Sim Lim Square, Singapore

Step 0:
Do your homework before you go to S'pore. Find out what camera you want. If you have settled for a brand/model (or a couple of options) in advance things are easier then when you have to decide on the spot. Find out how much you would have to spend at home for your cam incl. accessories.
Step 1:
Go to Mustafa's in Little India. It's a discount store and this will give you a benchmark for negotiating the price when you go to Sim Lim Square or anywhere else to buy your camera.
Step 2:
The first 2 floors on Sim Lim Square seem to have the most photo shops. Take your time to walk around and inquire about prices. Don't be lured into buying something you don't want because you're offered a special price just for you my friend. Walk away if it's too expensive vis-a-vis Mustafas. You WILL find a better price, trust me. Don't be intimidated by grumpy sellers when you walk away. It just the way they are.
Step 3:
If you have found the model you want at a price that is acceptable, ask them to throw in extra memory card, dual-voltage charger, camera bag, tripod and other items. Name your price and put the cash down as a teaser. Seeing cash usually works well.
Make sure you get an international warranty.

What to buy: I bought an 128 MB card for 60 dollars at Sim Lim. Later that day, I found an 256 MB card for 90 dollars (opening price) at the People's Park Complex in Chinatown. I didn't bother to haggle the price down, and I already had my 128 MB, so I didn't buy, but I'm sure I could have brought it down to 75. Just to let you know...

On my latest visit in April 2005 I noticed that they had a stand on the ground floor where you could claim your GST refund. Smart!

one whole building full of computer and electronic goods, what more should i say?

What to buy: used to be a good place for buying electronics (audio, cameras, etc). That was 15 years ago (early 90s) when i was a student here. Nowadays you are better off going to Mustafa dept. store in Little India, not far from here. Computers may still be a good deal (remember bargain, bargain, bargain...) However cameras are not that cheap, even after you bargain. Some bad experiences from friends as well, you never know if you are getting a new one or a used one put in a new box

1 more image

Contrary to what some people may have you believe; this is NOT a bargain basement for electronics. If you want to get a great deal, it's possible, but you need to hunt and negotiate hard! The shopkeepers can tell whether you're a local or tourist, so try to act as nonchalant as possible to stand a chance.

That being said though, this is one of my favorite malls for electronics in Singapore. It's kept its authenticity when malls like Funan have sold out to chainstores, this place has kept its personal touch with literally hundreds of small shops. Remember the higher you go, the bigger chance you'll have at finding a bargain and possibilities to haggle are much better there. Try to avoid the 'larger' shops and try to get a good deal in a smaller shop. Avoid the aggressive touts lingering in front of some shops. And most importantly: compare and compare! Don't buy your goods right away, take the time to look around.

What to buy: Electronics.

What to pay: Less than at downtown shopping centres, but don't expect to get things dirtcheap.

Ask any local Singaporean and they will tell you that Sim Lim Square will be a haven for electronic goods. Of course, with a few levels bursting with electronic stores, you'll be spoilt for choice. Now, it will seem that since there are so many shops, there will competitive prices right? Not really.

As any place in the world, there will be touts and vendors looking to target foreigners. However, these salesmen in Sim Lim are one of the most "streetwise" people you'll ever find around. They are known to trick, coax etc you into buying their goods. E.g. a Canon DSLR camera that should be sold around the range of $1,000 could easily go up to $1,500-$1,700.

Common tricks employed by these vendors include:
-Smiling at you sweetly, telling you that the price for the item is already very cheap and you cannot find the same price anywhere else.
-Telling you in a menacing manner that if you do not want to buy it, you will regret it.
-Agreeing a certain price but jacking up the price when paying. Probably will force you to pay for it even if you do not want to buy it.
-Gathering a few assistants around you pressuring you to buy the item.
-Offering freebies (it is normally already included in most deals)
-They love foreigners (colour/race don't matter as long as they look willing to spend)

If you do feel something is amissed, be polite and walk away. If they persist, tell them firmly no and walk away. Creating a scene probably will not help as most Singaporeans will not care and just gawk. Furthermore, most of these vendors are united as one and might even gang up on you. Some of the vendors are extremely brash and may curse at you. Simply walk away! Nobody deserves to get that kind of treatment, especially the buyer. Even though you might suffer a few taunts, at least you walk out safe. They will not touch you. That said, common sense must be practiced of course.

Remember! Do research before buying an item. Also, do not ever walk into a shop giving a vibe/signalling your intention to buy something. Just ask politely how much does the item costs and some random facts (though you already know). Test the vendor's knowledge and guage for yourself.

You should note that once you agreed the price and paid up, there will be no refund/reimbursement. Calling the Police or the Tourism Board will be almost pointless. Though they approach the shop involved, there are many errant vendors who cannot be bothered with the repeated warnings and possible consequences.

