How to Negotiate Prices with Sellers on Taobao Legally
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- Source：OrientDeck
Think you can't haggle on Taobao? Think again! While it's not as obvious as a street market, smart shoppers know that price negotiation on Taobao is totally possible—and completely legal. With over 900 million active users and countless independent sellers, there's room to wiggle. The key? Knowing how, when, and who to ask.
Why Bargaining Works on Taobao (Yes, Really)
Taobao isn’t Amazon—many stores are small businesses or individual resellers. They often build in a margin for discounts, especially if you're buying in bulk or during slower sales periods. Plus, Taobao’s chat system (AliWangWang) makes real-time negotiation easy.
4 Smart Tactics to Lower Prices
- Ask for a 'Friend Price' (朋友价): A casual way to start. Say: “老铁，能给个朋友价吗？” (“Hey buddy, can you give me a friend’s price?”). It’s friendly and opens the door.
- Bundle Items: Buying multiple items? Ask: “如果我买三件，能便宜点吗？” (“If I buy three, can you lower the price?”). Sellers love volume.
- Mention Competitors: Politely say another store offers a lower price. Example: “XX店便宜10块，你能匹配吗？” (“Store XX is 10 yuan cheaper, can you match it?”).
- Wait for Events: Even outside Singles' Day, many shops offer hidden discounts if you ask during promotions.
When You’re Most Likely to Succeed
Timing matters. Here’s a breakdown of success rates based on shopping behavior data from 2023 (Alibaba Consumer Insights):
| Scenario | Success Rate | Average Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Bundling 3+ items | 68% | 12–15% |
| Asking during low-traffic hours (e.g., 2–5 PM) | 52% | 5–8% |
| Mentioning competitor pricing | 45% | 8–10% |
| First message of the day | 60% | 7–12% |
Surprised? Sellers are more willing to negotiate when they want to close a quick sale or boost daily order counts.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t be rude: Taobao sellers won’t respond well to demands.
- Avoid public pressure: Never threaten bad reviews. It’s unethical and can backfire.
- Don’t expect miracles: Brand-new or trending items rarely get big discounts.
Pro Tip: Use Orders to Your Advantage
If you’ve bought before, lead with loyalty: “我是老顾客了，这次能再便宜点吗？” (“I'm a returning customer, can you give me a better price?”). Repeat buyers see up to 20% higher success rates in negotiations.
The Bottom Line
Negotiating on Taobao isn’t pushy—it’s savvy. With the right approach, you can save real money without breaking any rules. Just be polite, strategic, and persistent. After all, every yuan saved is a win.
So next time you're eyeing that jacket or gadget, hit up the seller first. You might just walk away with a deal—and a smile.