be careful when shopping at sim lim sq

last SG · 2006-09-02T19:01:09+00:00

http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguide/ even with the price guide, prices move downwards quite fast and u shld also download the price list of the more popu...

ah_kwang SG

some advice when shopping at sim lim square.

First time buyers at SLS beware! esp. when buying cameras and accessories from those level 1 shops. Usually they will give you an overpriced quote when you ask them for the price of an item. The trick is to tell them "thank you. I will take a look around." This is prompt them to give you a lower price. Then try to bargain somemore.

I was at sim lim sq yesterday shopping for a video camera battery. I entered a shop and the guy quoted me $65 for a battery. I said no thanks and that chap told me "what about 40?" I said no thanks again as it was the first shop I entered and I intend to check out the prices of other shops as well but finally the guy quoted me $35 for the same battery he wanted to sell me for 65.

This made me very curious and suspicious. I went to another shop and asked for the same thing. That chap took out a battery and quoted me $60. I rejected and he offered $38 finally.

So be careful if you're buying electronics stuff from the 1st and 2nd level shops. Those computer shops at the 3rd and 4th level should be more reliable as their prices are mostly fixed and displayed.

LinYu SG

noted. thank you
Laughing

Agenda SG

I got cheated because the person ddin't say GST not included

in the end my mp3 = $209 instead of $189 elsewhere where I can buy

ah_kwang SG

anyway, when I was buying a mini DV video cam from SLS a while ago, another incident happened. I told that person I am choosing a below 1000 camcorder and I pointed to the panasonic camcorder and the person gave me a rather low price and i thought that was cheap. that guy brought me into the shop took out calculator, tested the stuff and collected money from me. After that, he said "i think this camera not very good" and he showed me another video cam (which I think will be more profitable if he sells me that) and persuaded me to buy the video cam at a little bit more (he has collected money from me earlier on, but had not issued any receipt) at the same time telling me how lousy the panasonic camcorder is.

He kept insisting that I take the other camcorder and even lowered the price even though I persisted on the panasonic one. I finally told him to give me back my money in an angry tone but he still tried to persuade me. Finally he gave me back my money in a very boi song manner and I went to PC fair to buy canon instead.

Another thing is try not to use nets or credit card at SLS in case the same incident as above happen where I used cash instead. Usually the person will ask you whether you want to use nets or cash at an early stage of the buying process. AND NEVER PASS THAT GUY MONEY UNTIL HE IS ABT TO ISSUE RECEIPT. But sometimes that guy acts as if he's abt to issue receipt(like my case) and collect money from you.

ditzy SG

Sounds like you set your sights on the canon one all along, not the panasonic one. Laughing

Xcert SG

most shops in SLS dont absorb credit card payment surcharges...so use cash or nets best...

ah_kwang SG

I think that time I bought the canon one at the IT fair because it was pretty cheap and value for money. That chap at SLS didn't offer me canon. He offered me some china brand priced at 500

Agenda SG

Reminds me of Neil Humphreys

Neil: I bought this new phone for Sim Lim Square
Guy: Huh? No good, Buy from Fareast better. Cheaper
Neil: Did I say I bought it from Fareast?
Guy: Huh? No good, Buy from Sim Lim Square better. Cheaper
Neil: Fuck You

OasisBlue SG

Once bought a mp3 player…they gave me faulty one…wth…

toyota-corolla SG

Originally posted by Agenda:
Reminds me of Neil Humphreys

Neil: I bought this new phone for Sim Lim Square
Guy: Huh? No good, Buy from Fareast better. Cheaper
Neil: Did I say I bought it from Fareast?
Guy: Huh? No good, Buy from Sim Lim Square better. Cheaper
Neil: Fu[b]ck You[/b]

Laughing

Rejected SG

Laughing

fudgester SG

I have to agree that there are some unscrupulous dealers at Sim Lim.

Once I wanted to buy a Canon Powershot A430 from a shop. The recommended selling price from Canon was $299 (with 512MB SD card), while the shopkeeper quoted just $220. But then, I got suspicious of the low price.

Me: 'What's the warranty length?'

Shopkeeper: 'No warranty. You want, must pay $30!'

Me: 'Oh... then is there any memory card to go with it?'

Shopkeeper: 'No dun have.... you want 512MB, must pay $40!'

Then that's a total of 220 + 30 + 40 = $290. So what's the diff?!?!

I told him straight in the face: 'NO DEAL'. As I was leaving the shop, he kept cursing and shouting at how I was missing out on such a 'good deal'.

I walked into another shop. This time, they were selling the exact same camera for $240 - but with the warranty and 512 MB card thrown in. Heck, when he saw that I was a student, he said: 'Ok lah... since you're local, and you're still studying, I will give you the whole set for $220. Can?'

So my word of advice: As dumb as it may sound, please ask for things like memory cards and warranty when you buy a camera. Ask to try out the camera to make sure it isn't defective.

That freakin' first shopkeeper nearly screwed me of $70. Mad

lifeisgood9989 SG

and everyone still say the place sell the cheapest computer stuffs in town Evil or Very Mad

KenPlus SG

Its cheaps if u know the correct way to bargain as well as comparing prices.

ah_kwang SG

sure. you can get the cheapest pc and av stuff there. just make sure that you are careful enough when dealing with SLS chaps. usually stuff there are lower than market price but they will usually quote you a higher price or one without the necessary accessories like the case of the guy without memory card above.

usually when you say "no thanks. i'll have a look at the other shops first" they will give you some discounts and if you bargain enough, usually they will throw in more things and freebies.

shop smart. Laughing

ditzy SG

You say:"Cannot!!! $290 or no deal!!!" Then he'll curse and swear at you for trying to play punk with him. Laughing

ndmmxiaomayi SG

If you know how, and know where to get stuffs, things will be cheaper.

I remembered getting a keyboard and mouse prices slashed from $50++ to $20++. Mr. Green

^tamago^ SG

thank u but noe long time ago liao.

dun be content with 38 or 40. ask if it includes GST or not. this is esp impt if u're buying sth ex as GST can make up a lot hence.

Dogtor SG

How come you all like to bargain and shop at "Chinaman" store????

I prefer to shop on-line and using large retailers in the US, almost always cheaper than running around looking for items.

Big stores, also take back, no questions ask.

Why shopping is Singapore much more hassle??

mhcampboy SG

So scary. I never been there before. Looks rundown.

Better get your stuffs from Courts!! Very Happy