On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 16:09:56 +0300, "Markku Grönroos"
wrote:
>
>"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
>news:Tyx9b.32967$pd5.30969@nwrddc03.gnilink.net...
>> Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
>> > Along my trip I'll be going to: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia,
>> > Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, USA. Will any of these places
>> > be better for shopping than Hong Kong? Useful to know before I start on
>> > my trip as Hong Kong will be the first stop.
>>
>> In my experience the USA is the cheapest for electronics, usually by a
>large
>> margin. A few items are cheaper here and there, but on the whole it's
>pretty
>> consistent.
>>
>For bulk gear the difference typically is not that large. For instance GPS
>plotters are bounds and leaps cheaper in the USA. So much that it is
>typically profitable to buy that stuff directly from there and pay for the
>shipping and taxes. Also cutting edge products typically are much cheaper.
>As an example a Canon EOS 10D unit costs 2000++ euros in Finland while
>cheapest price amongst US internet vendors I saw by a little skimming was
>1300++ dollars......
For those in the EU and planning a trip to Asia its worth checking to
see if you can get a refund of VAT if you buy items to take with you.
I have often claimed a refund of the 17.5% VAT for things I've bought
in the UK and taken back home to Manila with me. That saving can often
mean the price works out as low as it could be found anywhere else.
Chris
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