Hong Kong Scams

Whilst most people are aware to be careful when buying cameras in Hong Kong, I figure it won't hurt to remind people of the underpricing scam. I was in Hong Kong last week and looking for 2 items for my Nikon. 1) a longer and better lens than my "kit lens, for which I had 2 choices in mind, the newly released 16 - 85 and the older but well regarded 18 - 200. 2) a remote for the Nikon.

About the best price I could get at home would be the equivelent of HK$6000, 7000 and 280 respectively. For me to justify buying it in HK, the prices to be cheaper again by 10%.

I went to a Nikon dealer ... how much. 5300, 5500, 390.

Next, no stock, 5600, 390
Then, 4500, 5500, 390
Then, no stock, 3500 (wow), 280
Then, 3950, 5000, 390
Then, 5000, 5500, no stock.

So guess where I went, the 3500 for the 18-200 was a deal too good to be true. There was no way they were going to sell me that lens at that price, and so it turned out. They did everything to convince me I should chooses another lens. Then they did the old, ring for stock (I made the mistake of looking at my watch), and yes we have just 1, but not today. When I pointed out there was one on the wall - Oh that one is on hold for a customer. It went on and on, and I had a great time telling him very loudly he was full of bullshit and had no intention of selling me that lens at that price.

I bought the remote as it was a fair price at HK$280

Off to the next shop, and this time I made sure they got the lenses out to show me, and I was rather taken by the 16-85 for 3950. Man did they try hard to sell me filters, bags, batteries etc. I firmly said I only wanted that lens, and will buy it, here is my Visa - which they took a swipe of, then said they needed to get a new one from stock. After 15 minutes they returned and said the only one they could sell me was without a warrantee and before I could respond proceeded to tear up the Visa slip and give back to me. Obviously they has no intention of selling it to me at that price. Again I took the opportunity of loudly informing them I knew the scam they were pulling.

I am curious as to how I would have gone if I said, OK don't need a warrantee, here is the cash, I'll take this one in my hand. I am sure they would have found another way of stopping me.

Some years ago I had this scam pulled on me, and was saved by a phone call. Just as they had convinced me to buy another camera, I had to rush off. Actually they were right, the other camers was better, and I found it cheaper again down the street the next day.

When I next go to HK, I will put 5000 cash in my pocket and hope I get to spend it before the girlfriend. Mind you I am about sick of the place, one can't walk the streets without being molested by Hawkers, and then you have to be ever so careful of the scams.