Some people are niggardly and would not choose something good. To simplify the process, Syrian farmers take their sheep to the dusty outskirts of Damascus, corralling their flocks on the sidewalks or empty lots out among the tile factories and bathroom supply workshops. It is a sort of one-stop shopping, with butchers on hand to slay the beasts curbside. Most customers decide first how much money to spend, then barter over the price per kilo and choose the size of the animal accordingly. It often takes a few trips to the scales with different animals to hit exactly the desired weight.
Some customers balk at using the farmer's scales.
One said he weighed himself every year on them and invariably found himself 5 to 15 pounds heavier on the scales here, so he preferred using his own butcher's scales. A few people also say that performing the sacrifice away from home shortchanges the family that the children should be involved by watching the sacrifice and preparing the bags of meat for distribution. They summon the butcher to their home despite the mess and generally have him hook their ram to a ladder in the kitchen while he does the trimming. It's a blessing for the family. It keeps away sickness, the evil eye.