In another life I had buddies who always said, “Baby, if you look good you play good.” These guys spent more time primping their battle gear and hair than my daughter, but, they were right … they looked good, they in turn felt more confident, and they in turn played good.

Some of you have asked me about buying a suit in China because you want to look good. Below is an email excerpt from a trip alumni. We can talk more about this at one of our Spring meetings, if you wish. But for now, what are your business take-aways from the below? E.g., a number of your are taking negotiations now, but that is far from the only class the below ties into. (Please, please, please don’t say something silly and ethnocentric based on a sample size of one such as, “This just shows the Chinese are ruthless, cunning, dishonest and you can’t trust ‘em.” — the below, or something like it, also happens in the West, Asia, South America, Africa, etc. about a gizillion times a day.)

And sorry, Ladies, I don’t know of a good tailor in China who does ladies clothes. You are on your own.

>Chris,

Sorry about getting back to you. It was a very long week at work.

When XXXX and I went to the Pearl Street Market (I believe that is what it was called, it was on the business cards you handed out), we were acosted by sales people trying to sell us suits (this was on the bottom level of that giant indoor market). We began by looking at fabrics, all the while making sure to point out that suits were way too expensive for poor students to afford, and especially on our last day in China. The saleswoman (who I assume works for the fabric maker, and not the tailor) started at over $1,000 US. We laughed and she pointed out that these were custom made suits composed of very expensive Cashmere. She also pointed out that she had sold 3 suits for the same low price already that day.

XXXX and I balked and began looking at her competing neighbor’s line up. She came over and got us and cut her price in half. XXXX began to get more interested, but I being very frugal still had my reservations. Eventually XXXX and she agreed upon a price of about 1000 RMB’s for a suit. He gave her half as a downpayment and then began walking around contemplating a second suit.

Meanwhile, she went to work on selling me. Finally, we settled on 800 RMB, conditioned on the fact that I lie to XXX and tell him that I paid the same as he had. It was about 4 in the afternoon, I gave her 200 HK Dollars as downpayment, they took our measurements, and then we went on our way.

Then at midnight, a man who spoke very good English showed up at our hotel room. He had our suits ready, and we tried them on for the final fitting before he finished the hemming. He was pretty young, about our age and very professional about his business. I paid him about $20 American Dollars, and the rest in $HK (I didnt even have to exchange the money). He left and told us our suits would be ready when we woke up in the morning.

I have no idea if they make shirts or not, but i would assume so.

He was in the hotel room for maybe only 15 or 20 minutes, since he had done all of the work at his shop. His turn around time was from 4Pm to 7AM the next morning. So half that for one suit.

I dont know if he was the tailor the whole time or if he was just an assistant who did final measurements. I would have to look around and try to find my receipt somewhere to get his contact info. I know YYYY knows who he is because she said her dad buys suits from him, and pays about what XXXX paid.

I would think that he would be able to handle 15 suits at once, he is supposedly very popular in China. The Flight Attendant in America recognized my suit. I am not sure if he would just contract out to another shop though.

The best thing about it those is that apparently he keeps your measurements, so apparently if I ever find my receipt, I can email in an order.

Let me know if i can be any more help.

ZZZZ

Yeah, Baby. You look good, you play good.