Chinese customers

[AznAnarchy99]

Im Vietnamese and yes we do this. Why? Because in Vietnam, the price that is marked is usually double what it is worth to try to trick people.

 

[drebo]

On topic; everyone once in their life time (see teenagers) should have to work as a cashier or customer service.

After working in these positions you learn to be SO much more patient and appreciative of those currently working those jobs.

You think when you hear of these stories (like in this thread) can only be pure fabrication.. then you work one of these jobs and you'll get a story of your own.

Nah, it just made me jaded as hell. I almost never had to see one of my customers again after I sold them a computer, so there weren't too many ornery people coming in.

Customers are just stupid and have no clue what they want.

I still firmly think that anyone who wants to buy a computer needs to take an IQ test beforehand.

Also, most tier 1 customer service people are equally as stupid.

 

[RPD]

Ya, she was WT and had that I've smoked my whole life look and drove one helluva clunker. My pet peeve while working at that job was when a mom would drive up with a teenage son and ask one of the mechanics to check her tire pressure/inflate her tires.
I'm sorry is your son retarded?

The other pet peeve, and I know this is slightly sadistic, but by law gas station attendants have to provide full service fill ups when someone flashes their handicap plate/flier (or what have you). Well you know the type of people that are milking this shit for all its worth or just fat abuse the hell out of this "privilege". Well I got to take some revenge knowing this law only applies if there is more then 1 employee currently working. Since I closed a lot this was often the case, so all these people who looked perfectly healthy walked into the store flashed it, then had this look of horror when I sad nope sorry can't as I gave them a smug grin (granted if it was someone REALLY old or obviously needed help I would, just not the lazy douches working the system).

 

[herkulease]

Bargaining isn't exclusive to asian and shouldn't be something anyone shopping for big ticket items have any embarrassment trying to get them to knock down the price.

Granted I'm asian but dozens of money related articles have suggested to bargain on really expensive things.

Computer stuff maybe not unless you're buying a pallet worth of desktops or something of that nature.

I've done it at best buy, frys, and before they closed circuit city and good guys. the price tag for that tv is just a starting point. They don't move that many big items and 100 less is better than nothing at all.

my gf and my cousin essentially haggled at a bakery. But it was close to closing time and its was more of would you rather throw it away or sell it to me cheaper since I'd take them all. I personally would not have the balls to do it on food. My minimum is it has to be 1500+ before I start dealing.

 

[lxskllr]

Im Vietnamese and yes we do this. Why? Because in Vietnam, the price that is marked is usually double what it is worth to try to trick people.

Does that actually work? I'd think people that live there would know what the stuff's worth, and a retailer playing games like that would just cause aggravation for himself. Some people will get good deals, some not so good deals, so what the retailer ends up with should be the non negotiable sticker price on the item.

 

[RPD]

Nah, it just made me jaded as hell. I almost never had to see one of my customers again after I sold them a computer, so there weren't too many ornery people coming in.

Customers are just stupid and have no clue what they want.

I still firmly think that anyone who wants to buy a computer needs to take an IQ test beforehand.

Also, most tier 1 customer service people are equally as stupid.

So when the positions are reversed and you are the customer you act like those you loath or if something unexpected comes up you freak out or just tell em its cool and wait til they work it out? (Something won't scan or can't find the stock etc)

 

[RPD]

Yeah I've had some people ask be if we offer a discount for cash which we don't. In fact although we can handle cash it's more awkward as all cash has to be handled at a central register but we can put through debit and credit at our own terminals.

For credit transactions over 500 bucks we do a pre authorization (makes sure the address matches etc etc..) and for stuff over 2K we do a credit check.

Well granted this was about 10 or more years ago, I don't know her buying habits anymore and I can't recall her making any big purchases short of a car every so often.

But you better believe if I'm dropping some mad $'s at one spot I'm going to ask for a discount, why not?

 

[herkulease]

Does that actually work? I'd think people that live there would know what the stuff's worth, and a retailer playing games like that would just cause aggravation for himself. Some people will get good deals, some not so good deals, so what the retailer ends up with should be the non negotiable sticker price on the item.

If you go to the tourist spots yeah. they'll play games. for everyone 1 person to deal down to lowest they have others that will pay more. sometimes it not that big a difference once you covert it USD if don't get the best. Maybe dollar or two. I look and around and go darn and walk away. its really not that bad given how crappy a lot of the places are. dollar or two to us is a lot to them.

also locals usually don't go there. I usually send my cousin to do it if I want something she can't find even @ more local places. they are more willing to deal with her than with me. they can give me some bullshit "you from america" price.

but prices have gone up. few years ago I could've had large pate chaud that goes for about 1 to 1.25 bucks in the US for about 25 cents. Its now about 30 cents.

 

[coloumb]

Indians invented the number "0" They are proud to be the cheapest people on the planet! [as told by an Indian comic who lives in Canada - Russell Peters]

 

[LtPage1]

Working in retail makes you stereotype, because they turn out to be correct 100% of the time.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Does that actually work? I'd think people that live there would know what the stuff's worth, and a retailer playing games like that would just cause aggravation for himself. Some people will get good deals, some not so good deals, so what the retailer ends up with should be the non negotiable sticker price on the item.

Works on tourists all the time. So the people who live there know better while tourists get ripped off. Same thing over here at the Vietnamese mall. White people who come in pay much higher prices than the Vietnamese people who bargain.

 

[lxskllr]

Works on tourists all the time. So the people who live there know better while tourists get ripped off. Same thing over here at the Vietnamese mall. White people who come in pay much higher prices than the Vietnamese people who bargain.

