Electronic Products, Hong Kong

It is very hard to buy electronic items in some parts if you are a tourist, they use your confusion of currency and how hot the temperature makes you and how jet lagged you are to confuse you into buying, even if you're adamant on buying a particular model. Visit a few shops to gain a good price and bargain!

Never buy electronic items from the small shops dotting Hong Kong. Most would try to rip you off in a variety of ways. One way is to quote you a truly cheap price for an item, and sell it to you minus the usual accessories that go with it. Or, you'll get an older model in your bag with the explanation (if you notice the switch) that the model you were looking at is more expensive. If you feel brave enought to risk the rip off and try a purchase, NEVER hand over your money or credit card before you have the item you chose in your hands.

Go instead to the large department stores or malls for your electronics. Less chances of getting fleeced.

Do NOT buy electronics from any vendor on the street - many of the electronic stores in Tsim Sha Tsoi are dodgy too. I only go to the big places like Fortress or Star City. Sometimes you can get good deals in Mongkok for electronics but beware that some of them do not have valid warranties or are scammed from Japan...take your chances!

Avoid the electronic shops in Tsim Sha Tsui area. The merchants there can really burn. I don't know how much cheaper the electronic goods are in HK comparing to other places. But if you really want to buy electronic goods in HK, try some chain stores. I forgot the names though. May add later

Electronic goods might seem cheap in Hong Kong but it is probably safer to go to larger shops recommended by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. After sale services are not generally good at local shops (even for locals) and it is very difficult (or even impossible) to get a refund once you have bought an item.

Be real, real careful when buying electronics or photographic items. Bait and switch, gray market items, inflated accessory costs, and some other shady practices are found in some stores. Ensure they display the HKTA emblem outside. Use your credit card to cancel the transaction later if need be.

Don't even think of buying any electronic equipment unless you really know what you are doing. Most of the prices in the stores (even the discount ones) were more expensive than what we could get in the UK. I was looking to buy a CD Walkman and it also turned out to be worth 1/3 more than what it would in a Dixons store (not the most bargain orientated of establishments). Remember that these people earn their living by selling stuff to tourist who only realise their mistake when they get home. So be cautious. Having said that b/f did manage to buy lots of PC type stuff a very low prices, but only because he knows what he's doing ;0)

The safest stores are Fortress. They maybe a little more expensive but they are regulated and reliable. I bought digicam batteries at half the price of uk.