Thanks augusta. We will have to see about the smog. Supposedly you are no longer allowed to smoke in restaurants and public places in Beijing. I will let you know if that is true when I return.
I have had people tell me quote 10% of their price. How much did you have to go up from your 1/8th of the asking price?

There's no set rule on how much to come up, depends on how much you want the item, remembering that it will most likely be sold a couple of stalls down as well. Also depends on your mood! They will act horrified at any offer, all part of the game. My husband and son were very tough and hardly moved on their offers where as I came up a little. On our second & third visits some of them greeted us like old friends! Once they have sold you something they like to chat. They work 7 days a week with no holidays and for a very low wage. If we had thought they were getting the profit we would not have been so tough. If there is anyone who wants a suit made we still have the tailor's name & details (he was recommended to us) - there are a lot but he is a sweetie.
Do not be tempted to follow a vendor off somewhere for a good deal. We travelled into Shenzhen from Hong Kong after being told by a friend that it was great for shopping. Our hotel concierge looked a little concerned & told us to be careful. As soon as we arrived a man approached us offering good DVD prices and my husband took off after him, much to my horror! The kids & I followed as I did not want to become separated and he was oblivious to my distress. We went inside the shopping building through all the back corridors and into a room. Once we had entered someone outside pulled down a roller door and locked it!! By this time I was about to have hysterics, thinking we were all going to be murdered & at best robbed of our passports, money etc. My husband said he wanted the Star Wars box set and all of a sudden the trapdoor in the roof opened and the box set came tumbling out! By this time he had cottoned on to my dirty looks and pale face and quickly bought the set. Some time later in the retail area we saw the same people running with the police not far behind. Funny now but an experience I could have done without!

Not for me that experience thank you. We have been warned not to buy any electronics while there so I think we will avoid.
We don't have time for clothes to be made so I will pass on your offer of the name of the tailor. The only free time we have in Beijing is on the day we fly in and after that we are touring the entire time.

When I was in China last year, a fellow tourmate bought a memory card- from a shop, not a street vendor, I might add. I'm not sure if it ever worked, but the next day he was complaining that it didn't work. We had been warned about buying electronics as well, but I guess the price was too tempting.

Jill

Yes, my son had the same problem with a memory card. He hasn't learnt yet that you get what you pay for.
Also be careful in Hong Kong when buying cameras. Some shops will try and con you especially if you're not sure exactly what to buy.

If anyone has the slightest urge to go to China, go. It is an incredible country and well worth the visit.

Glad you enjoyed it MidLife Traveller. Hope your shopping was successful

Didn't do much at least in China, now Cambodia that was a different story. I did break down and buy in the silk factory in Sushou though. The cruise was great and we had blue sky in Beijing, no smog. It had rained for 4 days straight before we arrived so we lucked out. We even had a fairly clear day at the Great Wall. We were incredibly lucky with the weather. No rain.