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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Does anyone have any ballpark prices for the markets?
I've been to the markets here in Beijing a few times here and am slowly getting the hang of it, but I thought it would be much easier to bargain if I had a general idea of how low the shopkeepers will go.
For example, I was bargaining for ties and I got the shopkeeper down to 40 yuan a tie, and this was after a lot of yelling, crying and footstomping, etc., Just before I was about to buy my Chinese friend pulled me out of the shop and said we could do much better. We returned to the same place later and got the tie for 25. We then went to another shop, and I saw a tie I liked and got that one for 15 yuan.
I'm wondering if any experienced shoppers have an idea for prices of t-shirts, hats, shoes, ties, coats etc., just so that I know generally what these things are worth so that I don't start bargaining way over their value (I know how much these things cost in the West, but not so much here).
I know that prices can vary widely, I'm just asking for a ballpark estimate for the usual products.
The prices are rising, after claiming they are real brands for all those years, they apparently convinced themselves they are not selling crappy fakes. But here's how I bought most of my stuff a few years ago (when I still had the patience to often go to markets to bargain).
T-shirts: it depends, but a Billabong or something is worth... let's be generous: 30-40
Jeans: 50
Shoes: 50 (based on converse price)
Socks and underwear: 10
Sweaters: meh...60? 70?
Electronics and stuff: Don't go to markets, go to Zhong Guan Cun, the electronics city. It's like... heaven. Generally good quality, reasonable prices. Markets will try to sell you a freaking iPad case for 400 yuan, and tell you to go away if you DARE ask for a lower price for that wonderful piece of fake leather.
But again, this is how I bought them, and I probably got ripped off. My best advice would be not to buy in markets, because they might be cheap, but the quality is so bad you'll end up coming back all the time to buy the same things. (Especially Jeans. NEVER buy Yashow's 1-week-use jeans). Also another advice, you can't bargain in every shop in China. I'm saying that because I've seen so many tourists entering an already cheap shop, and asking for lower prices, in a non-bargaining area, and it feels just so awkward watching them.
Protip: Try Taobao.com, ask a Chinese coworker or friend for help if necessary.
l_ho_:
Thanks, I grabbed some knock off Oakleys for 60, that was a bit of a fight though I'm sure I still overpaid for them - I just justified it to myself thinking $8 for sunglasses is a pretty good deal at home, regardless of the brand. I also grabbed a cheap wallet for 40, this one came way too easily, and he commented on how good of a bargainer I was...the telltale signs that you just got rolled - so I probably could have had that for less.
Just for anyone else that reads this in the future, I think I could've got the Oakleys down to 40 if I really stood firm, walked away and came back etc., and the wallet probably could have been around 15 - given how happy he was with the sale after the fact.
I'm in the market for a new cell phone, but I won't be getting it from the markets. Everyone seems to be saying there's a very high chance of getting ripped off there when it comes to electronics.
Mr_spoon:
Oh yes, NEVER buy a phone in a market.
Go to Raffle City's phone shop (it's in that tower-thingy in the middle, 2nd or 3rd floor), or Sanlitun Village's store (downstairs, next to... eh... that shop that has imported products but that isn't Jenny Lou's), they have reasonable prices.
A lot of the t-shirts will go for around 10. At least the touristy ones, I heart BJ, great wall. I never bought any fake branded ones.
Try to never seem particular interested in any item, if they know you want it, the price goes up.
Don't be afraid to go too low, if they wont sell, you didn't lose anything, and theres a shop selling the same thing within 20 meters where you can try a little higher.
Normally I found if I took their first quote, and divided by 5, or 10, depending, and start there. I was quoted 1900 for a jacket which I paid 299 for, 500 for some snow gloves which I paid way to much for and got for 120, this was due to a travel-comrade of mine too busy flirting with the assistant to bargain seriously. The jacket, not sure if I paid to much but I am happy with it, it made me sweat in the -30 degree Harbin winter.
As stated earlier, I wouldn't trust electronics or bother buying from a market.