Job Discussion Forums

[I'm With Stupid]

Just wondering if anyone's been to the Russian Market in Saigon. How much should I look to get of the first price they say? I'm guessing it's not quite as bad as Ben Thanh.

[snollygoster]

I have been there several times.
How much off? Lets give an example- I was quoted 950,000VnD (a few days ago) for a few items which I walked away with for 320,000VnD, and I know that was "good for you-good for me" In other words, the vendor still made a profit.

[The Mad Hatter]

Snollygoster, would you mind telling us which items and what the cost? forgive my curiosity but you do have the most adventurous posts and you tend to omit essential specific facts and figures. credibility could be enhanced with such details. Have a nice day!

[snollygoster]

Mad Hatter, I dont really worry if you dont find me credible, however, I have lived in Vietnam for nearly 10 years and know how to go about things.
Specifics of goods I got from the Russian market last Thursday?
Hill tribe mens shirt with knotted buttons- Price asked 800,000VnD
Ladies blouse short sleeved 150,000VnD

I handed over what I thought was a fair price and said "take it or leave it". The vendor took it. I didn't say he became my best friend, but if he was not making a profit, he would have said "I'll leave it".

Perhaps an ability to speak Vietnamese helps as that immediately seems to lower the prices as its obvious you are not a tourist.

You can always use the "Arabian" method of bargaining- Hand over in cash what you think is fair and say "OK-I'll take it". The vendor them has to weigh up if he should take it or give you back your money. He will usually accept.
You have a nice day too.

[The Mad Hatter]

Well look you did it again. Here you said what the asking price was for the items but you left out what the lower price the seller agreed to was. I mean we can just speculate on what price you were able to talk them down to. It is not about how credible you are as a person are. That is beyond question. All I am asking about, are just some details that would fill in the blanks to get a better idea what you are talking about. I said "forgive my curiosity"

[Biaom]

I am also interested in the details, please include the following:

the time of day, the weather, currency used, female or male seller, previous relationship with seller, from the south or north or?, which floor, what were you wearing, give a tip, was the seller hospitable, good looking or ugly, phase of the moon, do you speak the northern or southern dialect, any russians around,where did you go after the russian market.

Finally, where is the russian market?

[Andy123]

Thank you Biaom !

[snollygoster]

I never thought a simple act of buying something and bargaining the price could possibly attract so much interest!
Mad hatter- I already quoted the prices I was originally asked-What I offered and it was accepted was a price for the two items-I have no idea how the seller apportioned that price, just that the price I paid was 320,000VnD. Acceptable to me.
just some details that would fill in the blanks to get a better idea what you are talking about.

I don't know what other details I could give that would make a difference.
Thank you Biaom-maybe these are the details required.
Bottom line- I was asked 950,000VnD for the 2 items and got them for 320,000VnD. I dont recall the notes denominations I used to pay, and I did not make a note of the serial numbers on them.
It was about mid day, The weather was cloudy but not raining, I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, the seller was male, I used vnd, the seller had a Saigon accent, I didnt notice any Russians (but I dont usually ask everyone I see about their origins), After the Russian market I went to the Tax Centre, I don't recall the street name where the Russian market is but can take you there- (Q1), the seller was wearing dark coloured trousers with a belt that was too big for him, a white short-sleeved shirt with no tie, sandals, he spoke a little English (badly), his hair was cut quite short, he appeared about 35 years old, with no distinguishing marks/tatoos etc that were visible. I don't know his name, address or telephone number, nor his marital status.
I have a good memory for details-luckily, but I never expected to have to supply so much detail over a casual, legal financial transaction that takes place on a daily basis all over the world.
Can the questions over details of this uninteresting everyday transaction stop now? Thank you.

[Biaom]

Hey Snolly

Tks for the details. However, I was not interested in the details. I was taking the piss out of another post but I suspect you knew that. Anyway, have enjoyed your posts in the past and keep writing.

Cheers

Biaom

[snollygoster]

I was taking the piss out of another post but I suspect you knew that
Yes, of course.

[Biaom]

Snolly

Please accept my apologies, I have had one too many beers today due to getting a new job.

Have you returned to Vietnam for work or are you on holiday?

Cheers

[The Mad Hatter]

Well you had spread the info out over a couple posts. We have to scroll around to piece your story back together. So you are not sure exactly how much each item was reduced by, only that the lump sum was reduced by two thirds.
"Bottom line- I was asked 950,000VnD for the 2 items and got them for 320,000VnD. "
I do not believe this. Market sellers usually never go down to less than half their asking , and you have them here at about 1/3rd.

I seriously doubt anyone can convince sellers to reduce their prices by this much. This tests the limits of credibility.
Also, there is the item itself.
A men's ethnic minority hill tribe shirt with buttons. Do you really wear this? where may I ask? This is the sort of thing tourists buy when they first arrive. Like the star flag t shirt and the Che shirt. Come one.
Long time residents never wear this item. Was it for a friend?
And there is not much to buy there except masking tape and cammo gear and gasmasks and cots. I don't get it. I really don't sorry. but do not let that deter you please. please tell these marvelous tales.

[Biaom]

fallacy1

sellers never go down to less than half their asking price
he is a seller
he will not reduce the price by more than 50%

Fallacy2

Long term residents never wear those clothes
He is wearing those clothes
He is not a long term resident

Fallacy 3

I have never had that experience
He said that he had that experience
He is telling a tale

The power of perception

[snollygoster]

Mad hatter:
I was quoted 950,000VnD (a few days ago) for a few items which I walked away with for 320,000VnD,
Looks pretty straight frorward to me, and all in ONE post, not several as you say.
My experience at bargaining at markets has been that the seller will ALWAYS reduce the price, and OFTEN to a third of the original asking price. (Including Ben Thanh)
I wear the traditional gear in another country when attending official functions, and my wife wears traditional Viet. Ao Dai to such official functions. Where I am, this is a sign of respect.
Camo and masking tape? Is there another Russian market? Its possible- I have been out of Vietnam a few years now, but where I went is commonly called "The Russian market".
Believe it or not-it matters little to me-I know what I know. (By the way, I DO have witnesses to this by now very important international transaction. Shall I get signed affedavits or Stat Decs from them?)
It may interest you to know that at the Tax Cntre, I also bargained for a set of table placemats- From 320,000VnD down to 60,000VnD. Happens all the time. Their color is burgundy with gold coloured trim-the sellr wore a predominantly orange Ao dai and had her hair held back with a black kep toc, and her stall was just outside the Highlands Coffee Shop on the third floor. I also have witnesses to that transaction. Perhaps this can be put to rest now?

[deadlift]

Which market are you guys talking about? I've heard several places referred to as "the Russian Market", including the Tax Centre, the market that used to run between Dong Khoi and Nguyen Hue, and the army surplus market.