sarahandmark - don't get too worried about Dalaman. We've never had a problem on arriving, just a few maybe when checking in to depart (which is when you least want it I know) but thousands of people travel through Dalaman each year and not everyone has problems
Yes it is important to balance opinion when it comes to Dalaman and CBF. Many of us are Dalaman weary - my passport is entirely devoid of any gold lettering/coat of arms and literally full of Dalaman entry/exit stamps.
The truth is, as you have been advised, buy nothing (although I personally have found some duty free bargains) - certainly don't buy a McDonalds or two beers in one of the bars, and you'll be fine.
Dalaman is a micro-Turkey. People in uniforms desperate to fill out official forms to detail that you had the audacity to leave with a deep fat fryer or a thing they simply couldn't identify (in my case a battery charger, that they insisted was a "walkman" till I agreed). But ultimately, all the drama concludes with someone just waving you through - no strip searches, no under spotlight interrogation, nothing!
If I hadn't spent 10 years continuously flying in and out of Dalaman, I might like it more than I do. But I do know it isn't as bad as people make out. Arrivals are generally swift, if pretty dour. Baggage reclaim is in world class time. Arrivals are not bad at all, departures are fairly dire - but all down to check in delays.
If ever anyone wants to know how bad Dalaman isn't, book flights and have a holiday in Rhodes
