Recently i went about to get a new digicam. The camera was selling at $599 in most shops, but with a trade in offer of any used Cam, you will get $100 off. You will also get some attractive free gifts like
Promotions - FREE 1 Gb xD card
- FREE Extra Compatible Battery
- FREE Fuji Case
- FREE xD Card Reader
- FREE Mini Tripod
- FREE Cleaning Kit
- FREE LCD Screen Protector
And most shops actually dun need you to trade in any given camera to give u that $100 bucks rebate. so if u went into a shop which requires the trade in, and u dun have a used camera, you might have paid extra $100. and shops like courts can be selling the model at $559.
BTW, i got the camera @ 430
trick number 2 - Add on and cross sell
this trick is most common in Sim Lim and Lucky Plaza. Ok, you have done yr research on yr camera and it's reasonale mkt price. So you went into this shop, and they offer you a super good price. But then he will start to advice you to get other accessories like UV filter and camera bags. Being totally new to camera, you had no idea about the market price of such stuffs except for the camera you have done researched on. He 'slaughtered' you by charging you S$30 for a 52mm UV filter (around S$10), S$40 for the camera bag (around $15) and S$30 for battery (this is susposed to come free with the camera).
Trick 3 - Alternative solution
In the same scenario above, he quoted me a super cheap price for the model i am looking for. but then he says her ran out of stock and he start to recommend me a better model and a better price. He wll compare the functions of the model you want and his recommendation and likely the new onwewill be better(Up to him to say mah) then he will give u a super discount.... he come out a happy man with a new camera but without knowing this model can be bought next door at 50 bucks cheaper!
Although not all shops in Lucky Plaza or the tourist area are like the one I've mentioned, it is advisable to stay away unless you know the price well. Also, make sure you are getting the geniune goods with warranty. (Sometimes you can get a cheaper price for an export item that doesn't come with warranty. So the choice is yours).
THe best thing we can do is to do some research on the internet.
Local forum like http://forums.clubsnap.org/ & http://www.sgshoot.com/forums/index.php can offer you good reviews and advice. shop website like mscolor.com.sg & http://www.bargaincity.com.sg/ allows you to check the pricing. Mscolor dun list theor price but allows you to ask for a quotation. They charge one of the lowest in S'pore.
Some shop recommendations
John 3:16
This small little family run shop is located on the 3rd floor of Funan Centre. Both the father and the son, Sam, are very friendly and have a good product knowledge. The mother doesn't know much and some of the assistants are not as friendly. Price quoted are reasonable although the father tend to quote higher. If you do not know them well, then you just have to do a bit of bargaining. Try to deal with Sam as he is more willing to give you a better price. At times, the store could be crowded and you may have to wait for a while before they can attend to you.
This is a store that I would highly recommend.
MS Color
Several internet users have emailed me and recommended this store which is located at Ang Mo Kio Centre. This is a small store and they are not well stocked. You can always order from them but will take a few days to weeks before the stocks are in. Their price is cheap.
Mustafa
This is a superstore located at Serangoon Road. I am amazed that its small little
camera station (carter more for the point and shoot consumers) carries the exorbitant Canon 50mm f1.0 L USM
lens which is meant for the rich professionals !!! Perhaps you can get them to order any
professional equipment for you. Anyway, some of the prices (fixed) here are among the
cheapest I can find in Singapore. Other than shopping for camera goods, you may like to do
your shopping or exchange foreign currencies here as some of the prices are really
good!
Dun be lazy, and do yr research. I was talking with a friend in Sim LIm Sq last week. Yes, he is one of those smart and helpful saleman. i asked him since some shopes are selling at such good price, do u have any local customers. He replied, "of cos! cos not everyone know abt those shopes and some people dun mind paying more for services! " Yup, the uncles in those cheap shoes can be quite unfriendly and it is because they know you are getting the best deal.
HAPPY RESEARCH!