When you go to China, you will inevitably encounter vendors hawking their goods at almost every street corner. And as long as you are not in a department store, you should expect the first price you hear to be severely overvalued. If you are not interested in the product at all, your best course of action is to ignore the salesperson entirely. Once you acknowledge them, even if it is to say 我不要, you can expect the negotiations to begin.
Fortunately, the bartering process is a crude art form that can be conducted with little to no language ability. The greater command you show, however, the better your chances are that you will get a good deal.
First, determine if you really want what is being sold. It is easy to be talked into impulse buys.
Second, determine the quality of the item. It is important not to compare the item to your perceived cost, but to compare it to similar items on sale. It's OK to observe a sale to another person and then try your luck at a different stall.
Next, take the price you would be willing to pay and cut it by at least a third, if not a half. You may think your offer is preposterously low, but it is just an opening to show you're interested. Of course, feel free to ask 多少钱 to get a ballpark number to work from. Chances are when a vendor sees a person of non-Asian descent, the first offer will be significantly higher than for their Chinese counterpart.
Finally, go back and forth. Be fluid but firm. Do not be afraid to walk away. You can also offer to buy more than one item for a greater discount if you're with friends or would like to give one as a gift.
Beware of 花言巧语: flowery words and cunning language. Salespeople love to let you know what a "special deal" you are getting because you are their "good friend." Don't expect a Facebook friend request after the transaction, though. Bartering is certainly fun, but the bottom line is a business transaction. Good luck!