I guess I wasn't thinking of them dealing with outsiders. When you say "Same thing over here at the Vietnamese mall." Is that USA or Canada? What kind of stuff's at a Vietnamese mall?

 

[HumblePie]

I did retail for a number of years. There are good and bad shoppers for all races, but so long as we are talking the "typical" stereo types here I can relate.

For me, I was mostly working retail in Texas here. San Antonio is a major tourist trap for tons of Mexican Nationals with money. They come to shop big time, and haggle big time. Trick is to get into the swing of things. Most of them came for very specific items that you always knew what they were a head of time. Sony camera's and laptops for one are big with them. They may be dumb as fuck about what they are buying, but so long as it says Sony on it, and they got something "free" with the deal they are happy. So typically stores with have something that associates can "haggle" with such as a laptop bag or mouse. Something already way over priced that they don't mind us haggling down to with the customer.

It almost becomes a comical game because I know that I'm going to sell something else cheaper. They think they are getting a deal on a $50 bag for $25 bucks, but don't realize they spent $2000+ on a piece of shit Sony laptop. So I smile all the way and make it seem like we are losing our pants for having to cut them such a deal with half off a laptop bag with a 75 percent margin or a free mouse that normally goes for 7 bucks. They walk out happy thinking they got one over on us, while we snicker at them for being so dumb. Still everyone is happy in the end I suppose.

If you are not doing this then I suggest you go to your manager and pre-arrange some "haggle" items ahead of time. I always did and it makes things go so much smoother when you have to deal with customers who can't seem to buy anything if they don't haggle.

 

[Locut0s]

I guess I wasn't thinking of them dealing with outsiders. When you say "Same thing over here at the Vietnamese mall." Is that USA or Canada? What kind of stuff's at a Vietnamese mall?

Really good Pho hopefully? That and the same stuff you'd find at any asian mall I imagine. Asian produce stores, traditional medicines, electronics, furniture, dollar stores, etc etc... Basically the same as any other mall only... more Asian

About the price yeah they have 2 different prices one for locals and one for foreigners. The white guys price is like 5x what they would quote a local. But even the locals have room to haggle down.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Really good Pho hopefully? That and the same stuff you'd find at any asian mall I imagine. Asian produce stores, traditional medicines, electronics, furniture, dollar stores, etc etc... Basically the same as any other mall only... more Asian

About the price yeah they have 2 different prices one for locals and one for foreigners. The white guys price is like 5x what they would quote a local. But even the locals have room to haggle down.

Mall food isnt the best. Its a lot of jewelry and fashion stuff. Fashion that you wouldn't see at American Malls so its a bit unique.

Im talking about Phuoc Loc Tho in Orange County, CA. If you're ever in the area its a pretty nice experience if you have never been to a Vietnamese area. I see a lot of Mexican and white people who go there to eat and shop.

 

[MaxFusion16]

don't be offended, this is just how it is in china. Virtually all laptops in china come with a free bag and a silicon keyboard cover, since they only cost like $3 to make. The unbox and test thing is also common in china, where the merchants are often dishonest and sell grey market goods, no such thing as a return policy.

 

[Phokus]

I kinda understand it though, because if you're in China and you buy something from a shop, you don't get shit in terms of warranties and return policies. I'd haggle the shit out of the price in that case.

 

[mmntech]

We call people like this where I work "rate grubbers." They've already got one of our better cars for $20/day but they want free extras. "So if I return it 4hr late, you're not going to charge me right? I want free coverage."

In my experience, Indians/Pakistanis are by far the most annoying for trying to haggle everything. White Yuppies fall second. I don't get a lot of Chinese people into my store. My Chinese friends, including my gf and fairly recent immigrant, none really go overboard haggling.

 

[nick1985]

My GF cuts hair and I know from her that Indians leave shitty tips and black people leave no tips.

 

[Gibson486]

LOL....

My gf is selling her car.

Some Indian dude wanted to look at it. She just said straight out...."This is the price of the car, there is NO HAGGLING". She kept saying, "I know this guy is gonna haggle, just watch". Dude comes in, first thing out of his mouth...."Before I waste your time and test drive, I'll give you XXXXXX dollars". My gf has this pissed look, but she is to nice to talk back. I stepped in and told him to get the F out.

 

[0roo0roo]

it doesn't hurt to ask

 

[shortylickens]

it doesn't hurt to ask

Asking is perfectly OK.
Of course, the stereotype isnt asking, its strong-arming the salesmen like the OP said, which is annoying. And they dont understand that in this country there are more than enough people who actually pay the retail price, so a store doesnt need to keep taking dollars off. The supply/demand equilibrium is already met, end of story.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

The worst, by far, though, were the "browsers". These people would step through the door, and I would know instantly they could barely afford lunch that afternoon and dinner that evening and had absolutely no chance of being able to afford a computer.

curious.
how do you determine how much one could afford?

was it how they dress? how they walk? certain mannerisms? race (dead serious)?

 

[shortylickens]

curious.
how do you determine how much one could afford?

was it how they dress? how they walk? certain mannerisms? race (dead serious)?

Assumptions.
And we all know when you make an assumption, it makes an ass out of u and umption.

Theres plenty of poor folks who could still get a hold of a computer, BUT, if you've been working for a store for a long time and you see lots of poor folks come in and never buy anything, its a safe bet that the next time you see a poor person, they wont buy anything. After a while you just get a feel. Thats why I would never wanna work retail. I think it would destroy my already low opinion of humanity.
Just like that time I was at the mall.......

 

[Vonkhan]

I'm Indian, so is my gf

I HATE haggling, my gf loves to haggle

She hates me for not haggling and I hate going shopping with her

f m l