Start with Karat and Weight
Don't walk into the shop without knowing what you want to buy: are you looking for 21K or 24K? What approximate weight suits your budget?
Know the Raw Price
Use the Gold Calculator and check the Live Prices so the first number you hear inside the shop isn't the only number you deal with.
Understand Making Charges
They're not a mistake or necessarily deception, but they're an element that should be clear and understood by the buyer.
Don't Hesitate to Compare
Visiting more than one shop at the start teaches you the market quickly and gives you a better sense of pricing.