|
by Marcela Dias
Hong Kong is and will always be known as a great place to shop, but at the same time is also known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Hong Kong is also known for quality and you rarely have to fear about imitations unless you are looking for particular high quality ones! You may lose the benefits of that cheap shopping by burning up the rest of your money in other ways. Always prepare in advance. Always purchase travel insurance in your home country as you never know when you might need it to get out. Here are just some hints and ticks to getting more value for your money while you are in Hong Kong.
Tax free income. One of the reasons why many people set up companies in Hong Kong is because they are tax free if your income was not derived or made in Hong Kong. Earning your money somewhere else and having your company and company bank accounts in Hong Kong could save you a great amount of money. These types of companies can even be set up while you are not in the country online with a minimal amount of documents and at very low prices. Just be sure that you are not breaking the laws of your own country and seek legal advice.
Using public transportation. Even for those who would not normally use public transportation in Hong Kong, it is provided at such high levels and at minimal costs, hiring a car or using a taxi can be many times higher and much less practical. Remember with taxis you will also have to pay for the cost of each piece of luggage. With high speed rail services to and from the international airport including check-in services downtown the train service is an absolute must and will save you 10 times the amount in taxi fair and takes 19 minutes compared to a couple of hours.
Buy only what you want. Hong Kong offers a plethora of shopping. Remember that Hong Kong and its people built their livelihoods from being middlemen. You will find great service and attention when shopping in Hong Kong. You may also find yourself buying more than you initially intended to. Sales staff in Hong Kong are very experience at value added selling and product added selling. They can convince you into buying something more expensive and buying things that you don’t necessarily need and you won’t realise this until you have had a chance to stop and think. Always double check prices and be sure that you really want an item because walking into a store in Hong Kong can be a dizzying experience.
Cost is space. Know that you are always paying for space in Hong Kong. If you just want a coffee or something simple to eat you can get exactly the same food in a location that does not have seating or a restaurant that has cheap seating outdoors compared to a pricier and larger restaurant. Just because the prices are higher does not mean that you are getting better quality, it may have to do with the location and space.
Know how to bargain. Bargaining is common is many countries and Hong Kong is one of them. There is a lot of competition there and that is why it has become one of the highest service environments in the world. Always try to push down the price when you are dealing with a sales person, and if they won’t budge on price see what else you can get in the deal. If you are buying a camera try to get free batteries and a case, if you are buying travel or hotel arrangements try to get discounted or cheap travel insurance. Buying more of the same item certainly demands a reduction in price. Most sales staff and store assistants have the power to offer price and negotiation.
Make the most out of your time and travel to Hong Kong. Look around for bargains and know how to live like the locals.
Leave a Reply