how to bargain while shopping?

Question

as tourists

Answer 1

Rule number 1 is not to show that you are very interested in the product or like the product a lot. If you reveal that you absolutely love the item, chances are, they will not lower the price much for you (even if you walk away)

Secondly, walk away if you are not satisfied with the price.They will surely call you back and offer a much lower price. If you are still not satisfied, walk away again, chances are, they will call you back again! This process may be repeated again and again until you may find yourself getting the item at a third of the original price, though it may seem rather hilarious!

Thirdly, shop during times where business is slow (eg, weekday afternoons) and there are not much tourists or customers around. Chances are, as long as they don't lose money, they will be more than happy to make a little profit from you rather than nothing at all.

Use tatics like saying "Hey why are you selling it so expensive? I saw another shop selling at only $XXX! Maybe i should go there to buy instead"

Even if you do not get the price that you want, it's ok to shop at other places as china is famous for mass produced products and there is a high chance that you will find similar items at other places easily. Unless of course you are getting something precious and really unique, then i'm afraid you will have to try to bargain as much as you can and try to strike a reasonable deal with the shopkeeper.

Not all places in China tolerate bargaining. You can only bargain at flea markets and bazaars, small shops and stalls, wholesale markets and certain malls. Most major malls and international brands do not tolerate bargaining.

Answer 2

Tourists get suckered in China all the time.

Offer 10 percent of the price quoted to you by the seller. Increase your counter-offer by 1 to 2 percent each time the seller says a different price.

Be ready to talk a long time. to get to the real price of an item.

For Americans, if something costs 1 US dollar in the States, then the same item should cost 1 rmb in China. Take that as your guide to decide if the price is good or not.

Forget about currency conversion, how much it would cost in your own currency instead of in Yuan, when bargaining. You lose if you do that.

Answer 3

First, ask/see how much is the item. Then bargain/haggle only if you want to buy the item. Ask the seller, can you give it me for this amount (lower it to 70% of the price, but in Shenzhen you quote half the price). Tell the seller how many you intend to buy. Bulk gets more discounts.

Usually, seller will not agree and give an amount higher than what you said. You can insist... but if the seller is firm and does not agree with what you want, ask first for the last price. If you do not like the last price, then leave.

I wanted to buy this nice bracelet in Lo-Wu, originally it was 150 per piece, I ended up with 3 bracelets at 150!!!

Answer 4

let me just say that if you're not of chinese decent, look nothing asian, or where REAL brandname clothes, it's going to be hard for you to get the lowest price on an item because the merchants know that tourists have a lot of money to spend.

first of all, all merchants know a little bit of english, like numbers, yes, no, etc., but it's still good to learn a little bit of chinese, like numbers, yes, no, forget it, etc.

sometimes, compare prices with different merchants before you actually buy something. sometimes, it depends on the item you plan on purchasing to get the lowest price. but if the item you want is only at one stall and it's still at a high price, tell the merchant that you've seen a similar item, but at a lower price (you could lie about it, but if they find out that you are, then just say that it's somewhere far away or say that it's too high anyways. =])


hope this helps. =]

Answer 5

To add to Tomhale138's advice, you usually go down to one-third of the initial asking price. This will generally elicit a horrified expression from the seller and he will then lower his price. You go up just a little. About half his original price is probably close to what he is willing to sell. Two tactics to use at this point would be to pretend to walk out of the shop or display a wad of cash (the price you're willing to pay) and say this is all you have, take it or leave it.

This generally works in China. Good luck!

Answer 6

Be tough. Don't be afraid to piss them off. For example, I was Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai and it's filled with street or shop vendors that will sell you 100% silk clothing (yea right) to cheap jade.

Price on a jade bracelot was at RMB2300 but immediately she told me today was my special day and it will only be for RMB1200. To cut the story short, it ended up being RMB200 before I walked out the door. Of course the bracelot was fake so I did not even buy it.

Remember, there are lots of vendors selling the same rubbish so if you get it with Mr.X, go buy it from Mr.Y. Remember, these people are pros at ripping you off.

Visit established shops to get a good price but they are of course going to be more expensive because they are not only selling you a product, they are selling you a guarantee and their reputation. So if you don't know what you are buying, it's better to buy them from establish shops. That way the 100% Silk shirt....is really 100%.

Answer 7

It depends on where are you going to shop...you are not able to bargain in government owned stores...Street vendors, well, cut the prices down by 70% first...never pay more than 50% what they ask...unless you have too much money...

Answer 8

you have to first know what you are buying, how much it is worth back home, how much it is worth where you are, and how much you really want to pay for it. Then you try to get as close to that as you can. You've seen it on tv or movies im sure, they name the price, you counter offer, at some point you should arrive where you want it to be. You are not gonna buy it for less than it is worth where you are, but you may get a really good deal for what is would cost you back home, if it isnt fake. Dont buy it at the first place you see it, and dont act too eager.

Answer 9

It's super Ec......
all u act like talkin to urself, loud enough for the guy to hear and say i would buy it only if it's whteva price and thn....

start leavin the shop and keep lookin back and the guy would say okokokoko ill give it to u for whteva price if it isnt too unreasonable.

Answer 10

depends on where u shop..

just insist ur last price nicely and maybe flirt with them.. haha! if they dont bite or give it on ur last price.. dont buy.. and move to the other store.. goodluck! and enjoy shopping!