Page 73 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Phuket

Souvenirs ❮❮ 71

Traditional Thai
8 TOP 10 BARGAINING TIPS
Furniture
MAP J3 • Island Furniture: 90/4 Moo
2, Chao Fah West Road • 07626 3707
• www.islandfurniture-phuket.com
Furniture made of crushed bamboo,
recovered teak wood, rattan, water
hyacinth, and more can be found in
many shops. Island Furniture can
recreate pieces from sketches or
from photographs.
Batik Cloth
9 Market traders, Phuket
Although an Indonesian craft,
Phuket artisans are now using this 1 Have fun
wax-resist dyeing technique and Approach your shopping experience
incorporating Thai artistic motifs. lightheartedly – you’ll enjoy yourself
Cloth and items made from it are all the more.
easy to find in boutiques and night 2 Smile
markets. Look for the government- A smile goes a long way with
sponsored OTOP brand pieces. local salespeople.
3 Don’t Lose Your Head
Don’t let your negotiations get too
serious, and never raise your voice –
it’s taboo in Thailand.
4 Be Patient
Don’t buy something from the first
stall you visit. In Phuket, you’ll almost
always see it again.
5 Compare Prices
Get price quotes from different
vendors selling the same goods;
Colorful Thai Batik cloth for sale occasionally one vendor’s prices
are much lower than the others.
Pearls
0 6 Buy In Bulk
MAP K1 • Phuket Pearl Factory:
58/2 Moo 1, Tambon Kohkaew • Sellers often reduce their prices
substantially if you buy more than
07623 8002 • www.phuketpearl.com one item.
White, black, or cream pearls, 7 Politely Ask For Discounts
produced on local pearl farms, can The initial asking price is often about
be found in Phuket’s mar kets. You twice as high as the seller’s final
can see how pearls are cultured and settling price.
extracted at Naka Noi island, off the 8 Walk Away
north eastern coast. The classic strategy is to politely say
“No, thank you,” and walk away. The
Farmed pearls being selected vendor will often stop you and accept
the price you offered.
9 Use Your Head
Avoid too-good-to-be-true prices,
especially for expen sive items such
as gem stones or antiques.
10 Currency Exchange
Memorize your exchange rate so
you can quickly calculate the cost
in your home currency.

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