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Bargaining 101: Eight Rules about
Shopping in China
By Sara Naumann, Your Guide to China for Visitors.
- "Everything in China is negotiable." Shopping, buying and
selling, they're all games. The seller plays and the buyer plays. Iin the
tourist-trade, everyone's out to make a deal and you just have to learn the
rules.
Rule #1: Learn a few catch Chinese phrases:
Nothing opens the door for you like a Ni hao ma?, (How are you?) or a
Duo shao qian?, (How much?). Don't worry, you will not be plunged headfirst
into a Chinese conversation. Nothing is bought or sold without the
ubiquitous large format calculator. Whole transactions can be wordless as
you hand the calculator back and forth. But opening with some Chinese will
ease you up to the bargaining table and will put a smile on the vendor's
face. Read Chinese Phrases for Travelers to learn some phrases.
Rule #2: Start at a fraction of the asking price:
Deciding how low to begin your side of the bargaining depends on what
you're shopping for. Typically, if shopping for inexpensive items, I'll go
25-50%. For example, a porcelain tea cup should probably be about 25rmb (US$
3). If the seller asks for 50rmb, I'll offer 15rmb and work up from there.
If the item is very expensive, it's better to start lower, say 10% of the
asking price, so you have more room to maneuver. There's nothing more
disappointing in a bargaining game than starting too high.
Rule #3: Practice a little on inexpensive items:
Before you have your heart set on something, practice bargaining a
little for something to which you are less attached and can therefore walk
away if need be. Small inexpensive items like tea pots, fans and chopsticks
can all be good things to buy for souvenirs. Warm up a little before you get
into the higher ticket items.
- Rule #4: Take your time:
Being in a rush is the bane of the bargainer's existence. Time is not
on your side: the vendor has all the time in the world, he can sell his
trinket tomorrow. You are on a plane tomorrow morning and you've left
yourself an hour to do your shopping.
- If you can, take time and don't be rushed. If the seller
isn't coming down on the item you want, walk away and peruse other stalls.
You might find it cheaper elsewhere and you can use the price to drive the
other vendor down.
Rule #5: Decide how much you're willing to spend on an
item:
A good way to defend yourself against the shopping demons that force
you to pay too much for stuff you didn't really want is to decide as you
look at something what it's worth to you. With everything I pick up, I say
to myself "I'd pay $XX for this." This helps me focus my bargaining and when
the price goes over what I want to pay, then I walk away (see next).
- Rule #6: Use the Walk Away:
I love the Walk Away and I find in big touristy places like
Panjiayuan Market or Pearl's Circles, it usually works quite well. After you
reach an impasse and the price is still too high, I give my final offer and
walk away slowly but looking pointedly at other items. Usually I'm called
back. Sometimes I'm not and I have to live with the disappointment or put my
tail between my legs and go back to pay a higher price.
- Rule #7: Don't feel sorry for the
seller:
Vendors love to play like you've ruined their day with your hard
bargaining. You'll hear everything from "Now my child won't have any
dinner," to "You are getting this for less than I paid for it!" Lies! All
lies! The vendor is making a profit, don't you worry. They are not going to
sell you anything out of the goodness of their hearts. It's a game and it's
fun to play. So play right back and say something like "Yes, but now I can't
afford to have any dinner either!"
- Rule #8: Be careful with your
belongings:
Crowded markets are a pick-pocket's haven. If you can, divide your
cash up in several places (front pockets, money belt, wallet, purse) and
don't carry your passport unless you have to.
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