[antelope123]

I'm looking at picking up the Sony Bravia 40" LCD (KLV-40X250A). The listed retail price is HKD$31,800. Both Fortress and Broadway have this TV selling for full retail.

Where do I go in Hong Kong to get a price lower than retail? Or does Sony enforce retail pricing with all of its distis somehow?

A second issue - I'm very surprised that the retail price for a Sony here in HK is >20% higher than in the US (KDL-40XBR3 = HKD$25,800), and with agressive US retailers the price can even be substantially less than this. I thought Hong Kong was supposed to be a great place to buy electronics? So far I'm not impressed.

[jimbo]

Hk is a much smaller market than the U.S thus less demand and of course less suppliers.

With the U.S its of course the opposite. More demand thus more retailers competing for the business hence of course you're going to get retailers pricing more competively.

Same goes of course with your car industry etc etc.

[KnowItAll]

Wander around Mongkok / Causeway bay -- there are a number of smaller retailers who will offer you discounted pricing. I've generally been able to beat the Fortress pricing by 20% -- but you seriously need to look around and bargain with the smaller outlets.

Also, I'd look at the specs for the two models in a little bit more detail.. I'd imagine that there are a fair few differences.

[antelope123]

Thanks for the answers guys, I'll check out Mong Kok - I remember an AV center (about 18 floors?) across from the Bank Center being OK when I bought my last stereo.

KnowItAll, yes the two TVs are virtually the same - in fact the US one is even better than the more expensive HK one, with 3 HDMI inputs, and a newer digital processing chip (DRC-MFv2.5 instead of v1.0).

Even more annoying is that Ebay.com prices (brand new from reputable wholesalers, but no shipping to HK) for the US TV are in fact as low as HKD$17,500, which means the inferior Hong Kong version is >80% more expensive!!!

Here's a dumb question - my brother is coming to HK in a few weeks from North America - is it permitted for him to fly here with a big TV? They're about 35kg. I'm not worried about baggage fees - just wondering if HK customs is concerned with this kind of thing, or is it a free-for-all? Would be nice to save such a big chunk of money.

[jimbo]

Oh yes and check the warranty etc to ensure its not a grey import thus you may have warranty issues.

The savings from buying in the states will of course be eaten up by the cost of transporting it here in the first place, And to be honest I wouldn't expect it to make it here in one piece if you know what your typical baggage handlers like!

[HKChigger]

Take a look at Direct Sales Centre, they normally have pretty good prices on lots of things. Number of locations around Hong Kong. Location in Mong Kok is as follows:

Take Exit E from Monk Kok MTR. When you get to the top of the escalator/past the shops for E there is a left and right you can go. If you take the left you are next to bank centre and Sai Yeung Choi Street South. Instead take a right and go up the stairs. Directly to your left is a building at the MTR station exit. (Straight ahead is Langham place) Go left and in to the building. There is a lift lobby. One lift goes to Floor 4 and 20. Take the lift to floor 20 and Direct Sale Centre takes over floor 20.

[gdp]

This shop in Mongkok seems to have a good price. I have oreedered a sharp 32 inch LCD TV from them. Their price is 20% to 30% less than fortress & broadway price. The TV has 2 years manufacturer's local warrenty.

http://hdtv.ecox.com.hk/32to37lcd.htm

Cheers.

[PDLM]

Somewhat to my surprise, I found that PCCW offered me 10% below list/Fortress with no haggling at all when I purchased a 46" X200 Bravia a month or two ago. That coupled with the fact that there was a deal going on which, in effect, gave me 40,000ish AsiaMiles for the purchase, plus they still had the standard deal (at that time) of a 26" Sony V-series thrown in for free, was enough to make me not bother to look any further.

[antelope123]

gdp - have to thank you for the great link. Found the TV I was looking for 20% cheaper ($24,800 instead of $30,800 at Fortress and Broadway), and looks like they throw in a DVD recorder as well.

This probably will tilt the scales and have me buy in HK instead of the hassle and risk of shipping from the US.

thanks all for your input

[jimbo]

Ummm obviously a bit late but the panashops are heavily discounting the viera range at the moment.

saw a 37 inch model selling for $15000