Shopping for Digital Cameras & Electronics - Where I'm coming from.

Hopefully, this page will give you an idea about shopping for electronics in Singapore. My PERSONAL opinions, recommendations are based on personal experiences. Many moons ago, I use to get paid for taking photographs. I did mostly food and people. Then I stopped altogether. Singapore was not the most conducive market for a photog..

The gadget freak in me peeked with the advent of Digital Cameras. It satisfies the need for immediate gratification in most of us, capturing the moment and reviewing through the LCD immediately after. It allows you to correct any mistakes made instantaneously. The learning curve is a whole lot less steep and you learn the finer points of photography much faster.

For me, I just like looking at my vacation pix when I'm taking a break from work, remembering the stories and funnies behind all the pictures of our bunkies or simply as reference pictures when I am trying to recall some details. Memories get fuzzy. Considering that the cost of a travel holiday runs into the thousands, fuzzy memories is a bit less that what I want. I want nice sharp pictures.

Shopping for Electronics in Singapore.

Depending on where you're coming from, UK, Norway, Sweden, Europe in general, or heading to, Singapore could possibly be a gadget freak's paradise. The only items I'd unreservedly encourage the purchase of in Singapore would be electronics. They are far cheaper compared to the few countries I've mentioned and comparatively cheaper regionally. If you're heading to Oz, Malaysia, Thailand, get your electronic fix here. You'd save a few bucks. If you're heading home, to the UK, Norway, Sweden etc. go max out your credit card. Even if you decide not to want whatever you bought, sell them at a discount and you'd still be smiling your way to the bank.

BUT keep in mind the old maxim of caveat emptor, or "let the buyer beware," still applies. Most stand alone shops DO NOT have refund policies.

If Singapore is an electronic mecca for the technophiles, then Sim Lim Square would be the holy grail. That building is best avoided by the technophobes as the immensity and seemingly endless range you find there is, well, endless. From the thread sized cable ties to the SATA harddisk cables, gold plated speaker connectors to the latest mega pixels state of the art digital camera and DV equipment. It's really easy to get lost in the whirlpool of confusion. Choices, choices and more choices.

Being a typically asian society, bargaining is part and parcel of the shopping experience. This is where it gets tricky and in some instances down right hairy. Be warned, the old maxim of caveat emptor, or "let the buyer beware," still applies. Most stand alone shops DO NOT have refund policies.

Know what you want.

Firstly, it's always good to know what you're looking for exactly. Even though it's not always possible for a myriad of reasons, try to keep it within the ball park. It's a good idea to do some research so that you'll pick up the signs if some sleazy sales person tries blowing smoke into your face. Remembering a few factoids comes in helpful. It gives the impression that you're not letting on how much you know, or rather, you don't. But don't give your hand away on the first set.

Know how much to pay.

If you're coming from the UK, Norway, Sweden or the likes, prices may seem like giveaways. As much as possible, try getting a benchmark of the price for the model you're interested in at a reputable departmental store like Mustapha's or Harvey Norman's. The items you're interested in will most probably be price tagged. Thereafter, armed with the necessary information, we go to war in the Mecca of Electronics, Sim Lim Square.

What you're likely to face:

Nothing is more irritating then a pushy salesperson who tries to unload excess stocks, well, except maybe meeting those whose ignorance about electronic is only exceeded by their willingness to show it.

In terms of percentages, the likely hood of you getting the run is in the high 90's. Bargaining is not what it's hacked out to be anymore. Nowadays, it's something attune to being tedious and frustrating. This page stems from the numerous encounters my bunkies experienced and more often than not, scammed. It's very, very irritating, especially when they come back all worked up and distraught.

Personally, we work hard at providing an enriching and happy experience. Unhappy incidents just cheapens and undo the effort and sweat we have put in. Most of these recurring incidents are always from the same few shops. Undoubtedly, there are those that go above and beyond the call of duty. But these people end up having to bear the brunt of mistrust generated by the irritating few. It's a vicious cycle.

Shopping around usually results in confusion. Shop keepers nested within the tourist shopping districts, has a really annoying habit of winding you up. Very often, when asked for prices, they would either give you one that is ridiculously high or one that is below their cost. It appears that they get their kick out of winding you up.

Rule of the thumb, head to where you see the most locals. You would want to avoid those with an excessive number of staff with nothing better to do except sitting at their counters doing nothing other than trying to entertain themselves, and usually at you expense. Yes, it's irritating.

Eitherways, with their ridiculously low prices they will have you going back thinking you're got the best deal possible, only to eventually realize that you're not going to be buying peanuts. You'd be inundated with tunes of colorful excuses:

If you wish to seek redress against a retailer

Singapore Tourism Board has a list of errant retailers. Complaints can be lodged with the STB by calling the Hotline at 1800-736 3366 (toll-free in Singapore).

If you wish to receive some form of redress within 24 hours (depending on the complexity of the claim), you can also lodge your complaint directly with the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) at: 2 Havelock Road, #05-00 Apollo Centre, Singapore 059763. An administrative fee of S$10 is payable to the SCT.

Choosing a Digital Camera

There's a good chance that you'd be over whelmed by choices. There's more than 23 different brands all with different models catering to different budgets and specifications.

More to come...

What to look for.
Models and makes to check out.
Pros and Cons.

Note: This page is progressively built, it's not completed. I'm just trying to provide as much informatin as possible, as soon as possible.