Off to HongKong

[Chagrin]

HI all,

I'm off to HongKong at the end of the month and I'm thinking of buying my first DSLR.
Am thinking of picking up a Nikon D80 body + a Nikon 18-200 VR.
Have been reading the threads in the forum and the prices for the above setup are pretty decent in HongKong.

Few questions which I hope you guys can help answer:
- I got a quote from Wing Shing, and though the price is pretty much what other users have reported, Wing Shing are telling me the D80 body comes with a 3rd party battery. Shouldn't it come with a Nikon batt?
- Though I know the Nikon warranty covers lenses internationally, how about for the camera? I understand its only a local warranty. Does Nikon Singapore still cover the camera when it comes to warranty issues out of "goodwill" if I have the receipt and HK Nikon Warranty?
- Lastly, as I'm no pro, what should I look out for when purchasing a camera from one of those shops in HongKong? As I'm not Chinese, would like to minimize the risks of me getting conned/taken for a ride from one of the shops.

Any other useful advice would be much appreciated.

TIA.

 

[CS TAN]

Few questions which I hope you guys can help answer:
- I got a quote from Wing Shing, and though the price is pretty much what other users have reported, Wing Shing are telling me the D80 body comes with a 3rd party battery. Shouldn't it come with a Nikon batt?

This doesn't sound right. The original battery should be inside the box so how does that get from an original to a 3rd party one? I have never bought a camera body from Wing Shing so I am not sure if this is their normal practice in order to lower the cost. Normally, for such a shop, I would expect you will get everything that comes from the original manufacturer. Perhaps they are saying an extra 3rd party battery?

- Though I know the Nikon warranty covers lenses internationally, how about for the camera? I understand its only a local warranty. Does Nikon Singapore still cover the camera when it comes to warranty issues out of "goodwill" if I have the receipt and HK Nikon Warranty?

Nikon Singapore will repair your camera for a fee. I don't think they will do it for free.

- Lastly, as I'm no pro, what should I look out for when purchasing a camera from one of those shops in HongKong? As I'm not Chinese, would like to minimize the risks of me getting conned/taken for a ride from one of the shops.

You might be at a disadvantage if you are a non-Chinese as the salesman might quote you a higher price. So, before you go to Hong Kong, make sure you know the latest price via eQuotes from various shops such as Tin Cheung and others. I personally would recommend you give Citicall a try. However, I am not sure how they will react when they saw a non-Chinese since I can speak fluently Cantonese so they think I am a local.

Any other useful advice would be much appreciated.

It is common practice for the shop only to bring you the product after agreeing on the price. i.e. you tell the sales that you are ok with the price and ask him to bring you a new set. So, take note of the tell tale sign of the box already being opened before. One very good way to tell is to notice the plastic bags that hold the product. The plastic bag crumbles quite easily so take note of that when they open the product. Ask for a different set if you saw crumble plastic bag.

 

[Chagrin]

Thanks for the advice!!!
Much appreciated. I hope to try and get one my Singaporean friend who is based there to help me do the bargaining.

I'll check with Citicall as well to compare prices.

 

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

i found Wing Shing rather unfriendly. But right next to wing shing, there is a shop called Cam 2. I think the parent company is COXELL or sth like that. Cam 2/Coxell was a much friendlier place. a bit cheaper than wing shing too

 

[Chagrin]

Thanks all for the advice. Any other shops I should check with besides Citicall and Cam 2?

I'm not really concerned about getting a "worse" price so much, but rather the fact that they may sell me a grey product or worse, a fake product.

 

[CS TAN]

Thanks all for the advice. Any other shops I should check with besides Citicall and Cam 2?

I'm not really concerned about getting a "worse" price so much, but rather the fact that they may sell me a grey product or worse, a fake product.

In that case, stay with the big shops such as Wing Shing, Tin Cheung and maybe Citicall. Some of these 'bigger' shops do sell grey market products but they will tell you which is which. Just make sure you check the serial no. in the International warranty card. If you have internet access, register the product in the Canon HK website right away while still in HK. The system will be able to tell you whether the product has already been registered or not.

 

[Chagrin]

In that case, stay with the big shops such as Wing Shing, Tin Cheung and maybe Citicall. Some of these 'bigger' shops do sell grey market products but they will tell you which is which. Just make sure you check the serial no. in the International warranty card. If you have internet access, register the product in the Canon HK website right away while still in HK. The system will be able to tell you whether the product has already been registered or not.

Canon website? I'm getting a Nikon! Does the Nikon HK website have a similiar feature where it prompts you if the product has been registered before?
First time buying a DLSR.... I suppose its easy to check the shutter count as well right? :embrass:

 

[CS TAN]

oops, I was talking from my past experience in buying Canon lenses in HK but I think the experience can also apply to Nikon.

As for shutter count, I don't think most people will be checking this if they are buying a brand new camera.

 

[skopio]

Canon website? I'm getting a Nikon! Does the Nikon HK website have a similiar feature where it prompts you if the product has been registered before?
First time buying a DLSR.... I suppose its easy to check the shutter count as well right? :embrass:

just make sure that the serial no. on the equipment tallies with the warranty card, and that the nikon warranty has a stamp saying nikon hk (smth like that). as long as it's a hk set bought in hk it prob has international warranty.

 

[Six-GHz]

Nikon Singapore only service the locally bought sets. All others come will a fee. Lenses, however, are under warranty even if you bought it overseas.

Going HK for cams? That's what I thought so too. Anyway, based on some data, Citicall is selling their D80 kits for around S$1300+ (after conversion). Not too bad a shot provided it's not a grey set. Well, it's a risk you got to take if you're getting it overseas... just like buying cars from parallel importers instead of agents!

 

[Isaiahfortythirtyone]

just to add on to my sharing.....Wing Shing initially refused to stamp their chop on my canon intl warranty cards. I thought nothing of it until i went to Cam 2 to buy my 10-22mm EFS. There, at cam2, the store owner was cheerful and friendly adn immediately stamped the card for me. i asked if the stamp is necessary and he showed me some words on the intl warranty card that stated that the stamp is essential. i went back to wing shing and got them to stamp my cards on my other purchases. they did it most reluctantly.