{"id":2742,"date":"2008-03-20T19:15:20","date_gmt":"2008-03-21T01:15:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.conradaskland.com\/blog\/2008\/03\/how-to-barter-in-china\/"},"modified":"2008-03-20T19:22:56","modified_gmt":"2008-03-21T01:22:56","slug":"how-to-barter-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/conradaskland.com\/blog\/how-to-barter-in-china\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Barter in China"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00c2\u00a0\"chinese-market.jpg\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How do you barter at a Chinese market in China? I have heard that in the North (Beijing) you will pay 50% of the initial asking price. I have also heard that in the South (Hong Kong – Macau) you can begin by offering 10% of the initial price, with an ending price of 10-30% of the original asking price.<\/p>\n

I have also heard that much patience is needed in bartering. It’s a necessary step in making purchases, and one that cannot be hurried through. It’s expected to be slow and take time.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/strong>
\nOnce you’ve decided what you want, canvass the overall market and see how many vendors are offering similar products.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong>
\nInquire about the opening price from a number of different vendors. They will all try to keep you in their shop. Be strong, but friendly, as you move along quickly.<\/p>\n

Step 3:<\/strong>
\nChoose the shop you would like to do business with based on the friendliness of the operator and one that is not so busy. The shopkeeper doesn’t want others to hear how low they are willing to go.<\/p>\n

Step 4:<\/strong>
\nAsk first before handling objects. If it is difficult to reach, the shop keeper will be happy to do the necessary acrobatics versus risking any mishaps in a crowded place.<\/p>\n

Step 5:<\/strong>
\nOffer 10 percent of the asking price. If the price is 100, offer 10. This will garner much laughter and scoffing from the shop keeper as they try to shame you into thinking your offer is ridiculous. Match them smile for smile and if they are not coming down yet, ask for their best price.<\/p>\n

Step 6:<\/strong>
\nRespond that it is still too expensive and feign disinterest and begin to look at other items half heartedly. This is an iterative process.<\/p>\n

Step 7:<\/strong>
\nOffer cash as you get closer to the price that you find acceptable.<\/p>\n

Step 8:<\/strong>
\nChat with your companions about other things. If alone, work on small talk with the shop keeper or practice any language skills you may or may not be learning.<\/p>\n

Step 9:<\/strong>
\nPrepare to exit the shop or stall without the item, but exit slowly and casually. When they know you are prepared to walk away, that is when you will generally get your best price.<\/p>\n

ANOTHER APPROACH<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Look around the market and choose what you want to buy. To ask what something is in Chinese, ask what’s this, or ‘chih (as in chew) shih (as in shirt) shen ma?’ (this is actually Zhe shi shenme? in Chinese)<\/p>\n

2. Ask the price. Even if you think the price is cheap, it’s not. If you look like a foreigner, the vendor will automatically offer a price several times greater than the price offered to locals. You should pretend to be surprised or outraged.<\/p>\n

3. Offer 1\/5 the price. They might be angry or pretend not to want to sell it.<\/p>\n

4. Don’t worry. Just leave. They will call you and offer a middle price.<\/p>\n

5. Offer the same price one more time. They might offer a lower price than before.<\/p>\n

6. Do it again and again. You could offer a little higher price. After the haggling you should be able to buy it at half off, or more, of the first price.<\/p>\n

Tips<\/strong><\/p>\n