Shopping for electronics in Singapore
Sim Lim Square is where to head for electronics
Singapore is the undisputed centre of IT and electronics in the region and is a more rewarding place to shop for high-tech gear than even Hong Kong. There is plenty of choice in all areas of the island and competition is quite fierce. In fact, countless expats from across Southeast Asia come here purely to be the first to get their hands on the latest must-have gadgets.
As with any purchases, Singapore is no longer quite the bargain shopping destination it once was, but for the very latest gear, prices are significantly less than you can expect to pay in Europe, for example. Nowadays it is very difficult to get your hands on pirated CDs, DVDs and computer software and pretty much everything is original, brand name products.
Singapore is certainly the safest place to buy any electronic products in Southeast Asia with excellent customer service but returns and exchange policies at many retailers are often very restrictive. Always see the item out of the box working and keep all receipts.
Before committing your hard earned cash, ask if an international warranty is valid in your home country. Bear in mind that in Singapore there are no international warranties available for mobile phones, so if you are dying to upgrade your Blackberry to the latest model you should probably do so elsewhere.
Recommended outlets for electronics shopping in Singapore
From Orchard Road to Marina Bay, Singapore has no shortage of shopping malls housing large electronics retailers and camera, computer or audio specialist stores. A good starting point is a browse at ION Orchard Mall (Orchard MRT, open daily 10:00 to 22:00) a huge air conditioned shopping centre with a whole floor dedicated to electronics. It is easy to simply shop around and compare prices which can actually vary quite a lot. One of the largest retailers is epiCentre, (Tel: +65 6238 9378) an official iPhone stockist and has an excellent range of computer equipment.
Funan Digatalife Mall stays open late
For even more choice under one roof, Singapore boasts a handful of large multi-storey malls dedicated completely to IT and electronics. The grandest of all is Funan Digitalife Mall (109 North Bridge Road, City Hall MRT, open daily 11:00 to 22:00). It is a veritable Aladdin’s cave of the latest gadgets and gizmos and houses showrooms from the likes of Toshiba, Sony, Samsung and many more.
The very best prices are to be found at Sim Lim Square (1 Rochor Canal Road, Bugis MRT, open daily 10:30 to 21:00). This is a one stop haven of the latest tech gear spread out over six floors. At ground level you will find cameras and mobile phones and the three top floors are devoted to computers, laptops and accessories. Competition here is fierce and haggling is possible at many outlets. Digital SLR cameras and gaming equipment are especially good value here.
Other electronics shops in Singapore
If traipsing around malls all day is your idea of shopping hell, there are plenty of small independent retailers dotted throughout city districts and suburbs of Singapore.
The back streets of Little India between Serangoon Road and Jalan Besar house several computer and hi fi specialists, many of which can repair and service laptops. Prices are generally lower than the IT malls and bargaining is encouraged. Little India’s famous Mustafa Centre (Syed Alwi Road, Little India MRT) is a large 24 hour department store with a huge electronics section offering some of the cheapest wares in town.
The Little India district also has a small number of second hand traders specialising in TV and computer equipment which are located along Sungei Road and Pitt Street at the daily Thieves Market. This is probably the only option if you are looking for old parts or accessories which are simply not sold anymore. Unsurprisingly goods are sold as seen, but prices are very cheap and open for negotiation.
