Contiki Holidays Asia Travellers Guide 2014/15

48 • Start bargaining at a fraction of the asking price. For inexpensive items you can drop as low as 50% of the price. Try not to start too high!

• Get some practice on smaller items first. Try your skills at bargaining on less expensive items, before moving up to the big stuff!

• Don’t rush! Take your time to bargain – if the seller doesn’t move on the price, you can walk away and look at other items • Decide what you are prepared to pay. Ask yourself “how much would I pay for this?” and this will help to focus you bargaining skills.

• Walk away! If you reach a sticking price that is still too high for you, give your final offer and walk away slowly (but make sure you look at other vendors and items). Sometimes you might be called back – and sometimes you might go back without achieving anything.

• Don’t feel sorry for the sellers. There will be many sad stories that vendors will tell you about how you are taking “food from the mouths of my children”, but this is all part of the game. Rest assured, they will make a profit on any items they sell.

Watch your belongings and pockets – many pickpockets and thieves work in the markets that are popular with tourists.

Some shops may provide a mail service, but please be aware that it can take up to six months & sometimes longer for the goods to arrive home and on arrival, perhaps be liable to customs & duty. If you choose to ship items home, we highly recommend that you buy shipping insurance & check the policy details. As shops are not responsible for damages incurred en-route, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Contiki Holidays does not accept responsibility for any misrepresented or faulty goods. We do not take responsibility for following up on merchandise that you choose to ship home.

Safety & security For the most part, China is a safe place to travel. However pickpockets and thieves work in common tourist areas throughout China, targeting locals as well as foreign tourists. Here are some tips on avoiding trouble: • Don’t keep all your money in the same place.

• Don’t carry too much cash around with you.

• Don’t carry your passport with you.

• Keep your bag zipped and hold on tight on a crowded subway or in other crowded places.

• Don’t carry your wallet in an open back pocket.

• Don’t carry valuables in a backpack.

Here are some useful tips: http://gochina.about.com/od/tripplanning/tp/Nuisances.htm Laundry facilities It’s a good idea to start the trip with a week’s worth of clean clothes so if it does take you a while to get the opportunity to do washing, you won’t get caught out. Laundry services are available at a cost in most locations & your Tour Manager will advise on the best places to go.