The Art of Bargaining

Internationally known Chinese culture and travel expert Ming Hua He offers bargaining skills that are just as valuable at an American flea market as they are on her popular pre-Christmas shopping tours of Beijing.

Media contact:

Ming Hua He

Chinese Cultural Exchange

924 Farmington Avenue, Suite 106

West Hartford, CT 06107

(860) 523-9797

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Art of Bargaining

Internationally known Chinese culture and travel expert Ming Hua He offers bargaining skills that are just as valuable at an American flea market as they are on her popular pre-Christmas shopping tours of Beijing.

SEPT. 18, 2002 -- When in Rome...and when in China, bargain. That's according to Ming Hua He, Director of the Chinese Cultural Exchange, an internationally known expert on Chinese culture and travel

"Bargaining is fun once you get accustomed to it, and not just fun for the buyer but the seller as well," Ming says. "A friend of mine recently asked a shop assistant in Shanghai about the cost of an item. When told the price, he said 'Ok' and opened his wallet. 'No, no, no!' the shop assistant said. 'You can't pay that! You must bargain!'"

Everyone has his or her own bargaining style. You can start low or you can start very close to your final price and only go up slightly. But remember, no seller will ever sell at a loss.

"One woman I met had an interesting technique," Ming says. "The seller would ask for $100 and she would counter with $50. When the seller went down to $ 90, she would go even lower, to $40. It worked for her!"

When bargaining, DO...

* Take your time -- you can always return.

* Be friendly at all times -- it will affect the final price.

* Research before you leave the U.S., so you know the value of what you are buying.

* Have fun.

* Ensure that the price is agreed and understood before you pay.

When bargaining, DON'T...

* Be rude.

* Show too much or too little interest.

* Be afraid to try. Once you begin it becomes easier and easier.

* Pass up a purchase in the name of false economy.

* Feel obligated to buy once you have begun the bargaining process.

Ming's bargaining tips can be helpful anywhere, but they'll come in especially handy on the pre-Christmas Shopping Tours of Beijing that Ming's China Tours has just scheduled.

On the whirlwind tour of Beijing's most popular shopping districts, you'll find designer labels, the world's best cashmere, handbags and accessories, pearls and a range of exquisite Chinese arts and crafts, including silk, ceramics, cloisonné, lacquer ware and jade.

You can find Gucci-like handbags from around $17, silk scarves from around $2, and top quality cashmere jumpers for around $20 - if you know how to get the right price.

The seven-day tour includes four-star hotel accommodation, ground transportation, shopping and tours. The cost is $799 for the land tour or $1,500 with international airfare, departing from New York).

Departure dates are November 1, 8 and 15, 2002.

For more information, please contact Ming's China Tours at Chinese Cultural Exchange, toll free: 1-866-666-6520 or e-mail tour@mingschina.com.

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