Shopping
Tips & Advice
1. Always mention this guide.
It helps shops and artists, particularly, to
know you have seen samples of their work or product. It
sets you apart from the other tourists.
2. Make contact.
A good thing to do before visiting an artist in Greece
is to call or email them ahead of time to let them
know you are coming to visit. Don't be afraid to do this.
Many artists work their own hours and need some warning
of visitors, especially ones who prefer to prepare a special
presentation for each customer. Many speak English, but
if you find yourself in a language pickle, perhaps a friend
or the clerk at your hotel will call for you. Emails are
great if you have your itinerary planned out, you would
be smart to let the artists know when you expect to be in
the area before you leave on your trip. All possible contact
information is available for each artist or location on
this site. If you cannot reach the artists to let them know
you are coming, just going to the studio or shop is generally
OK. The artists who onle meet by apointment are specified
as so on their web page. On the whole, the artists work
long hours and you will at least get a chance to see the
work. Although there may be someone other than the artist
in the shop, you will still be able to take advantage of
the occasion by mentioning this site.
Calling Greece from outside of Greece (011) (30) + area
code (210 for Athens) and number. Calling from within Greece
area code (even when calling the city you are in) + number.
If you are planning your itinerary while in Greece through
Fantasy Travel, you can ask them to arrange these appointments
for you ahead of time.
3. Don't rush.
Give yourself plenty of time to spend with the artist. Some
may be more chatty than others. Sometimes these encounters
can lead to long evenings of conversation. Greeks love to
offer refreshments and visit with you before getting down
to business. Although it's not always the case, we once
visited an artist couple for a demonstration and they sent
me to a nearby hotel with two local bottles of wine, fresh
bread, and two blocks of cheese. Enjoy these experiences
for all they are worth. Making friends and learning from
the artist about their work and Greece in general is part
of the fun. Greeks are typically much slower at doing business
than we are accustomed to in the States. You will find they
like to get to know you first and may offer you something
to drink and a place to sit before even mentioning their
work. Don't expect a quick in and out visit at every place.
In most cases, visiting 3-4 artists in a day can be a very
very full day.
4. Enjoy the journey.
If you like the area you are in, ask the artist for referrals
to other places, sites, and artists you may like to visit
while you are there. They are proud and love to share their
villages and friends with you, if you show an interest.
5. Don't bargain.
These are established artists who have already agreed to
offer special prices to visitors who come from this site
and deserve the respect of the buyer. Unless you are in
an outdoor market environment where you are dealing with
an owner or plan on buying many of one thing shopping is
generally like the U.S. and prices are as marked. If you
really love something by a particular artist you are visiting
with in person and it is too expensive, just express this.
The fact that you connect with what an artists is doing
and truly appreciate their work will open the conversation
up to negotiations.
6. Hitting the sales.
In Greece, sales are only allowed twice a year during a
specific time period where all shops are allowed to discount
their merchandise. Because the shops must wait for these
sales, there are fabulous deals on merchandise during these
periods. The mark downs are up to 70% off at most stores.
They are in held in February and August.
7. Shop hours.
Shops are generally open from 8:00am to 2:30pm on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from
8:00am to 2:30pm and from 5:30-8:00pm. Most shops are closed
on Sunday. If you are visiting an artist at their studio,
these hours don't necessarily apply. You are best off contacting
them ahead of time to let them know when you would like
to visit. Avoid trying to make appointments on Greek holidays.
It may be more difficult to set up a time during the time
surrounding Christmas and Easter. Greeks tend to take a
fews off before and after to visit their villages or homes
away from the city. August is also a time when Greeks generally
go on a holiday that could last up to the entire month.
Again, artists who work on their own may be more flexible
than shops and happy to meet you at your leisure. As a side
note, the banks are generally open from 8:00am to 2:30pm
Monday through Friday and until only 12:00pm on Saturday.
Bank Hours: Mon-Thu- 8-2:30, Friday 8-2, Closed on Weekends
8. Use Euros or credit cards.
Many Greek shops will charge you extra when using a credit
card, because it means they must report the income and there
are taxes they cannot avoid. With cash, you will get the
best price and avoid additional charges. Don't try to use
dollars or other foreign currency. This can be done in an
emergency, but getting the daily exchange rates and making
the conversion is a hassle most vendors prefer to avoid.
9. Be reasonable.
Most Greeks will gladly go out of their way to get you exactly
what you want, but Greece does not have the resources as
readily available as the U.S. to make these special requests
so easy to fill. Be considerate of their efforts, respect
their situation, and be flexible, if possible.
10. Don't get offended.
Greeks are great at multi-tasking. They are used to handling
many things at once. If you are visiting an artist personally,
you may find that interruptions are not always put off just
because company is present, but you will be surprised at
how smoothly a Greek can pick up exactly where you had left
off not missing a beat as if nothing ever happened.
11. Compliments are welcome.
If you are not intending to purchase from an artist or find
their work to be of a taste other than your own, that's
OK. You can share some thoughts with the artists. They typically
welcome open and inspiring conversation, but do not be an
"ugly tourist" and insult their tireless work
in any way. Artists are very accepting of an honest opinion
and prefer an admiring, happy customer to a lukewarm, regretful
one any day.
