We were in Beining in mid Jan 08 and did quite a bit of shopping. Before we went I printed out some Google Searches I did on prices at the Silk Market Searches. The stall holders hated it when I would pull out my price list and know the exact price I should be paying. Below is a list of the prices you should pay. If you pay much more you are getting ripped off. Let them know that you have this list & they will cave in. Failing that, offer the price below & walk away (up to 6 metres away). They will always call you back if your offer is above their break even price. If they dont call you back & you really want the item just go back & offer another few RMB & walk away again. Make sure you always do it with a smile - they can get very irate and rude if you are too serious. Good luck.

Mens Business Shirts 35-40
Mens Polo Shirts 30
Mens T Shirts (Short Sleeve) 20
Mens T Shirts (Long Sleeve) 30
Mens Jumper 60
Ties 15-20
Mens Socks 4
Mens Belt 15-20
Briefcase 100

Womens Guess Tracksuit Pants 60
Womens Burberry Trousers 60
Womens Skirts 30
Womens Shirts 40
Designer Coat (Max Mara) 210
Cashmere Scarfe 50
Silk Scarfe 50
Designer Handbags 80
Designer Purses 30
Lady Shoes 30-45
Painted Necklace - Turquoise 15
Denim Jeans 35

Childrens Polo Shirts (Short Sleeve) 20
Childrens Polo Shirts (Long Sleeve) 25-30
Childrens Kimonos Costume Dress 30
Boys Designer Winter Parker Coat 45
Girls Barbie Pyjamas 35

Watch 25
Large Suitcase (Cheapo) 80
Large Suitcase (Good quality & brand) 120-150
DVD 8
Computer Software 25

These prices are clearly better than many a hapless visitor manages, but nevertheless in many cases they can be bettered.

Part of the problem is shopping at the Silk Market and Yashou, both of which are tourist-as-victim territory, and whose general environment means that while there's plenty of choice, the willingness of many to pay a great deal more than necessary means prices are never as low as they might be.

It's also important to understand that if you pay ¥500 but your friend paid ¥50 you haven't been 'ripped off'. What has happened is that you have knowingly gone unprepared into a situation where price depends to a large degree on knowledge and on being a local or an insider. As a visible outsider, and one who hasn't done his homework (unlike the OP here who clearly has made an effort), you can expect to emerge having paid far from the lowest price.

It should also be noted that if the lowest price you've heard of is ¥50, but you can't get below ¥75, that doesn't mean you're being ripped off either. In bargaining situations the price is not only what the buyer is willing to pay, but what the seller is willing to accept, and while on a dull Thursday morning you might have got ¥50, if you return on a sunny Saturday when there are lots of people shopping and a couple of tour groups around, the vendor may not give you that low a price even if she recognises you.

Finally, the situation is entirely fluid, with other issues of supply, demand, and need playing their role. If someone paid ¥50 last month, it doesn't mean that anyone could pay that price this month. Circumstances change.

So, try other markets than the out-and-out tourist ones mentioned here; do as much research as you can on prices before you go but be prepared to take plenty of time and never to get as low as you might; forget what you would pay at home--that's worse than irrelevant; buy if you like the price, and don't if you don't; if you do buy, don't look back.

Peter N-H
China