ChiefKiasu:

atrecord:

I've only been to SLS twice, and it was to accompany a friend to look for a camera. That was long ago and I'm never going to go there again - after reading so much of negative news about the place in the last few years.


Since police can't do much, the only option is maybe to wait for some minister's kids or some even bigger gansters's relatives to be badly bullied there, and either finally Govt close them all down, or the big gangsters rough up these despicable lot.

But this is more of just cheating problem. Of those prison-seasoned cheats, this is at least a way of keeping them away from worse problems. If they do not cheat customers there, these good-for-nothings will probably go rob or steal, or push drugs. Social problem...

I go to SLS all the time, and I feel that the generalisation of shops there as staffed with cheats and ex-cons may be unfair for majority of the stores there. Here're some ways to survive SLS and still get a good deal.

1) Avoid the first and second floors. These have traditionally focused on selling cameras and consumer products and are notorious for bait and switch tactics. They can size up a potential customer very quickly and find ways to bait you with very low prices, only to sell you a completely different item at a much higher price. If you insist on getting what you want, they will either say it is out of stock, or remove some accessories from the product which they claim are optional so you have to pay more for the complete package. Or they will play tricks with GST.

To deal with these shops, go to them only if you have in mind the exact model. Ask them for the price, stating the model number, and confirm that the price is for the full package (you must do research first to find out what is in the package), and that it includes GST. Then ask them if they have stock for the item, if you are really interested in buying. Do all that before stepping into the store. Most of them will be hanging around the entrance scoping out potential cows for slaughter.

2) Beyond those 2 floors, the shops are mostly ok, and they do offer very competitive prices for their stuff. However, avoid those small counters set up and operated by Chinese sales people. They sell very cheap China-made Samsung and iphone/tablet clones. You should consider these only if you are technical enough to work out the problems with the phones yourself. These counters are networked and owned by the same company, so it doesn't matter who you buy from... they are all in cahoots.

3) Stores like Fuwell, Cybermind, Videopro have been around for years and their reputation speak for themselves. They are the best stores to patronise if you are buying IT accessories or DIY PCs. Stores that specialise in selling notebooks can be unethical at times, trying to pass off display sets as \"new\", especially if you squeeze them for a low price. So don't blink when they open the box or set up the machine. Make sure the machine is really new.

So in general, all you need to do is to practice common sense buyer caution.

atrecord:

I've only been to SLS twice, and it was to accompany a friend to look for a camera. That was long ago and I'm never going to go there again - after reading so much of negative news about the place in the last few years.


Since police can't do much, the only option is maybe to wait for some minister's kids or some even bigger gansters's relatives to be badly bullied there, and either finally Govt close them all down, or the big gangsters rough up these despicable lot.

But this is more of just cheating problem. Of those prison-seasoned cheats, this is at least a way of keeping them away from worse problems. If they do not cheat customers there, these good-for-nothings will probably go rob or steal, or push drugs. Social problem...

tankee:

Linlin:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]Cases like these have been reported in the papers before and it seems like nothing is done. The police do not get involved and there's just a blacklist of shops pasted on the walls. Which incidentally the shops will go around tearing down.


The tactic used by the shops is tantamount to harassment and unlawful detention when the person is not allowed to leave the shop until he pays. Why aren't the authorities doing something?

Yup, I agree with you. Why our gahmen sit on the problem instead of settle thing once and for all.

Linlin:

jtoh:

Cases like these have been reported in the papers before and it seems like nothing is done. The police do not get involved and there's just a blacklist of shops pasted on the walls. Which incidentally the shops will go around tearing down.


The tactic used by the shops is tantamount to harassment and unlawful detention when the person is not allowed to leave the shop until he pays. Why aren't the authorities doing something?

Yup, I agree with you. Why our gahmen sit on the problem instead of settle thing once and for all.

jtoh:

Cases like these have been reported in the papers before and it seems like nothing is done. The police do not get involved and there's just a blacklist of shops pasted on the walls. Which incidentally the shops will go around tearing down.


The tactic used by the shops is tantamount to harassment and unlawful detention when the person is not allowed to leave the shop until he pays. Why aren't the authorities doing something?

Linlin:

My youngest bro is one of the new victim. He is only 16 and his saving is from his last yr good result.


He went to this shop at lvl which got youngster with tattoos and they smoke in the shop working as salesperson. My bro check the price and confirm with them and bought $250 gadget but the salesperson charge him $430 upon payment talking about asking him to include accessories. Then my bro at that point no choice but to pay that amount thru nets. Then the person key another amount $413 I ask my brother for this sum of money this time round my bro puzzled he start to ask what this for and the person mentioned on site need to register and need to pay $180 and the rest of the amount is for gaming etc. My bro knows his account not enough and call my another small bro for help and my small bro advise him to leave. My bro wanted to leave but the tattoo man and those smoker ask him stay and help him settle, they even went to buy beer to shop to drink. He stucked in the shop for hours. They kinda of celebrating or cheating my bro money. The ask my bro to pay the money if not he cannot leave with the gadget and must come back next day to pay the balance. My bro left with no choice but to neg for price and ended up they collect from him another $230. He kinda shocked and upset and called me up for help but I don't know abt sim lim sq well cos I hardly buy gadget.

Linlin:

Anyone have such experience?