pointless duty free

[van]

I have just returned from Hong Kong. Flight on Cathay Pacific was good but children must be kept out of Business Class. Intercontinental Hong Kong was great and spotless service. I found prices of some goods in Hong Kong meaningless as regards duty free status. Compared to OZ prices there was not much difference in shoes, clothes, perfume and aftershave. Savings on cameras depended on brand and model. I bought a Canon Powershot SX50HS for 2/3 OZ price which is not a big saving. I remember, when it was still a British colony, savings of greater than 50%. The cost comparison on high end products, Rolex watches, Loius Vuitton etc is still only 1/3. Could not bring alcohol back and cost of same at Sydney Airport is not much different to specials at Dan Murphys. :shock:

 

[mannej]

Get your flame suit ready - the issue of kids in planes is quite a fiery topic. FWIW I believe a lot of it comes down to the parents, as such I don't believe in such bans.

 

[NM]

Street prices for many goods in Hong Kong (and many other places in Asia) vary greatly and are often negotiable. But you also need to be careful to ensure you are getting a genuine product.

I think some things have changed regarding pricing of some good in Australia (cheaper here now) and in Hong Kong (more expensive there now) since the "good old days" of Hong Kong prices you mention. The general cost of living has increased in HK, especially real estate (both residential and commercial), so those higher costs have to be reflected in profit margins. The string A$ also narrows the gap somewhat. So i agree that the bargains are not as easy to find, especially for genuine products (fakes, copies, no-name can still be very cheap there), and prices vary greatly depending on specific location and negotiating skills.

As far as duty-free purchases at airports are concerned, they are only for people seeking last minute convenience, not for people seeking the best deal. Duty-free does not equal profit-free.

 

[RooFlyer]

I've stood in duty free stores in HKG, and once in the Sony Store in Tokyo, and have compared D/free prices in those locations with retail in Hobart, via phone to my brother who was in the Hobart stores.

In the past 2 years, experience has been the HKG/TOK d/f prices for electronic goods/cameras is within a few bucks of the pre GST price here.

 

[Limewood]

In HK these days you need to know where to shop but duty free we give it a miss, with electronics there's a store off MTR exit E in Mong Kok on 16th floor near street cnr., Marantz receiver was around $2000 street price in OZ and there it was AUD$650, weight was 22kg but with 2 in J had enough allowance to bring it back. Clothes and cosmetics are decent prices too. (we'll be there once again tomorrow night).

 

[burmans]

Could not bring alcohol back and cost of same at Sydney Airport is not much different to specials at Dan Murphys. :shock:

Are you talking wine or spirits here? Spirits are about the only think I buy dutyfree these days and definitely worth it.

Hong Kong is of course no longer a "cheap" place to live and prices IMO reflect that, still some good prices on clothes but with cameras/electonics, why bother when you can buy online easily and get a guarantee thats going to be easier to use.

 

[Grooba]

I don't know many people who purchase duty free in Australia period.

Alcohol wise, the fact that Dan Murphys is almost always cheaper (by a long way) means anyone even slightly in the know laughs at the prices as they stroll through the maze that is customs at most Australian ports.

 

[under the radar]

the world is changing...peoples' shopping habits are changing...BUT there will always be the 'uninformed' that continue to think that the better 'deal' will always be via 'airport duty free' or 'Asia'!! ... and those 'outlets' will continue to 'prey' on the 'uninformed' :shock:

believe it or not....there are people who actually travel overseas specifically to buy 'cheaper' goods.....but the cost of travel outweighs the benefit of the goods price!! :shock:

 

[boomy]

Get your flame suit ready - the issue of kids in planes is quite a fiery topic. FWIW I believe a lot of it comes down to the parents, as such I don't believe in such bans.

I support the MH model of kid-free zone on the A380's upper deck and no babies in First Class. Still not a total ban of kids in J.

 

[NM]

believe it or not....there are people who actually travel overseas specifically to buy 'cheaper' goods.....but the cost of travel outweighs the benefit of the goods price!! :shock:

I have seriously considered doing this for some specific goods I purchase from/in the USA. Use FF miles for the flights (with AAdvantage there are not fuel fines). But the limiting factor is the $1000 limit for bringing good back to Australia. For the things I need/want, its still up to 50% cheaper to purchase in the USA. I often just buy them on-line (or phone) and buy in lot sizes that come in under the $1000 cap. Then its a matter of determining if multiple shipping costs warrants the GST exemption and in some cases its just better to buy in larger quantity and pay the GST on arrival and keep it to a single shipping cost.

