SG are getting overpriced US product

last SG · 2010-02-10T00:30:45+00:00

I recalled there was a movie....Fargo.... A movie that was filmed mostly in Minnesota...

Arapahoe SG

I have been checking out grocery in Singapore NTUC, Cold Storage, Carrefour.

I thought that it would be cheaper given the greenback depreciated overtime compared to Sing Dollar.....Saddly to say Singaporean are getting screwed by these retailers as most of US product sold in Singapore are extremely over price.

A small box of oat cheerios cost over SG$10.....as compare to US$1.99 in Albertson or for costco huge box 2 package for US$5.60

rice milk is minimum of $5.60....

almond butter is over $11:30 for a small bottle.

a frozen package of fruit is about $10 buck.

cheese not to mention cheese.....

I missed Albertson.... : (

Meia Gisborn SG

Are you currently in Singapore???

βέτά SG

You should check out the price differences for electronic goods. I just ordered a Sony mp3 player for US$113, they are selling it for SG$319 in Sony shops.

Planning to order Arcteryx Alpha LT US$399 from the States, they are selling it at SG$999 in Camper's Corner stamford road.

Things in Singapore are extremely overpriced despite being a free port, perhaps this is something only the greater mortals can understand and have an explanation for.

I-like-flings(m) SG

the only thing that is cheap in singapore is our salary lah...

likeyou SG

Really? I did not notice that.

βέτά SG

the only thing that is cheap in singapore is our salary lah...

That is a fact.

Junyang700 SG

Yes I know. I got a shock when I went to the USA.

They are selling Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and Haagen Daz Ice Cream (1 pint = 473ML) for like US$3 (SIN$4.40) when it costs like SIN$14 a tub here.

As for clothings, shoes.... they are selling Nike Shoes for like US$20 - US$180 (SIN$38 - SIN$252) when a pair in Singapore needs to cost something like SIN$45 - SIN$290.

Some of their lower quality shirts are like selling SIN$5 - SIN$8, as compared to SIN$10 - SIN$15 here.

We are living in a society that gives us lower wages, but having higher standards of living than USA, UK.

likeyou SG

I think cannot compare usa and spore.

USA local goods definately sells cheaper.

When USA goods ship to spore, the price increases due to taxes.

RoyFang SG

Yup, shipping costs money and taxes...bloody taxes...have to fork out $14 to buy Haagen Daz Ice Cream and it only last me two days...

βέτά SG

It's probably due to the fact that most of the money supply is in the hands of the government, not much money is circulating in the economy. Retailers need to budget their revenues and expenses, less money circulating means less people spending money to buy their products, therefore if less people buying, they have to mark up the price of their products higher than usual to make up for the shortfall.

We have been pitifully exploited by the government, yet we don't see the light of day.

likeyou SG

In Spore, everybody are buying and hack care how much it cost in usa.

Junyang700 SG

I believe its the cost of rental in Singapore. Its a few times higher due to land scarcity.

But it is already brought down by cheap labour. SIN$5 an hour as compared to developed countries' average retail assistant of about SIN$10.

Plus the Chinese way of doing business. Exploit workers to the max but no pay increase or bonus, like the 7 o'clock drama on Channel 8 example of the boss, acted by Huang Wenyong.

βέτά SG

Yup, shipping costs money and taxes...bloody taxes...have to fork out $14 to buy Haagen Daz Ice Cream and it only last me two days...

You mean it cost SG$150 to ship a US$113 mp3 player to Singapore. Singapore is a free port, adding the 7% GST also don't add up to SG$150 more I have to pay for my mp3 player in Singapore.

It only cost me less than $20 to ship by Vpost.

Chew Bakar SG

Losing competitive edge.

Junyang700 SG

the only thing that is cheap in singapore is our salary lah...

Haha... Agree....

RoyFang SG

You mean it cost SG$150 to ship a US$113 mp3 player to Singapore. Singapore is a free port, adding the 7% GST also don't add up to SG$150 more I have to pay for my mp3 player in Singapore.

It only cost me less than $20 to ship by Vpost.

Damn, maybe I should demand the Cheers cashier to charge me $5 for that small tub XD

But seriously, I think we allow ourselves to get squeezed...western product shipped all the way from USA....or maybe from factory in China =P so it is "understandable" more expensive than a tub of "normal" ice cream that costs less than $5...lol but I think brand name also play a part in the price.

Junyang700 SG

- REPEAT & DELETED -

βέτά SG

If you want to talk about high rentals, compare Hong Kong to Singapore, I am sure Hong Kong has much higher rentals compared to Singapore. But their products are still priced cheaper than Singapore.

Sony (Singapore) = SG$319

Sony (Hong Kong) = HK$1,348 (SG$246)

βέτά SG

Losing competive edge.

Spelling mistake.

βέτά SG

Losing competive edge.

Spelling mistake.