Cameras and travel photography forum

Is it worth buying a camera in the airport?

Ashe88

motodop
Posts: 24

Hi Guys,
I will be flying through Singapore on my way to Vietnam & Cambodia and I was wondering if it was worth it to hold out and buy a camera in my 4 hr stop-over at Changi airport rather than buying at home here in Aust?
Thanks

#1 Posted: 1/1/2008 - 08:46
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

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I'm not sure -- I guess it would depend on the kind of camera you're after. It's also worth noting that Duty free isn't always the bargain you'd think -- TravelHappy has a good story on buying a camera in Bangkok -- while you're not going there, is may be of use for background info.

#2 Posted: 2/1/2008 - 18:32

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roundEath

newbie
Posts: 1

Ashee88, The cameras at Changi airport are not much different in price to what you can get back here in Oz. In fact, not much is. There's no competition amongst shops at the airport and hence no incentive for any of the shops to price their cameras down. It's only worth buying in Singapore if you buy it in areas where there are many shops selling the same thing and clustered together - that's when you can really bring the price down by pitting one store against another.

This goes for just about anything else anyone is considering buying. Duty free at the airport is just that - 'free of duty'. It's NOT the same as 'lower than recommended retail price'! Buy in town, it is cheaper if you know where to go and how to beat the price down. However, when it comes to liquor, if I am not mistaken, there is still the push by Changi Airport to be the place where you can get the cheapest liquor in the world - by how much is another story.

Also, if you do get into town and buy stuff, unless you have very deep pockets to be able to buy thousands of dollars of items *and* from select shops, you CANNOT get the duty back on the goods you buy.

Cheers.

#3 Posted: 9/1/2008 - 08:49
Ashe88

motodop
Posts: 24

Hi,
somtam & roundEath - you've been instrumental in me proving my brother wrong. Many Thanks! I think we'll buy a camra in Aust before we leave now

#4 Posted: 9/1/2008 - 09:07
footprints

longtail driver
Posts: 5

nah.. i dont think is worth buying at the airport if u r going to the city.. prices are can be much cheaper.. try Audio House at liang court, great place for tourist, no worries of being cheated as they are awarded with excellence service by singapore tourism board.

#5 Posted: 21/1/2008 - 21:31
lradke89

newbie
Posts: 2

You should have an eye for the camera specs. Unless your buying it just for the trip, then that's not a problem.

Bobby V

#6 Posted: 18/4/2012 - 09:53

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Bobby V