Retail tricksters only fool themselves

A Beijing woman recently bought a cell phone for 4,800 yuan ($728) at a well-known up-market shopping mall, but her husband later found that particular model sold for between 440 and 600 yuan in other outlets. The man asked the shop in question to refund part of the money, alleging a "suspected act of deliberate fraudulence". The man said that it was understandable that prices in the mall were higher than in other places, given its prime location, but that a 10-fold increase was unacceptable.

"The price is too exorbitant to be reasonable," the man said.

The shop rejected the man's request. The manager said that prices were dictated by the market and the store's operating costs had to be taken into account. He said his shop "has not violated any law or rules in asking for a higher price since the price is openly stated".