Pricing in Dept Stores - fixed?
 

My only chance to shop on my trip to Shanghai may be in the local Dept Store - Parksons.

Other threads suggest virtually everything gets bargained for - is that true even in a very western style department store?

If so, what is the protocol, esp since the shop girls do not seem to know much english?

Prices at Parkson are fixed. I've never seen any negotiation at any major dept. stores in Shanghai. However, most of these stores have VIP cards which will give you 5-10% (I could be wrong about the %) discount for some merchandise.

Discounts are generally available in department stores - though the bargaining process tends to be a bit more sophisticated than the wild gesticulating and facial expressions you get with your average owner/operator retailer.

I'm have limited experience of Parksons, but I suspect that if you're buying something over a few hundred RMB then there'll be a discount to be had. Don't start trying to bargain over something that costs RMB18!!

You comment that it's Western. True, but there are discounts to be had in Western department stores in the West.

There's only one way to find out - and that's to ask.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

In Shanghai department store, the prices on various commodities are set fixed, usually newly arrival goods no discount but the others you will find the obvious mark for discount 70%-10%, especial for the seasonal changing promotion. Sometimes I'd try to tell the salesgirl that I don't need the receipt (发票), to negotiate a better price, sometimes it works, but most time no chance. You don't need to worry the language barrier in the department store as it's not that difficult to have them know what you want and the price tag (rmb) is there, you even don't need to say any word, just show them the goods with the price tag. The discounted price would also be marked on the price tag.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

When recently in Shanghai I accompanied a friend who bought some Italian shoes. She wouldn't ask for a discount, but, I, emboldened by the info on FT, did ask. The sales manager assured us that their prices were entirely fixed and then gave my friend several pairs of fancy Italian socks. :cool: