Wharton MBA for Executives

I flew out to Marrakech, Morocco on 9/7. I am here for 2 nights. I flew in yesterday morning and checked into our Riad (small hotel). This riad is great although a little too romantic for my tastes. There are rose pedals and candles all over the room, etc.

But the riad comes with airport transfers, wi-fi, breakfast, water, and an awesome staff ready to help you with anything (restaurant reservations, changing money, etc.).

Marrakech is definitely a unique place. We’re staying in the middle of the old city in the Medina. The riad is so quiet, peaceful, etc…but as soon as you step outside, it’s survival time! Unfortunately about oh…99% of the people who approach you on the street is trying to hustle you. They’ll ask if you’re lost and try to help you but demand payment in return, if you take a picture of a snake charmer he’ll demand payment, etc. Shop keepers will yell and try to get your attention for business. Kids will approach you with random stuff, etc. It’s a survival world out there and any sign of weakness (e.g. stopping to look at a map) is death.

Ok, maybe it’s not *that* bad. The main square is very interesting with lots of stuff going on. We went for dinner last night and had food at the various stalls. I tried to do a little souvenir shopping but the prices are basically nonexistent. Negotiation skills from class come in handy but it’s difficult when you have really no idea what the prices should be. How much is a somewhat ornate shirt for women? I’ve bought shirts like this for $2 in India. Over here a guy asked for $35 (280 dirhams). I basically laughed in his face and walked out the door when he grabbed me and made a ditch offer for $12. But is $12 the right price? Of course when he first said $35, he kept pressing me to tell him a price. I refused. A $35 starting offer is so ridiculous that it does not deserve a response IMO. I will admit that I was thinking of offering $12 though (100 dirhams). Of course by walking out and making him give his offer, the new maximum is now set to 100 dirhams. But still, is 50 dirhams ($7) the best offer? There’s really no way of telling. Perhaps comparison shopping will help but it takes a lot of energy to go into a shop, go through the hard sell, refuse, and walk out.

I also looked at some jewelry. There was a decent looking necklace. Guy says it’s silver but who really knows. He wanted 700 dirhams ($80). I left. He didn’t give an offer as I walked out the door. He also wanted me to offer him a price. That necklace doesn’t look like it’s worth more than $20 at most but maybe his opening offer is skewing my reference. Oh the psychology of negotiations.

I think I have some info for my first negotiations class writeup though. Maybe I’ll actually buy something today.