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anonymous
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Q: Tips for bargaining when shopping in China

How much discount I should ask for when shopping for clothes, shoes and electronics in China? It is really confusing.

12 years 24 weeks ago in  Shopping - China

 
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Posts: 1318

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Biggest rule of thumb is if you aren't kicked out of the store at least twice then you paid too much. This is true for shopping in tourist areas and copy markets. And there will be twenty stores in the area selling the same thing, so use the first three or four to get a range on how low they are willing to go before they stop talking to you and then go to a new place and haggle it down past that.

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12 years 24 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3025

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I nam sure there are billions of different answers to your question, but I will add mine and it does work for me. My first rule is I do not but anything in places than refuse to grant a discount, no matter what. If you do not allow bargaining, you will not get my business.
Second, I do not show a great interest in the article under bargaining process, I will put it down, look at others similar, ask questions about others, and maybe return to the one I want with a counteroffer. Depending on the "mood" of the bargaining process, I may even act as if I am leaving the store (90 % of the time I am called back with a lower price). In regards to price, I start the process by offering from 10 to 20 % of asking (listed) price, and will never pay more than 60 % of it. As an example, it took three days, but I managed to buy at Gomz a 48 " flat screen 3-D color TV (LG) brand new (no floor sample) listed at 13,999 Rmb for a 7,000 Rmb offer. Showed them the cash, and told them take it or leave it (I can buy it for 7,000 elesewhere, of course a lie) after 3 days of negotiations. I got delivery, installation and programming (included no matter what price), But mentally you must be prepared not to get the discount you want, then must leave without making a purchase.

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12 years 24 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1391

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Put on your poker face, because if you look interested in something the price already gets multiplied by 10.
Always ask for a really low price, like 30-50 something yuan for clothes, 300 for an acceptable phone, etc., because it's fake 90% of the time.
And if the guy refuses your price, don't continue bargaining, just leave after your first offer, then with every step the price gets lower, and once you get to the end of the alley he calls you back with your price.
Also try to get to the shops right at the opening early in the morning, because to them losing their first customer is bad luck, so pretty much whatever your price is you'll get it.

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12 years 24 weeks ago
 
Posts: 415

Shifu

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Do some research on Taobao as to prices so you become familiar with them. Also I think in dollars when I buy something like a shirt; say 50 rmb = $9 if it is what you like then it is good! 300 rmb =$50 maybe a bit too much. If the people are good to talk with and show interest I will deal with them. Okay you can haggle, but they have to make money so don't be too hard on them, they have to put up with a lot of idiots everyday. I think you know in your gut if you are being ripped off. BTW I wouldn't buy a phone for 300 rmb anywhere it would be crap!! Laughing out loud

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12 years 24 weeks ago
 
Posts: 280

Shifu

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1. Never look interested
2. Be willing to leave without that item (and actually do that)
3. Don't think in terms of western prices. This is China. I don't know a single place that sells real stuff and bargains, so if you're bargaining it's almost without a doubt fake (and not particularly at all high quality). Know that for a fact. They will insist it's real. It's NOT. Taking all of that into account, go low.
4. Try to eavesdrop when you see a Chinese person paying, without looking too obvious, though. In my own experience I have found many times they try to not let me see them pay. Almost as if all Chinese (sellers and shoppers alike) share a mutual agreement that foreigners should pay more.
5. If they give in too easily or don't look slightly annoyed/upset when they agree to your price , you didn't go low enough .

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12 years 24 weeks ago

Before you judge someone walk a mile in their shoes, that way you're a mile away and you have their shoes!

 
Posts: 8

Governor

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Smile if you want to buy the garment maybe i can help you with the good quality garment with

reasonable price Maybe you can see my shop on-line my shop address is

http://shop68430887.taobao.com/

I hope you will like it thank you

TedDBayer:

sorry not interested,, maybe if you give me for free, then I tell others where I get it from

12 years 23 weeks ago
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12 years 24 weeks ago
 
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Can you bargain with big stores, maybe selling electronics?

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12 years 23 weeks ago
 
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