Liao was among the hundreds of consumers who queued outside a Zhang Xiaoquan Knives & Scissors General Store on Nanjing Road E. yesterday to purchase tangpozi. Some people lined up as early as 8:30am, one hour before it opened.
There were always at least 40 people lined up outside the shop through yesterday afternoon.
All of the store's tangpozi were sold out, and most consumers who came yesterday had to make reservations to pick up the product several days later.
Seven types of the warmer are available in various sizes, from 10 centimeters to 20 centimeters in diameter. They are priced between 170 yuan (US$27.29) and 380 yuan. The best seller is priced at 279 yuan.
Chen Yuebin, managing director of Shanghai Zhang Xiaoquan Knives & Scissors General Store Co Ltd, said many people think copper is a sign of happiness in Chinese culture. Craftsmen said making tangpozi is delicate and requires craftsmanship.
Gao Guangquan, who makes the bed warmer, said the welding and sealing are the most difficult - small holes may appear when copper is welded, some difficult to perceive.
Most procedures in making the tangpozi are manual and there are fewer craftsmen who can make tangpozi, Gao said.
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