 

[van]

I have seriously considered doing this for some specific goods I purchase from/in the USA. This is true for clothing & shoes. I have purchased jeans and sports shoes in Texas for a fraction of the price in OZ.

 

[maninblack]

The cost comparison on high end products, Rolex watches, Loius Vuitton etc is still only 1/3. Could not bring alcohol back and cost of same at Sydney Airport is not much different to specials at Dan Murphys. :shock:

Rolex watches at 1/3 the price of Australia? Not if they are real

 

[van]

In response to young children in business class it is not mainly the parents fault for disturbances. Under 5's are affected by the dry air and pressure changes and this makes them cry and winge. The complaint is why we pay good money to be disturbed by these children. I often fly business for sleep so that I arrive at my destination relatively fresh. A shower at arrival lounges also helps before the days business. The 747 upper deck used to be a good haven as most airlines put the ankle biters downstairs. However 777, 330 and 380 config's do not always allow this. Some config's have a small business section between the main business and premium which could be used solely for accompanied kids.

 

[harvyk]

I don't know many people who purchase duty free in Australia period.

Alcohol wise, the fact that Dan Murphys is almost always cheaper (by a long way) means anyone even slightly in the know laughs at the prices as they stroll through the maze that is customs at most Australian ports.

I purchase DF, but only because you can't get 100 Proof SoCo at Dan Murphy's (I've looked, I've also asked about every place that sells grog and no one sells it or can even order it in from their suppliers).
I wouldn't bother with any sort of electronics either, since the prices are not exactly that much better than good guys, besides if I want a piece of electronic equipment, I'll just go out and buy it, I don't want to wait until I next travel internationally.

 

[juddles]

.....children must be kept out of Business Class. ........:shock:

Not happy with that desire - my children´s behavior in J (and the lounges) has always been impecable, and if they lost the ability to travel ¨up the front¨ because of the behavior of others, I would be peeved.

As for duty free prices, yes it is sad that these days (seems to be worse now) duty-free prices are nothing very attractive. It used to be a FUN part of overseas travel to snag a cheap bottle of spirits, etc. The actual dollar value of that saving was far less than the satisfaction gained. But it was still a great way to end a holiday, grabbing a bottle or two of spirits at half the cost of local stock. And it provided some sort of extensión of the benefit of that travel, until of course you finished the bottle.

Apart from the delight of cheap alcohol and cigarettes, the savings on fancier ítems such as cameras and electronics have been rendered insignificant by the ability to shop online, with all the dramatic competion that this environment provides.

 

[burmans]

In response to young children in business class it is not mainly the parents fault for disturbances. Under 5's are affected by the dry air and pressure changes and this makes them cry and winge. The complaint is why we pay good money to be disturbed by these children.

You pay good money for privacy but then so do they, they have the same rights as you. They may not like boorish plonkers from Queensland too but seems the airlines alow you to travel in business.

Not denying you are entitled to your opinion, but I'm pretty confident CX are not about to turn down a Business Class fare because you have such an opinion.

 

[drron]

basically we do our personal shopping in the USA.Perfumes are cheaper in Macy's than SYD Duty Free.Alcohol is cheaper in any liquor outlet there than duty free.If thinking of purchasing spirits we have a selection of containers to take just in case of a breakage but also limiting the chance of breakage.
My travel computer gave up when last in NYC-the replacement from B&H was nearly 50% of Australian duty free prices.
The only recent purchase I've made in Australia was my last camera.But direct from Sony on sale.Same price as B&H online but got the GST back as we were about to set off for Africa.

 

[boomy]

Rolex watches at 1/3 the price of Australia? Not if they are real

The question is 1/3 of what price exactly? If you know how to bargain then you can buy your luxury watch at any Aussie retail shop for at least 1/3 of the marked price.
For some reason I found many people think there is no bargaining in Australia but from my experience, the whole professional look some shops try to present to customers is a often just a mask. Most of them are no different then any Turkish bazaar, they all want your money.

 

[under the radar]

and in response to 'children' in J/C... quite often, 'childish' behaviour in J/C stems more from so called 'adults', including 'tantrums' for various 'reasons'...and cause more disruptions to those them :shock:

 

[Mr_Orange]

In HK these days you need to know where to shop but duty free we give it a miss, with electronics there's a store off MTR exit E in Mong Kok on 16th floor near street cnr., Marantz receiver was around $2000 street price in OZ and there it was AUD$650, weight was 22kg but with 2 in J had enough allowance to bring it back. Clothes and cosmetics are decent prices too. (we'll be there once again tomorrow night).

I'd be interested in more details on which building this is please, by PM if you prefer. I'm in HK now, but flying out tonight so no time for a recce but would want to check it out during a future visit. Cheers.