During your tour in China, bargaining is a necessary skill for shopping, especially when you decide to buy some souvenirs around the scenic spots or attractions. By learning how to bargain, you can not only save a lot of money, but also have an enjoyable shopping experience.
Most shops are open to bargaining. The exceptions include large shopping malls, supermarkets and specialty shops where prices are fixed. But sometimes even the shopping malls will also give you a discount if you bargain. Except for dishes in restaurants, you can bargain for almost everything, especially for handicrafts, clothes, and bags.
How to Bargain in China
1. Begin by doing your market research. Compare the same goods in different shops before you decide to buy. Don't go for it as soon as you are interested in it. Sometimes the seller could ask as much as double the normal price.
2. If you're interested in an item, try not to reveal it. If the seller thinks you really want an item, he or she will keep the price firmly set. Therefore, the secret is to pretend to be hanging out with friends and the item is not that necessary to you.
3. You can try to point out some disadvantages of the item even if you know it is fine enough. For example, a lower price is offered in another shop, or you don't think the quality is very good. In recognition of the disadvantages, the seller will naturally become more flexible with the price.
4. Propose a price lower than you are willing to pay and then raise it little by little if the seller disagrees. When proposing a price, act as if you are very familiar with the prevailing market price.
5. If the seller doesn't agree on the price you propose, you can just walk away. The seller will stop you if the price is reasonable; he or she will let you leave if it is not acceptable. You will learn that this is the actual price and can always buy it in another shop.
Tips for Bargain in China:
A. In some small retail shops, the prices are usually 2 or 3 times higher than the actual price, so your first proposal should be lower than 1/3 or 1/2 of the price;
B. always go shopping with 2 or 3 friends of you, so that they can help you when bargaining;
C. items near the scenic spots or attractions are much more expensive than those in downtown city, so avoid shopping around the scenic spots;
D. it will be much easier if you know some simple Chinese for bargaining;
E. show great patience when bargain with the seller;
F. you get what you pay for. If you get an item with a very low price, do not expect much of its quality;
G. most of the big shopping malls mark the prices clearly, but you can still ask if you can get a discount;
H. if you buy many things in one shop, you may bargain for a discount for the total price.
Simple Chinese for Bargain:
1. How much: 多少钱? (duō shǎo qián)
2. Too expensive: 太贵了. (tài guì le)
3. How about CNY 50: 50块怎么样? (wǔ shí kuài zěn me yàng)
4. I just saw a cheaper one in another shop: 我在其他店看到了一个更便宜的 (wǒ zài qí tā diàn kàn dào le yí gè gèng pián yì de)
5. The quality is not very good: 这个质量不怎么样 (zhè gè zhì liàng bù zěn me yàng)
6. If you ask for a lower price: 便宜一点 (pián yì yì diǎn)
7. Ok, I will take it: 好,我买了 (hǎo, wǒ mǎi le)