A quick reminder on Rials and Tomans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before we start discussing what\u2019s the right price to pay, let\u2019s draw a big picture of currency in Iran<\/a>. First, the Iranian currency<\/strong><\/a> is the Rial. There are bills of 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, 100.000, and 500.000 rials. Currently, in mid-2022, one euro is about 300.000 rials. But four years ago, one euro was about 45.000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, it has continuously risen up, and with it, inflation. As a consequence, the exchange rate keeps changing literally every day. So, first quick advice: when you need to change money, avoid bothering yourself trying to find the best rate ever all over the city\u2019s exchange offices. It will always be just a matter of a few euros difference.<\/p>\n\n\n Once you have your rials in hand, you\u2019re ready to start shopping. But wait! Why does the seller speak about tomans? Well, long story short, Iranians do not say prices in rials. Instead, they use tomans, which is simply one zero less. 100.000 rials becomes 10.000 tomans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Easy? Wait for it. While selling you something that is worth 10.000 tomans the sellers will say not say \u201cten thousand tomans\u201d, but he or she will say: \u201cten tomans\u201d. Indeed, while speaking, we usually get rid of the thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Confused? That\u2019s normal, and there\u2019s nothing to be worried about. Let me explain to you why!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have been living as a foreigner in Iran for several years, part of which I wasn\u2019t able to speak Persian, and that made me reach this conclusion: it is extremely unlikely that people will try to reap you off. Scamming buyers, whether they are Iranians or foreigners, is not something very common or acceptable (in some countries, it is notorious that sellers in bazaars will sell you four times the price because you\u2019re a tourist for example).<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m not saying it doesn\u2019t exist! Of course, they will sometimes try to increase the price a bit to make a better margin, but never in disproportionate ways. That\u2019s why there is a tradition of bargaining in Iran. But once again, it\u2019s what I would call \u201ca light bargaining policy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n Prices are slightly increased (10 to 30%) because it is expected that as a buyer, you\u2019ll \u201cask\u201d for a discount when paying. It is usually done with polite sentences such as \u201cand what\u2019s the final price for me?\u201d or \u201cdon\u2019t forget the discount\u201d. That\u2019s how bargaining works in Iran. If you higher the voice and dramatically rush out of the shop expecting the seller to run after you, you may wait for a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please, note that in many situations bargaining is not applicable, in particular for restaurants, cafes, food corner shops, and of course, supermarkets. In general, prices are written and updated, and no one ever bargains for such products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing is that we, who are living in Iran, are constantly puzzled by prices. Inflation is skyrocketing for years and from one month to the other, some product prices double, while others do not change. One month ago I would go to the supermarket and shop grocery for 700.000 tomans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suddenly, for the same things, I have to pay 1.400.000 tomans and my jaw drop down when the cashier tells the price. Likewise, I can buy fresh fruit juice for just 40.000 tomans (a bit more than one euro), and on the same day be asked for more than three times this price for some industrial cappuccinos in a cafe. What\u2019s the logic behind it?<\/p>\n\n\n Added to that, you must keep in mind that there are huge differences between places. As a capital, Tehran is of course more expensive than many other cities. But there are also some other places where you wouldn\u2019t expect things to be that expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, in Qeshm<\/a>, while it\u2019s a rather poor island, transportation by taxi (which is the only public transportation that exists) is twice the price of most places in Iran, including Tehran. So if you just arrived there, and you don\u2019t know these things, you may think the driver tries to reap you off, while he is actually giving you the normal fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Iran Tourist Card<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, knowing the right price for a product would require both knowing the latest inflation rate for that specific product and the average price for it in a specific place. To make it short: it\u2019s rather impossible at the first glance. So what\u2019s the solution?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, here are my bits of advice. First, relax. Don\u2019t panic because you\u2019re giving away so many bills with so many zeros. There are unfortunately probably just worth a few euros. Always make the conversion in your mind to know what you\u2019re spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, remind yourself that most people won\u2019t try to take advantage of you. Sure, be careful. But just don\u2019t assume they try to manipulate you. I can bet with you that if you mistakenly give a 500.000 bill instead of a 50.000, the seller will tell you. Because it happened to me thousands of times.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Euro.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe difference between bargain and scam<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Bazaar.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Why there is no \u201creal\u201d price<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Iran](\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/\u0622\u0628\u0645\u06cc\u0648\u0647\u0641\u0631\u0648\u0634\u06cc.jpg\" "\\"Iran")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Orienttrips](\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/OtCart.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe right price is the one you\u2019re willing to pay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar.jpg\" "\\"\\"")