I wonder if it's cheaper to buy rackets from sports malls compared to the little shop along the streets?

An absolutely gorgeous, delicious Yonex badminton racket caught my eye yesterday when I was browsing through a little store located near a Sports Stadium.

Titanium, light-weight, superb feel in my hands...all for 160RMB. It's unbelievably cheap as it'll cost 2-3 times more for the exact same kind or similar back home! Extremely tempted to buy it and was about to take out my wallet when I realised perhaps I should look around for more options.

Will I get better deals if I go to sports sections in malls? Especially in Foxtown where they've got loads of sports shops...

Please help! As I plan to be the proud owner of a spanking new racket before the weekend...

Where is sports Stadium? I will buy one after I move to my new place. but I don't know how to choose one. Are they pretty much the same ? or like choosing tennis rackets? Tell me how to pick a nice one please. Maybe we can play together?

Sure! Oh actually there're a few sports stadiums around Shanghai! I went to the one near my house, which is Luwan Sports Stadium (Xuhui area). Haha I'm no expert at choosing rackets too, but if the price is good (which in this case, is very good), looks good (deliciously splendidly looking!) and feels good (very light), then it works for me. If Luwan isn't too far for you, then sure let's play together!

I believe for a recreational player, choosing rackets shouldn't be too much of a challenge. What I look for is the weight as well as the tension of the strings. Get a light racket, and opt for a good quality set of badminton strings, and then you'll be on the right track! I'll be asking the shoplady to re-string the racket, because the ones they put on display have rotten strings on them. Very plasticky feeling.

Yeah, I also chose rackets like that. I work at Xu Hui but I am not familiar with SH. Actually I never heard of Luwan Sports Stadium. My new place is very close to my workplace. Do you play in the Stadium? Do you have pay for the court if so?

No haven't played yet, but yes you do have to pay...think it's about 30-40RMB/hour and unfortunately my friend just called up to say that the courts have been fully booked for next week.

Wildly popular place :-S

So lucyna, which road do you work at? Xuhui is a pretty big area I must admit, but if you're familiar with Zhaojiabang/Damuqiao Rd, then that's where I am.

At 160RMB, just buy it if you like it. I wouldn't get anything less than that price. You can also go to Science & Technology Museum Metro.