Buying A Cheapo Camera

[lifemagic]

Sorry if this is a bit basic; I don't shop so often! I'm thinking of buying the cheap Samsung ES10 camera for three grand odd, from Airport Plaza Chiang Mai, in like IT City, Photohut or Big Camera. My questions are:

1 -- Do I look at one on display, pay for it and they give me that one?

Or do I look at the one on display, pay for it, then they go and get a new one in a sealed box?

Or do I look at the one on display, pay for it, and they go and get one from the back that's open?

I.e. should I insist on one in a sealed box, as that doesn't seem to always be the norm here?

2 -- If I pay with a UK visa card, will the receipt say NO REFUND (like with the bag I recently bought), and if so, is that OK/nothing to worry about?

Thanks.

[RKASA]

No Refund is vary common around Thailand.  I think it has more to do with the VAT system then being cheap sellers, but they will often exchange.  I know with my business in the states a few to many refund and its  "audit city"   and they sucked.  They normally get a new one out and open it and test it is working and not missing anything.  When I got one of the cheap o 2970 baht units they still gave me extra batteries and a sanyo charger to go with it.  Vary nice as they can cost a few hundred.  Warranty is with the maker and they filled out the card for me (couldn't stop them) vary helpful, then I mailed it.

[lopburi3]

It will depend where you buy. Small places (like one you mentioned) may not have stock and will box up the display unit (as they tried to do with me) without even letting you check it. Then say the price is 1,000 baht more than the sign says and don't even offer the free memory they advertise (farang price). I then went to Lotus and bought a new boxed unit at the correct price with a larger free memory.

On higher priced cameras you can get better deals from some of the gray market dealers who import directly from Japan. The discount can be about 25% or more on some models.

[h90]

Sorry if this is a bit basic; I don't shop so often! I'm thinking of buying the cheap Samsung ES10 camera for three grand odd, from Airport Plaza Chiang Mai, in like IT City, Photohut or Big Camera. My questions are:

1 -- Do I look at one on display, pay for it and they give me that one?

Or do I look at the one on display, pay for it, then they go and get a new one in a sealed box?

Or do I look at the one on display, pay for it, and they go and get one from the back that's open?

I.e. should I insist on one in a sealed box, as that doesn't seem to always be the norm here?

2 -- If I pay with a UK visa card, will the receipt say NO REFUND (like with the bag I recently bought), and if so, is that OK/nothing to worry about?

Thanks.

Mostly when I bought such things, they gave me one camera for looking, after we agreed with everything, they take a new box and we opened it together and check everything together.

usually the insist that you look carefully.

The last times they told me, if it has a problem and I come quickly (3 days or 1 week, can't recall) than they can simply replace it, else they must send it to the manufacturer.

(always PanThip placa)

[astral]

Shop around and see which gives the best deal.

Check what the guarantee offers.

A good service centre is better than going back to the shop who know diddly squit.

[Macx]

Bought a cheap 4k camera from Powerbuy, it was their last display model. Warranty 1yr. 7 months later, camera won't focus. Took it back to the shop, they sent it off to be repaired, saying that it would take 3 weeks. It took 2 months and several calls. Finally got it back working. Warranty extended another 3 months.

My biggest complaint is that the customer service guy who checked the camera was very surly, bordering on rude.

Whatever you buy, make sure the warranty is still good, and that you can take it directly to the place you bought it from. You certainly don't want to be running around looking for the service center.

[lifemagic]

God, it sounds like a nightmare, but thanks for the replies. I even thought about going down to Singapore but am committed here for a bit and can't wait.

But I think the advice is either, insist on a sealed box and check contents/go to Tesco.

Appreciated.

[Time Traveller]

God, it sounds like a nightmare, but thanks for the replies. I even thought about going down to Singapore but am committed here for a bit and can't wait.

But I think the advice is either, insist on a sealed box and check contents/go to Tesco.

Appreciated.

I know this might upset the OP, but have you never bought anything by yourself before?

You go into the store tell them you want to buy that model camera. They will go and get a new one from their stock - almost never will they give you the display model and if they do it's at a discounted rate take it or leave it. The store will not usually give refunds but will exchange if it's defective, otherwise you've got the manufacturers warranty to repair or replace for you. You want to buy a cheap 3,000 baht camera and you think it's a "nightmare" ???? Get over it.

[lopburi3]

Well I bought for myself for many decades and I related that a major chain store tried to sell me a demo model (without a demo) at above posted price here in Bangkok. Many of the stand alone shops do not have stock. Guarantee can be Thailand only, worldwide or none (in the case of gray market - you return to shop for there guarantee). 3k may not be a large expense for you or me but for some it is.