Was in Singapore over the weekend. Went all over town this is what I found out Pricewise
1. Official dealers Sonystyle in Wisma/Takashiyama have it for $559 (P16200) for the basic 40G package with one controller pero heres the catch: you are required to purchase 2 games. Same with an official sony dealer in Sim Lim.
2. Grey market dealers are more attractive and all are offering official sony singapore warranty DAW. Prices range from $399 console price (wow P11500 pesoses lang) from a yellow haired guy in a shop in SimLim, with a very stupid sales technique- more later). $520 sa Lucky Plaza (you guessed it kababayan ang salesman who didnt know jack crap about warranty coverage. Good deals in Gamers Depot Sim Lim $620 with free Uncharted or COD4 (less than P18k meron pang naka frame na sony singapore official dealer and another one in Funan IT Mall for $540 no game again official sony waranty.
3. Went to the Singapore IT Fair (largest electronics expo in asia daw) in Suntec City and theres one whole floor there devoted to PS3 in 65 inch HDTVs ( bravias syempre) at tulo laway mo doon. You guessed it models in pigtails and schoolgirl attires are doing there pitch. It was an official sony showcase and it was still $540 but again 2 game purchase required. But games at a huge discount mga S$50 to 75 lang . Problem is there was a long line of about 50 people buying- white units nalang natira.
4. Also checked prices in Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur priced around RM 1350 to RM 1600 (starts at P16K) but again there is OFFICIAL Sony Malaysia warranty.
Across the board, mas mura sa other countries (HKG my brother bought one about P13 pesos making it the champion) and poor Pinas as usual,
There is no Sony warranty available locally meaning If you bring your units /accesories to any local service center, dont bother, those are not covered.
5. In the local scene the best available deal as far as I know is EYO in VMall, P18k for the basic 40GB unit and 3 month replacement warranty plus Lifetime Service warranty. Eric Ong seems to be a nice enough chap who knows what he is doing. Saw about 2 ps3 consoles being serviced for lens problems. And about 30 dead Xbox 360s
OT: idiotng dealer sa Sim Lim Singapore
Salesman:
"whatchu loking foh lah?"Me:
"Nothing really just looking around. You have a PS3?"
Salesman:
"Yes have have. Tree Nigh Nigh only"Me: (moving away but still incredulous so I went back in)
"How much again for ps3 40GB? Not PS2"
S: at nagalit pa (
"you dont believe lah now you came back. better get pencil and write it down: TREE NIGH NIGH ONLEH!"M:Holding my breath and still floored by the price na i had to make an actual calculator conversion damn P11500 lang. Brand new daw. 40GB.With warranty official. But had to ask
"Very good deal, best deal I found so far. I want to buy it.S: (starting the spiel eto na) "
I tell you, thats not modified lah. Cant play BluRay, only Games But old games. You have to add 200 for modify to play BluRay and New HD games....:M:
"No I dont need bluray. I dont watch movies. I dont mind playing old games. (I was physically inspecting the unit at this point-looks brand new, saw the controller in the box)
Ok Ill buy this for 399"S:
"Not good not modified cannot enjoy"M:
"Its ok, ill take this one now" (whipping up my wallet)
S: (kinabahan na siguro)
"That price no controller, add 100 for dual shock controller"M: tarantadong ito ah, knowing that a DS3 controller is only $73 so I go
" No need for controller, no need for blue ray, I want this unit. And i want it now. This will look good in my living room cofeetable, good to look at even if only decoration"S: looking really desperate as there was already a small crowd who witnessed our negotiations
"no you dont believe, PS3 very good for bluRay and for games, just add a little more, I give you discount big discount on modification and controller lah"M: Yari to sa akin sinungaling ang lintik na ito. Ill buy this and sell it in manila via ebay and make a killing.
"look i dont need a bluray player, i dont need a controller. I just need a ps3 console and (holding the unit up) I want to buy this one now for 399 no more asking for last price"Na corner na, he calls his boss, who almost yells at him in chinese and they are clearly arguing. The crowd was also anticipating the outcome. All this time I did not budge an inch and looked at him straight in the eye.
Finally,
S:
" Sorry lah, no more stock"M:
"What do you call this unit? I want to buy this now for 399!"S: "no lah no more stock, that is reserved unit already have buyer, last unit"
M: I refused to budge. He goes back to his boss who everyone can see is almost biting his head off
S: "Im so sorry lah, thats a defective unit."
there was a collective "Awwww cmon!" from the crowd of white backpackers. CRAP.
So i looked just told the salesman point black:
Youre a dick. Magpakita ka sa akin sa labas kakatayin kitang hayop ka. And I almost scream to his boss,
Neknek Mo (kampante na marami na kami at this time, pero it took a lot not burst into laughter)
kaya be careful. This also happend to me in HongKong while buying for camera equipment.
dito ako ngayon sa Singapore. Bumila na ako ng PS3 sa wakas kasi mura pala dito. The price of PS3 40gb white ceramic version is only SGD 544 (PHP 15.3k) credit card pa ang gamit ko. Kung cash less 3% pa. Medyo panic buying na dito sa Singapore kasi kahapon na nagcanvass ako may mga units pa pero kanina last unit na.
