I visited TUK.COM today for the first time ever. I recall seeing past posts where residents have recommended going to TUK.COM for electronic needs. When I arrived in Thailand I discovered that when Frankfurt security went through my camera bag they forgot (or chose not to) put my digital media and camera battery back in the bag. My camera uses the less popular and more expensive XD media and I finally found one at T.C. Since it was my first time visiting, I walked around looking at different things including phones. One of the vendors offered to sell me the new Apple iPhone 5S dual sim card Android phone for 1650 bht. What a deal! Well, as they say, if it looks and sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I knew that there was no such thing, but the packaging looked authentic. Anyway, I was wondering how you experienced folk determine which of the vendors are selling reputable stuff? I wouldn't mind picking up a new phone if I found a deal, but much of what I saw was about the same price as in the USA give or take a few bucks.

- As always, if it seems too good to be true, it's not.

- Don't expect especially good deals on mobile phones. Nearly all of them are imported so why would they be cheap here?

- Be extra wary of the latest hit products. This includes everything from Apple, hot items like the Samsung S3, and many tablets. Usually you can find tips on the Internet on how to identify a particular counterfeit product. Usually it's enough just to turn on the device and check the operating system. Fake iPhones, for example, look like decent hardware but the menus and such look horrible and are obviously not iOS.

I don't think you will get many deals on electronics in Thailand. If you are going back to USA, I suggest that you buy there as it is warranted and it is most likely cheaper.

 

If you need something in LOS, try New Wave on 2nd Floor for phones or go all the way to top floor for other electronics.

Thanks for the tip, Michael. I might be in the market for a new phone next time and have (so far) had decent luck with electronics at Tuk.Com. Didn't know about this shop, though.

1 Cameras, batteries and SD cards go in hand luggage. So I can watch the security people.

 

2 Last year in Tuk Com I purchased a nice looking 2 pin charger with a USB output. It clearly states input 100~240v & output 5v 1A.

This totally managed to DISCHARGE my phone in Japan (100v).

My phone charges fine when the USB lead plugs into a laptop or using the original 1.0 A rated charger back in the UK.

So the Tuk Com charger doesn't do what it claims to.

Beware of what you're buying there.

The only place in town I could find XD media card was at Good Luck Accessories in Tuk.com. I also ended up buying an awesome mini-speaker. I plugged it in to my iPod and the sound quality was impressive 900 bht.

Tukcom is like Panthip Plaza in Bangkok; excercise caution. There are many knock-offs and crap. Iphones, memory cards have many fakes there. There are of course ligitimate stores such as PowerBuy, IT Center, JayMart, Winner, etc. where you can buy with confidence. As Michael said you can get better buys in USA. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 for 24,000 baht at Powerbuy but that same phone is available from Amazon for 19,500 baht.

There are of course ligitimate stores such as PowerBuy, IT Center, JayMart, Winner, etc. where you can buy with confidence.

Surprisingly, none of these stores sell the less popular XD media for my Olympus as I checked them all out first, even though PowerBuy and IT Center sell Olympus cameras. And only 1 store at Tuk.com, Good Luck Accessories, had them. As for the phones, after an hour of wandering around and getting, "You want copy or original..." I would be afraid of paying for an "original" and still get a copy. The packaging all looked so authentic. Definitely a buyer beware situation.

Which is why Michael is right. Go to New Wave in Central Plaza. He supplies most of the booths in Tuk Com. You won't get a better price but you will have to haggle. He will stand behind it for sure and you certainly do not have to worry if it is a fake.

Which is why Michael is right.

 

HOLY SHIT! Firecat, are you OK? In the MANY years I have known you (more than anyone else on this board) I have never heard you say the above. I have now photocopied it and made a picture above my desk. Thank you!

I am so glad I made your day but I think I probably said that somewhere on some board under your other name at least one other time.

 

I'll try to be more generous in the future , if you are right more often. LOL

HOLY SHIT! Firecat, are you OK? In the MANY years I have known you (more than anyone else on this board) I have never heard you say the above. I have now photocopied it and made a picture above my desk. Thank you!

I think one of the fireworks displays last night spelled out "Michael is right!"

I am so glad I made your day but I think I probably said that somewhere on some board under your other name at least one other time. I'll try to be more generous in the future , if you are right more often. LOL

 

Thanks. My other name on the board was GayThailand. I gave it up a few years back when the board switched owners. It was so long ago and I think I was right on both that name and this one at least 95 percent of the time.

 

I think one of the fireworks displays last night spelled out "Michael is right!"

 

Mr. Bill, I thought I was the only one who saw that. Thank you for confirming it was not my imagination. I'll cancel my appointment for the psychologist in the AM as I thought I was just seeing things again.

Mr. Bill, I thought I was the only one who saw that. Thank you for confirming it was not my imagination. I'll cancel my appointment for the psychologist in the AM as I thought I was just seeing things again.

OK to cancel unless what you thought you saw read, "Michael is ALWAYS right!" Then, I suggest you keep the appointment and book another back-to-back