Sim Lim Plaza Singapore: Tech central

Westerners looking to pick up some tech gear gear in Singapore should head on over to Sim Lim Plaza, close to Bugis MRT station in downtown Singapore, for an avalanche of options.

I want to pick up a new camera, and went into this ‘Chinese temple’ of tech captialism’ today. After living in Hong Kong, I’m used to the bullshit aggressive tactic the Chinese use to sell stuff. In one shop I walked in and looked at a rack of Canon cameras, all unmarked. “My friend which one you want to buy?” said the clerk. “What are the prices?” I asked “Which one you like?” he said. “All of ’em.” I said. Agast, he stepped back. “HEY”, I said “how the heck am I supposed to know what stuff is worth if you don’t show the the damn prices?” He whipped out a chart from under a sheet. They try to push you into pointing out a product, then offer a price, then more high pressure tactics. I tell these fuckers where to get off, and right in their face if they need it explained. I’m the customer. If you show me what I want, I’ll buy it. If not, see you later.

One guy tried to do a sneaky thing with the calculator, until I explained how to calculate Sing$, into US$. “No” he said, “this one in US dollars, you have to work here to know which ones.” Not afraid to lay the old bullshit on, these guys.

Anyway, Sim Lim Plaza is a 5 storey joint loaded with camera, laptops and other stuff. Once you make the Jackie Chans realize you aren’t just a dumb tourist, you can actually get a deal. One guy weas very nice and pointed out some delas to me, which I may well go back to besok.