How it's possible to have such a low price in HK....

Posted by FrankC (A) on August 3, 2005 at 13:59:14

In Reply to: Juki- Is this the real deal? posted by vikvilkhu on August 3, 2005 at 04:44:17:

1/ HK is designated as a free-trade zone. So it does not charge an exorborant import tax/duty with these "luxury" gooods;
2/ The markup by the importer is much lower than U.S. importer;
3/ The markup by dealers is also lower than U.S. dealers;
4/ No additional sales tax;
5/ And I suspect manufacturers price their products differently for different markets. (Standard practice for manufacturers from other industries)

So all that add up to tremendous savings! I was in Hong Kong about 4 years ago. I had just decided to get into vinyl and had my eyes set on a Michell Gyro SE and dreamt about getting an SME V arm in the future. I just happened to come across a dealer carrying SME arms and was told it would cost US$2000. (That was $1200 less than the US retail). With some help from other inmates here at the Asylum, I found out the Grey Market ones would cost $1600. I was able to get one directly from the distributor for $1800. Unfortunately, I didn't know anything about cartridges then, otherwise, I would have bought some. (I'm saving up for my next trip there! Hmmm, Shelter 90X? ZXY? Koetsu?)

Also the restriction from manufacturers/importers is not as stiff in Hong Kong. Most of the dealers there act more like buyer's agents. So if you want something that the dealer don't usually carry, most likely your dealer will still be able to get it for you. (The Hi-End community there is fairly small, and everyone knows everyone else)

Although I have not personally purchased anything from Juki, several of the local inmates have purchased tons of cartridges and tonearms from him fully satisfied. I would not hesitate to recommand him.

Make sure you ask about warranties and after-sale service. They may vary from dealer to dealer. The dealer forgot to give me the outer box which had the warranty card, he e-mailed me after I had left Hong Kong. Fortunately, one of my coworker from Hong Kong was coming to visit, so he picked it up and brought it to me. The warranty card went directly to SME UK and they told me they would honot the warranty. (So far I haven't had to use it, knock on wood)

FrankC

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Juki- Is this the real deal? - vikvilkhu 04:44:17 08/03/05 (17)

It's gray market...... - Marc Bratton 18:49:17 08/03/05 (0)

Top quality, delivered FAST - paul_s 18:14:53 08/03/05 (0)

Yup, bought an Ikeda tonearm...fabulous service...n/t - newStevo 18:08:15 08/03/05 (0)

How it's possible to have such a low price in HK.... - FrankC 13:59:14 08/03/05 (3)

Agreed - kyle 14:20:45 08/03/05 (2)

I'm not sure what you are implying there??? - FrankC 14:53:11 08/03/05 (1)

Re: I'm not sure what you are implying there??? - kyle 15:36:07 08/03/05 (0)

I bought an SME V from Juki.. - Commuteman 12:03:14 08/03/05 (0)

I wonder if this guy is like the JBAudio Pimp on the A'gon... - Ray-o-Stat 11:19:09 08/03/05 (0)

Does this guy have a web site? (nt) - KWILLIS 09:02:41 08/03/05 (0)

bought from him in the past - jondz 08:46:21 08/03/05 (0)

Same here. - kyle 08:37:10 08/03/05 (0)

Bought from him, too... - doodlebug 06:43:56 08/03/05 (0)

Re: Juki- Is this the real deal? - Ohm1 06:09:19 08/03/05 (0)

bought from him in the past - darkstar 05:43:34 08/03/05 (2)

How can I getmhooked up with him? - trebleclef 09:56:45 08/03/05 (1)

ebay stores/2juki - rgurney 10:17:07 08/03/05 (0)

Follow Ups

How it's possible to have such a low price in HK.... - FrankC 13:59:14 08/03/05 (3)

Agreed - kyle 14:20:45 08/03/05 (2)

I'm not sure what you are implying there??? - FrankC 14:53:11 08/03/05 (1)

Re: I'm not sure what you are implying there??? - kyle 15:36:07 08/03/05 (0)

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