how to bargain?

Answer 1

Unless the price is clearly marked like in a supermarket or shopping mall, bargaining is a must. In commercial stores where things have a label and price tag, you can't bargain there. In small shops that are personally owned, you can definitely bargain. Basically if you're not in a shopping center or supermarket, you can bargain anywhere. Even with food around a tourist attraction, I bargain. For example, buying bottle water or snacks, bargaining really helps save money here and there. In Shanghai, at the Yu Yuan Market, all the stores are locally owned, except for Starbucks or Dairy Queen. There you can bargain and go really. If they offer 50RMB, bargain at 10 RMB and then work from there. If they still say no, then just walk away and most of the time they will give it to you at the price you offered. If they don't then, most likely you can find something similar if not the same at another vendor. Don't feel like the price is too low because almost every time the price they offer you is too high. At first it's uncomfortable because its an unfamiliar process, especially in the US. But after a while, it becomes natural.
If you're traveling on a tight budget, this really helps because the more money you save here and there, the more you have to spend.

Answer 2

Bargaining depends on a lot of things - what you look like, if you speak Chinese, and where you are. If you are white then they assume you are rich. You'll have to tell them you're from Russia or something to get them to lower the price. If you can speak Chinese that's a huge bonus. If you are in a touristy area, never buy anything until you've seen a lot of stalls. At the first few near the entrance they'll charge 1000RMB for an item that's only 100RMB in the back. If it's really touristy then always start with a counter offer of 10% what they said. Bargain up to 50% of their original price AT MOST. Also, most of the stuff is fake and will fall apart, so don't spend a lot of money thinking you're getting a deal. Good bargaining takes time and persistance, but with effort you can get some great prices. I once got a "1000RMB" Majiang set for 100RMB, but it took a lot of friendly arguing and walking away, coming back, etc.

Answer 3

Bargaining is very common in China. But if you can't speak Chinese, it'll be a tough task. A Chinese friend can help a lot.
Whatsoever, there is still something you can do. When you want to buy something don't seem too eager, act you're not very interested. Just ask how much. When he said the price, you act like it's not worth it. And you can ask for the lowest price he can give. If you're still not satisfied, then just go away. Usually he'll call you back and offer a lower price. Keep hesitating until you get your price, but don't go too far. It's really hard to tell when to stop without a lot of bargaining experiences.

Answer 4

If you are at street markets or if the price isn't marked, then you can bargain. If it's in a store, then you can't. What you need to do is be nice to the seller. Spend a lot of time there. Never accept the first offer. Ask for half the selling price or lower. If you have spent at least five minutes and they still won't accept you price, slowly walk away. Remember, they buy there items very cheap from the manufactures.

Answer 5

First understand that some things can not be bargained. The
price is the price and that's that.

Always use cash. Make the bargin a two step process.

1. you know the asking price. Offer with cash in hand (an amount lower than you will pay).

2. If that amount does not work, ask what will it take. You may get a reduction, if you do get a reduction offer, counter with splitting the difference between your offer and the come down. before you walk, offer the higher price of what you were really willing to pay, then walk.

Answer 6

....one trick to get the best price is befriend an expert chinese bargainer! find what you would like to buy - follow all that advice you've been given so far- leave and tell your friend what price they offered. Then send the friend over -( who must not be seen to be with you)- to negotiate. I personally have had the price for a winter cap go from 150rmb to 5rmb!

Answer 7

Generally not to be cheated in China you need to get to about 1/3 of the price they ask. So, if they tell you the price for example 200RMB - you tell them you give them 20RMB. Then they will show disapproval and funny monkey faces. So you ask them how much they want. And that time you may get surprised - because they may offer 140 or so. And you may think - Wow! Great! - but don't hurry - push the price further down. Tell them - noooo, 30... So they will again go down... but not much this time. So you pretend you agree with them and say 'well, how about 40 then???'
They will shake their heads and usually say nothing. Then you say - ok ok i give you 50RMB. Again they will pretend they are not happy with that either - so you say 'ok then, i'll look somewhere else... bye...' and you start walking away. And by that time they usually call you and say - 'ok, 50RMB' (of course making funny monkey unhappy faces again as well). And you give them big fake smile too and 50RMBs...
With the time you may get tired too. If you really like something and they don't want to sell it for what you think is right price - and if you have opportunity to go there every day and bother them... then do it! It does work very well.
Also, make sure you look into their eyes and put your hand on their shoulders or so. Chinese are very poor at the eye-contact (usually when someone lies doesn't look straight into your eyes) and it makes them feel extremely intimidated and they don't feel comfortable with that - so they try to finish quick the business.

Answer 8

when they tell you the price, say no that is to much and start to walk away, they will say another price id they want a sell, just keep going back and forth till you get the price you are willing to pay and they are wiling to accept

Answer 9

Don't accept on your first try... keep going low till it seems like you're not going anything, then.. keep going down.. till they really can't lower the price.. or whatever you have in common

Answer 10

be friendly and polite, but stay firm...but always smile and dont belittle people!