Singapore Shopping Tips by knerten

Sim Lim Square: How to buy a camera in Singapore Sim Lim Square Review

Step 0:
Do your homework before you go to S'pore. Find out what camera you want. If you have settled for a brand/model (or a couple of options) in advance things are easier then when you have to decide on the spot. Find out how much you would have to spend at home for your cam incl. accessories.
Step 1:
Go to Mustafa's in Little India. It's a discount store and this will give you a benchmark for negotiating the price when you go to Sim Lim Square or anywhere else to buy your camera.
Step 2:
The first 2 floors on Sim Lim Square seem to have the most photo shops. Take your time to walk around and inquire about prices. Don't be lured into buying something you don't want because you're offered a special price just for you my friend. Walk away if it's too expensive vis-a-vis Mustafas. You WILL find a better price, trust me. Don't be intimidated by grumpy sellers when you walk away. It just the way they are.
Step 3:
If you have found the model you want at a price that is acceptable, ask them to throw in extra memory card, dual-voltage charger, camera bag, tripod and other items. Name your price and put the cash down as a teaser. Seeing cash usually works well.
Make sure you get an international warranty.

What to buy: I bought an 128 MB card for 60 dollars at Sim Lim. Later that day, I found an 256 MB card for 90 dollars (opening price) at the People's Park Complex in Chinatown. I didn't bother to haggle the price down, and I already had my 128 MB, so I didn't buy, but I'm sure I could have brought it down to 75. Just to let you know...

On my latest visit in April 2005 I noticed that they had a stand on the ground floor where you could claim your GST refund. Smart!

Address: 1 Rochor Canal Road, Singapore 188504

Directions: Corner of Bencoolen Street and Rochor Canal Road

Theme: Computers and Electronics

Mujii: Cute Japanese Things

At Muji you can find all sorts of odd and trendy items, especially food.

What to buy: You probably won't go to Singapore to bring home something Japanese, but you will always find something neat at Muji.

Address: Seiyu Bugis, Level2, 230 Victoria Street, #03-01 B

Directions: In the Seiyu Department Store

Theme: Food and Drink

Mustafa's: Mustafa has it all --- and cheap

I thinks this is Singapore's only 24/7 department store. Not just that, it has most of what you will find at Orchard, only much cheaper! It also has a grocery store.
Mind you, this is a photo of the "old" store; there is a brand new development right behind it, the Mustafa Plaza, which is more relaxing and less packed than the original Mustafa.

What to buy: Anything

What to pay: Much less than anywhere else

Address: Serangoon Road

Directions: Little India

Theme: Department Store

Website: http://www.mustafa.com.sg

Anywhere: Why don't they have this where I come from?

Very strange taste, but worth a try...extremely minty and not very Pepsi-ish, but I guess Singaporeans like it this way.

Theme: Food and Drink

Cold Storage supermarket at Changi airport: Bring home some Singapore food

If you're transiting in Singapore, and you have a few hours to spare, if you already hold your boarding pass, and if you don't need a visa to enter Singapore, here's a tip for buying and bringing home some local food:

Go through customs (you may have to come up with an excuse of wanting to visit someone who's waiting for you outside, they usually buy that), and enter the arrival hall. Turn left, and walk to the far end of the building, down the escalator and you will find a "Cold Storage" supermarket. It's not signed from anywhere (I did not see any signs), so you will have to find it by yourself. It's like any grocery store, with a wide selection of foods and other items.

If you don't want to bring (too much) of your hand luggage with you outside, there is a left luggage counter in the transit hall, tucked away in a corridor behind the duty free stores.

P.S.: I owe this tip to VTers who have answered my question in the forum.

What to buy: I'm sure you'll find your favorite Singapore food here, even if it's just a ready-to-go meal.
The prices are definitely better than the 7-11 on level 3, let alone the selection. For me, the reason I went here was to get some dried jackfruit.

What to pay: Slightly more than in stores in the city centre.

Address: Arrival Hall, basement, terminal 2

Directions: When you enter the arrival hall, the MRT station is to your right, this store is on the far end to the left, in the basement.

Theme: Food and Drink