Here is a bit of foreigner advice on how to bargain in China. When we say foreigner we mean obviously-not-Chinese foreigner. These techniques may not apply to overseas Chinese or other Asian consumers but this is what seems to work best to effectively minimize the arguing and “tai gui le” banter. These skills are also specifically meant to be applied to large purchases – not vegetables at the market or t-shirts at the clothing stalls. In those situations, a variety of techniques usually work. Depending on the city, your level of Chinese, and the seller’s read on you, the starting price for such commodities and souvenirs can vary widely. The folks at Beijing Travel Tips give good advice for these situations and we generally agree that the following steps can help you achieve a lower price for common small-purchase items:
DO NOT say how much you want to pay for an item unless its near the end of the process. Always try and drop the seller’s offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price.
DO throw out really low prices like 10 RMB as long as you have a big smile.
DO keep smiling throughout. The seller is much more likely to continue bargaining with a happy smiling face. Getting angry rarely gets you the price you want.
BE AWARE the initial price offered by the seller is usually at least 40% over the general price acceptable. It can be up to 500% over.
DO have an idea of what the item is worth. You can ask Chinese friends, hotel staff, ex-pats or look at our rough guide below. This is very general and is based on a market like Xiu Shui. You may not be able to get the lowest prices stated at Xiu Shui, especially on a weekend when there are lots of tourists around.
DO walk away once you’ve given them your final price, even before. If you get called back, you know you are close. If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall and try again with a slightly higher price.
How much to pay for common Chinese products? Here’s a rough guide: (more…)
