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Where is a good place to buy a digital camera?

Where is a good place to buy a digital camera?

Old Feb 12th, 2004, 04:18 AM
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Where is a good place to buy a digital camera?

I think I will be staying in china town, but dont know any places. So I am looking for ideas on where to stay, where I can get electronics(mainly a camera), and anything cool to see.
Thanks for any help.
Getting excited, leaving in 1 week.
jk
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Old Feb 12th, 2004, 04:41 AM
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Your post does not indicate what city you are going to. However, if you are from the US, the best place to buy a digital camera is in the US. Asia is not a cheap place to buy digital cameras compared to the US. If you are from the UK or elsewhere in Euopre, then Asia is cheaper. Tell us what city you are in. Also, you will need to be careful of getting sold a lemon and/or not getting a worldwide guarantee that would allow you to have your camera repaired under warranty for free in your home country.
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Old Feb 12th, 2004, 11:38 PM
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Sorry, I click on Singapore and thought it would show in the message title area.
Anyway, I heard before that Hong kong and Singapore were good places to buy electronics. I figured there was a particular area or store that had good prices on digital cameras.
You dont beleive the prices are any better than the US?
jk
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 06:26 AM
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I live in the US, and have found that I can buy electronics more cheaply than in Asia. In the "old days" Hong Kong and Singapore were good places to buy electronics. No longer. You can find models that are not available in the US, but make sure that anything you buy has a world-wide guarantee.
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 07:19 AM
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thanks kathie,
I will likely just by one from the US, where I have more faith in quality and possibly warrenty.
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 07:19 AM
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It has just become an urban legend that Asia is cheep for electronics. One of the reasons I had too come back too USA (other then pay taxex)was too buy an Ipod which costs almost twice as much in BKK.
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 07:21 AM
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oh yah the trick is buying camera in USA and having the pics developed in Asia.
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 07:58 AM
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Though you won't be going there, at lest I assume so, the Carib. is a good place to get one. I paid the same there w/o taxes as here but the 100 pic. memory chip and rechargeable batteries with charger were included in that price! Saved about $70.00. This was in St. Thomas.
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Old Feb 13th, 2004, 08:50 PM
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1) Prices are cheaper in the US 90% of the time for commodity items. If you are going to buy a crappy middle of the road beginner camera, you won't find better than the US market.

2) Shopping is easier..No haggling. Prices are displayed. Prepare for a fight in Asia (minus Japan)

3) Warranties on digital cameras are pretty much useless. Don't let that guide your decision. If you get a lemon...warranties are fine but warranties are useless for "regular use" problems. Check it out when you buy.

4) Be prepared for software and a manual in a language other than english.

5) Accompanying charger may be for a different electrical system. Verify that is can handle you country's electrical current or verify that it is 100-240V and 50/60 Hz which covers everything.

6) Products in the US are "old news" in Asia, primarily Japan. Japan's consumer electonic life shelf life is 6 months compared to 18 months in the US. If you are a techno freak and have to have the best, skip the US. Second choice is Hong Kong or Soeul. There are also several brand names that never make it to the US which you may find interesting.

7) If you must buy something in Asia, buy the accessories. Product and price is better than the US and the salespeople often have a clue which is a far cry from the US...exception is memory cards.

8) Singapore..lots of shops..not lots of deals (claim to fame is duty free)

9) Hong Kong...just a bit behind Japan with better prices.

11) Japan (primarily Shinjuku, Tokyo) best selection by a wide margin..best product knowledge. Not the best prices.

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