Warning message to all other (like me) pasty-faced gweilos.
A little story from today.
Having bought a second-hand camera recently, whose batteries had run out, I was strolling around Funan today looking to replace the batteries. After having no luck in several stores I came to said photo shop on floor 2 of Funan shopping centre.
Imagine my glee when the salesman in the shop said he didn;t have exactly the same battery but had ones that looked exactly the same with the same specs. Willing to give them a try, I asked about the price and was told $10 each for brand X (maxell) or if I bought another brand Y it would be 2 for $18.
After having asked if this was the price for foreigners and being met with a black look from the salesman. I kindly informed that I would have lunch first and think about it. Sensing that something wasn't quite right, I headed along to Peninsula Plaza where I was offered the same brand X at a price of 2 for $3. No no, I thought, there must be some mistake. Surely the nice salesman in Alan Photo hadn't been trying to rip me off because I didn't look like a local.
Anyway, sensing that the price difference of 500+% wasn't quite justified, I returned to said shop and let them know my opinion of the whole matter, informing them of how stupid they had been - my voice may even have been a little bit louder than normal to let other shoppers in the shop know the situation and informing them they could read about their little mistake ion this forum if they want.
So, whether this is general practice or simply ripping off foreigners I cannot say but maybe this can serve as a warning, particularly, but not just, to foreigners to check prices at several different shops to make sure you know the correct price.
A little story from today.
Having bought a second-hand camera recently, whose batteries had run out, I was strolling around Funan today looking to replace the batteries. After having no luck in several stores I came to said photo shop on floor 2 of Funan shopping centre.
Imagine my glee when the salesman in the shop said he didn;t have exactly the same battery but had ones that looked exactly the same with the same specs. Willing to give them a try, I asked about the price and was told $10 each for brand X (maxell) or if I bought another brand Y it would be 2 for $18.
After having asked if this was the price for foreigners and being met with a black look from the salesman. I kindly informed that I would have lunch first and think about it. Sensing that something wasn't quite right, I headed along to Peninsula Plaza where I was offered the same brand X at a price of 2 for $3. No no, I thought, there must be some mistake. Surely the nice salesman in Alan Photo hadn't been trying to rip me off because I didn't look like a local.
Anyway, sensing that the price difference of 500+% wasn't quite justified, I returned to said shop and let them know my opinion of the whole matter, informing them of how stupid they had been - my voice may even have been a little bit louder than normal to let other shoppers in the shop know the situation and informing them they could read about their little mistake ion this forum if they want.
So, whether this is general practice or simply ripping off foreigners I cannot say but maybe this can serve as a warning, particularly, but not just, to foreigners to check prices at several different shops to make sure you know the correct price.
