Do you know your Ming from Qing from DingaLing?

Joined: Dec 17, 2012
Posts: 1
5

If so, then happy hunting, if not then best not to touch them, be they from (in their defense) the Panjiayuan Antiques Market or Sothebys, Christies, or anywhere. They are all dealers/humans looking for the most return they can get.
If it's a bargain from an unsuspecting sucker that you are looking for, and don't know what you're looking at; then grab a torch and hit the boot sales in your home town dark-and-early.
"Ripped Off"?
Goods made by low paid workers in China for Western companies; labeled with French sounding names; sold for high US$ or EUROs in fancy Western department stores... now that's what I call a rip off.
If no experience, then go to the Antiques Market, stay within your budget and buy yourself a souvenir, at worst, and have it forever as a memento of a rich experience.