Suzhou Scam Alert: I Fell For It!

[Joseph Thompson]

Oh my, let me tell you about our experience in Suzhou - it was both laughable and regretful!

• After visiting Hanshan Temple (the famous temple associated with the poem, "The night half the bell sounds from the Hanshan Temple reached the boat"), we hired a local guide. Once the tour was over, we asked the guide if there were any good places to purchase qipaos (the traditional Chinese dress that highlights one's figure).
• The guide recommended a place to purchase qipaos and even kindly offered to call a taxi for us. For just ten yuan, we arrived at Shantang Street - a famous old street well-known as a shopping street similar to that of a historic town.
• On the way, the taxi driver said that if we wanted to buy silk (a famous product from Suzhou), it would be better to purchase bedding and sleepwear made from it rather than qipaos. He mentioned that there might still be ongoing silk festivals.
• Under the combined recommendations of the tourist guide and the taxi driver, we went to buy some silk scarves and pillowcases. My colleague bought a qipao at another chain store on the same street.
• At night while taking a boat tour, we met yet another taxi driver who enthusiastically recommended that we buy sets of bedding as they were more practical than expensive qipaos. This one mentioned that he had purchased two sets of bedding for his daughter along with four silk quilts during the festival sale.
• Again, we were convinced and bought three sets of bedding, all packed and sent free of shipping costs, while the driver went to refuel his cab.
• However, after settling into the hotel, we began to feel slightly cheated (as they might have tried too much for pushing us into buying).
• The next day, we called the customer service number for returns, but as expected, there were reasons to delay the process, so we finally went directly to the store where all was settled.
• We ran into a group of tourists just entering the shop on the way out. I am sure they are "recommended" by cabs as well!

Travel tips:

Be on guard against enthusiastic recommendations:

• In Suzhou, be wary of the guide or taxi driver who strongly recommends you to a particular shop - they may be collecting commissions for it.
• For foreigners: Be cautious if a guide or taxi driver pushes you to buy silk (especially qipao or bedding) at a specific store. They might be receiving a commission.
  Beware of promotions labeled "final day":
• If a driver tells you the promotion ends today, be careful – this tactic increases sales pressure to make immediate purchases.
• For foreigners: Be suspicious if a driver mentions a “last day” of silk promotion; they may use this common method to encourage quick purchases.
  Situations where the driver “has an errand” might not be genuine:
• If a driver stops the cab at a certain place and claims to need to “get gas,” “refuel,” or “run an errand” for ten minutes before leaving you at the store, this could very likely be a plan devised with the store.
• For foreigners: If your driver takes you to a shop and asks you to wait for him while he does something else, it might be a plan to give you shopping time (and pressure).
  Returns can be troublesome:
• Just as we found out, returns can be difficult with lots of excuses. If you regret a purchase, visit the store directly and present your request firmly; then you'll have a better chance of getting your refund.
• For foreigners: Getting a refund later can be tough with lots of excuses. If you regret a purchase, it's often best to go back to the store in person and be firm; you'll have a better chance of getting your money back.