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Singapore

  • 24-11-2008 10:35pm
    #1
    No_Deal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭


    heading to singapore for a spot of shopping in a few weeks.

    just looking for general advice.
    • where to stay
    • where to shop (particular emphasis on electronics)
    • how do i go about getting the tax back?

    etc. etc.

    all advice welcome and greatly appreciated.

    ND.


Comments

  • #2
    RATM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭RATM


    Not sure what you want in a hotel, expensive or cheap ? Do a search on asiarooms.com , theres loads there.

    Most shopping is done on the Orchard Rd area. It is a street which is decked out with huge shopping centers all along both sides. All centers are interlinked so you can stay indoors in the air conditioned coolness all day and shop till you drop. As for tax refunds:

    "Shopping travellers in Singapore can have their 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) Refunded if they spend more than SGD100 at Premier Tax Free Logo. Ask for these shops to provide you with a shopping cheque. You can then show cash the cheque at the Global Refund Counters at Changi Airport on your departure,Or opt for a bank cheque by mail or a refund to your credit card"

    http://www-singapore.com/singaporeshopping/

    Sim Lim Square and Funan are the paces to go for electronics.

    Some buying advice for Singapore:

    Do your homework before you go to S'pore. Find out what camera you want. If you have settled for a brand/model (or a couple of options) in advance things are easier then when you have to decide on the spot. Find out how much you would have to spend at home for your cam incl. accessories.
    Step 1:
    Go to Mustafa's in Little India. It's a discount store and this will give you a benchmark for negotiating the price when you go to Sim Lim Square or anywhere else to buy your camera.
    Step 2:
    The first 2 floors on Sim Lim Square seem to have the most photo shops. Take your time to walk around and inquire about prices. Don't be lured into buying something you don't want because you're offered a special price just for you my friend. Walk away if it's too expensive vis-a-vis Mustafas. You WILL find a better price, trust me. Don't be intimidated by grumpy sellers when you walk away. It just the way they are.
    Step 3:
    If you have found the model you want at a price that is acceptable, ask them to throw in extra memory card, dual-voltage charger, camera bag, tripod and other items. Name your price and put the cash down as a teaser. Seeing cash usually works well.
    Make sure you get an international warranty.

    I bought an 128 MB card for 60 dollars at Sim Lim. Later that day, I found an 256 MB card for 90 dollars (opening price) at the People's Park Complex in Chinatown. I didn't bother to haggle the price down, and I already had my 128 MB, so I didn't buy, but I'm sure I could have brought it down to 75. Just to let you know...

    On my latest visit in April 2005 I noticed that they had a stand on the ground floor where you could claim your GST refund. Smart!
    http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Singapore/Singapore-1495679/Shopping-Singapore-Sim_Lim_Square-BR-1.html


  • #3
    Gonzales
    Closed Accounts Posts: 314 ✭✭Gonzales


    No_Deal wrote: »
    heading to singapore for a spot of shopping in a few weeks.

    just looking for general advice.
    • where to stay
    • where to shop (particular emphasis on electronics)
    • how do i go about getting the tax back?
    etc. etc.

    all advice welcome and greatly appreciated.


    Hi No Deal,

    Not sure what you are looking for in accomadation but there are plenty of options as pointed out by the last poster, if you are bACKPACKING i'D RECOMMEND THE PRINCE OF WALES ON 101 DUNLOP STREET, THIS PLACE HAS LOADS OF CHARM & IS VERY CENTRAL, YOU CAN GET A E3.50 TAXI TO ORCHARD ROAD OR THE mrt (TUBE TRAIN).
    If you want a nice Hotel the Fullerton is a super nice hotel on the river front - bang in the middle of the city. They do a champagne brunch on a Sunday from 12.00 to 15.00 approx, all you can eat & drink for approx E70

    For electronics shopping I cannot recommend strongly enough against Sim Lim, this is a tourist trap they will see you coming & rip you off - stay away.

    A lot of ex-pats living in Singapore do their electronic shopping in Paris Silk in Holland Village. They will endevour to give you a good price to maintain their profile as the "choice of expats in Singapore".

    You can claim the taxback at the airport - this is a smooth 10 minute transaction - have your receipts & passport at the ready.

    When shopping for electronics you need to know / do the following:
    1. as pointed out know exactly the brand & model you want - stick to your guns or you'll end up with equipment you know nothing about probably of a lower spec.
    2. know how much this will cost you at home.
    3. When you ask a retailer the price of your Camera, you also need to ask the following; a) do you definetly have stock? b) Is GST (VAT) included in the quoted price?
    Some retailers will underquote you in the knowledge that tourists will shop around for the best quote & then return to the shop on their last day or 2 in Singapore to buy & suddenly he has no stock & tries to sell you an alternative (see 1 above) or he'll whack on 7% GST on top of the original quote.

    event calendar for December

    Have a good trip, PM if you need more specific details.


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