Buying electronics/software in Hong Kong
 

I am thinking of purchasing maybe a camera or some software in Hong Kong but have read that many dealers offer great prices but sell inferior/counterfeit merchandise. Anyone have any advice??

Save time and angst, and head not to the pirates of Kowloon, but to branches of Fortress, where the same goods are marked at prices only slightly more than the best price you'll get after a day's hard haggling for them with the often obnoxious retailers in and around the 'Golden Mile'. Furthermore, you'll get an international warranty, all the parts that are supposed to be there (batteries, lenses, filters, cables), and if they don't have the item you want they'll tell you straight away, rather than letting you bargain for hours and then trying to palm off something else on you because they aren't actually stocking the thing you've been arguing over. And when you get home all the parts will be in the box.<BR><BR>The best plan is to identify the exact model number and specification of the item you want, and attempt to get the best price you can at home, then compare with Fortress and buy if you think it's a better deal. Items bought in Hong Kong often come with multi-voltage power supplies which may make them slightly more expensive, so allow for that. If they only come set for local voltage (220V, 50hz) you'll need to be sure you are running on the same kind of electricity at home. If not, factor in the cost of purchasing a transformer, also easily available in Hong Kong, but the kind of accessory where retailers make a healthy margin.<BR><BR>The same general rules apply to software, although you'll need to look elsewhere for that. Certainly counterfeit software is available by the container load just across the border. But it's usually entirely clear what's fake, not least since it lacks packaging and costs only a few dollars instead of a few hundred.<BR><BR>If you come from North America, don't necessarily expect significant savings.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html<BR><BR>

Beware of buying any electronics in Hong Kong, because the warranty may only be valid there. I found this out when I purchased a Toshiba digital camera for my wife and a few months later it would not recognize the disc in the camera. After calling Toshiba in the US, I was told that the warranty was only valid in HK. Fortuneately, I travel to HK often, but when I tried to return the camera to the store where I purchased it, I was told that I would have to take it to the repair facility myself. After a taxi ride to the facility listed on the warranty card, I was then informed that they have moved to another location in HK. I was low on cash and time so I had to return home without having the camera fixed.

Thank you gentlemen for your kind advice. Do you think that the same precautions would be advisable in shopping for gold or jade jewelry?

I agree, forget the small local shops, go to one of the many branches of Fortress or Broadway for electronics, I'm a local and I shop there too. Their prices and service are good.<BR><BR>For software, I would advise you go to Windsor House in Causeway Bay, they have 3 floors of computer shops, prices are more expensive, but all the software there are genuine.<BR><BR>As with gold, go to one of the chains also, such as Chow Sang Sang, Luk Fook, TSL, Chow Tai Sang, these companies have been around for many years and all goods are genuine.<BR><BR>Have fun

I suggest you to purchase gold and the likes at CHOW SANG SANG and CHOW TAI FOOK, forget those small shops. For electronics, FORTRESS and BROADWAY, they are chain stores located at almost every convenient location in Hong Kong, are good place to buy what you want. Not all models in your own country will be sold in Hong Kong, you better find out the models or the brand name you want on the internet(HONG KONG SITE) before you coe to Hong Kong.

I suggest you to purchase gold and the likes at CHOW SANG SANG and CHOW TAI FOOK, forget those small shops. For electronics, FORTRESS and BROADWAY, they are chain stores located at almost every convenient location in Hong Kong, are good place to buy what you want. Not all models in your own country will be sold in Hong Kong, you better find out the models or the brand name you want on the internet(HONG KONG SITE) before you coe to Hong Kong.

Yes, only go to FORTRESS or BROADWAY for electronic goods. As for Larry's case, if he bought the camera from Fortress, surely he can leave the camera in Fortress and ask them to hand it to the Toshiba Service for repair. You may just compare prices within these 2 shops, they are big chain store and are reliable. Gold and jewellery - CHOW SANG SANG or CHOW TAI FOOK, again big chain store and reliable.<BR>

I agree 100% go to FORTRESS OR BROADWAY, no rip off, others will sell cheap but lacks here and there. You will be just tired of haggling and bad mouth if you don't buy or ask too many questions. Identify first item you want then compare.