Asian open-air markets are chaotic and it was not an exception. I visited Mohammadpur's Weekend market, one of the most populated areas in Dhaka. So it was more crowded than I had ever thought. But the collection was huge and the price was 1/3-1/2 for some products if I compare to the regular marketplace. So there's nothing to complain about, right?
Let me give you a glimpse.
These markets are also called the Bend Down market and you can see why. All the shops are on the ground, over a piece of plastic or cloth they display their products. You have to bend down or sit to search for what you are looking for.
Moreover, they can't provide any specific size or color, you have to look for your desired products. These are usually the factory rejected and showroom discounted leftover products. However, there were some shops that offered good quality products too.
I'm not sure if you would call it the best or the worst thing but you have to haggle here for the best price. Nothing is a fixed price here and negotiation for the right price can save you. So you need to have a good idea about the products and the market price as well.
Can you imagine the chaos where everyone is haggling for prices and navigating through the products? Oh! it's kind of an experience.
However, the best thing is this open-air market offers almost every day-today life products. From clothes to kitchen accessories, from home decor to footwear; you will find everything at a very cheap price.
I would suggest having a list of your desired products, getting some idea about the market price, and then visiting this place. Sometimes they offer products at such a price, that you will be astonished. I usually visit this place for such things. For example, home decor or kitchen goods.
You will feel the warmth of the community market here unlike the big shopping malls. And I find this place handier for small goods like kitchen items, floor mats, or cloth laces, etc that usually cost more in usual markets.
I have bought two trousers to wear at home, two pieces of floor mats, some cloth pins, a hair band, a nail cutter, and some pillow covers for my home. The shopping was a little hassle because of the heat and the haggle but the cheap price makes it worth it.
What do you say? Do you have such markets in your area? Have you ever visited such a market or have any experience negotiating the price?
Have a good day, everyone.
