| Korea is a shopper's paradise! Great prices can be found for shoes, clothes, handbags,
suitcases, leather goods, silk, antiques, reproductions, and all kinds of souvenirs.
You can easily find makers of custom-made clothes and shoes of varying quality. Although
department stores and most shops have fixed prices for items, bargaining can usually get
a lower price with street vendors and in the major open air markets such as
Namdaemun and
Dongdaemun.
However, do not expect the same level of haggling conditions that exist in Thailand. Also, do
not forget about Korea's duty-free stores and Life in Korea's
own Online Shopping sections for Products and Services and
Online Reservations. |
Some other shopping tips to keep in mind:
- Retailers speak limited English, except in areas frequented by foreigners, such as
Itaewon.
- Although some retailers may be willing to take U.S. dollars or other foreign currency
for purchases, expect a worse exchange rate than you would find at a bank.
- Genuine antique items cannot be exported without permission. Contact the Art &
Antique Office (Tel: 662-0106) for information on procedures, or ask the shop owner.
- Be careful about buying imitation brand-name items- it is illegal to take or send them
out of the country. Counterfeit items can be confiscated by customs.
- Most clothing shops do not have places to try on clothes. Items that do not fit when
you get home should be exchanged within 3 days. Tailor shops do have fitting, and you should
try on all tailor-made clothing before making the final payment. It is easier to negotiate
for alterations on the spot than coming back later.
- According to Korean beliefs, the rest of the day depends on the first customer of the
day. They consider it bad luck if the first customer does not buy anything or in some way
disturbs the owner's mood. Being a good "informal ambassador" means trying not
to exchange items or haggling excessively during the morning hours.
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For any major problems with merchants, the Korea National Tourism Organization investigates
complaints through its Tourist Complaint Center in Seoul. Telephone them at (02) 735-0101.
| Shopping places by area: |
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Busan (Pusan) City-
Busanjin Market, Gukje Market, Gwangbok-dong & Nampo-dong, Jagalchi Fish Market, Seomyeon, Texas Street
Daegu (Taegu) City-
Jungang and Daeshin Underground Arcades, Seomun Market, Yakjeon Herbal Medicine Market
Gyeonggi (Kyonggi) Province-
Icheon Pottery Village, Moran Market, Sorae Market
Gyeongju (Kyongju) City-
Gyeongju Folk's Hand Craft Village
Incheon (Inchon) City-
Ganghwa Market
Jeju (Cheju) Island-
Jeju Folk Arts Complex
North Gyeongsang Province-
Andong Market
North Jeolla (Cholla) Province-
Iri Jewelry Center, Namwon Market
Seoul City-
Apgujeong-dong, Central City, Cheongdam-dong, COEX Mall, Dongdaemun Market, Dongmyo Flea Market, Gangnam (Shopping), Garak-dong Agricultural Market, Gyeong-dong Oriental Medicine Market, Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, Hyehwa Philippine Market, Insa-dong Shopping Area, Itaewon-dong Shopping Area, Janganpyeong Antique Market, Jong-no, Myeong-dong Shopping Area, Namdaemun Market, Nonhyeon Furniture Street, Noryangjin Fish Market, Sinchon-dong and Ahyon-dong, Times Square, Wholesale Plant and Flower Market, Yangjae Flower Market, Yongsan Electronics Market
South Chungcheong Province-
Geumsan Market, Yuseong Market
South Jeolla (Cholla) Province-
Damyang Bamboo Market, Gurye Market
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