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Bangkok offers the foreign traveler exceptional pleasure in the adventure of shopping. As elsewhere in many Asian markets, and unlike most Western markets, the shopper will need good bargaining skills to obtain the best price for desired items. There is an art to good technique and manners in bargaining, though no one set of rules. The patient bargainer, with a sense of humor and frequent smile, can expect to save on many individual purchases.

Bargaining usually begins with the merchant’s asking price and a reasonable counter-offer by the shopper. The counter-price needs to be presented showing a sincere interest to purchase, but must not be timid and definitely should be below what the shopper is willing to pay. Patience and good humor will lead the shopper and the shop-keeper to a compromise purchase price that is usually 10-40% below the original asking price. The sayings on each purchase will lead the avid shopper to the need for additional luggage to carry their many treasures back home.

If the burden is too great, packing and shipping services, to be discussed later, are available. While bargaining is a useful skill in many situations, it is less common in the larger department stores and upscale shops.

The polite shopper will drop a bargaining effort when their modest counter-offer to the original a price is not returned by a compromised asking price.

Generally, shopping in Bangkok is easy, fun, and rewarding, but the following advice could help you stave off unpleasant surprises and make your shopping full of sparkle, especially when making gem and jewelry purchases. Wisdom in selecting a shopping location is important and largely determined by the type of purchase desired. Stores in high rent locations, such as hotel arcades and upscale shopping centers; typically have higher and fixed prices.

When making purchases requiring consideration of quality and the reputation of the store, then the shopper should select shopping locations that would meet these requirements. Being able to return an unwanted purchase is not likely in the street night- markets; however, many reputable shops will give a written agreement to a full refund for goods returned within 90 days. If a shop does not offer this service, then the wise shopper will seek another purchase location that has a return policy for their more important purchases.

It is particularly important to be careful of the tout or ‘new-found friend’ who offers to help you find your ‘desired’ purchase. They are frequently paid commissions by the shop where they take you for the ‘best quality and best price’. The price will be higher to the purchaser to cover these commissions. Be especially wary if the ‘shopping friend’ insists on one location and does not assist in price-comparison shopping in other stores, a most important activity when shopping in an unfamiliar city.

Do not be in a hurry when making your more important purchases. This is very important when making purchases of gems and other fine items. Be certain the sales assistant is knowledgeable and willing to discuss the bad as well as the good points of the items. A good sales assistant is more interested in satisfying the needs of the shopper than in making the sale. Always verify the accuracy of all statements and check the sales receipt for accuracy while still with the sales assistant.

With shopping well established as one of Thailand’s major attractions, most shops are experienced in packing and shipping goods, as well as in arranging insurance, customs permits and any other necessary documentation. Post Offices also offer a parcel-wrapping service for those who want to make small shipments themselves