[Boris]

At last the time is upon me and I enter into the wonderful lifestyle of Hong Kong !!

Thank to this site have sorted most things like Work Visa , How to find a pad ( still looking if anyones got a deal ), Sat telly, Good commercial estate agents etc.

Some questions remain

1) I'm going to bring some telecoms office equipment with me because I am comfortable with it. SO -- is the telecom plug in HK compatable with UK? I think that we left this legacy behind when the lease wasn't renewed, but just checking.

2) Who is the best business telecom provider for voice and data? I have offices to build in Harbour City and I think I am being pointed to Wharf because they have an interest in the buildings. Advise?

3) Modern style domestic furniture ( not total contemporary but funky with a touch of practical ) is found where? I have seen some good places in Wan Chai. Are there any other places?

4) Finally - I am a Brit so hate to spend money, but I am not used to the bargin culture. I assume the prices in most places are " up for discussion " but would like some sort of guidance as to what is to be expected regarding " ticket to achievable ". Not an exact science I suppose.

Finally finally, Thanks to all you guys that keep this knowledge for the rest of us. I already owe some of you beers and am available for repayments Mid Oct.

Regards
Boris

[HKFella]

That'll be one pint for each question answered.

Start with the easy one:
(1) Yes. Alas.
(2) PCCW - certainly very good on data (business sector) and they've owned voice in their past life. Don't know about Wharf, but they run the much-maligned Cable-TV monopoly on the retail side, which has to be seen to be believed. (OK, will settle for half pint on this).
(3) Sorry, no personal experience besides Lamex, and they're in Wanchai (pint waived)
(4) Too vast a subject. I leave it to other kind souls to serve you with their discourses and earn the pints. Tip - prices in restaurants, cafeterias, even low-end outdoor ones, department stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, clubs, and many regular establishment places are usually not "up for discussion".

So we book mid-October for the 1.5 pints?

[berryplucker]

1) Yes.
2) The property companies often make it very hard for you to use other carriers in this situation. But PCCW (the old HK Telecom) is the most comprehensive and can probably get access if you insist.
3) IKEA or GOD?
4) In "chain" shops you don't bargain any more than you would in the UK - i.e. if there's a marked price then generally that's the price you pay, although you can sometimes haggle a discount if you are buying multiple high price items. In smaller outlets (e.g. small computer stores, jewellery shops, non-chain furniture shops, etc.) then sometimes you can haggle a bit, but there isn't any sort of rule as to how much. Obviously anything that is being custom-made for you (clothing, curtains, furniture, etc.) is highly hagglable, but again you might spend ages getting 5% or easily knock them down 25%.

One thing that is different is that many stores and restaurants will have discounts (of perhaps 10%) associated with certain brands of credit cards, so it is often worth asking. There is also a big "coupon culture" offering deals in restaurants, some shops etc. And shop loyalty cards are very common.

BTW as a Brit what I have given you is advice, not "advise".

[Boris]

Pints noted HKFella and thanks for the advice. Hope to arrive 20th Oct.

Berryplucker - its been a long day so apologise for the lack of spelling accuracy
Ikea is Ok for the non furniture I find but GOD ? Unaware of this place cos have only been to very limited places before

To both --
1) Will advise my decorator ( what a gay name for a builder ! )
2) Good advice on the haggle question
FYI - I always seem to get free desserts at Fat Angeloes cos I compliment them on the Apple Crumble !!

[Xin]

GOD, check out http://www.god.com.hk

[fly]

I tend to agree, for "non-furniture", then Ikea is the way to go, but if you looking for longer lasting quality and don't want to be surrounded by furnishings come straight out of a catalogue, steer clear.

For some furnishings variety, you can also consider Aluminium or Franc! Franc!. Both have shops in Causeway Bay, Al in Central, and F!F! in Festival Walk. Al has a mix of some classic and modern pieces, but beware they are not reproductions being sold as the real thing! F!F! isn't much better quality than Ikea, but it is less ubiquitous at least. Tint+ (used to be in Causeway Bay and then Happy Valley, not 100% sure if they are still around) has some modern retro stuff. Wan Chai has quite a range of shops from European imports to modern/asian style, so practically anything can be found in HK to fit your furnishing needs.

If you are in Harbour City, that whole complex is owned by Wharf, so no doubt they will have a vested interest to try an ensure your business stays with them. It may be worthwhile to get a quote from PCCW and use that to bargain with Wharf if they really want to keep your business.

[berryplucker]

Strange comments about IKEA... I could understand the criticism on grounds of style (but they seem to suit my Viking genes) and ubiquity, but I don't understand comments on lack of "longer lasting quality". I have bought quite a few bits of IKEA furniture over the years (in the UK and here) and I don't recall any showing any significant signs of wear. The build quality is by far the best of any "flatpack" furniture that that I have seen, and better than many more traditionally-built items.

[fly]

Depends alot on the particular item, berryplucker.

From my own experience, the quality just isn't there for items that you are looking to use on a daily basis. For instance, my Ikea sofa didn't make it with me through university to see graduation. The mattress I bought in HK suited me at first, but after a few years, the crater effect was evident. Billy shelves (at least the longer width ones) sag if you have too many hard cover textbooks. Granted there are some items that perfectly fit the bill for the purposes which they are designed, you are right.

Generally speaking though, furniture made from presswood (i.e Lack coffee table, etc.) will not stand up to durability. Even their real-wood (soft pine) Ivar shelves will scratch and can be tipped over without too much effort. Aside from a dash of marketing savvy and contemporary style, alot of Ikea-ware is equivalent to housewares from Pricerite (i.e. made in XX). Honestly, if these stand up better to traditionally built (using real wood and other materials) I would be very surprised.

Originally Posted by berryplucker

Strange comments about IKEA... I could understand the criticism on grounds of style (but they seem to suit my Viking genes) and ubiquity, but I don't understand comments on lack of "longer lasting quality". I have bought quite a few bits of IKEA furniture over the years (in the UK and here) and I don't recall any showing any significant signs of wear. The build quality is by far the best of any "flatpack" furniture that that I have seen, and better than many more traditionally-built items.

[berryplucker]

You're obviously a lot harder on your furniture than me fly. Tippping bookshelves is simple mechanics - it doesn't matter what the material is or who made it...

And in my view the IKEA furniture is in general much higher quality than Pricerite, which is really cheap low-end stuff.

The other great thing about flat packs vs traditional is that it is so much easier to move around... I moved house internationally 8 times in the 10 years before I came here.

[KnowItAll]

>> IKEA furniture is in general much higher quality than Pricerite

But it is still more expensive, and looks cheap / tacky compared to custom made furniture from Zuhai or Macau.