Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The brashness with which fake goods are peddled in Bangkok gives the impression that
black-market goods are fair game, which is and isn't true. Technically, knock-offs are il-
legal, and periodic crackdowns by the Thai police have led to the closure of shops and the
arrest of vendors. The shops typically open again after a few months, however, and the
purchasers of fake merchandise are rarely the target of such crackdowns.
The tenacity of Bangkok's counterfeit goods trade is largely due to the fact that tourists
aren't the only ones buying the stuff. A poll conducted by Bangkok University's research
centre found that 80% of the 1104 people polled in Bangkok admitted to having purchased
counterfeit goods (only 48% admitted they felt guilty for having bought fakes).
It's worth pointing out that some companies, including even a few luxury brands, argue
that counterfeit goods can be regarded as a net positive. They claim that a preponderance
of fake items inspires brand awareness and fosters a demand for 'real' luxury items while
also acting as a useful gauge of what's hot. But the argument against fake goods points out
that the industry supports organised crime and potentially exploitative and abusive labour
conditions, circumvents taxes and takes jobs away from legitimate companies.
If the legal or moral repercussions aren't enough to convince you, keep in mind that in
general, with fake stuff, you're getting exactly what you pay for. Consider yourself lucky
if, after arriving home, you can actually watch all of season four of the Simpsons DVD
you bought, if the Von Dutch badge on your new hat hasn't peeled off within a week, and
if your 'Rolex' is still ticking after the first rain.
Bargaining
Many of your purchases in Bangkok will involve an ancient skill that has long been aban-
doned in the West: bargaining. Contrary to what you'll see on a daily basis on Th Khao
San, bargaining (in Thai, gahn đòr rah·kah ) is not a terse exchange of numbers and anim-
osity. Rather, bargaining Thai-style is a generally friendly transaction where two people
try to agree on a price that is fair to both of them.
The first rule to bargaining is to have a general idea of the price. Ask around at a few
vendors to get a rough notion. When you're ready to buy, it's generally a good strategy to
start at 50% of the asking price and work up from there. If you're buying several of an
item, you have much more leverage to request and receive a lower price. If the seller im-
mediately agrees to your first price you're probably paying too much, but it's bad form to
bargain further at this point. In general, keeping a friendly, flexible demeanour throughout
the transaction will almost always work in your favour. And remember: only begin bar-
gaining if you're really planning on buying the item. Most importantly, there's simply no
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