Phuket

nicky · #1 28-01-2004, 03:59

"Hello people, i wonder if any body could help me on the issue of buying a mobile phone in thailand,malaysia or singapore". I was hoping to buy a mobile maybe a camera phone, but alot cheaper then here in the uk! If so which of these country's would be the best place to buy one? Also how much would i save, say for example a mobile costing £100-£300 in the uk? I would be very appreciative on any information you could give. Cheers all.

eric-the-viking · #2 28-01-2004, 06:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicky

"Hello people, i wonder if any body could help me on the issue of buying a mobile phone in thailand,malaysia or singapore". I was hoping to buy a mobile maybe a camera phone, but alot cheaper then here in the uk! If so which of these country's would be the best place to buy one? Also how much would i save, say for example a mobile costing £100-£300 in the uk? I would be very appreciative on any information you could give. Cheers all.

i am not 100% sure ,but in singapore the are big shopping centres which are dedicated to different items i.e electrical. The is one which is dedicated to electrical epuipment.the is a massive amount of choice in there p.c`s ,phones etc,when i remember the name of it or if any one else can think of it ,we will let you know.by the way have not been to malaysia yet so can say what its like there.

geespot · #3 28-01-2004, 07:11

Can give you a couple of examples as my Thai friends & family always wnat to know whats coming out next, tend to come to UK first and Thailand later due to thai fonts having to be loaded to phone software.

New Nokia 6600 - SIM Free UK about £350-£370 on WEB (25,000 baht)
Current price in Phuket Big C - Nokia dealer 19,000 baht - as of last week

Sony T610 - about £230-£250 SIM Free UK 17,500 baht
Current price Phuket 16,000 baht
Note this ones about to change to T630

Hope this gives you an idea

significant saving on some but be aware if you buy expect Thai fonts

Bafana · #4 28-01-2004, 07:40

In Singapore one of your best bets for getting good value mobile phones without having to sign up for plan is to go to Sim Lim Tower or Sim Lim Square. They are also the best places for digitial cameras, computers, laptops, etc. Computer software(legit), peripherals can be bought at reasonable prices at Fun Nan Shopping Mall which is an IT Tech centre.

Sim Lim Tower - The older one has the better deals by fair and you can haggle with the guy there until you get the price you want. To give an example I bought a Nokia 3660 over CNY for S$600.00 with additional memory card.

An alternative is Batam Indonesia I could have got the same phone for S$400.00 but without warranty (Falling of the back of a truck comes to mind). The phone was new but I had already spent my allowance on wine, women and song.

A word of warning is not to try and buy any electrical goods outside the right tech shopping centre in Singapore as you will usually get ripped off... Also if you buy in Singapore make sure they give you all the reciepts and all necessary to claim back GST at your departure whihc will also bring down the price and give you some extra duty free shopping money lah...

nicky · #5 28-01-2004, 09:16

"Thankyou Bafana for the info, i was'nt quite sure but i thought singapore would be the the place for electrical and other mod cons, i will certainly try that sim lim tower as it sounds very prommising.Thanks again cheers. Nicky

Bafana · #6 28-01-2004, 13:01

Nicky

If you do brave Batam go to Lucky Plaza in Nagoya - The whole Ground Floor is mobile phones - Best Buys from the guys at the back...

It is pretty safe as thats where all the Singaporeans go lah...

Mat H · #7 29-01-2004, 07:32

Last year I bought a nokia 7210 unlocked for any network in mbk Bangkok for £135. Price over here in uk was approx £249 depending on network at the time I think, just put my o2 payg sim in and it worked a treat. gonna be doing it again this year.

Mat

nicky · #8 29-01-2004, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mat H

Last year I bought a nokia 7210 unlocked for any network in mbk Bangkok for £135. Price over here in uk was approx £249 depending on network at the time I think, just put my o2 payg sim in and it worked a treat. gonna be doing it again this year.

Mat

"Thankyou Mat H for the info that sounds a very good deal to me. Just one question, could you tell me what mbk stands for and where about's in Bangkok it's situated". Thanks again Nicky.

M_X · #9 29-01-2004, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bafana

Nicky

If you do brave Batam go to Lucky Plaza in Nagoya - The whole Ground Floor is mobile phones - Best Buys from the guys at the back...

It is pretty safe as thats where all the Singaporeans go lah...

There was also a Lucky Plaza on Singapore's Orchard Rd last time I was there which had allot of electronic gear. Is that still there?? But I agree Sim Lim Tower & Square where by far the best down at Bugis. Also worth visiting little India on a Sunday when all the Indian labour force get together. Allot of good Indian food and some interesting back alleys.

I found Malaysia's Johor Baru across the causeway not as good as Singapore for price and product range.

When bartering in Singapore in places like the above, know your product and your price and be prepared to buy. When asking “how much” they’ll usually answer with “how much are you prepared to pay” so the ball will be in your court. If they agree to your price and you change your mind you might hear “kanina .. tzibai..ang mo” as you walk away.

Oh, and as in Thailand, don't buy from the first store you come across.

Happy Hunting