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Have you ever traveled to China with a tour group? Have you experienced forced shopping there?

This is not the article demonstrating the bright side of forced shopping in China but just to review the products I bought, no my mom bought. Forced shopping has only one selling pattern, sitting in a room, listening to the sellers presenting products and offering the super high price first then giving a very lower one. Moreover, we could not leave the shop until the setting time. It is totally uncomfortable. As these shops supported by the government, for tour travel, this is unavoidable. However, even though the way they sell makes us a little bit irritating, it’s true that some products are really good and cheap. A week ago, my mom and I visited China. We had booked a tour travel from a traveling agency. It was convenient for us when we didn’t have to plan the trip by ourselves (and it was the right decision when most Chinese could not speak English while we know nothing about Chinese). These are the 4 shops I had visited. 1. Tea Shop

In Hangzhou, we were guided to stay in the room to test their tea. My mom and I firstly interested because the tea produced a very good aroma and fine taste but after seeing the price, our mind changed. We honestly did not like the way they present the effects of the tea which sounds exaggerated but we focused on the tea itself, comparing to the other tea, it is truly a fine one. But I’m not a tea lover so I could not tell is it really worth to buy. Silk Factory

This factory produces silk bedding for some high brands in Europe. They suggested us to buy the newest silk bedding set amounting 13,000 Yuan. The time passed, from 13,000 to 2,500 (if buying 4 sets) and to 1,300 Yuan in the last minute. I could not review the product in details because I just touched it and think it was very silky and smooth. The patterns were beautiful too. The truth is bedding products are not something people often purchase so it’s difficult for them to sell even how special is it. While the seller tried to persuade us, I silently walk out to go the restroom. Later, my mother told me that one of our members argued with the seller about the products. She told me that the new seller spoke differently from the first one about the products; therefore no one in my tour group buys anything from this factory. Pear Shop

Now it was time to spend money for something good. My mom bought day and night facial creams for herself and grandma and an anti-spots/redness/acne cream, all contains pearl extracted powder. Thankfully that our friends in the group were really good in bargaining, Mother got the cheap price. They persuaded me to buy pearls too but the price is out of reach even they tried to know my pocket money so they would offer a price that I could reach but my mind is steady than they thought. The fact is I am allergic to metal alloys, even though their pearl are true and beautiful but the necklaces are not made from quality metals. During the trip, I had acne problem due to menstruation and insufficient sleep for many days so I have used the cream my mom had bought. Surprisingly, the redness from acne on my face has been reduced and I keep using it until today. The result is really pleasing. Medicine Shop

On the last day in Shanghai, we visited the medicine shop where we sat on the sofa, soaked our feet in the warm herbal water, and they performed foot massage. I think most love spa and massage. Me too. The seller started describing the effects of Chinese medicines and then traditional doctors entered and checked my mom’s pulse. He said she had a liver problem and should purchase these and those. She didn’t buy what they persuaded but bought a package of home medicine instead. For Thai people, we are using to Bao Fu Ling (Thais called Bua Hima meaning Snow Lotus) and herbal plaster. I always use Bao Fu Ling to stop the bleeding wounds, burns, and fresh wounds. I dare say it is one of the best medical product I’ve have ever known. For the herbal plaster, we use for sprain or aches. The package contained sprains relieved oil, herbs to add in the warm water for soothing foot muscles, and the same anti-redness cream we had bought at the pearl shop. Most people say everything that made in China is always bad but do not forget that this country has a very long history than many countries. Today innovations have their origins from China. I think we’re better to recognize the products and understand how they sell so we can get the quality ones and satisfied price without feeling dumbed later.