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Singapore Shopping Tips - Singapore Shopping Guide
 Before
hitting the stores, it's best to equip yourself with some information
on local practices and conditions. A detailed listing of shops for specific
items can be found in the Buying Guide (Yellow
Pages) directory placed in most hotel rooms. Check out the local newspaper
for current sales and promotions. Complimentary city maps are available
from your hotel concierge and will help you get around the island. The
following information should make your shopping sprees hassle-free and
even more pleasant.
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:: Prices and Bargains
Fixed prices and price-tagging are the rule at many department
stores and retail outlets. Do compare prices before buying. Bargaining
is a fast disappearing practice. However, if you do came across shops
that are open to bargaining, start by asking the retailer for the "best
price", and follow-up with a realistic counteroffer. Be prepared
for some to-and-fro before settling on a win-win price that both of you
are happy with. If you like, check the local papers for a rough indication
of the prices to expect.
:: Credit / Charge Cards
Almost all major shopping centers and shops accept the major
credit cards at NO additional surcharge, so don't let anyone fool you
into paying extra for using plastic.
:: Money Changers
Use money changers labeled "Licensed Money Changer",
found in abundance along Orchard Road and at most big shopping centers.
You may also change your money at any bank, although the rates here are
not as favorable.
:: Sales
"Sale" may be one of the most overused words in the
Singapore shopping scene. You are likely to come across terms like "pre-festival"
sales, "post-festival" sales, and "closing-down" sales
that seem to go on forever. Then there is THE "Great Singapore Sale"
from the end of May to the end of June each year, where almost all the
shops will stick their necks out to offer their best bargains.
:: Deposits
For certain transactions, it may be wise to leave a deposit
and pay the full sum only after the product is finished and you have checked
and are satisfied with the results. An example would be tailor-made suits
or clothes.
:: Exchanges and Refunds
Most of the bigger retailers will exchange goods if they are
intact and you return them within a few days (usually 3) with the receipt.
Some smaller shops may not be so accommodating, so always check the goods
carefully before buying. Refunds are less common. Some retailers (such
as casual clothing stores Giordano and G2000) offer a money-back guarantee,
no questions asked. Others, at some point in their promotion efforts,
will offer a refund if you can find the same item for less elsewhere.
:: Convenient Underpasses
Our tropical weather might catch you unprepared for sudden
thundershowers. However, Singapore is well-equipped with a number of underpasses
which link one shopping complex to another. On Orchard Road alone, you
can move underground to and from at least three main shopping malls without
surfacing onto the main road.
:: Errant Retailers
As in other countries, be wary of touts with offers of free
shopping tours, special discounts or pirated goods. If you encounter less
than satisfactory retailer practices, you can contact:
Retail Promotion Centre
Blk 528, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, #02-2387,
Singapore 560528,
Tel: (65) 6-450-2114,
Fax: (65) 6-458-6393.
Should you need to seek redress from the errant retailer, you can also
contact the Small
Claims Tribunals. Singapore takes a firm stand on touts and errant
retailers. Cases involving tourists are usually heard within just two
or three days and the administration fee is only SGD 10. Information on
procedures can be obtained from their hotline: (65) 6-435-5937.
(c) Provided by Tourism
Authority of Singapore
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