Seiko Club Singapore Museum

Buying Seikos overseas?

benleong84
Buying Seikos overseas?
Thought I should just conveniently ask this question anyway.

I'm heading up to HK in 12 days and was thinking if i should source my watches from there.



I'm currently looking at entry level divers.



any clue anyone? is it safe to buy from HK for its no tax, or does it make more economical sense buying grey?

Frequent travelers, a comment from you is much appreciated.



Thanks in advance :)
herzausstahl
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"benleong84"

Thought I should just conveniently ask this question anyway.

I'm heading up to HK in 12 days and was thinking if i should source my watches from there.



I'm currently looking at entry level divers.



any clue anyone? is it safe to buy from HK for its no tax, or does it make more economical sense buying grey?

Frequent travelers, a comment from you is much appreciated.



Thanks in advance :)


HK is one of my favourite places to buy seiko (and casio also). :D I frequent the shops along Nathan Road (Kowloon), and discounts are typically 40% or more. There are grey sets there too, which coupled with exchange rate, makes for enticing prices. Many of the models unavailable officially here can be found there, officially and grey.



There's a "but" though. The watch community there is very socialised to which models are hot, which models are not. So, models which we prize here will be prized there too (such as the rarer Tunas), and accordingly attract a premium in pricing.
benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"herzausstahl"

[quote="benleong84"]Thought I should just conveniently ask this question anyway.

I'm heading up to HK in 12 days and was thinking if i should source my watches from there.



I'm currently looking at entry level divers.



any clue anyone? is it safe to buy from HK for its no tax, or does it make more economical sense buying grey?

Frequent travelers, a comment from you is much appreciated.



Thanks in advance :)


HK is one of my favourite places to buy seiko (and casio also). :D I frequent the shops along Nathan Road (Kowloon), and discounts are typically 40% or more. There are grey sets there too, which coupled with exchange rate, makes for enticing prices. Many of the models unavailable officially here can be found there, officially and grey.



There's a "but" though. The watch community there is very socialised to which models are hot, which models are not. So, models which we prize here will be prized there too (such as the rarer Tunas), and accordingly attract a premium in pricing.[/quote]

wah, any personal favourite shops there I should be looking out for?

I only intend to get entry divers. wonder if i can find the SKXA35 or SKA367 there.
herzausstahl
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"benleong84"

[quote="herzausstahl"]


HK is one of my favourite places to buy seiko (and casio also). :D I frequent the shops along Nathan Road (Kowloon), and discounts are typically 40% or more. There are grey sets there too, which coupled with exchange rate, makes for enticing prices. Many of the models unavailable officially here can be found there, officially and grey.



There's a "but" though. The watch community there is very socialised to which models are hot, which models are not. So, models which we prize here will be prized there too (such as the rarer Tunas), and accordingly attract a premium in pricing.


wah, any personal favourite shops there I should be looking out for?

I only intend to get entry divers. wonder if i can find the SKXA35 or SKA367 there.[/quote]

Ok the buildings I frequent most of the time is Trendy Zone and Sino Centre. SIno Centre watch shops are on the ground floor, while Trendy Zone spans basement to 3rd or 4th floor. You will be able to get a map from the hotel concierge and locate these two (which are almost side-by-side), along Nathan Road.



If it is your first time to these, I suggest taking an extra measure of self-restraint :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Remember to bargain, and remember to poker-face. Very exciting one okaay.. :lol: :lol: :lol:
herzausstahl
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?
a quick map off the web



benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?
Hey, thanks man. greatly appreciated.

So I should do my homework before I jump in right? like find out the price of a local set here in SG.

is 40% the benchmark I should try to "tok" them/get "tok-d"?



Will look out with eyes bigbig.



As for poker face, it's hard for me. I'm a sucker at this game.
herzausstahl
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"benleong84"

Hey, thanks man. greatly appreciated.

So I should do my homework before I jump in right? like find out the price of a local set here in SG.

is 40% the benchmark I should try to "tok" them/get "tok-d"?



Will look out with eyes bigbig.



As for poker face, it's hard for me. I'm a sucker at this game.


i can travel there as much as twice a year, and the shops do want to sell their stuff also, so discounts on normal models are usually offered. They will tend to assume theirs isn't the first shop you have visited, so may try to out-do the rest. You will find brand new Tunas and such, in relative abundance, and brand new prices are also relative cheaper than here..... and yeah, better scout the local prices first man :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"herzausstahl"

[quote="benleong84"]Hey, thanks man. greatly appreciated.

So I should do my homework before I jump in right? like find out the price of a local set here in SG.

is 40% the benchmark I should try to "tok" them/get "tok-d"?



Will look out with eyes bigbig.



