Goods and More…

Rain happens in Tianjin sometimes suddenly and in large amounts. When it does, be ready for the opportunists to appear selling their wares. The top items of course will include over priced umbrellas and ponchos. They like their "black cab" buddies tend to be in your face and persistent, borderline if not outright harassing in nature. Be ready for loud yelling of the price, violation of personal space as they stalk you and repeatedly ask if you want to buy the things they are hawking. As mentioned earlier, this is the time to walk with an air of authority. Avoid engagement and run, well, at least walk quickly through the gauntlet of obtuse opportunists.

Of course, the best solution is to be prepared in some way at all times. Carrying a small, lightweight umbrella or poncho in a backpack or purse is an excellent idea. The plan mentioned earlier also works well, which is use Didi to order a car before exiting. Wait for it to arrive and then quickly go get in. However, in the commotion, don't forget to double check that you are getting into the correct car by confirming the actual license plate matches what's displayed in the app. As per Didi's instructions, it is prudent to cancel and reject any attempt a driver makes at having you ride in a car that is different than what is onscreen. Simply cancel and rebook, even if this means you get charged a cancelation fee because of cancelling after the car has arrived and you realize it doesn't match up. Pay the fee and call for another car. Later on, when you are safe and dry, contact Didi and they will perhaps refund the cancelation fee since the car not matching was hardly your fault. True, during sudden storms when using Didi surge pricing may apply due to increased demand. But this happens automatically due to a system algorithm and definitely beats dealing with the shady opportunists outside. Another option, is to simply wait. That is stay inside the station or location until the storm has stopped and the opportunity has passed with it. It is amazing how many problems in China can be solved with patience.

Take to any pedestrian bridge such as those in the vicinity of Binjiang Dao or larger underground subway stations such as Yingkou Dao and there is potential to encounter yet another type of opportunists. These peddlers will peddle everything from clothing, electronic accessories such as earphones, phone cases, screen protectors and the like. Some even sell animals! Bunnies, fish, kittens, puppies and who knows what other type of poor creature might be for sale at any given time. They are hopelessly in the hands of some heartless opportunist.

The Bottom Line

Realizing an opportunity and meeting the needs of consumers is not in itself wrong. Indeed, understanding local Chinese buyers, including why and how they buy is critical to success. Instead of opportunists looking to solely capitalize, perhaps they can also sympathize. As it feels totally different to pay a fair price for a convenience than be ripped off. Sadly, the insatiable appetite for profiting from any and all opportunities though, especially those associated with a large group of people finding themselves in a moment of real need due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time seems to bring out the worst in some opportunists.