A
Bargaining is an art at Xiushui Market in Beijing. The following tips can help you get good offers for most things you buy, especially for clothing.
Pay Attention to the Offering Price
Be aware that the starting price offered by the seller is at least 40% over the general price acceptable. It’s usually 80% over. Sometimes, it can be up to 150% over. So always try to drop the seller’s offering price as much as possible before opening your mouth with a price.
Seek Help
Have an idea of the value of the things you want. You can consult your local friends about the price. You may not be able to get the lowest prices given at Xiushui Market by yourself, especially on weekends or festival seasons when there are lots of tourists around.
Walk away at the right time
Do walk away once you’ve offered your final price while the seller is not ready to accept it. If you get called back, you know you are close to your ideal price. If you do not get called back, go to a similar stall (摊位) and try again with a slightly higher price. Note that if you’ve made a deal, you are then expected to buy the item.
Attitude Matters
You will increase the chances of getting a better price by being confident, patient, and friendly. Treat it as a kind of game to get the most out of it — getting angry or rude will never help to bring the price down.
21. When can you get the lowest price at Xiushui Market according to the passage?
A. When the sellers are busy. B. On crowded weekends.
C. When there are few buyers. D. On festival seasons.
22. The underlined part “a deal” (in Paragraph 4) most probably means __________.
A. an appointment with someone
B. an agreement in business
C. a choice in shopping
D. a delivery of goods
23. If the seller accepts your final price, you should ____________.
A. walk away and wait for the seller to call you back
B. go on bargaining for a lower price
C. go to a similar stall for a better price
D. pay the seller for what you want
24. From the tips we can learn that the seller’s offer may be affected by ___________.
A. the buyer’s manners
B. the buyer’s social position
C. the buyer’s appearance
D. the buyer’s companion
25. We may see this passage on a (an) ___________.
A. science fiction B. geographical book C. tourist guide D. an advertisement
