Shopping in Seoul

A readers will know, shopping in Seoul is a little different from back home (assuming back home is a Western country like Canada, the US, UK...). For one thing (more things here), you can haggle at almost every 'store' (and some for sure at every place that is not a store, but like the picture below). This includes the 'department stores' like Migliore, Doota and Hello ampm that are in Dongdaemoon (each area actually stalls of independent sellers) but not such high class/price places like Shinsegae or Lotte Depart. There is also no haggling at Lotte Mart, LG Mart nor E-Mart, but in those places you're getting a bit better surroundings than the true discount stores.

Anyways, I find that haggling is a bit of an art...and it takes a little while to get the hang of it. After a while you'll wonder why you don't get a discount back home, though. (There is also no tax on purchases; it's either included in the price or just not paid--especially at street-sellers.) Like today, I went to Namdaemoon for some shopping, had to get a few undershirts and towels. I found a seller of both and asked the prices: 2,200 won for a shirt, 1,700 won for a towel...no discount. Huh, ya, right. I offered 16,000 (compared to the 16,800 total price...this is NOT a big discount, just 5%, but I was in a hurry and didn't have 5 minutes to haggle for $1.50 off). She said, "no discount" again, but I said (in Korean) "I'm buying 3 of these and 6 of these, discount!" and she relented. Oh, it helps if you can do simple math in your head (the seller sure as heck can) and if you know enough Korean to at least say the prices in Korean. Otherwise you're a bit of a mark.

Now for this picture. This 'store' popped up literally right on the street near my work and the sellers were luring the office girls to try on their lovely selection of shoes. No guarantee, but for $10 a pair and the way fashion trends have the life of a gnat here who cares?


Get your ladies shoes right here!