Asia - Asia duty free

Hi,

I'm looking at buying an Olympus compact camera on my trip next week. I will be in SIN for 9 hours, and BKK airport for 1 couple of hours and FRA airport for a while also.

I can't find any websites that have any info about cameras and prices in SIN. I'd buy in MEL unless I could get a better deal over there? Are SIN and BKK relatively cheap for photography equipment?

thanks
goodo

The International Herald Tribune in the weekend issue of 6-7 Apr 02 did a camera shopping survey in FRA, HKG, LON, PAR, MIL, SIN, NYC, and NRT. (BKK was not included.)

They found that, in a sample of one shop per city for the item they were researching, NYC was cheapest, HKG next, and SIN next.

The S'pore shop was Cathay Photo in Peninsula Plaza. Consider the cost of VAT less the partial refund you can get at the airport in your final cost calculation.

For comparison you might want to check with a reputable shop such as B & H Photo in NYC.
Rich

I have only twice purchased digital cameras here in BKK, and did so only out of necessity, not for price/quality issues. I would not recommend anyone buying electronics in BKK unless there no other choice. Prices are generally high, selection is generally poor, and the latest models and accessories from Japan take a while to arrive.

I find that Japan is the most reliable for electronics and large selection of latest models. The prices aren't that bad, and you certainly get what you pay for. In HKG, be aware that the very low prices you will be quoted for a camera is generally based on
grey-market practices, including out-of-the-box, and a warrantee that looks real but is often not honored by the manufacturer required accessories (e.g. the rest of the stuff in the box that will be dramatically marked up, and may include a Chinese CF card or two) counterfeit supplies, including battery and charger features for Asian consumers (e.g. Chinese language displays, instruction manuals and the like)
Caveat emptor.

Also be careful in NYC for similar practices. SIN is not too bad, but they tend to be expensive.

[Edited for lousy spelling.]

[This message has been edited by UAL Traveler (edited 06-27-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by UAL Traveler:
I find that Japan is the most reliable for electronics and large selection of latest models. The prices aren't that bad, and you certainly get what you pay for.</font>skofarrell was in the market for a camera back in November, he said the prices at the stores in NRT weren't anything different than what you could find in the US.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
skofarrell was in the market for a camera back in November, he said the prices at the stores in NRT weren't anything different than what you could find in the US.</font> Oh, sorry, I was using the term NRT somewhat generically. Was he shopping in the electronics district - Aki Habara in Tokyo - where in some stores you can bargain in Japanese a bit? I do agree that the prices are not that inexpensive, but when you live in BKK and want electronics, Japan looks mighty reasonable.

[UBB edit]


[This message has been edited by UAL Traveler (edited 06-28-2002).]