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redandwhites · May 11, 2002, 11:06 PM

Luck has it I'm in Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand a short while, never been before and need your help.

See what I know at: http://www.macsingapore.com/shopping/urate - but still have no idea where to start, as all those listed are similar run-of-the-mill retailers.

- Are there well priced Mac peripheral goodies in Singapore/Malaysia/Thailand worth buying?

- Where's those bargins, where to shop and where to not?

- Are there good Mac software/peripherals hardware dealers, who do you suggest?

Many thanks for any suggestions or directions.

Ian Oliver · May 23, 2002, 03:28 AM

Apple branded stuff is no cheaper.

Peripherals - especially stuff intended for Windoze machines - very much cheaper. But shop around until you find what you want, then get a local friend or colleague to buy it for you. You'll save quite a bit on the price and make sure of not being ripped off over guarantee chitties and things.

In Singers try Sim Lim Square - other places just ask around.

Good luck,

Ol.

brachiator · May 24, 2002, 04:08 PM

Yeah, definitely have a local friend shop with you or negotiate/buy for you.

I don't know those 3 countries at all well, but if they are like China, there may be in at least the smaller shops a "foreigners price" that is higher. So a local is a big help.

Either way, avoid the tourist shopping districts if you can, and see if you can locate pro stores or neighborhood shops. Ask your colleagues if you are there on business...

good luck.

redandwhites · May 28, 2002, 06:48 AM

For some reason I had visions of piles of made-for-apple-but-not-branded gear piled high in the streets

Thanks for the comments, shopping might be better in Europe...."Visa, with you everywhere you can't afford to be"... <img border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" title="" src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" />

cLouD[x] · May 28, 2002, 06:58 AM

Sim Lim Square is the place to go

They have 1 mac shop and 1 applecentre there in the building itself

Hrm about being worth shopping, you'd have to hunt around for the best prices cos usually the same products can be found in different stores.

Mac products unfortunately are priced more elegantly there. But if you get a list of products you want to get. Then target around for the best prices.

here's a helper. <a href="http://www.hardwarezone.com" target="_blank">http://www.hardwarezone.com</a> . singapore prices

cms · May 28, 2002, 09:33 AM

I used to live in Singapore and agree absolutely with the previous poster's advice to head straight for Sim Lim Square. It's a shopping mall near the central business district that deals almost exclusively in computer hardware and software of all kinds. Any taxi driver will be able to take you there -- everyone in Singapore knows it.

As for your comments about Europe being cheaper than the US for Apple products, I'm afraid you are much mistaken. Prices here in London for example are very much higher. If you want to make a direct comparison, go to the Apple Store website and compare directly US and UK prices. It will give you a good idea of what to expect on the high street. I think you will be shocked!

I am sure you've already thought about this but there is also an issue on voltage differences between the US, most of Asia and the majority of European countries. Stuff brought in from the US by my expat American friends generally had to be run off transformers in Singapore. The same thing would be true if we were to take hardware over to the US from London and try to get it working. It is perfectly possible but generally there is quite a reduction in performance, even with transformers, and I wouldn't want to take any chances with expensive computer or hi-fi stuff.

cms · May 28, 2002, 09:38 AM

Oooops! Silly me. Just noticed that the query comes from someone living in New Zealand, which probably means that the pricing and voltage comments are a bit off-target.

Sorry! Not paying attention......

But just out of interest, how do European prices compare with those in NZ for Apple products?

talisker · May 28, 2002, 11:33 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by cms:
But just out of interest, how do European prices compare with those in NZ for Apple products?<hr /></blockquote>Fairly similar overall for the computers - I recently moved here from the UK and priced an ibook in both places. Overall the UK was very slightly cheaper, plus I got a VAT refund because I was leaving for more than 1 year. Cool. But I've noticed that some things are quite a lot more for some reason - eg. Airport base station I think is well over $1000 NZ, and 10G ipods are around $1200. It's around 3.2 to the pound. Scary!

yongfook · May 29, 2002, 06:24 AM

you wont find any mac stuff at Sim Lim Square, believe me. Its firmly aimed at pc component buyers.

The only place I found that sold mac stuff was in Ngee Ann City, at the top there is an electronics department store called Denki Best (a Japanese chain). Although you cannot barter prices, its very cheap, especially now with the Great Singapore Sale going on. I picked up my iPod there last week for �260 brand new, compared to �350 in the UK.

oeyvind · May 29, 2002, 11:08 AM

I'm in Singapore... and I can tell you, a visit to Sim Lim Square is a must to visit, no Mac stuffs? As far as I know there's at least 3 Mac only shops there: SGL on 2nd, X-IT (forgot which floor) and MacLink on the top. Anyway, most stuffs are multi-platform anyway.

If you have time, go to Funan Centre 1st to check out things out, note the prices, then head over to Sim Lim where things are usually cheaper.

P.S. You would want to AVOID chain stores like BEST DENKI, COURTS or Challengers... prices are not great for a start.

[ 05-29-2002, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: oeyvind ]

yongfook · May 29, 2002, 03:02 PM

I doubt that you will find much leeway in domestic mac pricing anyway, apple tend to be price setters as opposed to price takers.

daftpig · May 31, 2002, 10:53 AM

yongfook: not if you know singapore well enough...

nana2 · Jun 1, 2002, 07:02 AM

If you are in Bangkok, Panthip Plaza is a must see. They open late in the morning so don't go too early, afternoon/evening is best.

redandwhites · Jun 19, 2002, 02:59 AM

Thanks for the advice, I'm in Singapore for twice so the first time is a look, the second time a shop, so that should help.

Apple prices in New Zealand? Not flash.

A ram upgrade was cheaper to import from USA than purchase locally from a local Apple authorised reseller - they wouldn't budge on price claiming they had a cost price to meet, even though I pointed out the exchange rate meant buying from overseas was cheaper by over 30%......duh!

Still, I like Apple. Beats me.