Shopping Smart in Hong Kong

Shopping in Hong Kong is fast-paced, efficient, and culturally nuanced. Whether you’re browsing a street market in Mong Kok or shopping in a luxury mall in Central, knowing how to talk about color, size, price, and payment methods will instantly level up your experience. This guide focuses on practical, modern shopping language and etiquette—far beyond what older textbooks usually cover.

1. Talking About Color, Size, and Price

When shopping in Hong Kong, clarity and speed matter.

Color & Size

• Be specific: “Do you have this in black?” or “Is this available in a smaller size?”

• It’s completely normal to ask staff to check the stockroom for another color or size. Often they keep them unpacked and come with new unused product as they keep one size available in the store for trial.

• In clothing stores, staff often respond quickly with alternatives rather than explanations—this is efficiency, not rudeness.

  
  

Price

• Prices in malls are fixed.

• In markets and small shops, prices can be flexible—but only to a degree.

• Asking politely if there’s a better price is acceptable in markets, not in chain stores.

  
  

2. Is This a Good Deal? And How Much Change Should I Get?

Being able to judge value is essential.

• Compare prices across nearby shops—many sell identical items.

• In markets, expect an initial price that leaves room for negotiation.

• Always count your change on the spot, especially when paying cash.

• Receipts are important if you may want to exchange items later—ask for one if it’s not offered.

  
  

3. Payment Methods in Modern Hong Kong

Hong Kong has moved far beyond “cash or credit card.”

Common payment options include:

• Cash (still widely accepted, especially in markets)

• Credit & debit cards

• Octopus Card (used for transport and retail)

• Mobile payments like Alipay and WeChat Pay

• Apple Pay and Google Pay in most malls

Smaller shops may prefer cash or Octopus, while larger stores accept almost everything.

4. Exchanges, Returns, and Quality Expectations

This is where Hong Kong differs from many Western countries.

• Returns are not guaranteed, especially in markets.

• Exchanges may be allowed, but often only for size or color—not refunds.

• Always check the item carefully before paying.

• Ask clearly about exchange policies if quality is a concern.

• In malls and international brands, policies are clearer and more flexible—but still stricter than in Europe.

  
  

5. Bargaining & Getting Better Rebates

Negotiation is situational, not universal.

Where bargaining works:

• Street markets

• Small electronics shops

• Tourist-heavy areas

  
  

How to improve your chances:

• Be polite and calm—never aggressive.

• Show genuine interest, but be ready to walk away.

• Buying multiple items often helps.

• Speaking a bit of Cantonese (even basic phrases) can make a big difference.

In shopping malls, bargaining is generally not expected.

6. Taxes in Hong Kong: What You Should Know

One of Hong Kong’s biggest shopping advantages:

• No VAT / sales tax on most goods

• Prices shown are usually the final price

• No need to calculate tax at checkout

This makes it easier to judge whether something is truly a good deal.

Final Thoughts

Shopping in Hong Kong is about speed, clarity, and awareness. Learn how to ask for different sizes or colors, understand modern payment methods, know when bargaining is appropriate, and always check quality before you pay. With these skills, you’ll shop more confidently—and far more successfully—like a local.

1. Asking About Color

呢個有冇黑色？ni1 go3 jau5 mou5 haak1 sik1?

这个有没有黑色？zhè ge yǒu méi yǒu hēi sè?→ Do you have this in black?

仲有冇其他顏色？zung6 jau5 mou5 kei4 taa1 ngaan4 sik1?

还有没有其他颜色？hái yǒu méi yǒu qí tā yán sè?→ Are there other colors?

2. Asking About Size

有冇細一個碼？jau5 mou5 sai3 jat1 go3 maa5?

有没有小一码？yǒu méi yǒu xiǎo yí mǎ?→ Do you have one size smaller?

我可以試吓嗎？ngo5 ho2 ji5 si3 haa5 maa3?

我可以试一下吗？wǒ kě yǐ shì yí xià ma?

3. Asking About Price

呢個幾錢？ni1 go3 gei2 cin2?

这个多少钱？zhè ge duō shǎo qián?→ How much is this?

可唔可以平啲？ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 peng4 di1?

可以便宜一点吗？kě yǐ pián yi yì diǎn ma?→ Can it be a bit cheaper?

(Very common in markets, not rude if said politely)

4. Checking If It’s a Good Deal

呢個算唔算抵？ni1 go3 syun3 m4 syun3 dai2?

这个算不算划算？zhè ge suàn bú suàn huá suàn?→ Is this a good deal?

如果買兩個，有冇優惠？jyu4 gwo2 maai5 loeng5 go3, jau5 mou5 jau1 wai6?

如果买两个，有没有优惠？rú guǒ mǎi liǎng gè, yǒu méi yǒu yōu huì?→ If I buy two, is there a discount?

5. Payment Methods (Modern Hong Kong)

可以用信用卡嗎？ho2 ji5 jung6 seon3 jung6 kaat1 maa3?

可以用信用卡吗？kě yǐ yòng xìn yòng kǎ ma?→ Can I pay by credit card?

可唔可以用八達通？ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 jung6 baat3 daat6 tung1?

可以用八达通吗？kě yǐ yòng bā dá tōng ma?→ Can I use Octopus Card?

支援支付寶或者微信嗎？zi1 jyun6 zi1 fu6 bou2 waak6 ze2 wai4 seon3 maa3?

支持支付宝或者微信吗？zhī chí zhī fù bǎo huò zhě wēi xìn ma?→ Do you support Alipay or WeChat Pay?

6. Checking Change

找返我幾多錢？zaau2 faan1 ngo5 gei2 do1 cin2?

找回我多少钱？zhǎo huí wǒ duō shǎo qián?→ How much change should I get back?

7. Exchange & Quality Issues

如果唔啱，可唔可以換？jyu4 gwo2 m4 ngaam1, ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 wun6?

如果不合适，可以换吗？rú guǒ bú hé shì, kě yǐ huàn ma?→ If it doesn’t fit, can I exchange it?

呢件有少少問題，可以換另一件嗎？ni1 gin6 jau5 siu2 siu2 man6 tai4, ho2 ji5 wun6 ling6 jat1 gin6 maa3?

这件有一点问题，可以换另一件吗？zhè jiàn yǒu yì diǎn wèn tí, kě yǐ huàn lìng yí jiàn ma?→ This one has a small issue, can I change it for another?