Just realized my laowai friend was right about haggling in Shanghai

He told me to start at 40% of the asking price at the Dongtai Road market last summer, and I thought he was crazy. Walked out with a vintage tea set for 120 yuan after the seller started at 300. Anyone else have a local tip that actually worked out?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina_clark1mo agoMost Upvoted

20 yuan difference on that scarf sounds about right, I've noticed that first offer really sets the tone for how the rest of the negotiation goes. It's like the whole back and forth is just a dance where each side knows the steps, you just have to lead with a number that's low but not insulting. People don't like being cheated, but they also don't want to miss a sale, so that middle ground always ends up being the real price.

robin_wright1mo ago

That 40% rule is golden... I tried it at the fabric market on Lujiabang Road last fall. The seller wanted 200 for a silk scarf, I opened at 80, and we settled at 110. Felt like I won something.