planning to purchase a new mobile phone, is there a difference if i am to buy (new and branded cell phone) from powerbuy or jaymart versus getting it in mbk? i find mbk prices similar to those in jaymart or powerbuy or other brand shops (e.g. nokia, samsung, motorola), not to mention i can get VAT refund. correct me if i am wrong, thanks.

If the price is similar and you are eligible for the VAT refund buy it at PowerBuy or JayMart. Many times MBK phones are backdoored from distributors, meaning there is no warranty on them. Also sellers at MBK are very reluctant to help you if the phone has a problem even the day after you buy it. The legit stores will swap at products you buy from them for seven days for defects, etc. To get the VAT refund you have to be in Thailand on a tourist visa and leave the Kingdom within 60 days of the purchase. You also need a real receipt from the store and a VAT refund report form completed by the store. Then BEFORE going through customs you need to take the forms to the VAT refund desk for inspection and refund. The goods cannot be checked yet as they often want to see the items to prove that they are indeed leaving the Kingdom. You also need to purchase a minimum of 2,000 baht at a store in a given day to get the required form and your total purchases must be at least 5,000 baht.

i would not purchase anything from MBK shops unless its an emergency purchase(for a mobile?!) because theres tons of counterfeit goods & they wont usually honour the warranty. also you wont be able to get a refund even if you pay with a credit card....i have been there & done that.....DONT BUY NEW at MBK....

appreciate your advise jackbox and pcruzer

A Thai friend bought an iPhone at MBK, it was only 1,500 baht cheaper than proper shops and it turned out to be a fake. Bare faced refusal to make any compensation at all.