Shopping, Hong Kong

Hong Kong has some great bargains on many things and its a fun place to shop. Just be sure when you purchase camera equipment or electronic goods that you check on the warranty, if its only local or carries an international warranty. Also check the box your goods are in that they contain a manual which is in English. Most stores are reputable and you should stop around for prices before purchasing. Never be afraid to bargain the price.

I put this originally on my China page, but really it belongs here. While walking Nathan Road, in Kowloon, some people may approach and try to sell you 'Rolex' watches. They may also invite you to their house to show you more. Going to the house is not adviseable. Many of these vendors are Indian (from India), or not Chinese. That is not to say anything negative, simply statement of fact. I will continue by saying that I did go to one of these vendors' houses as a friend of mine wanted to go. There were four of us who went, and the vendor, although he didn't seem to realize that we knew more about Rolexes than he, was very nice and polite. $20 for a nice fake Rolex isn't bad!

When shopping in Hong Kong, remember to lookout for the Hong Kong Tourist emblem's on most store door front's. The one's without this emblem are a part of the Triad's gang in HK. There prices tend to be a bit steep. And they won't try to give you the best price.

It happened to us several times in Kowloon. We were waiting at a red traffic light when a man in a warm coat approached us. Suddenly, he would open his coat and offer 'real' brandname watches... If we hadn´t met him, we would forever have thought about this as a joke.

Make sure you have a lot of cash and/or clean credit cards! It has been practically impossible for anyone I know to come home from Hong Kong without having shopped for just about anything. If carrying plastic, I suggest you do what I do...pay C.O.D. (Care of Daddy...with an AmEx Corporate card) hehehe. Just kidding...I stopped doing that uhmmm...when I turned 30!

Be wary of people inviting you to go with them, either into their shop or a back alleyway. There are a good number of these people on Nathan Road in the less lighted areas. If for whatever reason you do go, just be sure it's with a bigger group (say at least 4 or 5 people). I'm not saying they're all bad, but I'd still be cautious.

i warned you all! shopping in Hongkong is very risky!
Well, especially shops and night market. Whenever you feel want to look closely at a product, make sure you'll be buying the product if not! you'll be shouted by the seller! It is very common. Once you touch then you'll have to buy!

I thought HK would be a great place to buy cheap electronics. But the operative word is cheap, not inexpensive. I had struck a deal on a camcorder, but was wisely warned by one of my fellow travel companions earlier not to let the salesperson take the equipment to the back and wrap it up for you. When they do that, they will swap what you think you are buying for something cheaper, possibly even non-functional (which of course you could NOT return or exchange). I had given the owner my money and had my camcorder in hand. When he asked to take it to the back, I said no and I held on to it. He threw my money back at me, took the camera, and left to the back of the store. I was left to indignantly pick up my HKD from the floor and had to 'kindly' be shooed out by a different sales person.

Don't buy anything as such in HK.

Walking the streets of HK you are constantly being approached but guys wanting to sell you suits or shirts. They keep asking you to visit their shops. This is amusing for the first 15 seconds but after that it gets really flippin' annoying!

Some of these guys are also selling fake Rolex watches.

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do not buy from this jewelry factory, the jewelries are not of good qualities. not worth it to spend your money here.