How to Haggle Like a Pro

Shanghai has a lot of markets. Fake markets, pearl markets, flower markets, pet markets blah blah. Most of these places have flexible prices, and in order to not get totally fleeced, here are some pro tips for haggling. 

Before Haggling Even Begins... The Pre-haggle

Figure Out If You Can Haggle Here

It seems obvious, but before you even get started, make sure this is a place that people actually haggle. You wouldn’t haggle with a grocery store cashier over the price of a dozen eggs would you? Well maybe you would, but you shouldn’t. 

Scope and Plan

Before any interaction takes place it’s a good idea to get a lay of the land. How many shops are around, what kind of stuff are they selling, are other people buying? It also helps to have a solid idea of exactly what you want and how much you’re willing to spend for it if push comes to shove. 

Bonus: if there’s something in particular you want, it always helps to know what other people have paid for that item. For example, you can get Ray Bans at the fake market for RMB 30, but that is the absolute lowest they’ll go. If you know that number you don’t even have to haggle. Just tell them that number and they'll be like "shit, this guy/girl knows what's up."

Get Small Bills Ready

Vendors are really good at getting more money out of you than you planned on spending. One way you can make that easy for them to do is by handing them a big bill and asking if they have change. If you’ve agreed on RMB 20 for a fidget spinner and you hand them a 100 bill they’ll surely try to get you to buy more spinners before giving you your change. 

The Haggle

Start Low

They start insultingly high so you should return the favor. If they want RMB1500 for sneakers, offer them RMB 80. It is possible to go so low they get pissed, but ultimately they want the sale and will probably give you a more reasonable price if they think you’re a belligerent cheapskate. 

Act Disinterested

The more interested you act, the more they’ll be in your face about the sale. Act casual like you could take it or leave it and they’re more likely to act (slightly) more casual themselves. 

Be Willing to Walk

At the end of the day you have to be willing to walk out of there, not just as a stunt, but for real. Even if that means your family doesn't get any little gifts this year. 

Be Nice

Being mean sucks. although vendors can sometimes be mean themselves, there’s no reason to turn a fun experience into an awkward and aggressive one. Be nice! Smile, and who knows, maybe they’ll give you an even better deal. Remember that these people’s livelihoods often depend on sales, so don’t take it personally that they’re trying to make the most out of the interaction. 

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