What I do is check the price per gram keep a note of it translated to AED and also pre-calculate 8g, 9g, 10g etc at 22k – and armed with this info you know spot and how big their mark-up / makers fee is.

Despite protestations otherwise, you can usually get jewellery to within a few percent of spot plus 5% VAT. Compared with the price you pay on almost worthless 9k gold in UK it’s a steal. The more plain a bangle you buy, the closer you’ll get it to spot due to far lower makers fee.

Bullion again, far lower premiums than in UK or USA. Have a good look around – despite it’s fame for gold, you can get some fantastic silver buys as it’s a much less popular metal here. I picked up a 1979 Credit Suisse 500g bar with incredible patina at a dollar over spot. I’ve seen these bars go for double spot in forums and auctions. They guy was delighted to see it go and it had sat on his floor covered in dust for years – but for me it’s true treasure!

Well worth a trip if you’re looking for near spot prices.