Shopping, Hong Kong

Everywhere you turn there are people selling knockoff everything . Watch out though for the guys who promise to have the real thing and offer to drag you down some alley..the best case is you'll end up paying $75.00 or more for a $5.00 watch and the worst is you'll get mugged .

The best way to avoid being fleeced like a lamb while buying electronic goods in HK is to be AWARE of the common scam tactics that retailers love to use in Nathan Road@ Tsim Tsha Tsui.

1)You're offered an unbelievably good price for an item, you hand over your money only to discover that the item is out of stock. They will stall for time first and when you threaten to leave, you will be offered another item but at an outrageous price.
Solution:Don't hand over your credit card or moolah until you have seen the actual item.

2)No prices displayed on the items
Solution: Appear serious and ask for the actual price of the item. Body, accessories and all.

3)You'll be quoted a price but it's only for the camera body , the accessories will cost extra. Eg. Your camera is missing a charger and you'll told to buy one
Solution: This is BS, avoid buying if that is the case

4)You buy a camera and you're told that the one with an international warranty costs more.
Solution: Call their bluff and buy it anyway.

5)You're told that the camera you've chosen sucks and another model can be had at an equivilent price. Usually, the other model is much cheaper than the one than the one you've chosen.
Solution: Check to see if the chap smudge the lens on purpose and check prices on the internet before making your purchase.

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Mongkok is one of the popular budget shopping places in Hong Kong. Famous for its watches, garments, tshirts, stuff toys, jewelries etc... You will get great value for money shopping in here and you will negotiate the price with the seller through the use of calculators. Though its fun but make sure you are not shortchanged by fake bills or Chinese yuan money of lesser value. It would be wise to ask others before you leave if you are getting the real money here. Or better make research of its bills or study Chinese!

When ordering food make sure you are getting what you really ordered!

What can you do if you get lost in the street?
Asking people around you is a good choice. Another solution is to look for the information stand.
There are a lot of information stands in popular tourist sites, like Causeway Bay, Mongkok, Sai Kung, Lei Yue Mun and Central.
The informaton stand provides a map of the area around you and the direction to popular scenery and spots nearby. The map is shown in Chinese, English and Japanese.
It helps you when you get lost !

Almost everything that were sold at the flea markets (Stanley, Temple Street, Ladies Street etc) are fakes. Almost genuine looking crap. That Gucci bag, that Mont Blanc pen....all fakes! Of course, if you believe in fake couture, don't let me bother you, shop on - cos I must confess that they are really cheap (with heavy firepower bargaining of course!) - but don't expect any real stuff. For that price?

All employees who work in electronic products shops, work on commission, therefore, they do not have your best interest at heart. Rather, they are more concerned with making a sale.

Though electronics are cheap in HK, it is best to know exactly what you want, or at least be sure of all the features that you want, even if you do not have a specific brand in mind. Otherwise, you may be fooled into buying a poor quality product for a ridiculously large price!!

This happened to me. We went with the intention of buying a Sony digital camera and came back with a 'Vivitar'...which is apparently a good brand...it is nothing in comparison to the Sony. Also, make sure the camera is in stock, otherwise you could end up waiting for a long time while it is being delivered from another store. AND MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT GIVE ANY MONEY TILL YOU HAVE THE CAMERA, WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES IN HAND! Especially as we were 'told' there was a chip in the box, and there wasnt! :D

This is particularly common on Nathan Road. The best thing to do is be sure of what you want and keep money in your hand until you have the camera in your hand!

Well, if you are looking electronics stuff and digital cam at reaonsable price, you can go to Nathan Road. Go to the
shops with a lot of Hong Kong people goes in and shop. A general shopping rule in HK is "Follow the local crowd". If
the shop seems a bit quiet,although it looks good and very cheap price. Don't go in there, they look for the fish like
you. If you willing to pay a little bit expensive ( about 3-5% up ) shops like Fortress, Broadways are good choice, and
you can pay by Visa without extra charge. Normally, they can speak good English.

Another golden rule, don't pay until you get the product in front of you. That means, ask them to get a new one, and
you test it fully. If the shopper insist you pay first, just walk away.

From the outside, this womens clothing store looks very prim and proper. But checkout the name of the shop. I didn't go in to investigate (too busy I'm afraid), but it appears you may get a little extra service once you go inside...

I would like to say here that I'm sure that there is actually no underhand business going on, but in English slang at any rate, the name is quite amusing.