China Shopping and Bargaining

It is very common for people to buy local products or souvenirs and to enjoy the China shopping experience. Shopping in China can be an art to be learned.
Buying local specialties provide a memory as well as being authentic. These commodities are often inexpensive and worth buying. Some examples might be Longjing tea in Hangzhou coconut products in Hainan, ethnic costumes in Yunnan and Hada in Tibet. They make great memories or gifts.
It is worth remembering however that fragile item or very large item can pose problems to transport home.

How to bargain

1. When you find something you want to buy, don't be eager to know the price. You may just leisurely talk about price of some other products, and then suddenly mention the price of what you really want, look like by chance. Often the shop keeper won't be sincere of the last question and give you a lower offer. Be careful, not to show any emotion, those skilled-in-observing-the-customer shopkeeper will give a price far beyond the real worth.

2. When the shop keeper offered the price, you may just let out such words casually, "zhe me gui (so expensive)?", then turn to the door. You must pretend to leave; this is a key skill when bargaining. No shopkeeper is willing to loose the chance of selling his products, so he will cut the price that he has offered.

3. Go back to the shop after a random walking outside the shop for a while. Take the product, and asking, "How much did you say just now, is it...?" Of course, the price out of your mouth is a little lower than that offered by the keeper. If that would be acceptable, the shopkeeper will definitely answer, "Ok, that is a deal". Finally, you get another discount.

4. Mention the price of the same product in the shops next door where product is much cheaper. This make-believe behavior might have been copied thousands of times, but it's essential in a bargaining. Leave no time for the keeper to explain the reason or persuade you, just take your next step.

5. Try your best to list all shortcomings you can imagine of the product. A normal procedure may be: the model, color, quality, craftsmanship…All in all, you are to try your best to show your dissatisfaction of the commodity as a customer for the purpose of getting a cut.

6. Don't be in a hurry; make them offer their lowest offer. And then time to show your temper, offer your price, on the basis of market place, most time the advisable price is half that give by the keeper. If you are not afraid of coming words from the keeper, you may give one percent of the lowest price. Of course this must be on the basis of a face thick enough. Doubtlessly the keeper won't give you the product, all you need to do is ready to turn back and leave. And the keep would debase the price again and again, showing that you care not a little of it.

7. Till the keeper give out his or her acceptable lowest price, you should turn back and get into the shop. Then add a little to the lowest price you've offered and bargain with him or her.

8. If the shop keeper refuses your offer, then you may leave. Usually, the shop keeper would seize the last chance to sell the product at a reasonable price. At this moment, you should go back and get it.