Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
just looking.” If this doesn't free you from your shepherd, go for something more direct:
“Búyòng g
ē
nzhe w
ǒ
”
(
不用跟着我
), “No need to follow me.” That usually does the trick.
In department stores and local-style stores, they may use a cashier desk system, rather than
a direct payment to the person you select the goods from. The salesperson will give you a
receipt, which you take to the cashier. The cashier will take your money and stamp the re-
ceipt, which you take back to the salesperson to collect your things.
There is no bargaining in mainstream shopping, but it is a big part of the shopping cul-
ture here, and anyone who lives in Beijing will at some time encounter it. Bargaining is
pretty much used in anything that isn't a mainstream commercial premise, such as fresh
produce markets, tailors, wholesale markets, and so on, and your foreign face may cause
instant inflation.
Many guidebooks advise you to start bargaining by cutting a vendor's original price
down by about 70-90 percent, and that's definitely true in tourist hot spots. The most optim-
istic salespeople are to be found at the Silk Markets, Panjiayuan and Yashow, where more
than half the trade is wide-eyed na
ï
ve tourists coming in by the busload. A “silk” tie that
you should ultimately be able to get for RMB20-50 might start at RMB500. Cut them down
to a low price, and only raise your offer fraction by fraction as they lower theirs. If they
don't accept your final price, walk away, and if they come running after you, then you've
got a deal. If they let you go, then you know you've really gone too low. There are usually
plenty of other vendors selling the exact same thing, so now you have your baseline. Most
vendors at these markets have enough English for bargaining and will understand “cheap-
er.” If not, you can try your Chinese:
“Tài guì le,”
meaning “too expensive,” and
“piányi,”
meaning “cheap.”
Such heavy-handed bargaining might not go down well at places where the clientele is
predominantly local and the profit margin is much smaller. The Zoo Markets, for example,
may give you only RMB5-20 off the price of a piece of clothing.
Generally the rule is that the more you buy, the better you can bargain. If you can man-
age to make the vendor laugh, then your chances are even better. Chinese people enjoy
a good round of bargaining, but if you insult them by insisting on a ridiculous offer then
they'll be less likely to offer you their actual best price. If you are going to go for a rock-
bottom price, say it with a friendly smile. Getting angry isn't going to get you a good deal.
Try to find out ahead of time from a Chinese friend what the item should cost. If you
go in blind then you might be a sitting duck for being taken advantage of or, the opposite,
trying to undercut them too much. Definitely decide how much you're willing to pay for
something before you mention a price, and take your time.
