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Q: Is china's haggling culture disappearing?
Yes is still around, but at least in Shanghai, it seems like more and more things are becoming fixed-cost.
Even for things you still haggle on, I've been noticing that sellers are less willing to take all that much off the original listed price. Nothing like the 300-400% initial mark up of yesteryear? Or am I just a terrible haggler?
And if so, why is it disappearing: rising costs of goods? market changes? other?
Perhaps it is disappearing in Shanghai but everywhere that I have been in China it is still very prevalent. It is not prevalent, however, in department stores, supermarkets and the like. It is, however, still prevalent in open air markets, mom-and-pop shops, etc.,etc. It is part of the culture, very part of the culture, at least IMHO.
As 981 said, that may be the trend in Shanghai, but in smaller and medium sized towns it is still the way of life, apparently. Everyone I deal with in the markets are still trying to jack the price up while I attempt to drive it down as bargaining is still very much part of the buying process.
God I hope so, i'm terrible at haggling but the wife will gladly spend ten minutes bringing a stick of celery down in price by two mao, while I stand there holding the shopping and quietly fuming.
I think it's disappearing when weigouren are sighted. My wife won't allow me to go shopping with her, (not that I argue).
