Going Shopping

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Aug 18, 2004 | 9:49 am

timfucius

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Going Shopping

I'm going to Hong Kong in about 2 weeks and have a list of things that I'd like to buy, specifically a new GSM phone and perhaps some other electronic gadgets like a new digital camera and a camcorder.

On my last trip to HKG, I didn't find the prices to be that good compared to the US. But some people I know swear that the prices in Asia are much better. So, obviously I was shopping in the wrong part of town.

Any suggestions as to where I could find some good deals? Is the Hong Kong airport a no-no?

Thanks!

Tim

Aug 18, 2004 | 4:02 pm

hfly

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Anyone that informs you that there are great buys in Asia or HK in particular is sadly misinformed and about a decade out of date. HK airport would be the absolute worst place in HK for a deal, you will also find digital camera and Camcorder options to generally be 30% more expensive than you can get back home. GSM phones?? They have never been a good deal out there. The best you can do is possibly get a model not available in your country (or before its available), or you maybe can get some really really cheap no name electronic crap (although you can now get that same crap at your local Circuit City, etc for even cheaper).

Aug 18, 2004 | 10:43 pm

timfucius

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Thanks. I even saw a program on TV that compared the best places to shop (electronics included) in the world and Hong Kong was up there along with Singapore and London. I think it was the Travel Channel or something like that.

I guess I was right when I went there last April and found everything to be quite more than the US.

Regarding the phones, getting an unlocked GSM without service in the US is a pain, so it might be easier to get it there even if it costs a bit more.

In any case, I think the only good deals I might find there will be some "authentic" $10.00 Rolex watches...

Aug 18, 2004 | 11:41 pm

bp888

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Concur with hfly. You can get just about any everyday electronic gadgets cheaper in the U.S., particularly if you order online. In my experience, the only exception I have found are the Sony NC-11 earphones which are ~$70 in H.K. but costs ~$110 in the U.S. The only other reason I would buy a gadget in Asia is because it is not yet available in the U.S., especially true of mobile phones where the U.S. seems to be 1 generation behind all the time.