I visited this shopping centre a couple of years ago and was reluctant to expose my daughters to the gross haggling that is required.
The place is full of aggressive and annoying salespeople trying everything to make you purchase their goods.
There are (I think) about 1,200 little shops within this 5 story mini-Westfield. They all sell the same, same products (all rip off items).
Here is how it works: The shops sell their own products, BUT have access to all the brand name rip offs. They will show you catalogue after catalogue of different products (such as ladies bags, wallets, shoes, etc) and then, if interested they will immediately source the product from the warehouses. The warehouses are located within the centre or across the road. But these warehouses are hidden from the authorities (somehow) and they, via runners (or delivery boys) immediately bring the product (which are always fakes) to the shop.
All the shops pay the same price to the warehouses ... so obviously it is the job of the individual shops to re-sell it to you the customer, at the highest price. They will start at the most ridiculous price, in the hope that you the buyer has no clue to what the "fair" price is.
So, the ONE REASON why we had a great day is that we spent the day with one of the shop owners. His name is LU and his shop number is 3313. LU does the same as all the other shop owners. ie. he sells standard Chinese products in his shop and he also has the many catalogues to browse through. And when you decide on a (fake) product, then he calls for it to be delivered to his shop. If you like it you buy it, if not he sends it back to the warehouse. Simple.
But you don't need to barter with him (what a relief) as he simply adds a small margin to the prices that he pays to the warehouse. You need to trust him (I know that it can be tough to trust a stranger) but I did and I am pretty sure that I got some good prices.
LU doesn't sell all types of goods, so he will take you to the store (I guess they are his buddies too) but he tells you the warehouse prices before you enter the stores (to obviously help you with your bargaining).
LU has his own website. www.shoppinginlowu.com I suggest you contact him and he will collect you at the border and take you to his shop. His mobile: (0086) 15989366504.
Lu website is : www.shoppinginlowu.com .
E-mail: luriming2005@163.com
-MSN: dragonlu_sz@live.cn
-Skype ID: dragonstore1
Mobile Phone: 0086 15989366504
Here is a list of prices, that I paid for goods in Jan '13 (in Chinese RMB and Australian $):
Baseball Hat: 30 RMB: A$4.50.
Mens (genuine leather, but fake): 180 R: A$27.
Mens Polo Shirt: R50: A$7.70.
Converse or Vans shoes: R80 to 100: A$12 to $15.
Nike Air Force One Mens shoes: R180: A$27.
Surf T-shirts: R35: A$5.50.
Long Champ bags: R50: A$7.70.
Mens short sleeve business shirts: R60: A$9.
Brooks sandshoes: R250: A$38.
Jeans: R140: A$22.
Prescription (Elvis glasses): R275: A$42 (a must for the Elvis Festival in Parkes, NSW).
One other thing. The fake, rip-off goods have different levels of rip-off quality. Some real top end fakes, some pretty good fakes and then some crappy fakes.
The hard task is to pick the differences the fakeness (is that a word?) so this is where LU earns his keep!
Give him a go and you won't be disappointed. I will NEVER go there again without my wingman and I would recommend LU (big time) to my friends.
[ We spent 8 hours there, bought so much fake stuff and had a terrific yum cha meal ... which was located on the same level as LU's shop. Ask him about the place. The 5 of us made pigs of ourselves, including a full duck and many, many other dishes. It cost <AUD$25 (no grog). Was good quality food and it was the only thing that I bought on the day that wasn't fake.
And 8 hours for a bloke doesn't happen too often :) ]
