Are electrical goods really that cheap in Hong Kong?

[james_hklocal]

Those selling from price.com.hk are mostly run in a back of house facility, like a warehouse, and with a minimal no. of staff, hence their price level is substantially lower than those retail chains. For bigger appliances like big screen tv, they don't keep stock. So when we place an order, they re-direct it to the distributor which will send it direct to us. If we buy it from a retailer, there is a slim chance that the retailer might cheat and send us a rejected or display product.

[East_coast]

In fact TV here is more expensive, not only because of the high rent and high manpower cost, but also because manufacturers have to tailor-made specific HK models with the built-in digital tuner for HK

And other consumer electronics? Why are they overpriced in HK?

It is probably a combination of Mainland VAT and high rents.

For the 40 million visitors to Hong Kong they should be getting things 17% cheaper than in China as there is no VAT in HK. So prices have crept up to a rate just below China who have VAT because of the 'Tycoon Tariff' that is applied to most goods.

[answerer]

I've purchased from:

http://www.sweethome128.com.hk/tv.htm - Only in Chinese

China Club AV
10/F, Yau Shing Commercial Centre,
51 Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mongkok
China Club Audio & Video

There are a few other shops in the same Yau Shing building which have been around quite a while and are reputable.

As other people mentioned, they generally all run the same business model - they take your order and your TV gets delivered direct to your home by the distributor.

[Plutark]

Also check the classified in HK. Lot of people are loaded in HK and change TV all the time. My mate bought a huge TV from some rich couple in mid-level for next to nothing. And it was brand new. Also expats leaving HK will try get rid of their stuff at cheap price.
Shopwise, people said it. VAT is basically computing the rent into the price. You can get some good deals in Kowloon.

[penguinsix]

My understanding is that almost all major goods (i.e. TVs, white goods, etc) are sold in a "showroom" sort of model--Fortress, Broadway, the random Mongkok guys you find on Price.com.hk ALL sell goods straight from the manufacturers warehouses--not their own. If you buy a Samsung TV it is delivered from the Samsung factory warehouse by Samsung delivery people and installed by Samsung technicians and supported / warranty service by Samsung technical staff. It makes no difference if you buy it at Fortress or on the second floor of Golden Computer Centre from a bunch of guys playing video games--the back end is the same, but the price is considerably different.

I ran into this when buying a Samsung TV from Fortress only to discover it for about 30% cheaper from a guy in Sham Shui Po. When we looked at the inventory availabilty at both shops it was the same stock and the Fortress guy laid it out to me how the product would be delivered/installed/serviced. I've seen similar with a few other large purchase items.

Anyway, fwiw I used HDlife.com.hk for my TV. Was fine. I use Builtinpro.hk for my white goods.

[bb555]

well i've certainly learnt a few things from the thread. Especially with regards to shopping habits. thanks to all who have recommended the retailers. i'l be sure to check them out

[cwcjohn]

If you must have the one you have listed out then most of the reply's below apply however the deal to had here is what are the possible alternatives to the one you want? In many instances last years range will be dropped quite a bit or if you hit local japan chain store such as Jusco or Apita they will offer competitive prices and on specific days theirs extra discounts on offer.

[francesca775]

Sometimes you can get a good deal if its not a hyped product and you know how to negotiate. If you want to buy handheld devices I suggest using amazon

[UK/HKboy]

I think it is possible to buy cheap electronics in Hong Kong (compared to say UK, US, Aus), but they will be even cheaper in Shenzhen.

These do not include branded items like LG, Samsung, Apple etc which are similar price anywhere. But you will find some unknown names of electronic goods in places like Sham Shui Po.

[Golem]

As mentioned earlier, the best deals in HK are from buying slightly used stuff. There are many people that come and go in this city and plenty of items to be had cheap when they depart. Others feel the need to always have the newest gadgets. Many will only be less than a couple years old sometimes for half the price. There are also chinese made products that are decent and inexpensive like Xiaomi phones.