Buying a camera in Hong Kong – Don’t! (Part 1)

Buying camera in Hong Kong (if you live in Guangzhou like me) just isn’t worth the trouble. I noticed this last week when I was trying to buy a DSLR camera there and got fooled twice! Luckily I didn’t lose any money and it was almost fun to see what kind of tactics the sellers use.

This is the first post of a miniseries that will have three posts in total. First we will take a look at the prices in Hong Kong and find out why there’s no need to rush to travel just to buy camera in Hong Kong. Then in the following two posts I will tell you two examples how they try to sell you a camera that you don’t want.

Part 1: Prices

I have heard so many times that cameras and other electronics are cheaper in Hong Kong than in Mainland China. But Hong Kong camera prices aren’t always the lowest, you should do some comparison first.

For example I just bought a Canon 1100d in Guangzhou from Gome at 3748RMB. That’s 413 euros and 4519HKD. But in Hong Kong at Fortress the same camera is 4980HKD which is 461HKD more expensive than in Guangzhou. In this case Gome is the best option because in Guangzhou at Suning the same camera set is 3949RMB, 4760HKD.

Or maybe you have little bit more money and want to buy Canon 550d. It’s 6446RMB at Gome (7771HKD) and 6680HKD at Broadway and at Fortress. There’s a camera you should buy in Hong Kong if you happen to be there. It’s 1091HKD cheaper in Hong Kong. Again you shouldn’t go to Suning in the Mainland because there the same set is 6849RMB, 8257HKD.

Conclusion

This is only a small comparison and maybe a weak one. But I would advice everyone to compare prices first and then decide where to buy.

Also notice that if you find a cheap camera in Hong Kong (like Canon 550d), but you live in Guangzhou, it’s possible not saving to travel over there for shopping. Hong Kong is quite expensive and if you plus the train tickets, possible metro tickets and a lunch perhaps, the camera will soon be the same price than in Guangzhou.

What about the cheaper stores?

You might ask why to go to the big stores like Fortress in Hong Kong. Why not try the smaller ones along Nathan Road like in the photo above. Later this week I will tell you two stories from that kind of shops and after reading them you will surely avoid them too.

Click here to read part 2 and find out how the scams happen!