What to Buy Here and What Not to buy in China.
What to Buy Here and What Not to buy in China. Looking for the best deals in Shanghai.
You often hear people, usually tourists, comment on how cheap everything is in China. And in a large majority of cases, that is quite true – China has a wide variety of products you can find for much less than you can in most of the Western world. But as is true with most everything in life, there are exceptions. While some items may be exponentially cheaper in China, you’ll often find that the quality is not the same (sometimes not even close).
Or you’ll occasionally run into items that are much more expensive here than they are back in your home country. These inconsistencies occur for various reasons and with seemingly random products. Below is a list of items you can buy in China that are relative bargains but that still give you good – or at the very least decent – value for your money. This is followed by a list of products that are best bought outside of China, both for price and quality considerations. While China is certainly still a shopping paradise for many items, it’s ultimately better to pick and choose what to buy here.
Shop in China for:
1) Custom-made clothing
While Vietnam is giving it a run for its money, China still has a firm grip on the custom-made clothing market. It’s not hard to find custom tailors and seamstresses who are willing and able to make your clothing dreams come true. Men’s dress shirts can range anywhere from 90 RMB to 150 RMB, while ladies’ dresses tend to run a bit more depending on the intricacy and length. Choose from the abundance of fabric these markets have on hand, or bring your own from an independent fabric shop to save even more. Just remember the golden rule – negotiate! Shanghai has many great places to have your custom made cloths.
2) DVD’s
This one requires a disclaimer – I’m not talking about those DVD’s you see sold on wooden carts scattered on the sidewalks throughout town. No, I’m referring to those DVD’s you can purchase in an actual shop. Granted, they’re all illegally downloaded and copied regardless of where you buy them, but the store-bought ones are of infinitely higher quality and only tend to run a few renminbi more than the street side ones. Plus, if for some reason you find yourself with a dud, most stores are willing to replace the DVD with a new one (or, if they no longer carry that particular title, they’ll swap it with another one of your choice). Just remember, don’t try to bring them all home. Like most countries, U.S in particular. The fine is 500 USD for each fake and if you have lots your looking at jail time.
3) (Fake) Luxury brands
When people speak of how cheap China is, chances are that they have these fake markets in mind. Louis Vuitton handbags, Jimmy Choo heels, Apple iPhones, Rosetta Stone language learning discs… you can find all of these brands and more practically anywhere you turn in China – that is, you can find fake versions of them. Some markets have impressively decent fakes, while others are quite obviously not the real thing. Regardless, it’s certainly the best – and cheapest – way to stock your wardrobe and house with the latest “brand name” items!. Thought of the day pay what you want and don’t be pressured to buy. Also pay peanuts get moneys, copies comes in grades, the cheaper it is the worse the grade.
4) Food
While expats often wax nostalgic over their favorite goodies from home, if you embrace the Chinese culinary traditions, you’ll find that you can eat quite cheap both at home and in restaurants. Fresh produce is a fraction of the cost that it is in other countries, while ingredients to make your favorite Chinese dishes will never break the bank (a stack of over 100 baozi skins, for example, runs about 1 RMB). Or visit your local noodle shop for a hearty portion of la mian for less than you would probably pay for a soda back home.
5) Medicine
While it’s always a good idea to bring your personal medication from home (at least initially), it is possible – and often profitable – to look for that medication here in China. Certain medications that are prescription only in Western countries (such as birth control) are available over the counter here – and at much lower prices. Additionally, if a medicine does need a prescription, you don’t necessarily need to go to one of those expensive international doctors for a refill. If you can find the exact name of your medication in Chinese, you can often just go to a local hospital, show it to a doctor, and he or she will write out a prescription for you without any need for an examination.
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