Shopping, Hong Kong

I went to the Wanchai Computer Center on the 12th July 2011 to look for a specific camera I had in mind. After doing a complete round of all the shops, I stumbled into the last shop, on the first floor. I got a price that was HK$600 cheaper than the lowest price I got so far. So I decided to go in and let him explain the features of the camera. The minute I sat down, he immediately proceeded to recommend a few different cameras, all the while downplaying the one I had chosen.

After about 30 minutes of sitting through his endless pitches, I decided to get the one I had wanted in the first place. Now came the reverse psychology, the person went through insulting remarks about me wasting his time, etc, etc. Then asked for a deposit before he would take the actual camera from the store. I refused and would not fall for the pressure tactics. He continued his insults but I remained calm and finally walked out of the store.

Buyers, beware. HK is a VERY unpleasant place to shop if you are not mentally prepared. I do a lot of product research before I shop so I got away. In most instances, Hong Kong is not a cheap place, compare it to Amazon and you will find that in most cases you will get a better price on Amazon and not get cheated.

Warning to anyone wishing to purchase a camera at United Power Audio and Photo shop 342A Nathan Road, Kowloon.
Please google search Kowloon Camera Fraud

We were victims of the "Bait and Switch" scam as we have now learnt... in which the customer is lured into the shop after viewing a cheaper price Camera dsiplayed in the window. After getting the royal treatment inside the seller will not show the original camera but instead proceed to demonstrate a more expensive camera. meanwhile your credit card or payment is processed. The bait is the expensive camera at a cheap sale price ..the switch is to a different camera and you are caught when the payment is made and you have to buy to recover your costs because the original camera is and never was available. They will not refund your money. The switch is also a camera of inferior quality as your original intended purchase. Beware of the multiple sales persons that work together in these small camera shops off Nathan Road Kowloon. Good advice is to buy at shops which display the red sampan (junk) symbol sign as an endorsement from the Hong Kong Tourist Bureau.

Hong Kong has one of the cleanist public environments in Asia, only challenged by Japan, Korea, Taiwan & Singapore. However, the message of food safety has not reached everyone yet & many places, especially in New Territories & Kowloon handle their food poorly.

Though most of Hong Kong have learned their lesson with SARS (2003) & the Bird Flu Virus (2004), some unconsiderate vendors still do not gave a care on how food is managed.

Unlike North America & Europe, some foods are illegally shipped in from the mainland, & they are usually not inspected by any local health authorities. Also, in open markets food are displayed out on the streets & dust, pollution, and insects get on them. To make it worst, hot temperatures & humidity also affects the safety of the food.

Therefore, it is best advised that you first check how the store handles the food & how clean the vendor's kitchen is if you see it.

This problem is only restricted to open vednors that set up in outdoor public markets & at very old neighbourhoods.

I was in hongkong several years ago and was interested in buying a particular camera. Price were cheap in some shops, but some bigger stores were selling them at about 20% more expensive.

Deciding to buy in one of the cheaper store, I asked the salesperson to show me the camera. He asked me for a deposit. He said he needed to get the stock from the warehouse (I refused and walked out). Going from shops to shops all of them were asking the same thing. They refused to show me the camera first before giving some deposit.

Then I went to one of the bigger store, and ask "why is the camera more expensive here?", and they explained, "be careful buying in cheap store, they will give you a JAPANESE VERSION of the camera, which do not have an english language option, and sometimes they STEAL some of the original accessories from the box, or CHANGE it with a cheaper no brand one (ex the battery)".

After doing some research, two identical electronics, one made for japan market (hence in japanese) is indeed a lot cheaper than the one for international market.

Hong Kong is a great place to visit but not shopping, Nathan Road has so many touts trying
to sell you ,suits, watches ,Why spoil your holiday ,just don't buy anything.
I went to a suit shop and the price was more than advertised in local papers
my wife wanted 4 skirts and a dress made and the bill was £400 which is $4800 hk
we could get cheaper in london ,so why bother.
and most times shop keeper doesn't speak english at all.
in the ladies market some stall holders show you handbags and claim they are leather
by holding a lighter flame under it.
if you hold a lighter flame next to the bag the flame spreads around so hold the lighter slightly
lower and watch it burn because its not leather.
good luck to you all shopping and enjoy the place ,ITS GREAT
WENT IN AUGUST 2009

indian tailors in nathan rd and surrounding areas...very annoying and persistent..i got followed several times for blocks with them talking non stop wanting me to go to "best tailor shop"..they wont hurt you....nathan rd has great shopping but beware of fakes this and fakes that..look for quality tourism sticker on shop windows or somewhere in shop normally on counter for genuine products such as seiko watches..this way you are sure to by genuine product..shopping is fantastic in hong kong but there are a lot of touts about trying to sell you anything from fake watches to massages..this is more common on kowloon not hong kong island...have fun shopping and ignore the touts and you will be fine

If you are looking for electronic goods, it is best to know your product, its price and availability in Hong Kong. If you are worried about getting ripped off in Hong Kong and there are a number of well publised scams, take a look at ShopCite to check prices and availabilty without having to walk from shop to shop. Shopcite even has a mobile phone version so you can check anytime and anywhere while you are moving around.

Be careful when you want to buy things from street sellers. I got cheated on Li Yuan East Styreet in Hong Kong on Queen's Central. The man who sells ladies purses took my money for only 10 HKD and I gave jhim a 20 HKD bill while choosing. After thatI gave him the one I chose and asked for 10 HLKD change. He said I did not pay to him yet. I paid him 20 HKD withiut getting any purse. He is a thief or we can call him a cheating beggar. There are two men selling : one purses, and the other ladies' bags.... They are not faithful....If I had paid 100 HKD bill ??

I did take the picture of this man, but I do not want to post.