Buying a camera at Singapore Airport...good idea or not?

I'm leaving Australia next week and want to buy a compact digital camera (probably a canon or panasonic lumix) to take away with me. Just wondering if it would perhaps be cheaper to buy duty free at Singapore airport during my stopover. Good idea or not?

Thanks

Depending on the exchange rate it may be a little cheaper than at home but it won't be by much on a compact unless they have a sale on - then it could be a good deal.

1. Check your best online price at home.
2. Check changiairportshopping.com and compare.
3. You will probably get it cheaper in town if you have the time, you know where to go and you're prepared to shop around. S$60 will get you into town and back to the airport.
4. Avoid buying bits and bobs at the airport - bags, spare batteries, memory cards etc. You can get those a lot cheaper online.
5. If you're not absolutely fixed on a particular camera the airport is good option provided something is on sale and you're prepared to be flexible on choice. If it's a regular price it's unlikely to be very much cheaper than your best online price.

I work at Singapore Changi Airport (for an airline), and have this to add to norrie19's excellent advice:

1. If you have the time, catch the MRT (subway) into town. The return journey will cost less than SGD 5 to anywhere in Singapore. However, they don't sell round trip tickets, so you will need to get your return tickets at your destination.
2. Alight at City Hall MRT Station, about 40 mins from the airport.
3. Walk to Funan Centre, 250m away. Just approach any locals for directions.
4. Funan Centre has more choice & there's always something or other on sale.
5. Get your GST refund - there's a counter at Funan Centre and several at the airport.

BTW: do consider a Fujifilm camera. I use one and it captures excellent low light and indoor shots. Much better than a comparably priced Canon Ixus or Nikon Coolpix.

Sim Lim Sqaure
Lucky plaza.

haggle hard, and be careful,

but wherever you buy, be sure you are getting warranty that is useful in Oz.

I would agree with Sandman79. Funan Mall is the best place to buy your camera and even computer needs. I bought my camera (3 years ago) and laptop (last year) in Funan. They also have a foreign exchange counter in the ground floor which gives a good exchange rate (based on my currency).

Do not forget to get your GST (Tax) refund. You are eligible for tax refund if you purchase (single purchase) more than 100 Sing$. Ask for your purchase receipt from the shop (make sure they include GST in their receipt) and then go to the Funan Mall customer service counter in the 2nd floor. Customer service will then issue a GST receipt which you will give to the GST refund counter (including your purchase receipt) located in the departure lobby of the airport. You will then get your money in the pre-departure area for more shopping! :)

Sim Lim Square, I am not really sure. I have read in other travel forums, they give some bad reviews about the place. As Harry mentioned, be careful. If you are not a seasoned bargain shopper, Sim Lim Square is not for you.

Another vote for Funan! It's an organized and competitively priced shopping center for all kinds of electronics and gadgets. No need to haggle. My recommendation is the 'Challenger Shop' on the highest floor, which is the biggest store in that location.

I would avoid Sim Lim or Lucky Plaza like the plague. They are ripoff artists who will spot you - the out-of-town tourist - from miles away and you won't get a great price there anyway, no international warranty or probably go home with refurbished or even counterfeit goods.

Hi guys,
Update on chalanger store, they are very over priced, tried selling me Sanyo cam corder $959sg on special, Harvey Norman down bottom floor was $630sg , went back up one floor ground and right the up on left corner have capture all camera shop he had for $390sg , now this is all in same funan mall , was talked out of them and into Nikon aw100 , service was sharp and no crap to the point very helpful. Was at airport for $390sg . I know much cheaper in Aus but I took the chance to buy there, nothing is much cheaper if at all in Singapore.

I'm glad he talked me into it, have some great under water of my kids swimming now.

Hope this helps someone out

Jase

Hi Sandman79

I will be transiting in Singapore for 6 hours - will this give me enough time to get to Funnan shopping center, look for the camera I want, buy it and get back. I know exactly what I want to buy - the price is the decider.

Thnak You.

Dasco

I am from Sydney and trevelling to London and was looking at buying a camera in S'pore as the prices in Aus even online looked more than in S'pore. You seem to have done your search. What advice can you give me. I have 6 hours transit in S'pore.

Where id Funan Mall and will I have enough time to shop around and get the camera I want an Olympus OM-D E-M5 dual lens kit.

Thank You

Hi logenm

6 hours is more than enough for you to come to Funan Mall and return to airport.

TQ