China Travel Forum

[Marilyn]

Does Hong Kong pretty much have the lowest prices on genuine (not counterfeit) brand name clothing, watches, handbags, electronics, computers, cameras, etc.?
If not, where can I find better deals?
If so, where in Hong Kong should I look for the best deals on above listed items?

[Troy]

Shop in Mongkok, never shop in "duty fee shop" or "tax free shop" in Tsim Sha Tsui. There is no sales taxes in HK.
For computer, go to Mongkok computer center next to the "ladies' street".
For electronics, go to Boradway or Fortress chain stores.
Leave Broadway or Fortress is expensive, go to Golden Arcade Computer Center, it's a shopping mall for electronics products
Near GACC you've Capital Center for second hand electronics products.
Golden Arcade Computer Center is for computer products rather than electronic product
In HK you will find somewhere about every model of every electronic gizmo ever made - digitial camera prices (like the old days when purchasing 35mm cameras) can be challenging, since a small shop will offer the camera at a good price, but then try to charge you for the case, and other normally include manufacture accessories
For small electronic items, from cameras through Pod's, best to do some price shopping on the internet (like ebay) first before you travel - then you know the real target price in USD you are shooting for.
Counterfeit bags, watches, items.... HK is NOT the lowest cost source for this kind stuff, and as a matter of fact not the lowest cost destination for normal China/HK sourvenirs.
The REAL buyers market for these items is immediately across the border in Shenzhen. Take the KCD train to Shenzhen, that border area is called Lo Wu. The FIRST major building across from the KCR station in Chuna is called the Lo Wu commercial center. This is 6 FULL floors containing vendors of all types... since there are periodic cracdwons in the building, many show a catalog for you to slect the item, they send a runner out who brings back the bag/watch/etc.
The Lo Wu building has a very interesting area for jewlery, gemstones, costume jewelry and fashion accessories - NOONE who has made the train trip to LoWu has EVER been disappointed.
What you are sold in HK is shit, and it is 2-3-4 times too expensive. Couterfeit desinger items are available in a-b-c- grades, but is really slightly better than junk, in LoWu you can ask for AA or even AAA
A designer bag can be bought for USD$10 in B grade, and in AAA grade be USD$40.
Rolexs normally sold are B grade at USD$3-=$35 ... same style but AAA grade about USD$100-$110
Noone ever regrets going to Lo Wu, that's where very happy shoppers spend hours under 1 -roof and get EVERYTHING.
The only thing to buy in HK that is cheaper are McDonanld Happy Meals.
If you do go shopping in Lo Wu, be very careful with your money and valuables. Every week there are reports in the Hong Kong media of both residents and tourists getting cheated, or having wallets or passports stolen in that city.