Bargaining is a common practice in China, particularly in markets, street stalls, and tourist shops. To secure a favorable deal and prevent overpaying, mastering these essential skills is crucial. Quickly obtain your desired products.
Get an idea of the market price and quality before purchasing. Don’t get swayed by high prices; visit different merchants or check online platforms like Taobao or Jingdong to compare prices. Set a bottom line for yourself.
Bargaining involves emotions and expectations. Stay polite and friendly while expressing your bottom line. Start negotiating around two-thirds of the merchant’s asking price and gradually increase it. Generally, you can reach a mutually acceptable price through negotiation.
Xiǎo Míng: Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng wèn zhè chuàn pú tao duō shǎo qián?
小明：你好！请问这串葡萄多少钱？
Xiaoming: Hello! How much does this bunch of grapes cost?
Lǎo Bǎn: Wǒ bāng nǐ chēng yí xià, yī gòng shì 35 yuán.
老板：我帮你称一下，一共是35元。
Vendor: Let me weigh it for you. It’s a total of 35 yuan.
Xiǎo Míng: Yǒu diǎn guì, néng bù néng pián yi diǎn!
小明：有点贵，能不能便宜点！
Xiaoming: It’s a bit expensive. Can you make it cheaper?
Lǎo Bǎn: Shǎo nǐ 5 kuài qián, 30 yuán.
老板：少你5块钱，30元。
Vendor: I’ll give you a discount of 10 yuan, making it 30 yuan.
Xiǎo Míng: Dǎ ge zhé ba! 25 yuán zěnme yàng? Jiāo ge péng yǒu!
小明：打个折吧！25元怎么样？交个朋友！
Xiaoming: Can you give me a discount? How about 25 yuan? Let’s be friends!
Lǎo Bǎn: 28 yuán! Bù néng zài dī le!
老板：28元！不能再低了！
Vendor: 28 yuan! No lower!
Xiǎo Míng: Chéng jiāo! Xiè xiè lǎo bǎn!
小明：成交！谢谢老板！
Xiaoming: Deal! Thank you!
If the merchant refuses to lower the price, consider pretending to give up and leave the store or stall. Remember that merchants often have high profit margins. Most merchants will stop you and agree to your offer. If not, explore other options for potentially better choices.
Xiǎo Míng: Zhè tiáo wéi jīn zěn me mài?
小明：这条围巾怎么卖？
Xiaoming: How much is this scarf?
Lǎo Bǎn: Yī kǒu jià 300 yuán.
老板：一口价300元。
Vendor: The fixed price is 300 yuan.
Xiǎo Míng: Tài guì la! Wǎng shàng zhǐ yào yī bǎi duō! 150 kě yǐ ma?
小明：太贵啦，网上只要一百多！150可以吗？
Xiaoming: That’s too expensive. It’s only a little over a hundred online! Can you do 150 yuan?
Lǎo Bǎn: Mài bù liǎo, zhè yàng wǒ jiù pēi běn le!
老板：卖不了，这样我就赔本了！
Vendor: I can’t sell it at that price. I’ll be at a loss!
Xiǎo Míng: Hǎo ba, nà suàn le! Wǒ qù bié de diàn pu kàn kan!
小明：好吧，那算了！我去别的店铺看看！
Xiaoming: Alright, then forget it! I’ll go check out other stores.
Lǎo Bǎn: Děng deng! 150 jiù 150, xiàn jīn hái shì sǎo mǎ zhuǎn zhàng?
老板：等等！150就150，现金还是扫码转账？
Vendor: Wait! 150 yuan it is. Cash or scan code transfer?
Xiǎo Míng: Xiè xiè lǎo bǎn! Wǒ yòng xiàn jīn!
小明：谢谢老板！我用现金！
Xiaoming: Thank you! I’ll pay in cash.
Did you learn it? Have you ever haggled in China? Feel free to tell me in the comments section!
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