Korean Job Discussion Forums

mikowee · Joined: 03 Aug 2006

Shopping with my aunt is amazing. She's honed her ajumma savvy to the point where she can get a discount anywhere.

Just wondering what it's like for other foreigners when they shop, especially for clothes. I've heard before coming here that the actual retail price on most clothes in markets and privately owned shops is roughly 2/3 of the listed price.

So do you haggle, or just accept the price on the tag? And if you do haggle, how successful do you find your efforts?

tatu · Joined: 23 Jun 2006

2/3 is nothing close for alot of the stuff. The wife's brother imports clothes from thailand and the markup for the stuff he sells in Dondaemun is at least 70%. That's not to mention the markup in shops. Many clothing shops are 30% higher than dongdaemun and the source for their stuff is in the whole sale market in the back of dongdaemun(the one that doesn't open until 8 in the evening).

If you are a foriegner the prices will go up. When i shop with the wife she gets a different price when i'm not with her compared to when we buy together. Itaweon prices for clothes are even a larger markup. That's clothes, other prices i can't be sure of the markup but if you buy copied movies or games than the mark up is even higher. What's the cost for pirated stuff!

uberscheisse · Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Location: japan is better than korea.

my strategy with haggling is this

1. ask the price

2. offer something lower than the price in a whiney voice

3. wait for counter offer, then say "but... i only have ONE LEG!"

4. pull right leg up so that it looks like a stump if you're looking straight at me.

5. wait for reaction.

i rarely lose.

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

Masta_Don · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Location: Hyehwa-dong, Seoul

My general rule is anything in Dongdaemun or on the streets of Itaewon is twice what it should be. I ask for the price and say the price that I'm willing to go, half or less. Of course that won't be the final price but it'll be a lot closer to my offer than the original price. I think it's mainly about confidence when counter offering.

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

In a market setting, I'll haggle. I'm not inclined to haggle inside of an actual business, except for the few times I buy things in Itaewon. I'm a sucker for that crappy jade jewelry. They make good gifts for my female friends back home. It's pretty cheap anyway, but my strategy is to look absolutely STRICKEN by how much it costs. Then shake your head, and start to leave. Of course they'll lower the cost. Just get them to think they are on the verge of losing a sale.

chasmmi · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Location: Ulsan

I know haggling is the done thing, but the Brit in me refuses to aruge with the price the seller gives me. It just feels rude to suggest somebody is trying to rip me off, even if they blatently are.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

I haggle hard on just about everything I buy...it's satisfying.

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Used to haggle all the time.

Now I just walk away if I can't be bothered.

I've saved loads of money this way by not buying things that I don't really need.

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

I simply decide on what price I want and if they are willing to listen and agree to the price then good, if not, not. The biggest problem with Namdaemun is in the foriegn goods area. Most times they just aren't willing to haggle and the guy inside the basement of the building next door, is downright unfriendly.

My wife hasn't had much luck with them either. Other places in Korea, we've both had some luck in our haggling, but Bali was where my wife shined/embarrassed me. She has no shame over how she haggles and will whine and be amazingly cheap. In Bali, the guy quoted a price and my wife quoted a very low price. He tried to negotiate with her and he would lower his price, but my wife wouldn't budge. It was amazing and embarrassing at the same time.

I wonder how she'd do back home buying a car?

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

I really like haggling at the markets. "Buy low" is my motto. If I look at the tag and see that it's from China, then I give them the look that says... "we know, that you know that we know what this is really worth, right?" Wink

I then proceed to drive them into the ground. Stuff from China is so cheap! Just give them that knowing stare and smile. If they don't meet my price, then I just walk away. If they sense that you're indifferent about the sale, then they'll work harder to meet you somewhere near your asking price.

In addition, go around and get a few estimates before you start hard bargaining.

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

I don't haggle over vegetables and fruit in the market, but if I'm making a big purchase (over 30,000 or so) then I try to bargain. LIke another poster said, decide what you feel is a good price and then make them sell it to you for that. I do'nt haggle over small purchases though. I figure the ajumma selling veggies off of a blanket on the street needs teh 1000won more than I do.

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

Dev · Joined: 18 Apr 2006

Generally speaking, I think you can expect a 20% discount on clothes in the markets here.

I don't haggle with fruit vendors bacause I don't think they make much profit. There are too many of them, so I think their prices are already competitive.

I never shop in Itaweon because the sellers there are bloodsuckers ripping off the foreigners.