money switching trick. I noticed it, but she said, “No, because you gave me this and this, and I gave you this and this.” Surrounded by people pressuring you, it’s impossible to feel at ease! So I left it with that but felt bad afterwards.

There was a young lady at another shop who didn’t pressure us at all. We saw something, asked for the price, paid, got our change, and that was it.

To be honest, avoid this place at any time. Prices are ridiculously high, and they pressure you to buy. Even after buying, they keep asking you to buy again. I understand they want to make money, but this is outrageous.

Hopefully authorities will do something about it but I doubt that...

Nous venions d'arriver et étions en découverte sur le ponton avec notre petite fille de 2 ans et demi. Un monsieur parlant très bien français nous expliqué qu'il y a un petit marché sympa où sa maman travaille, ce n'est pas loin et ce n'est ouvert que le dimanche. Bêtement nous le suivons. Une fois entrés à l'intérieur il nous montre son stand et là je n'ai pas aimé du tout, il donne un bracelet à ma fille, le stand d'en face lui donne un magnet. Alors, ils disent que c'est cadeau mais non parce qu'on ne peut pas repartir sans avoir acheté quelque chose. Coincés la dedans avec la poussette, les vendeurs autour de nous... bref nous nous sommes sentis obligés d'acheter un objet soi disant artisanal 15 euros mais ce n'était pas suffisant, j'ai été obligée de me fâcher pour sortir de là. Pour une première rencontre, quelle déception ! Heureusement le reste de notre séjour nous a demontré tout autre chose avec de belles rencontres, simples et sans arnaque. Si on vous propose le marché artisanal...

Friendly people making a living. Don't find this a scam, just know not all is handmade, but many items are. You can also bargain the price quite a lot, they are not pushy, and remained friendly if we declined certain offers, as there are different shops inside. Rather buy items here than in big...