Bangkok is a famous city for some of the most exquisite gems and beautiful handmade jewellery and is a popular global trading centre for these items. You can enjoy buying some beautiful jewellery in Bangkok, and whether you want to buy a gold bracelet or a silver ring, wholesale prices are available if you know what you are doing. Below are some tips to help you get the best deal on your jewellery in Thailand and ensure you come home with plenty of beautiful bargains.
Take Your Passport Shopping With You
Technically as a tourist in Thailand, you are meant to have your ID with you at all times, but ensure you take it with you when you go shopping as you can often save the 7% VAT on goods you buy. Many companies are members of the VAT Refund for Tourists scheme that allows them to sell to tourists VAT free. However, the stores need to be members of this scheme which not all of them are, but you can still claim back your VAT at the airport before you leave the country and head home.
Avoid The Large Shopping Malls
You will often find that you can get the best deals from the smaller independent jewellery stores, and there are many of these throughout Bangkok. Most of these jewellery stores will have an in-house design studio to make all their jewellery designs by hand. You can also look at the many markets around Bangkok, as there are often jewellery makers selling their wares at the market, some of which are highly skilled. You can find some beautiful designs when you shop around the various locations in Bangkok and negotiate an excellent deal.
Learn How To Negotiate
Haggling is seen throughout Thailand, and tourists and locals alike are always trying to barter a better deal for themselves. When you are purchasing your jewellery from an independent jeweller, you can negotiate the price of what you want to buy, and the more you buy, the better price you can get. Always let the vendor make the first move and state a price, and when you counter, do not go too low and insult them, or the ay refuse to deal with you. Ensure you offer a fair price to the jeweller, which will help keep both of you happy with the deal you negotiate.
Shop around in Bangkok and look at as many different places as you can for jewellery, and you can get some fantastic bargains when you look hard enough.
