It’s been almost three years since I first arrived in Beijing and I still don’t truly understand how the shopping here works.
Take their discounts for instance. The first time I went shopping in an outlet mall, I was so absolutely thrilled to see the sign that read 打9折 (dǎ 9 zhé), thinking it meant 90% off. Yes, I know you’re probably laughing at me right now, but where I come from, and from what I’ve experienced in other parts of the world, you put the sale price out there as 10% off, not that 90% of the price remains…
So that’s Tip 1: The smaller the number listed on the sale sign, the better!
In effect, 3折 means 70% off as compared to 5折 which is 50% off.
Even thinking about it now still confuses me. But you know what they say, practice makes perfect, so take this 11.11 sales season to practice the math!
Tip 2: Packages/Membership cards can be worth it, if you negotiate
I am a huge proponent of packages, or 套餐 (tàocān) as they call it here (literal translation: combo or set meal). Sometimes, they’ll offer a membership or VIP card where you place a lump sum, which will entitle your future purchases to be at a discounted rate They call this 充卡 (chōng kǎ) or 会员卡 (huìyuán kǎ).
I know many expats, such as fellow editor Mina Yan, steer clear of these as it seems too much of a complication and commitment, but a little understanding and research here will save you a tidy sum!
Take manicures, for instance. Most of us get one done every month or even bi-weekly. The average price of a gel manicure at Alice Beauty is RMB 120, but if you top up a card with RMB 3,000 each manicure is at 85折. Quick pop quiz: How much discount is that? Answer: It’s 15% off, so each manicure is only RMB 102! RMB 18 off each month will add up to over RMB 200 in a year, and that’s just manicures. Double that for pedicures and facials and you’ll be saving up to RMB 1,000!
Two follow-up tips regarding packages/membership cards:
2a. Never buy a package before you’ve tried a place at least three times – the first and second time might be a fluke, but third time’s the charm. If a place hasn’t let you down after three visits, you’ll likely be returning there more often, so an investment to stretch your dollar is worth considering.
2b. Only buy a package/card at reputable chains that have been around for a while and, ideally, come recommended by trusted friends. At the very least, look up the place on Dianping to make sure they are listed, licensed and with good reviews.
My favorite example of membership cards that are worth your money are for restaurants you frequent. In my family’s case, we purchased a membership card for RMB 1,000 at Pizza Marzano and get RMB 50 off with every RMB 200 spent at the restaurant – that’s 25% off! Just remember to tell them you’re a member before you foot the bill!
Tip 3: Wait a while. The deal will still be there.
Once you start listening to their sales pitch, it’s likely to sound more and more like a good deal. But any good salesperson will tell you to never to accept the first offer. And that still rings true here. No matter how much they try to convince you that you should make the purchase that very day, saying that they can’t guarantee the same price next time, it’s highly improbable that that is the case. Every time I’ve stood my ground and asked to go home to check the budget with my husband, the price has been the same, or even better, when I returned.
I don’t waste my time even considering a package for something I don’t use/need, no matter how much of a deal it is, because 90% off something you don’t use is still 10% you could use on something you actually want. So firmly say you’re not interested, or if you are, then ask to sleep it over and come back to them. Even better, work out how much you’re willing to pay and then go to them with an offer. More likely than not, they’ll take it.
I made it clear to my hair stylist that I wasn’t going to spend more than RMB 500 on my hair every month, so he let me get a card for RMB 3000 that he promised will last at least six months, and gives me 50% off all hair-related services! It would have lasted almost eight months had I not chosen to dye my hair again…
What are you tips for smarter shopping here in the capital? Share them with us in the comments below!
KEEP READING: Is NUO’s Brunch Worth the Price?
Images: Pexels
