China has a burgeoning middle class with money to spend and a liking for designer goods. Designer goods are great but still out of reach for most of us so China does the next best thing and creates their own ‘designer’ goods. The place to get your ‘designer’ goods is Luohu Commecial City and/or Market about an hour ride on the Metro from where we live. This market is located near the border of Hong Kong and people come over the border for a day of shopping. The Shenzhen Railway Station is located here where people take the train to anywhere in China, as well, the market is a hub for the bus station and the Metro. It is a busy, busy place. Rule number one is that you do not go anywhere with the guys on the walk to the building that tell you they have ‘good stuff this way.’
Inside the market you will find everything your heart desires on five floors of shopping fun. You can find purses, electronics, glasses, sunglasses, clothing, jewelry, tea, trinkets and much, much more all packed in booths not much larger than a Canadian bathroom.
Rule number two is, this is the place you bring your “A” bargaining game because the Chinese know how to bargain and they bargain hard. You never accept their first price and you counter with a low offer but not too low that it offends them! If you tell them that you live in Shekou and that you are not a tourist, you get a better deal. Then the game begins and you have to be prepared to stand your ground and walk away if necessary. They will generally follow you and the game begins again until a mutually agreed upon price is reached. It may physically pain them to give to you but it is all part of the process. They want you to come back to their stall and they do remember you when you do come back, so it works out for everyone.
Upstairs on the top level is the most interesting place I have ever seen. It is where all the tailor’s shops and the fabric booths are located. This is what a lot of people come to this market for…to get custom made clothing at bargain basement prices. My new friend from the Netherlands took me to meet her tailor, Stephanie, who speaks very good English and will make you anything you want. You really have to know what you want and it is helpful to bring a picture, a pattern or a piece of clothing that you want to replicate. Then you make your way through the clothing booths that are packed together like sardines, bargain for some fabric and take it back to Stephanie.
So as part of the kid’s Christmas present, we took them to Luoho to get some clothes made for them. It is quite the ordeal to pick out fabric when there are so many choices and lots of people giving you suggestions but we got the job done and here are the results.
First you have to get measured and Cam barely fit in their stall! He got three three shirts, the one in the middle has moose on it, an ode to his Canadian heritage. Courtney got a ‘Chanel’ jacket and three skirts. A ‘Chanel’ jacket is ‘must have’ on people’s list and is on my list too. Holly got two pairs of pants and a dress. All for cheap like borscht but very well made. I know I will be spending a lot of time here!
Dixie Goes to China 