Buying Quality Silver Jewellery When Visiting Thailand

Thailand is a well-known destination for tropical beach holidays, but it is also a fantastic place for excellent shopping, especially in Bangkok. You can buy many quality items when you are there, including designer clothes, gadgets, and beautiful handmade silver jewellery. Thailand is a global trading hub for polished gems and finished jewellery, so you will find some exquisite pieces at fantastic prices when you look hard enough. Whether you are looking for silver rings, silver chains, or a sterling silver pendant, wholesale prices are possible, and below are some tips to help you get the best deal.

Avoid The Shopping Centres & Chain Jewellery Stores

When looking to get an excellent deal on silver jewellery, you will want to look for independent stores and jewellery designers and avoid the shopping malls where the chain stores usually are. You can also look at the various markets throughout Bangkok, where you will find some highly skilled artisans making beautiful handmade silver jewellery. You can try Chatuchak Weekend Market in the north of the city, the world’s largest open-air market and has plenty of stalls selling silver jewellery.

Finding Something You Like

When you have found something that you like and are interested in purchasing it, you need to remember that you can haggle on the price of goods in many places in Thailand. It is always best to let the seller start the negotiations and ask them how much the item you want to buy is, and you can then counter with another offer. You must not counter with an offer that is too low, as you may offend the seller, and they may refuse to sell to you. Once you have agreed on the price, you may be able to make further savings, so it is always a good idea to go shopping with your passport.

VAT Refund For Tourists

If the seller is a member of the VAT Refund for Tourists Scheme, they can sell the goods to you without charging the 7% VAT, helping you save more money. However, not all shops are members of this scheme, but you can still claim back the VAT, so ensure you get a receipt from the store for your purchase. You can then claim back the VAT at the airport before you leave and fly home, and all you need to do is fill in the form and present your receipt, and it does not usually take more than twenty minutes