11 practical tips for haggling at the fabrics market
While in Shanghai the fabrics market is a great opportunity for getting tailored clothes at a very low price. For a good outcome as well as a reasonable price, the following tips should be considered before going to the fabrics market:
Tips for good tailored clothes
1. Know what you want
You have infinite possibilities for your clothes. Go through fashion books (often available in the shop) and create your clothes. Know the exact length, color, angle, fabric, thickness, style, usage etc. for avoiding too many fittings. Do not forget to mention which buttons/ zipper/ you want.
2. Choose a good fabric
In the fabric market they provide a huge stockpile of fabrics. Not every fabric is good. Some are high quality wools, others have a mix of wool and polyester and some are just polyester. Be aware some fabrics are likely to be mistaken for a high quality wool, but they have just been dipped in a polyester bath which makes the fabric soft in your hands. If possible make a burn test with a firelighter- If the fabric melts, it can't be 100% wool. A good website for fabric information: here.
3. Take an example with you
Should you already have a dress you want to make a copy, it's easier for you and the vendor to create a new one. Or make some copies of the style you want.
Tips for a good price
4. Know the price range of your dress
As on many Shanghaiese markets, you have to haggle over the price. This brings blurred price ranges with itself. One option is to go to different stores and compare the prices. This gives you a real time average price.
The following list gives you an overview, people paid for their tailored clothes made in the fabric market (Average from different websites/ forum in July 2013 in RMB):
Shirt 100
Suit (Men) 470
Trench coat 420
Blazer 210
Jacket 330
Pants 180
Quipao 280
Dress long 300
Dress short 210
Jeans 160
5. Take time for haggling
Time is a relevant factor for lowering the price you have to pay. Patience can save you money.
6. Mention a low price at the beginning
The vendor will probably ask you to say a price you'd like to pay. If this price is already over the average price range you can't go lower. With tip 1. you should already know a price range and mention a deeper price. From this price you slowly come towards the price of the vendor and you'll agree somewhere in the middle.
7. "At the other shop I would have paid 100RMB"
If the vendor has mentioned a good price, but still some Yuan too high, give the vendor a comparison to an other shop.
8. Make sure you can do one or two fittings
Fittings are often necessary. Make sure you don't have to pay an extra for the fittings.
9. Don't go there dressed up like a millionaire
If you look snobbish, why should the vendor lower his price?
10. Too low price brings a low quality
If the price is too low, the outcome often won't be very good. You get what you pay for...
11. Go to another fabrics market
Just within walking distance from the fabrics market, you'll find other tailors as well. They use to be cheaper.
Tips for good tailored clothes
1. Know what you want
You have infinite possibilities for your clothes. Go through fashion books (often available in the shop) and create your clothes. Know the exact length, color, angle, fabric, thickness, style, usage etc. for avoiding too many fittings. Do not forget to mention which buttons/ zipper/ you want.
2. Choose a good fabric
In the fabric market they provide a huge stockpile of fabrics. Not every fabric is good. Some are high quality wools, others have a mix of wool and polyester and some are just polyester. Be aware some fabrics are likely to be mistaken for a high quality wool, but they have just been dipped in a polyester bath which makes the fabric soft in your hands. If possible make a burn test with a firelighter- If the fabric melts, it can't be 100% wool. A good website for fabric information: here.
3. Take an example with you
Should you already have a dress you want to make a copy, it's easier for you and the vendor to create a new one. Or make some copies of the style you want.
Tips for a good price
4. Know the price range of your dress
As on many Shanghaiese markets, you have to haggle over the price. This brings blurred price ranges with itself. One option is to go to different stores and compare the prices. This gives you a real time average price.
The following list gives you an overview, people paid for their tailored clothes made in the fabric market (Average from different websites/ forum in July 2013 in RMB):
Shirt 100
Suit (Men) 470
Trench coat 420
Blazer 210
Jacket 330
Pants 180
Quipao 280
Dress long 300
Dress short 210
Jeans 160
5. Take time for haggling
Time is a relevant factor for lowering the price you have to pay. Patience can save you money.
6. Mention a low price at the beginning
The vendor will probably ask you to say a price you'd like to pay. If this price is already over the average price range you can't go lower. With tip 1. you should already know a price range and mention a deeper price. From this price you slowly come towards the price of the vendor and you'll agree somewhere in the middle.
7. "At the other shop I would have paid 100RMB"
If the vendor has mentioned a good price, but still some Yuan too high, give the vendor a comparison to an other shop.
8. Make sure you can do one or two fittings
Fittings are often necessary. Make sure you don't have to pay an extra for the fittings.
9. Don't go there dressed up like a millionaire
If you look snobbish, why should the vendor lower his price?
10. Too low price brings a low quality
If the price is too low, the outcome often won't be very good. You get what you pay for...
11. Go to another fabrics market
Just within walking distance from the fabrics market, you'll find other tailors as well. They use to be cheaper.