Shopping in Shanghai?

Question

I'll be heading over to the Shanghai next week, but I'm not too familiar with the shopping etiquette over there. I hear you should always bargain for about 1/4 of the asking price? Do people agree or disagree with this? Furthermore, is bargaining a must anywhere, or are you pretty safe when prices are clearly marked？Would you have to worry about negotiating in a mall?

Answer 1

i was in china 3 weeks ago, shopped in shanghai, beijing and many other areas.

if you go to the markets i would not even offer at first 1/4 of the price, here are some examples of what we paid.. remember don't feel sorry for them they won't sell it if they arent making a profit, and if they do turn you down on an offer you can go back later and try again at a higher price.

I bought some "original" nike shoes they started the price at 1900 RMB, we got for 100..

I bought 2 "original" brand name jackets they started at 1000 each, I got 2 for 240RMB.

"original" victoria beckham jeans they started at 2500, i got them for 80 RMB.

make a low offer at first, they will tell you you are rude etc, then begin walking away stick to your guns and say the price you will pay over and over not changing.. walk away before you get 5 metres away you will have it for the price you want or close to it, just be strong.. after you have done it once you will feel empowered and it will not be an issue. they will grab your arms, block you in stores and insult you, do not stand for it it will continue for 5 minutes but as soon as you walk away they will give in.. this kind of bargaining is okay in markets. in malls it depends, you are within your rights to ask for a discount, at major department stores they may give you one, pretty much the standard policy is everyone gets about 10-30% off. I got jewellery in a beijing department store for 90% off by asking for a discount.

this sounds very stingey and rude, but we took a chinese person the first time we went and they got lower prices then we ended up with after excrutiating 20 minute bargaining sessions.. this kind of bargaining is totally acceptable.

have fun.. good luck and shop smart

btw - original in china does not mean the same in western countries, they'll tell you it is original but its not so dont be conned xx

Answer 2

IF you are white it will be harder for you in all honesty...

Things in china, even in high quality shops and factory discount stores... generally have negotiable prices.

at first they might make you feel bad by making a face at the price you offer or scoff at it...

but if you are persistent you can get things down, the asking price for Chinese people will be lower then asking price for tourist cause Chinese people like to do that...LOL....SO I would actually bargain at 1/4 of the price...and don't fall for stuff to easy... they scoff at your prices..and go up too much and they're too quick to say 'ok'...

You might want to play their game... and scoff at the super high price they will give you.

So I agree... but if they seem pretty solid then go up....Haggling takes skill, and I'm not good at it...lol...don't be afraid to walk away... I do that sometimes... and walk back later then ask for the price and hey! what do you know... it dropped some...stock market sure affects goods pretty quick... if you get what i mean...

Answer 3

No, bargain 1/2 price of the asking price first. Bargaining is a must for flea market stalls. But in like professional stores such as Gucci, Prada etc. I think their prices are set. But I'm not sure. You can try negotiating in the mall. I'm not sure about regular stores. But I'm pretty sure you can bargain in regular stores.