As for poker face, it's hard for me. I'm a sucker at this game.


i can travel there as much as twice a year, and the shops do want to sell their stuff also, so discounts on normal models are usually offered. They will tend to assume theirs isn't the first shop you have visited, so may try to out-do the rest. You will find brand new Tunas and such, in relative abundance, and brand new prices are also relative cheaper than here..... and yeah, better scout the local prices first man :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:[/quote]

I'm going there for the 3rd time in the last 11 months :P

But will heed your advice and stay calm.
ngtp1971
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?
Try Amazon, buy overseas from your sweet home. Cheers.
herzausstahl
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"benleong84"

[quote="herzausstahl"]


i can travel there as much as twice a year, and the shops do want to sell their stuff also, so discounts on normal models are usually offered. They will tend to assume theirs isn't the first shop you have visited, so may try to out-do the rest. You will find brand new Tunas and such, in relative abundance, and brand new prices are also relative cheaper than here..... and yeah, better scout the local prices first man :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


I'm going there for the 3rd time in the last 11 months :P

But will heed your advice and stay calm.[/quote]

waaah sho lucky..... :lol: :lol: :lol: have you visited the border shopping centres at shenzhen? It is just an MTR ride away to Luo Hu, then walk across. The 12-pc watchboxes there (similar quality to what local online sellers are peddling) open price is S$20, bargain liao probably $15 or less?

There are watchwinders and other accessories too, like tools.
benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?
I never got the chance to go to SZ in the previous 2 trips.

This trip I'm planning to head to Macau.

Nothing in the script for SZ though.



Don't think I'll go also, cos i'm not planning to change more CCY to CNY.
benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"ngtp1971"

Try Amazon, buy overseas from your sweet home. Cheers.


Thanks for the tip, bro.

Still prefer to see and feel the junk before the jump. :D
phantom150
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"herzausstahl"


waaah sho lucky..... :lol: :lol: :lol: have you visited the border shopping centres at shenzhen? It is just an MTR ride away to Luo Hu, then walk across. The 12-pc watchboxes there (similar quality to what local online sellers are peddling) open price is S$20, bargain liao probably $15 or less?

There are watchwinders and other accessories too, like tools.




this is valuable info u told me lo,.....



maybe going in 2-3 mths time, thats if i can get time to go luohu......
kymwatchlog
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?
as of all bargain watch hunts, always:



1. act blur. pretend u buying watch to tell the time. ask what is automatic watch and need battery or not? don't talk too much and give away your knowledge of the brand. just act blur think smart.



2. keep your magnifying loupe to the last moment only to check for defects when u have decided. once you flash this at the start, they know u collector, they know u sucker, they "tok" u.



3. poker face indeed impt. act like it is ok even if u do not succeed in buying the watch. don't let them know u "gian", else they will "hang it up and sell".



4. scan quickly and pick out those you DO NOT WANT to buy. if you zoom right into your target, sure kena "tok" like point no.3. i always ask to see the watches to the left and right of my target and after that pretend like no choice then ask to see the actual target then pretend to be tired and just want to buy and f off.



may not work on everyone but works for me:)



good luck and have fun!
benleong84
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"kymwatchlog"

as of all bargain watch hunts, always:



1. act blur. pretend u buying watch to tell the time. ask what is automatic watch and need battery or not? don't talk too much and give away your knowledge of the brand. just act blur think smart.



2. keep your magnifying loupe to the last moment only to check for defects when u have decided. once you flash this at the start, they know u collector, they know u sucker, they "tok" u.



3. poker face indeed impt. act like it is ok even if u do not succeed in buying the watch. don't let them know u "gian", else they will "hang it up and sell".



4. scan quickly and pick out those you DO NOT WANT to buy. if you zoom right into your target, sure kena "tok" like point no.3. i always ask to see the watches to the left and right of my target and after that pretend like no choice then ask to see the actual target then pretend to be tired and just want to buy and f off.



may not work on everyone but works for me:)



good luck and have fun!




sounds fun, shall wear my $20 Casio then :D



GREAT TIPS BTW. thanks all for your contributions, do share if you have more tricks up that sleeve
silverguy
Re: Buying Seikos overseas?

"kymwatchlog"

as of all bargain watch hunts, always:



1. act blur. pretend u buying watch to tell the time. ask what is automatic watch and need battery or not? don't talk too much and give away your knowledge of the brand. just act blur think smart.



2. keep your magnifying loupe to the last moment only to check for defects when u have decided. once you flash this at the start, they know u collector, they know u sucker, they "tok" u.



3. poker face indeed impt. act like it is ok even if u do not succeed in buying the watch. don't let them know u "gian", else they will "hang it up and sell".



4. scan quickly and pick out those you DO NOT WANT to buy. if you zoom right into your target, sure kena "tok" like point no.3. i always ask to see the watches to the left and right of my target and after that pretend like no choice then ask to see the actual target then pretend to be tired and just want to buy and f off.



may not work on everyone but works for me:)



good luck and have fun!


+1 :) :) :)