Bargaining, the very soul of the place, is a journey back in time. Hospitality reigns, coffee or tea is served and all forms of politeness exchanged. It might last for hours. Some ponder overnight and come back the next day. When the slightest sign of interest is detected, every piece of jewellery is presented with gestures and phrases crafted and refined during centuries of bargaining tradition.
Profit comes mostly from the margins of manufacturing costs.
Prices are, more or less, quite similar in these shops. For hand-made stuff, they differ according to the amount of work. This story has been viewed 174 times. The Taipei Times. All rights reserved.