Ottoman — Local services in Fatih

Avoid! Rip-off and manipulative

Initially, we were looking for a small souvenir to take home. We asked a local what he could recommend for something sweet, whereupon he accompanied us to the store's stall. That should have made me suspicious.

When he showed us the recommended "turkish delights", I was initially impressed. We came to two vendors and were immediately offered pieces to try and a cup of tea. However, I pointed out several times that I was running out of time and that I would have to move on in 15 minutes.

When the vendors finally realized that I would leave on time even if it meant not buying anything, I was overrun by even more helpers. From every direction I was shown even more things to test and look at. Not being able to have my eyes on the products i wanted and having selected.

Unbelievably hectic, annoying, awful atmosphere. They were looking for a quick buck. It felt like a robbery and not like a purchase.

Something sweet was taken but they also put additional things in the box that I didn't want. A cheeky scam.

And the supposedly good advice-giving local was certainly in on it.

Absolute scetchy, shameless and despicable.

I would use more swear words but dont want this post...

SCAM THEIF, STAY AWAY

My tour guide took me to this place. My tour guide told me about them saying that they r very poor people and conflicts going on in the family they are not earning much. Feeling pity for these ppl, I thought of buying some sweet rolls for my people back home. I ended up buying 2 boxes, thinking about these people will earn something and not die of hunger. They told me 2 boxes are 11,000 lira. Shocked to my core, I was wondering what kind of country is this, either they r beggars or losers or scammers. I told them to reduce to one box, but the owner said the sweets won’t get spoilt until 6 months. I returned back to my country in a week’s time, as soon as I open the box there were worms, fungus in the box. I cursed them to my core.

DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM TURKEY AND...

Absolute rip off. STAY AWAY FROM THESE THIEVES. My friends tour guide took her to this shop. Probably he might have got ties with this shop owner. There is nothing wrong if there is.

But the problem is they will lure you into the shop and will make you buy their sweets. As a foreigner, my friends doesn't know anything and felt really pressured at the shop to purchase. When she agreed to take 2 kgs of sweets, they charged a whopping 9000lira for a mere 2kg sweets.

What on earth 2 kgs sweets cost 9000lira?

Absolute scammers. Stay...