China Price Guide 2007

Image: Taken 6/25/07 outside a bookstore on Nanjing Road. Not even China is immune from the phenomenon which is Harry Potter. Hah, but I must say that our covers in America look far cooler. The sign doesn’t list the actual price for a copy of Deathly Hallows, but 200 RMB ($26.50) is a pretty big down payment to reserve a book that costs us less than $20 at Costco.

Stuff in China tends to be cheaper than stuff in the States. The sale prices on food and drink in our supermarkets is like the everyday shelf price in China. (The catch, of course, is that lots of the food is generally expired or near-expired.) And if you’re looking for a fake, low quality knock-off of some high-end product, China offers a wide selection at affordable everyman prices. This list is just a cursory glance at what we had to pay for stuff while we were in China in June of 2007. I list two numbers. The lower number is as low as prices for the item got, while the higher number is the max you should be paying for it. (If you hear a price higher than that, the shopkeeper is just trying to milk you.)

Of course, this list generally refers to items that students like those of us on the trip would be interested in. Therefore, unfortunately, I did not make any particular note of the liquor prices. But at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Mr. Bickel noted that beer was far cheaper than bottled water at one shop. And even behind the counter at convenience stores, I noticed that high-proof drinks tended to be rather affordable, or at least cheaper than what we see in our supermarkets here. And at one of the pubs we walked past, it was only 98 RMB for 10 shots. I didn’t even bother making note of cigarette prices, since smoking is disgusting and not beneficial in any way. Anyway, the list below is divided into three sections: Knock-Offs and Pirated Swag, Touristy Souvenirs, and Snacks and Drinks.

NB: You will see that I have tended to avoid listing products imported from other countries such as Levi jeans or Craftsman tools. Do not bother purchasing any of these items in China. Imported items suffer from tarrifs and what-not, so you will end up paying more for them than you would back home.

NB2: All prices are in RMB. In the case of knock offs, most brand names are interchangeable, since it usually just involves printing another name on the same item. I just use big name brands for demonstrative purposes.

Knock-Offs and Pirated Swag

Fake Women’s Gucci Watch: 20 to 45
Fake Men’s Rolex Watch: 30 to 70
Fake Automatic Breitling Watch 160 to 250
Fake Women’s Chanel Wallet: 10 to 60
Fake Men’s Ferragamo Wallet: 30 to 60
Fake Louis Vuitton Handbag (size dependent): 100 to 300
Fake Dunhill Belt: 35 to 60
Fake Hermes Tie: 10 to 20
Fake Nike Air Force Ones: 80 to 120
Fake Quiksilver T-Shirt: 25 to 45
Fake Lacoste Polo: 30 to 50
Fake Nike Windbreaker: 80 to 120
Fake Samsonite Carry-On Suitcase: 90 to 130
Fake GBA Game: 28 to 50
Pirated DVD: 6 to 10
Pirated DVD9: 9 to 18

Touristy Souvenirs

Pee Pee Boy: 1 to 3
Communist Hats: 5 to 15
Little Red Books: 10 to 15
Jasmine Tea (125g): 25 to 40
Postcards: 3 to 8

Snacks and Drinks

Minute Maid OJ (20 oz bottle): 2.7 to 5.0
Pepsi (20 oz bottle): 2.5 to 5.0
Coke (20 oz bottle): 2.6 to 5.0
Water (20 oz bottle): 1.0 to 5.0
Box of Pocky: 3.5 to 7.0
Box of Pretz: 3.5 to 7.0
Cup Noodles: 3.0 to 8.0
Loaf of bread: 3.0 to 6.0
Roll of Oreos: 4.0 to 9.0
Doublemint Gum (5 pc.): 2.0-5.0