Site Search:
 
Speak Korean Now!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Bargining in Youngsan

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
njp6



Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Location: Gangnam, South Korea

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:32 pm    Post subject: Bargining in Youngsan Reply with quote

I love going to Youngsan but the whole bargining in for electronics has me a bit confused. Really, I don't know how far to try and talk some of the vendors down. Namely I want to buy a PSP and I'm wondering what is an acceptable price. Advice?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
I_Am_Wrong



Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're going to yongsan and you're planning on bargaining then you'd better go armed with online price quotes.

Check out sites like danawa.co.kr omi.co.kr and enuri.co.kr

cheers.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
poet13



Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make sure the device is in English. I bought video camera some years ago, and it was in Japanese. it was fun figuring it out though...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Novernae



Joined: 02 Mar 2005

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yongsan is the least receptive to bargaining I've come accross in all my travels. Sometimes the prices are bang-on, so there is no need, but sometimes they are so inflated that you can do nothing but laugh in the guys face and walk away. There's always the argument that I wouldn't bargain at Walmart, so why should I expect them to bargain? But then again, we all know that prices in most small markets are inflated to allow for bargaining and cheating of the unwary... Yongsan, I just can't figure it out! The best way to get a good proce is to walk around and ask every vendor. We bought a $410 camera for $350 doing that. First guy wanted over $500, and second to last guy wanted $200... we didn't trust that one though Rolling Eyes
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Demophobe



Joined: 17 May 2004

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have found that if one isn't good at Korean and you get an inflated price from one guy, walk directly to the next stall (within eye-earshot of the last one) and ask again. Repeat until someone wants the sale bad enough to finally give the real, or at least an acceptable, price.

It isn't the most effective method, but for those lacking Korean language skills, it can work. There really is no substitute for knowing the language though.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
SuperHero



Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Demophobe wrote:
I have found that if one isn't good at Korean and you get an inflated price from one guy, walk directly to the next stall (within eye-earshot of the last one) and ask again. Repeat until someone wants the sale bad enough to finally give the real, or at least an acceptable, price.

It isn't the most effective method, but for those lacking Korean language skills, it can work. There really is no substitute for knowing the language though.

I agree with this and of course print-outs from the online shops will help. But if you're online why not just buy there instead.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
I_Am_Wrong



Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SuperHero wrote:
Demophobe wrote:
I have found that if one isn't good at Korean and you get an inflated price from one guy, walk directly to the next stall (within eye-earshot of the last one) and ask again. Repeat until someone wants the sale bad enough to finally give the real, or at least an acceptable, price.

It isn't the most effective method, but for those lacking Korean language skills, it can work. There really is no substitute for knowing the language though.

I agree with this and of course print-outs from the online shops will help. But if you're online why not just buy there instead.


probably because, like myself, the lack of a Korean internet id. I agree that at least some Korean is important. Online price quotes are the best because some dealers will beat them by up to %10. Space 9 is the Yongsan equivelant of Technomart and you won't get far bargaining there. Also, if a camera seems quite underpriced it doesn't neccessarily mean there is a problem. It's probably grey market.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
maddog



Joined: 08 Dec 2005
Location: Daegu

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought my camera in Yongsan. It was a Japanese S9000 as opposed to the Korean S9500 (identical camera) and saved 150,000 that way. Of course it has no warranty, but you play the odds. I don't think I've ever actually used a 1 year warranty.

MD
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mack the knife



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: standing right behind you...

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bring a Korean with you. Tell them what you are willing to pay and send them out to do the dirty work. They will get much, much better deals than you (assuming you are a whitey, blacky, or brownie) ever will. My wife and I have experimented with this and found it to be true 98.76733% of the time.

Foreigners do not account for a large percentage of sales at Yongsan; therefore, there is no incentive for dealers to bargain with you (that, and the fact that you're a foreigner and they despise you and the ground you walk on).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Novernae



Joined: 02 Mar 2005

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 8:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I_Am_Wrong wrote:
Also, if a camera seems quite underpriced it doesn't neccessarily mean there is a problem. It's probably grey market.


In my case, it came without a memory card, charger, or serial on the box. And the lcd was scratched.

But you're right--there are lots of grey market cameras in Yongsan.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
JeonjuMichael



Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Location: Jeonju

PostPosted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:36 pm    Post subject: Laptop Reply with quote

We are going in 2 weeks to look for a used laptop... something around 700,000 - 1,000,000... is there a large used laptop market there?

As for the original poster's query, Sony is dropping it's prices on the PSP soon so a good price for a used PSP would be around 130,000. Make sure to get an adequate memory card! 1GB at least.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
SuperHero



Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout

PostPosted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I_Am_Wrong wrote:
probably because, like myself, the lack of a Korean internet id.

gmarket takes foreign registrations...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
I_Am_Wrong



Joined: 14 Sep 2004
Location: whatever

PostPosted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 1:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

SuperHero wrote:
I_Am_Wrong wrote:
probably because, like myself, the lack of a Korean internet id.

gmarket takes foreign registrations...


Really? Does it require a faxed photocopy of either your arc or passport?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ChopChaeJoe



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 5:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just go to 5 or 6 different places and take the best price. Or check what the item goes for in a regular storre, knock 30% off, and don't pay any more. If a dealer doesn't want to play ball, don't let it affect your mood, go somewhere else. It may take a bit longer than you plan for, but you can get good prices.

It helps to indicate that ou simply don't have the money, so if you have your target price, you can make a big production out of counting limp chon wons and even a bunch of coins to meet their price. If you've done you homework and have just the right amount of money, they'll take whatever money you have on you, coins and all.

Then take the fat roll you have hidden and go get some galbi.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> General Discussion Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe
TEFL Courses, TESOL Course, English Teaching Jobs - TEFL International