Great Stuff at Unbelievable Prices

In China it seems, just about everything with the exception of foreign goods are for sale at great prices. It makes me wonder at times - why in the world is Canada more expensive for stuff that is not quite as good? At right we see a souvenir and antiques market in Tianjin where good prices can be found on anything from the famous Erhu (Chinese musical instrument) to telescopic police batons.

For example, I eat a good meal at a local Chinese restaurant for 10 RMB. That is less than $2 for a meal! One can also feed two for a comfortable 30 RMB or about $4 Canadian! I know that I've definitely had worse meals in Canada at a price of $10+.

This trend does not apply to food alone but also for a variety of consumer goods. A set of two gorgeous T-shirts with Chinese logos emblazoned on the front cost 55 RMB for two, that is about $8 Canadian for the pair. Wheras the best t-shirts I see in Canada cost at least $30 or 310 RMB, absolutely ridiculous. There have been claims that when clothing is sold cheaply, its because someone is working like a slave in a third world country. From my experience, I would have to debate this.

This is because the cheap clothing and the expensive clothing can be of the same quality, the difference is the massive markup. For example, in a news article a sweatshop in India was examined. this T-shirt was renowned in England for being the Primark 2-pound ($4 Canadian dollar T-shirt). T-shirts like this and the one in China are about the same quality and style as the expensive $30 ones. I can attest to this because I've washed one of the T-shirts I bought here and it is in good stead. Thus, the difference is not that the 2-pound T shirt is made in the sweatshop and the expensive one is not, both are made in sweatshops in the same areas but one is sold at a much inflated price! Thus, for people back in the west who claim buying more expensive clothing avoids sweatshops, I don't think this is the answer. What really helps is buying fair trade, organic and all of that good stuff as it gets to the core issues. Also, it seems like industries in China are improving greatly due to stricter government regulations and new laws put in place.

Great prices can be found for just about everything, from souvenirs, to decorations to normal everyday goods. A good pair of shoes can cost 120 RMB which is less than $20. The only expensive things are the foreign brands. Despite the fact that they are made in China, in the same factories by likely the same people, their costs can be up to 100x high than the Chinese brand equivalent. Of course, the name must be a lot and those foreign brands are certainly trying to bulldoze over solid Chinese brands that are making the same things. Effective marketing is key and Chinese brands are putting up a good fight. There are Chinese equivalents of Nike and other sports firms which are fighting the good fight, making solid products and producing exceptional advertisements that rival the world giants we are so familiar with back home.

The price dichotomies between China and the west are a double edged sword. It makes it very cheap for foreigners to shop and live in China. Unfortunately, western prices make it very difficult for hardworking Chinese to travel overseas to vacation. Hopefully, this dichotomy will soon be evened out so more Chinese can get the chance to travel, and bring their learnings home for the enrichment of China! Likewise, I do hope that more foreigners will get the chance to travel to China and return with stories of the wonderful times to be had in China!