Scam in BeninShopping
Inflated opening prices for foreign visitors in Benin
How it works
Sellers may quote foreign visitors around double the eventual purchase price. This is an opening bargaining price. Prices in stores, restaurants and hotels, and for bus tickets, are generally fixed.
Warning signs
- The seller pushes you to accept the first price.
- The quote is much higher than prices you have already checked.
How to avoid it
- Compare prices before buying.
- Bargain where prices are negotiable.
- Ask a trusted local person what an item should cost.
- Walk away if the price does not suit you.
If it happens to you
If you have not paid, stop the purchase. If you have paid, calmly ask for a refund or price correction, but do not expect one.
- Get somewhere safe. Do not chase a thief or physically resist a robber.
- Contact the Gendarme (Police) immediately after a crime. Ask your hotel or a trusted local person for help.
- If a card or phone is missing, contact your card issuer or mobile provider promptly. Freeze affected cards and secure your accounts.
- Save receipts, booking details, messages and a short account of what happened. Record the time and place.
- Ask for a police report or reference number. Contact your insurer and, if your passport is missing or you need consular help, your embassy or consulate.
What travellers report
Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.
- WebWikivoyageBenin – Travel guide at WikivoyageThe community guide says foreigners may receive initial quotes around twice the eventual purchase price for negotiable goods.Read on Web
- TripadvisorArtisanal Center reviews2017ARTISANAL CENTER - All You SHOULD Know Before You Go 2026 (w/ Reviews)A visitor warned that white shoppers were charged double at Cotonou’s Artisanal Center and suggested visiting with a local.Read on Tripadvisor
- Redditr/solotravel2020Trip report: Togo/BéninThe traveller described higher prices and persistent bargaining associated with being a white visitor in Benin.Read on Reddit
Questions
What is the inflated opening prices for foreign visitors scam in Benin?
Sellers may quote foreign visitors around double the eventual purchase price. This is an opening bargaining price. Prices in stores, restaurants and hotels, and for bus tickets, are generally fixed.
How can I spot it early?
The seller pushes you to accept the first price. The quote is much higher than prices you have already checked.
How do I avoid inflated opening prices for foreign visitors in Benin?
Compare prices before buying. Bargain where prices are negotiable. Ask a trusted local person what an item should cost. Walk away if the price does not suit you.
What should I do if it happens to me?
If you have not paid, stop the purchase. If you have paid, calmly ask for a refund or price correction, but do not expect one.
Where in Benin does this happen?
Markets and other places where prices are negotiable.
How much can it cost me?
Foreign visitors may initially be quoted about twice the final purchase price.
How common is this scam in Benin?
Common. The main scam risks in Benin are inflated prices, taxi fare disputes, airport payment demands and pressure to buy goods or tours. Muggings and robberies also occur, with frequent attacks reported along beaches at night. A trusted local person or a guide recommended by your hotel can help you judge prices and avoid unsafe areas.
Are there similar scams in Benin?
Yes: airport parking-lot SIM card overcharging, pressure to buy crafts, overpriced airport duty-free goods.
Who can I report it to?
Gendarme (Police): contact them immediately if you are a victim of crime. Ask your hotel or a trusted local person to help you reach them. Card issuer or bank: use your banking app or the issuer's official contact details to freeze a missing card and report unauthorised transactions. Ride-booking service: if a ride booked through an app leads to a fare dispute, use the booking record to report it through the service's support channel. Embassy or consulate: use your government's official contact details for help with a stolen passport or other consular needs. Travel insurer: contact the claims service and keep receipts, evidence and any police report.
Reviewed by @snuck