Buying cameras in TukCom

[paranoidandroid123]

Well to be honest I am a complete beginner in terms of cameras. My old one has recently died a death, would buying a camera in TukCom be a recommended idea or am I looking at over inflated prices and poor quality. I do not want or need something which will take superb pictures, just something of adequate quality which works at all times of day, all locations, is relatively cheap and is durable enough to withstand whatever the trip has to throw at it.

 

I intend of visiting Angkor Wat and a island close to Pattaya (Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Mak) if this helps with the requirements.

Edited August 4, 2008 by paranoidandroid123

[7-Eleven]

Well to be honest I am a complete beginner in terms of cameras. My old one has recently died a death, would buying a camera in TukCom be a recommended idea or am I looking at over inflated prices and poor quality. I do not want or need something which will take superb pictures, just something of adequate quality which works at all times of day, all locations, is relatively cheap and is durable enough to withstand whatever the trip has to throw at it.

 

I intend of visiting Angkor Wat and a island close to Pattaya (Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Mak) if this helps with the requirements.

 

If I were you bud I would do a lot of shopping round before you get there... Whenever I go for stuff like that I always find tukcom more expensive than either the UK or duty free.

[Mavrick]

Try the camera shops on the upper floors at Big C.

[paranoidandroid123]

Thanks alot fellas, advice taken. Guess a camera is a must for a decent trip report!

[Crash Test Dummy]

I've seen some really good deals in Tukcom. The shop on the very top floor, can't remember the name, actually is lower priced than the smaller shops. There's also a Big Camera in there, the same as Big C.

 

I personally think as long as you get a brand name and a warranty card you ought to be OK. But I agree with above that Internet is always cheaper. Electronics I hear get heavily taxed on import, making them uncompetitive to overseas.

[gogo dog]

Well to be honest I am a complete beginner in terms of cameras. My old one has recently died a death, would buying a camera in TukCom be a recommended idea or am I looking at over inflated prices and poor quality. I do not want or need something which will take superb pictures, just something of adequate quality which works at all times of day, all locations, is relatively cheap and is durable enough to withstand whatever the trip has to throw at it.

 

I intend of visiting Angkor Wat and a island close to Pattaya (Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Mak) if this helps with the requirements.

Cheaper to buy in the UK. Easier to get any warranty repairs done.

[whitespider - RIP]

The rule of thumb with cameras, laptops, phones is that you will get cheaper back home.

 

However, if you are already here you can pick up non brand cameras (probably Chinese) for as little as 2,500 baht. I know, as the Mrs bought one, that they can take pretty decent pics if you just want snapshots.

[chuckrivera]

Return policys aren't as liberal in LOS as in the US at least. Along with the knockoffs Whitespider has mentioned, the Kodak shop in Big C had cameras for under 4,000. Not bad for a brand name, and Kodak has some of the more user friendly controls. If you like small cameras like I do, check out the T Series at the Sony Store in Tukcom. Thin enough to fit in your pocket without getting in the way of anything.

 

For warranty support, as someone has mentioned, it may be harder to get service when you go home. I have a Sony Vaio purchased overseas, and it's difficult for me to get warranty service in the US as it is a Sony Asia model, and not available for purchase in the US.

[Bear194]

OK for the cheaper point and shoot cameras...but beware - even though the menus on all cameras are in multi languages the owners manuals are not...so unless you read Thai or want to order a manual online and wait for delivery, I agree with other posters buy at haome.

[iballooka]

Thanks alot fellas, advice taken. Guess a camera is a must for a decent trip report!

 

Buy in the UK look at the Canon Refurb Store on e-bay some great bargains to be had...

 

Prices in Thailand for camera's video and computers are about 25% dearer than good bargains for the same brand in the UK and there many truly excellent copies being sold which look good but fail pdq....

 

Software is the only real bargain to be had and even that is now a bit iffy in Tuk Com...

 

Also warranties may not be recognised, if you do buy there is a saving on VAT you can claim it back on the way if you have proper VAT receipt...

[FatBob]

Well to be honest I am a complete beginner in terms of cameras. My old one has recently died a death, would buying a camera in TukCom be a recommended idea or am I looking at over inflated prices and poor quality. I do not want or need something which will take superb pictures, just something of adequate quality which works at all times of day, all locations, is relatively cheap and is durable enough to withstand whatever the trip has to throw at it.

 

I intend of visiting Angkor Wat and a island close to Pattaya (Ko Samet, Ko Chang, Ko Mak) if this helps with the requirements.

 

When I was in Thailand in May I spent a long time looking for cameras in Tukcom and various other places in Pattaya and they were not as cheap as the UK. There are so many good deals on cameras in Britain right now if I was you I would buy one here. You will also have an easy time taking it back if anything is wrong with it and you will know you are getting the real thing instead of a fake. If you decide to buy in Pattaya then do not buy a cheap one which looks good as it is probably shit. Buy a decent brand name.

 

FatBob.