Those friendly vendors at Egyptian Bazaar offering "free" apple tea? They're warming you up for Turkey's most expensive Turkish delight — 800-1000 lira per kilo for candy you can buy at neighborhood markets for 150-200 lira maximum, often better quality. The tea tastes like liquid diabetes anyway.

The pressure tactics get aggressive once you're holding that tiny glass cup. They'll follow you between stalls, guilt-trip about the "free" tea, and act personally wounded when you refuse their markup. Hit the bazaar before 10am when the hardcore sellers are still having breakfast, or just avoid entirely.

For authentic lokum (Turkish delight), head to any regular patisserie in Beyoğlu or Kadıköy neighborhoods. Hacı Bekir on İstiklal Caddesi has been making it since 1777 — Their pomegranate and rose varieties cost 250-300 lira per kilo and come in proper wooden boxes, not plastic containers.

Real locals shop at weekend neighborhood markets anyway. Saturday's Beşiktaş market or Sunday's Ortaköy market have vendors selling homemade varieties for 100-150 lira per kilo. Watch for stalls with hand-dusted pieces, not machine-perfect squares that scream factory production. The best lokum has irregular edges and generous nut chunks.