Buying Camera Equipment in China Vs. Hong Kong

LogicalHarm

I really don't know whether this is the right place to post so apologies if it isn't.

I am taking my first trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai his Febuary. I was wondering if anyone knew if

a) It is cheaper to buy camera equipment ( for Nikon SLRs) in either HK or China

and

b) If anyone has any recommendation on where to buy it from- shops, websites etc.


Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

conradmum

I can't tell you about China but generally speaking you won't save much, if anything, buying photographic equipment in Hong Kong at the moment. The exchange rate is better than it has been but it's still quite bad. Even before the value of the pound plummeted, Hong Kong had ceased to be the capital for electronics shopping it had once been.

If you do decide to go ahead and buy something in either country, decide what you want and stick to it when you go in the shop. One scam is for the assistant to suggest another product at 'much better value' which of course it isn't. Another scam is to take your item out to the back of the shop to package it up, where something else is substituted, so make sure they wrap your purchase in front of you.

And don't forget you must get an international warranty.

richardw

There are plenty of very good looking fake components around aswell.

CherwellRiver

I just want to say even mainland Chinese residents go to Hong Kong for electronic products.

The place you will want to go to is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Yeung_Choi_Street

Famous / reliable chain stores include:
Broadway http://www.broadway.com.hk
Citicall http://www.citicall.com.hk
Wing Shing http://www.wingshingphoto.com
Fortress http://www.fortress.com.hk

All these stores can be found in Sai Yeung Choi Street South (Mongkok MTR station). Compare the prices at these four, pick one where the best offer can be found. It can't go wrong.

(I lived in Hong Kong for over 20 years.)

Wine_of_the_World

I have heard the Hong Kong is now not a cheap price to buy computing / camera equipment etc, and this was when the exchange rate was much better.

If you do decide to buy dont buy anything from the shops in Kalwoon - full of scammers! I have heard of so many quite extravegent scams with even those doing research get caught out . You will be hassled by all the touts if you go to this area.

phatbear

If you have a look at broadway in hong kong for instance the nikon d5000 pack retail's at $6180 (HK) which according to travelex is £520.56 however the same pack is £509.98 on amazon.co.uk

Factor in the potential extra for an international warranty and the vat and duty on the camera bringing it back to the UK then its a heck of a lot more expensive than buying it over here.