Listen to this articleWhen buying things in the Chinese market, you have to know that if you use the right method, you can buy things at half the original price. Bargaining is really a skill and let’s learn it below.
Where to go
Find a large, open-air market. Bargaining is usually feasible in these places, but bargaining in commercial centers is not possible. If you go to the market, bargaining is acceptable. Don’t think that this is something they look down on, or that it will make you look shabby.
And in such a large market, there will be many similar businesses, and you can shop around and find the most cost-effective thing.
When you want to buy, you can ask “What is this?”
The display of items in the market is the same as that of a grocery store. The most expensive items are displayed in the conspicuous place outside, and the items at the top or bottom of the shelf are usually hard to find. If you are willing to go shopping for a while, you may be able to save a lot of money.
Remember that hotels are not necessarily non-bargaining, even if they say they do not bargain, they can still give it a try. Especially when there are still many vacant rooms, they still hope to make a small profit.
When you are initially rejected, you can tell them that you will stay a few more days. This can make them feel tempted and make them feel that you wouldn’t live long, but if the price is right, you will consider staying longer.
Watch out for some defective products. If you are looking at something and the boss keeps pestering you, like a cheetah holding an unsuspecting squirrel, you can directly point out their lack of merchandise. Locals often do this.
Sometimes there is no need to be too truthful. Unless something is too bad, even an old lady who is going blind can tell at a glance and just say what you want to say. They have hundreds of these things, and these are their jobs. If the color is too single, you can just say it; if it doesn’t seem to be valuable, you can just say it. Even if it’s not like that, you can say it, just talk, no one knows what you really think.
When you see something you like, compare it and then shoot. When shopping in tourist areas, you should compare them before buying. In large markets, most merchants will have similar products, so don’t decide once.
When bargaining, you must not rush for time. If you see something similar in a store, but it’s not exactly what you want, you can ask again. Or you can find a female boss with a smaller body, she can go to the places you can’t see, and find you something more in line with your requirements. No one knows how she did it, but she can do it as long as she wants to.
Moreover, things in large tourist areas will be more expensive, and going to some places that locals often visit will allow you to find cheaper things. Just ask people nearby.
What to do and what not to do
Learn the local language. What you might not think of is that foreigners are hopelessly obsessed with the mysterious and strange items in China, and they can’t see the boss’s superficial tricks at all. Speaking in the local language can remind the boss not to hit himself in the foot.
Speaking the local language will make them feel that you know what you are doing, and telling them you are not that easy to deceive, even if you are not. Merchants will not be sure how long you have been here, and they will give more acceptable prices. You can learn Cantonese or Mandarin at first.
Remember, you are benefiting them. You are in their country, you speak their language, and you spend money to buy their things, what else do they ask for?
Show interest is average. So far, this is a truth that does not need to be explained, although it is the old one, but the truth is good. You can buy or not buy what you want to show, suggesting that if the price is unreasonable to the boss, you may not really want to buy it.
Worry less about your language (perhaps language is a big problem), pay more attention to your behavior. Most body language is common. Even if one thing is good, don’t be too nostalgic, or it will easily become their goal.
Pretend that you didn’t bring a lot of money. You may be surprised that the wallet does not have much power. Put the money in your wallet somewhere else and show them your thin wallet. They may not hesitate to plan to take all the money in your wallet.
If you really don’t have much cash, don’t ignore the high-priced items. If the price is three times what you can afford, you can show your interest. The merchant will come to hire you (about 5 seconds later), and you tell him the price you can afford. It may take a minute or two for them. Even though the price is so high, your existing money will not be a problem, and they will still get some profit.
Don’t feel guilty. Many tourists may think in their hearts that these merchants are not as economically as themselves. Purchasing at their price is also a contribution to the local economy and can improve the lives of locals. This is not the case. Don’t feel bad when bargaining. If they have no profit, they will not sell things to others.
You need to be less interested and naive, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be happy. Smile can bring them a good day! You don’t have to bend your face, they are all real people-communicate with them like themselves.
Don’t be too persistent. It’s a strategy for merchants to mark the price very high at first, and they will give a guaranteed price when you lift your foot away. It is also unlikely that the price will fall below a quarter.
After all, you have to know how much you are willing to pay. Speaking of this, the number is entirely up to you. Nothing is a fixed price-just a trial process, no one knows for sure how much the price can be mentioned. For example, if you buy a teapot for $20, you will think it is worth it, and the seller will certainly think it is worth the price.
Ask for some gifts. Do you like this big hanging umbrella? But what if the shop owner doesn’t cut the price? Well, do you like this set of spoons and bracelets too, can you ask the boss if they can give it to you?
Yes, he will. If you don’t like the boss’s price, but the boss is not easy to bargain, you can consider this method. Or the boss has a lot of such gadgets, the cost price is not very high, if you buy a large one, this loss is not a big deal. So, take a look at the store before bidding.
Know when to give up. If you have been grinding with the boss for a long time and have not talked about the price you are satisfied with, then forget it. You can understand for yourself who is more determined and who is easier to bargain. If you really can’t tell, don’t buy this one at all.
If you fail to bargain in one store, go to another store. Use what you have seen to estimate the price of other things. After a long time, you can judge by yourself how to buy what you want at a satisfactory price.
