Shopping at orchard road

[peapilot]

Any had experience buying stuff at the camera shops at far east plaza? The one next to the american club. I did some asking around and the prices seem pretty good, but given that the place seems to be a tourist trap I'm a little skeptical.

Would appreciate any info on these shops as well as those at the lucky plaza area.

Cheers.

 

[Redsun]

Don't go to lucky plaza:thumbsd:
Why don't you go to those regular shops Csers recommend?
like OP,CP.TCW,MSColour:thumbsup:

 

[Love_sky]

Don't go to lucky plaza:thumbsd:
Why don't you go to those regular shops Csers recommend?
like OP,CP.TCW,MSColour:thumbsup:

Agree .. don't get "tok" by them

 

[adamadam]

Last time went around with a friend to help him look for a bag and flash, the first shop we went to was in Far East Plaza.
She gave a good price (but at the time I didn't know it), and she said "Trust me", but I know that when someone says "trust me" not to trust them.
After a day of going to different shops, it turns out that the first shop we went to had the best deal. horhor.

 

[jonkk]

haha. that's where it's always good to first have a rough idea of market prices before going shopping. i hate that same feeling of regret ):

what i usually do is check the prices on the B&S and also the consumer price guides to have a gauge of the current market prices (to compare with the retail prices). i also usually call the shops for price quotes does save alot of time travelling and talking to salespeople (especially hardselling/grumpy ones!). this is also a good time to clarify whether the sets sold are warrantied or grey, and factor that into the actual savings.

good to note that companies like Cathay Photo and Orient are very efficient in giving you email quotes, and these quotes are usually very respectable offers. just email them and they will reply you within a few days. i have to vouch for Orient Photo's friendly and patient service.

 

[jonkk]

Sorry if this doesnt answer your question directly, peapilot. i have never been to Lords or any of the shops at Far East.
But the reliable shops i've been to include Cathay Photo, Orient Photo and The Camera Workshop. John 3:16 is not bad too. You might want to take note of their numbers and drop them each a line to find out the prices of the products you are interested in, before dropping by to view and test the product. Saves alot of time!

 

[synapseman]

Do NOT buy ANY camera stuff from ANY shop in Far East Plaza or Lucky Plaza. Or even the shops in Peninsula Plaza (Cathay Photo is an exception) for that matter.

I repeat: DO NOT. Seriously.

Even if they sell you say, a body at a "good price", you can be sure they'll shark you on the lenses and accessories. They may make you pay extra for the bundled kit lens or stuff like warranty card. They are as unscrupulous as they can get. The price for some of the accessories can vary from day to day, and deviate from the recommended retail price by as much as 300% (NOT exaggerating).

And if their pricing isn't enough to put you off, then I'm sure their attitude will. I've personally heard them greet with big wide smiles to foreign tourists, "Hello Mr. Ch**b**lang! How are you today?"

No, no, no, no, NO, understand?

 

[jonkk]

man that sucks ): definite not worthy of our support at any rate.

 

[night86mare]

huh

you want to go to tourist trap to buy stuff as a local?
that's like a lemming jumping off a cliff and yelling something like

erm, dramatic i guess
BANZAI?

 

[advrider]

orchard road is for ah moh only.

 

[peapilot]

Yeah but what if I'm not buying accessories and I know what I'm getting? What if it was the 1dmk3 going for a few hundred bucks cheaper than prices quoted by the reputable stores (I'm not doubting their reputation) and in ready stock?

Apparently it's authorised canon set and not grey market items? My alarm bells are ringing (we all know it's tourist shop) but doesn't it sound too good to be true? :devil::sweat:

 

[stinkyfoot17]

Since you asked for opinions, you have already been forewarned.

If you really think that's it's a good deal, do thread with caution. Make sure you check and double check on the item.

 

[joeyjoey]

i heard from the people at Parisilks (very famous and reputable electronics shop) that the devices in the camera body is very complicated. they can change certain stuff inside, and therefore, sell it off at a lower price.

 

[dalvin]

Lords at Lucky Plaza is okay with rather good camera prices. The other shops must avoid at all cost.

Do NOT buy ANY camera stuff from ANY shop in Far East Plaza or Lucky Plaza. Or even the shops in Peninsula Plaza (Cathay Photo is an exception) for that matter.

I repeat: DO NOT. Seriously.

Even if they sell you say, a body at a "good price", you can be sure they'll shark you on the lenses and accessories. They may make you pay extra for the bundled kit lens or stuff like warranty card. They are as unscrupulous as they can get. The price for some of the accessories can vary from day to day, and deviate from the recommended retail price by as much as 300% (NOT exaggerating).

And if their pricing isn't enough to put you off, then I'm sure their attitude will. I've personally heard them greet with big wide smiles to foreign tourists, "Hello Mr. Ch**b**lang! How are you today?"

No, no, no, no, NO, understand?

 

[peapilot]

i heard from the people at Parisilks (very famous and reputable electronics shop) that the devices in the camera body is very complicated. they can change certain stuff inside, and therefore, sell it off at a lower price.

That's pretty scary :bigeyes:!
Maybe it's better to just wait...

 

[satch]

IMHO, if you're already spending > $6k buying the 1d3, you might as well spend another few hundred to buy it from the more reputable shops, at least for the piece of mind.

 

[Rafael]

If we consumers are not being educated enough and exercise cautious, don’t expect a prospective conman to be honest.

Just be familiar with the product you are buying including things like its’ average reasonable retail price, product features and included accessories, warranty status and documents, get a detailed as possibly can ‘ACCEPTABLE’ receipt. Ultimately, goods should be checked satisfactorily before leaving the store. BTW pay only when ready to leave the store.

Never trust any salespersons’ words, trust your knowledge, judgment, instinct and observe the salespersons behavior, attitude, choice of words and look out for bad breath :bsmilie:.

You should also be wary for overly low prices.

Don’t blame them for conning you after everything you’ve done, they are just better than you.

This technique should be able to apply to shopping virtually for anything and at anywhere. :thumbsup:

 

[roadrunner_552]

Only if u know what u want and the price range of the products. :bsmilie: But going orchard road shopping for cam stuffs is not for me.

 

[timlim]

Lords at Lucky Plaza has been great for me, but don't go to any other shop there. All my big ticket purchases have been from Lords. Good price and good service. Would go to them again.

 

[Veilrex]

:thumbsup: for Lords at Lucky Plaza. I bought my whole set of camera at there and the staff there is nice ! :thumbsup: