20+ Tips & Things You Should Know Before Visiting IT SHOW 2012
The below tips were sourced from various forums and reproduced here for your convenience. Please note that NO (nada, zero, kosong) attempt is made to ensure it is accurate, so there is NO guarantee that the below information is accurate. However, sources are given so you can try to gauge the credibility from there.
General
- Cameras especially Point-And-Shoot.....take your time and really really compare with outside shops.
LCDs....Recommend get from SLS where can test till happy (more relaxed dead pixel policy)
Printers....Check previous year pricelist though might have lower then low price on portable photo printers.
Wireless....Get the bundle if you need.
NAS.....Buy with HDDs if you can.
As always, look around if have 0% instalment or if have discount for cash payment. The info can be true or false also. As always, last day anything can happen so check if last day out of stock if the shop can take back orders. HWZ ASM51 - Most of the sales promoter staff working in the IT Fairs are part timers who may not know their stuff well. Research well on your own and consult manuals if needed. Go directly to a full time staff whenever possible.
Full timers are able to offer extras to sweeten the deal if buying high end items as well as have comprehensive product knowledge rather then new part timer with a 3hr training session. They may not be able to play with pricing but extras should be possible. Laptop buyers and camera buyers might want to take note. (HWZ AS1) - Trade-ins. My personal view about them? Not worth it.
What I do is:- Know my model number and find all the accesorries (box..cable..recovery cds..etc)
- search for my model on ebay. Pay attention to the price range.
- price according to step 2...do adjust according to what you have. ie. If you upgraded ram, feel free to price it a little but higher. It's it's in pristine condition, same thing. If something is damaged but still usable, lower it...some might buy it for parts or other uses that might not occur to you.
- Take photos.
- Don't hurry. kanchiong Spiders will usually get so-so deals. While selling, to be kanchiong usually displays need for money, which people will take advantage of to bring the price down.
- Make money and be happy =D However, if you're too lazy to potentially earn $100 more than the trade-in price? Den go ahead lor...
- Get 'free' upgrades elsewhere...ie. Ram from Ram dealers
It is always cheaper to get upgrades yourself from such shows. Again, there are no such thing as 'free' upgrades. Costs are almost always factored in.
Now, nothing wrong with that, but the thing is that the costs of these upgrades are usually more expensive from system venders (selling full branded systems, laptops) as opposed to getting them from parts venders (DIY parts, motherboards, rams)
Example: Acer Model XXX Retail price: $1699
Show Price: $1699 + FREE UPGRADE to 2.5GB!
You: I don't want your ram, I can buy cheaper elsewhere
Therefore, 1699 -> 1619, -$80 for cost of ram. You'd probably get the same ram for $69 at stall dealing primarily with parts.
Example: Compaq Model XXX $1799 + Free Antivirus + Mouse + Ram
You: Dowan antivirus!!
$1799 + Mouse + Ram, without anti-virus so minus $39 = $1760
HWZ Aaron Loy AKA A9FC - GPS: To those hunting for GPS: Ever wonder why most if not all GPS retailers are indoor? At events like PC Show, IT Show, etc it's very very easy to get persuaded to swing to another brand/model just because as a consumer, you are not able to test out the real use since no GPS signal lock is possible. Some GPS (eg. Mxxxxxxx) shows fast simulation but in real-world usage, signal lock is slow, poor routing, unable to perform s/w and/or map updates ourselves, and other basic functionality missing.
Never be fool by the h/w specifications like processor clock speed cause how good a GPS is, it's hardly determined by the processor speed alone (not like PCs/Laptops). The crucial is how good the software of the GPS and the maps. Garmin-based maps are by far, the quickest to release updates that fixes routing, POIs, etc and adding new POIs, roads, etc (as fast as weekly release). Eg. Expect to see new roads like the road leading from seletar dam over the bridge into Pungol island in community maps like MFM. HWZ chaicka- Some advice for those looking for GPS:
-Garmin locking to satellites is relatively fast, some brands can take age......especially the one from orange colour booth.
-Junction view is only available to local set, which is more expensive. It is assisting driver to turn into the correct lane at the junction. Newbies may need this but exp driver could be just a gimmick.
-Junction view (JV) map does not use the most up todate map.
-I would say the best local map is from Jerome Wee (JRW) which cost $USD 20 or you can give more.
-JRW does not have JV functionde
-The next best map is Malsing map (MSM), it is quite up to date but you need to contribute 2 point of interest (poi) to get for free, the best system that make map up todate.
-Garmin JV map compiled using old version of MSM to compiled.
-Most of the time you dont look at the unit while driving, voice instruction is what you need most.
-Malfreemap - free of charge & rising fast, frequent update.
-AC charger, I never need to use as my GPS always connected to the car power.
-PI unit can be send to Taiwan for service & free during waranteed peroid, the cost of sending is depending on postage cost. However, the unit hardly have problem.
-leather pouch, I throw somewhere as my GPS always on the windscreen-y would one need.
-Firmware update - install sofware on yr computer & using webupdate, simple connecting usb cable.
-Plenty of help for Garmin unit on the web.
-Get unit with bluetooth will free you from ear pice for ever & drive safely to yourself & others on the road.
-One more, those demo/simulation inside the hall does not show how fast/slow for the unit to lock sattelites. My friend bought the orange booth product & have to buy additional external antenna (as recommended by the after service sale people). At the end also cannot use as the locking on sat. was really slow.
Conclusion: I recommend Garmin unit with JRW map (JV or not-that personal preference), by the way get the unit that can play MP3 file as some poi file from MSM map is available in MP3. Pay slightly more for the better unit & you wont regret & have to change sooner than expected.
By the way, garmin windscreen sucker is suck, always drop if park car under sun. Get a cheap one, made in China with clear plastic base $10+ is also not a bad idea if you always park under the sun and hardly remove from windscreen.
Enjoy driving
The info is best on my view only & I am not working for any GPS company. The fianl decision is YOU. Do your home work & don't listen to Sim Lim type saleman con you. HWZ Pengsp
- Some advice for those looking for GPS:
- Always check your receipt, NETS receipt and credit card receipt before you leave the cashier. HWZ zcampbell
Prices
- Same Price Outside: Prices at the show for products from big brands such as Samsung, HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc can be the same at outside retailers as well. Avoid the crowd and shop directly at your preferred retail shop during the IT Show period while enjoying IT Show prices. Check online places such as www.dell.com.sg
- Credit Card / Membership points: same thing can be sold by different vendors so walk around first in case got 0% instalment or membership points. HWZ ASM51
Do not use AMEX credit cards as it is not always accepted due to American Banks charge 5% instead of Visa/Mastercard 2%. HWZ royfrosty - Prices of DIY items like internal hard disks and RAMs may not be necessarily cheaper at such fairs. (own)
- Delivery Marketing Trick: this is a little secret retailers wont tell u.. technological stuff is like the Future exchange market.. the price of a particular model will have prices for now (as in this week) and prices in futures.. obviously, those to be delivered later will be cheaper.. its always like that unless the item is limited edition. u wont be surprised at shows like SITEX, certain model will be delievered a wk later or so.. HWZ TsQ
Bottom line: If the product is a price sensitive product that can only be delivered to your place, check the time you need to wait. If it is too long, you may want to forego it as market prices may drop by the time you receive the product. - There are alot of discounts on the last day, but be prepared to meet "Out of Stock" faces for popular items. (own)
Actually, last day promotions are pretty much guaranteed for most small items...in my experience so far. Larger items like desktops/systems will depend on stock, sales volume, age of model, etc etc etc. However, you'll also have to deal with ridiculous crowds. So the choice is up to you HWZ Aaron Loy AKA A9FC - Absorbing Credit card charges - Please, no offence but there's no such thing as 'absorbing' delivery or Nets/Credit card charges. If they say they can absorb it, it means you still can ask for more discount.
If possible, pay by cash. If they mentioned no extra charges for delivery/credit card, it means you should ask for discounts. Draw money before hand. You don't wanna be queueing at the ATM once you are there. HWZ Aaron Loy AKA A9FC- banks do not charge 2% for credit card payments, the percentage is much lesser than that, 2% is oftenly quoted by companies though. and FYI NETS charges less than 1% on most of the retailers, so 1.5% - 1.8% is plain lies and trust me that i know the system well enough to be commenting on this issue. to begin with, companies aren't allowed to list prices that does not include the bank charge, doing so could get their license to accept VISA/MasterCard/Amex/Diners withdrawn HWZ ReiszRie
- Cash is KING at Lenovo! You pay cash I give you many many nice pretty freebies. Draw money before you come. The ATM there sure crowded. Nets is the second best choice. Never pay by credit card or worse, installment. I can't give you much freebies at all. HWZ fluffyfiona
- Cheaper prices - Another not so secret tip for notebook buyers, among the promoters there will be full timers working also and since they draw a regular salary, they dont get comission on sales. The good point is that since they ignore comission, they can give even lower prices. Take note HWZ AS1
- Pricing Trick: Some items on sale are priced slightly higher than outside. On the last day, prices are 'cut' to normal to entice last minute shoppers. Do your homework! (own)
- Digital Cameras - Best tip: Don't buy from Sitex. buy from outside retailers like MS colour, Cathay, etc. They're cheaper by a few hundred, and usually with the same freebies. HWZ unseen
- DSLRS - DSLRs will not be cheaper at Sitex - they tend to be even more expensive, being sold at RRP. HWZ tangent314
LCD TVs
- Did u all go mustafa see? they usually take out the voucher + free gift and sell the tv cheaper. HWZ _Gaara_
Bottom line: Gifts are given to entice you, it does not make the product necessarily cheaper than outside stores
- FYI, The $332 HN vourhcer is crxp , it a combi of various vourcher like food, furniture and not to be use at HN. HWZ anotonio
Bottom line: Check whether the voucher covers products that you are interested in buying using the voucher - They are willing to match SITEX price & freebies. As of yesterday afternoon, one salesman there quoted $2499 with Free Home Theatre sys or Fridge or 26 inch LCD TV Free $500 Robinson Voucher They are very willing to listen to your offer/request especially when u tell them about Sitex....I may go down and buy 2mrw as Sitex simply too pack liao... HWZ shootinstars
Bottom line: You may be able to get the item at the same price from the retail outlet of the chain
Printers
- If you don't know yet, manufacturers usually price their printers cheap but consumables such as ink are expensive.
Bottom line: If you want to save on ink by using compatible cartridges, check the compatibilty and price of them before committing. Usually there are ink refiller booths at the fair too. - Lasers are better in the long run even if you use it only once per month. They don't need to be cleaned everytime it is switched on, unlike inkjets. Onsite warranty is a plus as they are not easy to carry around. Ensure the toner is sold with a drum for longer reliability. However, for photo printing, inkjets still stand out.
- Printer deals can be found at places such as at www.dell.com.sg
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