Then the sale was on. After the explanation had finished, the salesmen descended upon us, like vultures to a rotting carcase. Here's how it works:

1. Salesman names an outrageous price that you wouldn't pay even in Harrods. Invariably he addresses you as "my friend".
2. You name a price.
3. They try to work you up as far as they can in the direction of their original quote.

If you guess wrong in step 2 then you're screwed. I managed to get a 70% discount on a trinket for my Mother but even then I was sure I was being overcharged. All in all, I hate this kind of purchasing but I had little choice to avoid it in the days to come. It soon became tiring and as a result I bought very little.