If you really really really want to buy IT Goods in Singapore, it will be best to go to FUNAN: IT MALL. It is a short walk from City Hall MRT. FUNAN is definitely a more upmarket place than Sim Lim but at least consistency can be guaranteed. Some shops allow you to negotiate whereas some do not. Like mentioned before, do your research before buying. Do not be tempted to buy something that seems cheap if you have no prior knowledge of the specs and prices.
fyip: I am not promoting FUNAN, just that I never ever had a bad experience there. And that I also research & plan. =)

Besides, FUNAN, there are also IT Fairs held in Singapore about 2-3 times every year. Locals know this are the times where everything is much cheaper and a good deal is definitely possible. It is normally held around March & end year. Do check on the internet on when the fairs start. They are normally called COMEX, SITEX & some other event that I forgot.

Now that you have read this page, you should be enlightened! Hope you enjoy Singapore and remember to check other out other places too!! In general, all Singaporeans are extremely receptive to foreigners and helpful. =)

What to buy: IT Goods are cheaper here than overseas (during IT Fairs)
You cannot go wrong with items like thumbdrives, harddisks etc as they are amazingly cheap. Try to get items that shouldn't go wrong. In case you return back home and realize it is a fake or faulty. E.g. Computer/Console, Games, Laptops.

What to pay: Very expensive lessons if you do not heed my advice about research. =)

CameraTalk 1 #02-91

What to buy: Be very careful of this shop. It quotes you double the price of the retail!

In fact, don't even go to Sim Lim Square when you want to buy electronics. I enter this shop and the seller quoted me the canon flash 430 at $320 which is $100 cheaper than the other. So I thought I will get all my camera needs from him since his flash is the cheapest and I thought his other camera stuff will be cheaper. To save the hassle I decided to get a lense from him.

I decided to get a sigma lense which he said would have cost $1000+ else where. I admit I haven't done much research but before I told him I would like to check other stores first, he already convinced me to buy it at $900 17-70mm sigma lense. Which other stores were only sell for $575 or less. An extremely ridiculous price! Which I only checked after I bought the lense! He was a really crafty sales man! It's almost impossible to walk out of his shop without buying anything. I bought the sigma lense at $900 when it should only cost $575... a nissin flash $300 which should only cost $100+!

BECAREFUL OF THIS SHOP!!!!!

I found someone else who got scammed by this shop.

http://kissthestorm.blogspot.com/2009/04/scam.html

Cheating and tricks
Sim Lim - specially on the ground floor you could be easily cheated. Like I followed the instructions of the other member and I decided before hand what model camera I want to buy. I went to the shop and asked for the price. I made the mistake to stay there little longer and to be polite with the salesmen. Then the usual story began (same in Hong Kong by the way only worst): Yes, we will bring it from the store. Just while you wait would you see this one it is even better. And so on and so on. I new the trick but somehow I could not resist when he shoed me how the picture looks with Finepix and how is it with Sony. Sony’s image was not so good and I bought Finepix to find out later that it was overpriced by close to 100 S$ compared to the other shops. All the salesmen although jealous normally would play some conspiracy theory.
Later I did not receive the claimed at Airport GST. Again Singapore is better than Hong Kong with regard of tricking the buyer. In People’s Park many years ago I was looking for a massager and a Chinese woman offered me something small for: How much you want to spend? I said : About 40 and she offered me that thing for 40. Half an hour later I saw her again with the same thing in her hands and for the fun I asked: How much? She said 17. If they find any weakness they will use it. Mustafas’ is better with regard of the fixed prices, big choice but probably not the top models.
Any way each year when I am going there and see them I just remind them how they cheated me in front of their clients.

There are many shops in Sim Lim Square. The price for a product is very compatitive. You must walk round level 3 to level 6 for computer harware or accessories and level 1 to 2 for AVA products. The prices should not be very far apart, if it is, beware for fake product.

What to buy: Computer accessories and hardware.

What to pay: From <$10 to >$100

did my research well bac at home.i was very clear to buy PanasonicGS180.Went around most of the shops and found the best price list .Returned to this shop "MOBILE HUT" who quoted the best price .Just before closing the Deal, salesman introduced another camcorder and started of showing visual difference . He started off with all tech jargons and specifications of lower end model which v didnt realise. He offered the same price as of panasonic and in addition offered loads of accesories as free with JVCGr350 .i Just missed to take the print of the camcorder ratings and got carried away with the saleman talk .He even assured us tat he will take it bac the nxt day if v r'nt happy with it .Went back to hotel and surfed and found he offered us Low end model with a price tag of around $300 less than wat v got . Though v went back to return the camcorder, it was just a futile attempt !
Steps to follow
1.Take a print out of the price list and specifications which u intend to buy. very important !
2. Go to mustafa(Discount store) find the price tat they quote.
3. From level 1 and level 2 check the prices of the product which has the price tag.
4. Now start with the other stores asking for Best price and the accessories tat they can offer . Here u have to haggle a lot .
5. Be ready to walk out of shop ! dont worry abt the grumpy look of salesman and attack on ur character tactics(Saying u r stupid if u dont buy this !) . No emotions . keep looking out .
6.Once finalised the price for the camcorder u want to buy,dont ever try checking their other camcorder demos.The lens are changed to show bad performance of teh product u wish to buy and try to show a lower end model as best .
7. Shortlist the best shop and take a new sealed pack. Check the various function of the sealed pack new product .Get all the accesories for free.
8 .Take the GST refund form .All shops provide it for price of s$300 and more
9.Take the international gurantee Card.
10. Take the bill that lists all the product .