Here is the story I didn't tell the other day. While touring the Forbidden City, we went into a souvenir shop. This is a government regulated souvenir shop INSIDE the palace. Marlon felt in love with a souvenir plate. It's on the pricier side. But we thought this is in the government's #1 tourist attractions, the prices should be the same at all outlets. Marlon bought the plate, happily; then we continued our tour. About 1/2 minute later, we pass another souvenir shop at about 100M from the first one. We saw the same plate, checked the price, and it is $200 RMB cheaper. It's roughly $30US. I am not usually the kind to negotiate and go fight for a small rip off. But this time, I just think that the government should have a much tighter control over outlets inside the country's #1 tourist location! I marched back to the first store and demanded a refund. They didn't put up a fight. They are probably afraid that I would make a scene. So, we returned the plate, and bought the very same plate from the 2nd store at the lower price.
Yes, sometimes bargaining in places like China or India is part of the fun. Yet, it is just wrong when you can have a standard price INSIDE one of the most important tourist site in the world.
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