What to buy in Hong Kong?
 

I have a friend coming to visit soon, after he's stopped off in Hong Kong. I know HK used to be the world capital of electronics deals- but is it still like this? What is worth buying over there?

if you are into DVD's tell him to get you some non region encoded ones....

it hard to tell what to buy, the good thing about HK is window shopping - as many electronic makes/models never make it here to the states...

I've heard that you can get tons of different Porsche die-cast models over there cheap... bring me back some! :D

i know ARAI motorcycle helmets are CHEAP! even the racer replicas. i got a tag watch cheap too. you have to watch out though, i bet there is lots of pirated crap too. if he looked hard enough he could probably get you the new spiderman movie on DVD :)

Pirated is the word to remember aka "KNOCKOFF". Custom Tailored clothes is what HK is good for. Italian wool gabardine slacks, swiss cotton shirts...custom Aligator shoes... Also custom made Jewelery...it comes down to just how much money you got to spend.

There are deals and there are deals.

In my years here, I've been had, and had some good deals.

Beware immitation everything. Avoid shopping in TST except for clothing. Lots of deals in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Its worth the trip across the border (40mins from Central) to the shopping district called Shenzen. You can obtain some excellent buys on just about anything there. Watch out for thiefs though, especially around the train station.

If your friend wants some help, I may be able to point them in the right direction.

Cheers
Mark

watches are VERY cheap. about 500% less than the states.

If you go watch shopping, make sure you know how to spot a good fake. Post over at timezone.com about where to find a reputable dealer in the area you will be in.

If you do pick up a nice watch, ditch the box and papers (or mail them home) and make sure its on your wrist when you go back through customs. Be prepared to pay the taxes on it anyway.

BEER?

I have made a number of trips to China and have worked in Beijing, Tangshan, and Kunming. I have found that most legitimate name brand goods are priced on par or are more expensive than here in North America.

The great deals to bring home are pearls and silkes, particularily scarves (great for the gals not so great for the guys). If you go to any of the pearl or silk markets you will find North American and Europeans literally buying suitcases full.

There are knockoffs of everything, everywhere... some of exceptional quality, others not... bring a chinese person to negotiate price (its worse than mexico). Unless something is being bought at a high end department store, in the middle of the Embassy or Business districts consider it a fake.