Trustworthy scales

It seems that people here are suspicious of others, especially with regards to trading.

I don't blame them.  Prices are often to be haggled over. To negotiate before buying something is normal.

Supposedly, this happens more at the markets and on the streets and less in the malls and nicer stores; but this is not always the case.  Even prices at such establishments are subject to discussion; at least to some degree.

However, I was rather appalled to hear a friend advise me to bring my own scales to the markets.  Apparently, the scales there are rigged to not reflect the correct weight, but so that the vendors may cheat the customers.  I remembered Proverbs 20:23 when I heard this.


Another friend told me that the price of some things are cheaper here in Cambodia.  They have the same badges and design as those overseas, but they are not really manufactured by the same company.  They are of imitation parts.  It is possible to find a used model of an "original" one of these products cheaper than the imitation one.

I wonder how it sits with regards to trust and acceptance here, if people are so suspicious of each other and the products and services delivered?  My experience so far has not been too bad (thank God for that), but I tread cautiously having heard what people tell me.