Ordinary souvenirs sold at a large markup in Türkiye

Tourist and souvenir shops. Repackaged supermarket soap is specifically noted outside the Aegean region, especially in Istanbul.

How it works

Ordinary supermarket olive-oil soap may be removed from its packaging and presented more attractively. Tourist shops may also sell coffee from the same suppliers as local grocery stores at a large markup. Attractive packaging does not mean a different product.

Warning signs

The price depends heavily on decorative packaging.
An ordinary product is presented as something special without clear details.

How to avoid it

Compare soap and coffee prices in local grocery stores.
Choose shops with listed prices.
Ask what makes the product different before paying more.

If it happens to you

Keep the receipt and ask about a return if the product was misrepresented.

Get somewhere safe. Avoid chasing thieves or escalating a dispute. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
Check what is missing or wrongly charged. Block stolen cards and secure accounts on a missing phone immediately.
Save evidence. Keep receipts, booking records, messages and payment alerts. Note the time, place and vehicle plate if relevant.
If safe, ask the business to correct the bill or refund the disputed amount. Explain the agreed price and currency clearly.
Report theft or suspected fraud to police. Ask for a report or reference number for your bank or insurer.
Contact your card issuer, insurer or booking service as needed. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing.

Where it happensTourist and souvenir shops. Repackaged supermarket soap is specifically noted outside the Aegean region, especially in Istanbul.

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

More scams in TürkiyePoor airport currency-exchange rates: how to avoid it

Questions

What is the ordinary souvenirs sold at a large markup scam in Türkiye?

How can I spot it early?

The price depends heavily on decorative packaging. An ordinary product is presented as something special without clear details.

How do I avoid ordinary souvenirs sold at a large markup in Türkiye?

Compare soap and coffee prices in local grocery stores. Choose shops with listed prices. Ask what makes the product different before paying more.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Keep the receipt and ask about a return if the product was misrepresented.

Where in Türkiye does this happen?

Tourist and souvenir shops. Repackaged supermarket soap is specifically noted outside the Aegean region, especially in Istanbul.

How common is this scam in Türkiye?

Common. Tourist overcharging is very common in Turkey, especially when prices are not shown. Other risks include taxi tricks, wrong change, costly cash withdrawals, pushy shop invitations and fake nightlife offers. Watch your belongings in crowds and on public transport, especially in Istanbul.

Are there similar scams in Türkiye?

Yes: tourist prices and hidden charges, friendly conversation leading to a carpet shop, fake antiquities in tourist shops.

Who can I report it to?

Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police or medical help. The call is free and can be made from a phone without a SIM card. Police: approach an officer or visit the nearest police station. Bring receipts, payment records and any taxi plate or hub details. If the unified emergency number does not work, the listed police fallback is 155. Gendarme: for urgent help in rural areas, call 112. The listed fallback number is 156 if the unified number does not work. Ankara tourist police section: a multilingual tourist police section is listed at AŞTİ bus station, but staffing is uncertain because staff were redeployed. If unavailable, approach another officer or police station. Card issuer or bank: use your bank's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and dispute unauthorised or wrongly entered payments. Taxi hub: use the hub name and phone number written on the side of the taxi. Provide the plate, journey details and disputed fare. Embassy or consulate: use your country's official government contact details if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer or booking service: use its official claims or support channel. Provide your police reference, receipts, booking terms and payment evidence.

What number do I call in an emergency in Türkiye?

All emergency services, including police and gendarme: 112, Police fallback if the unified number does not work: 155, Gendarme fallback if the unified number does not work: 156.

Reviewed by @snuck