| David,
When you enter this Shanghai pearl store, you will be bombarded with every booth hawking their pearls. There are two or three floors and every booth is owned by an individual who has rented booth space.
Do as Jeremy suggests and visit his friends shop. Before visiting her, you may want to stop at some of the other vendors to get an idea of how they are operating and see their pearls. Their quoted prices are high because that is a high end tourist area. They will keep lowering the price as you refuse to buy.
They will keep up a continuous banter trying to force you into a quick decision to buy. Just take your time and look at their pearls carefully, and ask lots of questions.
Look at a lot of pearls, and take the time to look very carefully at many strands before you buy. After you've looked at a lot of pearls, then visit Jeremys friend, and you will see the difference in dealing with someone who is being honest with you, and with dealing with those who are there to rip off the tourists.
Hangzhou, as you know since you are there, is a beautiful and relaxing tourist area, and should be very crowded this time of year. Don't know any pearl outlets in this sity.
Disregard any mention the vendors make of Grade A, AA, AAA, or AAAA quality because it won't mean a thing. Its only puffing. Its what you see that counts.
Good luck,
Bill |