Bargaining in Singapore is like asking for more meat at “Rotak Jones”, unnecessary!
Being very used to talk your head off and bargain about every cent around South East Asia, people are often arriving in the more or less “European” Singapore and wonder if they still can put their Joker Face on at the next Cold Storage and ask for a discount on the Shaving Creme or three fresh apples.
Following the first three issues (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) of our series “Afraid To Ask – What You really Want To Know About Singapore”, I will explain to you the situation about bargaining in Singapore. Its rather complicated.
Its Just Not In The Culture
People in Singapore are bargain hunters no question. One of the most advanced and skilled ones in the eastern hemispheres.
They cue up for hours to get a poor looking single, but free, sausage on a stick (Today Raffles Place 2PM), they have at least ten different Credit Cards in their pocket to catch the according discount on their next dinner and spend thousands of Dollars on brainless Items to be eligible for a 20 Dollar free voucher to exchange for more brainless items.
Without question the hunt for the ultimate bargain is hot and on here in Singapore, but…
I never saw a local person at the Giant Supermarket, asking for a mass discount when purchasing numerous plates of rice bags or Sushi plates nor will I get used to the irritated looks of local salespersons when I ask for discount on the already totally worn out version of the latest Lonely Planet.
Bugis Street And Their Likes – Places You CAN Bargain
Obviously it is seen impolite openly asking for discounts or bargain about a product in most places. But would you bargain for your Pizza in Rome or Sauerkraut in Munich? No, and as a matter of fact Singapore is the most Western Asian Country I know of.
However there are some places your bargain hobby will and can still be satisfied. Go to Bugis Street, Singapores self proclaimed “Biggest Shopping Street” (obviously avoiding the stalls with “Fixed Price” signs), the local food and fruit markets, the flee markets (eg Thiefmarket near Arab Quarter or The monthly flee market at Zouk), or simply drop by at one of the many garage sales that you will find right now, thanks to the economic crisis.
Let the OFFICIAL Bargain Festival Begin
If you are happy enough with the “bargain” offers you will find in Singapore every day and everywhere, good. There are plenty.
Regardless of the official bargain events like “The Annual Great Singapore Sale” or the many “IT / Beauty / Whatever Fares” at Suntec City or the Expo Halls, you soon will recognize that almost every Shop or restaurant, from “Subways Sandwiches” to “Pizza Hut”, Shopping Malls or your Laundry Service, offer you “Partner Programs” where you will receive stamps, stickers or points for every purchase, usually giving you a 10 to 15% discount in the end or a free item etc etc.
I personally make heavy use of the “Soup Spoon”, the “Papa Beard”, “My Bookshops Members Card” and… “7-11 events like the recently ended Hello Kitty figures”, don’t laugh.
Where Did You Made Your Best Deal?
Have you been to Singapore or you currently stay here and you made some superb purchases?
Let us know what you think about the “bargaining culture” in Singapore and where and how yu think you can still make the best prices and buys in the comments below!
by an Asia experienced 26 year young expat living and surviving in Singapore since years!
Discovering new interesting and strange things everyday, he provides guides, news and tips for how to survive Singapore and how to best prepare for it.
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4 Comments for this post
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:09 pm
You can bargain in any watch shop…Most of the people don t know that but brands allow their reseller to have a certain flexibility on the price…Try it out! you can usually get 15 to 25% on your watch!!
Mar 20, 2009 at 1:10 pm
you can also bargain with Indians on the currency exchange rates…Especially in Raffles ;)
May 5, 2009 at 4:23 pm
A good place to hone your bargaining skills is the local market – pick out your fruit and veggies and ask for discounts – bulk discounts, or first-customer discounts, or for coming back again… you get the idea… of course this means you must have a sense of the prices – head down to the supermarket and get number crunching first! All the best!
Jan 14, 2010 at 4:42 pm
The best place bargain take place is TEKKA Market. You may reduce up to 50%.
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