daver@hp-pcd.UUCP (daver) (02/11/86)
Japanese often go to Hong Kong or Singapore to purchase Japanese cameras because they are cheaper there. I have compared Singapore prices with NY mail-order camera prices and they are very similar. Before you leave for Japan check the mail order ads in a camera magazine so you know what a good price is, and don't be surprised if you can't match the price in Japan. Also, check into how you get the camera serviced under warranty - do you have to return it to Japan? Dave Rabinowitz hplabs!hp-pcd!daver
steves@shark.UUCP (Steve Shellans) (02/19/86)
This is in response to Faron's posting on this subject. A few years ago I had a business trip that included Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. I wanted to buy an expensive Canon lens, an expensive flash and some jewelery for my wife. (never been to Japan). Here's what I found: Singapore: They like to advertise themselves as a duty-free port. All I know is that it doesn't pay to buy *anything* there. Prices are no better than U.S. When I arrived at the airport, I checked the camera shop there, and their price for the lens was roughly equivalent to U.S. *list*. Although the stores in the city were better than this, they did not match New York prices. Thailand: Forget about anything technological. Prices can be up to double U.S. prices. However, there are outstanding values on locally made handcrafts. Example: I bought a purse for my wife. The surface was covered with tiny beads strung in such a way that they formed a design. Handmade, but well made. Price: 25 *cents*. Not sure about the jewelery. I saw some inexpensive stuff and some expensive stuff -- I dont know enough about precious stones to judge prices. Emeralds are a local product - they *should* be a good value. Hong Kong: This is the place for cameras, computers, jewelery and just about anything else that is made anywhere in the world. I got my lens at a big discount over the best advertised New York price (30% ?? It was a few years ago.) Got my flash; also outstanding value. Got jade bracelet for my wife.
mcb@styx.UUCP (Michael C. Berch) (02/22/86)
I was in Japan in November and was looking for a good zoom telephoto
for my Canon AE-1P. I was also thinking of getting a Canon Sure Shot or
Nikon One Touch for my father. Anyway, the prices for each were about
$40-80 higher than the good discount places here in California (e.g.,
San Jose Camera or Best Products), which are a few dollars higher than
the New York mail order places. The Canon AE-1P itself (body plus 50mm
f/1.8) was $230; it can be found on sale here for about $188. Needless
to say, I didn't buy any photo equipment in Japan.
Some people that I met there were on a tour that went on to Bangkok,
Singapore, and and Hong Kong. When I met up with them again for the
return flight to the US, those who had purchased photo equipment
mostly had done so in Hong Kong, with a few that had bought things in
Singapore.
We compared Hong Kong prices and they were below the New York mail order
discount houses and well below the best California prices. This is
where the Japanese go to purchase the high-end Japanese cameras and
electronic goods, although they are more restricted than Americans in
how much they can import duty-free.
Michael C. Berch
ARPA: mcb@lll-tis-b.ARPA
UUCP: {akgua,allegra,cbosgd,decwrl,dual,ihnp4,sun}!idi!styx!mcb