Buying Oly cameras in Hong Kong - cheaper?

[daniel0ng]

Was wondering whether the prices in HK are much lower than SG (disregarding the GST on the way back)?

The thread that Microcosm posted on the HK prices stopped quite a while ago, and sites like this do not really update the Oly prices as compared to C/N/S.

Anyone who has gone there recently can provide some information or insight on this? Any help much appreciated

[aryanto]

Are you looking for any particular item? Maybe it is better if you are more specific with the lense or body which price you want to check?

[daniel0ng]

Sorry for not being specific.

I'm looking at the e-30 with 14-54mm MKII lens.

[aryanto]

Looks like nobody is in HK to check price for you.
But there is one from KL-> http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500888

e30+14-54mm II lens=RM5699 (S$2425)

[isaryan]

went to HN@Funan yesterday and got a 2200/- for the e30 kit. itchy smitchy man...hmm

[Blu-By-U]

Wonder what about the E-620? Will the HK prices be lower then M'Sia prices?

[pleasekickmehere]

Anyone know the price for E420 in Hong Kong currently?

[daniel0ng]

Originally Posted by aryanto Looks like nobody is in HK to check price for you. But there is one from KL-> http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500888 e30+14-54mm II lens=RM5699 (S$2425)

Thanks for the info
Was hoping that it'll be lower though, heard from posts on dpreview that the E-30 is poised for a price drop sometime soon.

Originally Posted by isaryan went to HN@Funan yesterday and got a 2200/- for the e30 kit. itchy smitchy man...hmm

The kit meaning 14-54mm MKII? Or the 14-42mm?

[Mad Armour]

Saw the E-30 at HKD$10500 2 weeks ago. Think the lens is 14-42. I wasn't paying much attention coz I was not specifically looking for this model.

[daniel0ng]

Originally Posted by Mad Armour Saw the E-30 at HKD$10500 2 weeks ago. Think the lens is 14-42. I wasn't paying much attention coz I was not specifically looking for this model.

Thanks for the information!

That's quite expensive if it's for the 14-42mm, even more expensive than in SG if I'm not wrong!

[puny]

Originally Posted by daniel0ng Thanks for the information! That's quite expensive if it's for the 14-42mm, even more expensive than in SG if I'm not wrong!

Olympus is not popular in HK. It's not easy to find a shop carries Olympus DSLR and lenses. I was there in Feb as was looking around Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Broadway Mong Kok and they price the same as Singapore or more ex. I came back empty handed.

[daniel0ng]

Originally Posted by puny Olympus is not popular in HK. It's not easy to find a shop carries Olympus DSLR and lenses. I was there in Feb as was looking around Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Broadway Mong Kok and they price the same as Singapore or more ex. I came back empty handed.

Good information

I guess I'll be buying mine in SG in time to come!

[nex100]

japan will be the best place to buy at a good discount compared to singapore. you can refer to the prices at www.kakaku.com and it tells you the lowest price in town and also the shop that sells it. it's prices are very current and real as japanese shop owners are very honest unlike our sim lim square, post low price and when you go there they say no stock.

[daniel0ng]

Originally Posted by nex100 japan will be the best place to buy at a good discount compared to singapore. you can refer to the prices at www.kakaku.com and it tells you the lowest price in town and also the shop that sells it. it's prices are very current and real as japanese shop owners are very honest unlike our sim lim square, post low price and when you go there they say no stock.

That's because Oly is from Japan right (although their bodies are MIC)?

After going to Japan, I realised that Japanese shop owners do not like to give discounts as they do not like the undercutting game which hurts other business owners and themselves eventually - quite an interesting occurrence!

SLS shops are not as honest as others mentioned in the recommended shop threads, but then again people still go to SLS to buy anything that runs on electricity The rental costs at SLS is astounding - maybe that's why they have to resort to such methods to get by.

[aryanto]

Made in Japan not always cheaper in Japan.
I was told for some Canon parts in Japan is more expensive and Canon is also from Japan.

Being cheaper is often a function of distribution. Sometimes they are clearing stock, sometimes it is due to market competition (can be different with shop, can be with different brand). However different region (even within the same country) may be different too. Eg: we say Japan, but are we comparing Akibahara with Singapore or Osaka with Singapore?

Anyway about SLS rental cost being astounding, that is not a valid reason to resort to unfair methods of trade (some shops - not all shops).
OT over. :P

[daniel0ng]

Originally Posted by aryanto Made in Japan not always cheaper in Japan. I was told for some Canon parts in Japan is more expensive and Canon is also from Japan. Being cheaper is often a function of distribution. Sometimes they are clearing stock, sometimes it is due to market competition (can be different with shop, can be with different brand). However different region (even within the same country) may be different too. Eg: we say Japan, but are we comparing Akibahara with Singapore or Osaka with Singapore? Anyway about SLS rental cost being astounding, that is not a valid reason to resort to unfair methods of trade (some shops - not all shops). OT over. :P

True on the MIJ and sold in Japan part, but I guess unless Japan's retailers jacked up the price, they would normally benefit from the absence of overseas shipping/tariffs and hence could possibly be cheaper.

Maybe we're too used to comparing SG, as a whole, to other countries, since we're so small Additionally, SG prices = SLS prices (for most occasions, lol).

Yup, high rentals are not an excuse for unfair practices - it's more a question of sales ethics. But when it's a question of survival, I don't think they'll care much about whether consumers, especially for one-time sales, i.e. tourists. Then again, this is highly controversial and my opinion doesn't affect what goes on in SLS, but I'm not condoning their behaviour in any way.

[Mad Armour]

Originally Posted by puny Olympus is not popular in HK. It's not easy to find a shop carries Olympus DSLR and lenses. I was there in Feb as was looking around Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Broadway Mong Kok and they price the same as Singapore or more ex. I came back empty handed.

You're right about that. Most shop don't stock much Oly lenses. I can't even find the Sigma 105mm and 150mm macros for Oly. When told I'm using Oly, a salesperson asked me why I choose such an unpopular brand.

Gave up looking for lenses and went to Apliu Street to shop for accessories instead.

[Stupidcowz]

Hmm,

the last time i check out the price difference, didn't really impress me.
Zuiko Digital 70-300mm F1:4-5.6 going for 550 SGD in HK as oppose to 580 SGD in SG. A mere $30 difference. Not really worth the trip there isn't it? Unless well, you happen to be there.

Cowz.

[daniel0ng]

Looks like HK isn't really a great place to get Oly stuff.

After reading around the forums, I realised that Oly stuff in SG are competitively priced - sometimes matching US prices.

Thanks for the inputs from forumers here! Closing this thread