They'll want to offer prospective buyers drinks like mint tea in many of the shops, as soon as interest is shown.
The restaurants will also hassle people for their custom as competition between all shops & bars is strong due to the similarity of many. Some people cope with this better than others but fore-warned is fore-armed.
If anyone feels threatened or intimidated, say that you will call the tourist police / report it to the rep / hotel….& MEAN it! They & the government is well aware that Egypt relies on tourism heavily, so please report anything untoward to them.
This link may help re: how to handle the hassle from shopkeepers: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-...-
*Bargain for everything, haggle hard, including taxis - even to the point of pretending to walk away.
*Check your change thoroughly as there have been scams reported involving small denomination notes being switched for large one. There have also been comments about being careful when asked to change coins as the new 1LE coin looks like a Euro at 1st glance.
*The taxi scam has already been covered under the taxi section above; see link to thread.
*Some of the perfumes are fakes, as are some of the cigarettes.
*Timeshare scams! - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-...
*Possible airport scams: There have been several accounts of the airport officials not re-seeting the scales for the weighing in on the outward journey. Then they insist on money; sometimes seperating the man / wife or boyfriend / girlfriend, taking one away to extract cash from a machine. One poster was told that he had coral in his case (he knew he didn't) but the officials wanted money to let him through, sfter 1st seperating him from his wife.
*Jewellery: Some people will say not to buy as one can’t be too sure of what’s being purchasing & the hallmark system is “unknown territory”! Some people have definitely been the subject of a scam when buying an item with supposed real stones in it. There are countless jewellery shops in Na’ama & Old Sharm. Cairo will be cheaper. Many of the shops sell similar items so, once again, you can afford to haggle hard as you will be able to find the same thing a little further along the street. Ask for advice from the regulars on the Sharm forum.*fraudulent atms http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-...
It's worth making an official complaint when things go badly. Go to https://www.misr.gov.eg/english/servi... and fill in the form.
