One of the best parts of my job is scouring gadget markets for new products, inspirations, trends and the best of electronic toys for my stores at Vu Technologies. What is most interesting is that many products do not make it to the mainstream market and you may find a new gadget that is unheard of. They are inexpensive as they may mostly be ‘engineering samples’, which are products that are in the beta stage before the final tried and tested product is mass-manufactured.
Usually, they don’t have technical defects. But, the fun is in picking a variety of gadgets and making them work. There is nothing more joyful than sitting with a screwdriver set on a Sunday and attempting to make a dysfunctional gadget work. And, if by any stroke of luck it does work, I like to use the same screwdrivers to dismantle it to see how it works.
Mong Kok (Hong Kong)
A haven for cheap cameras, MP3 players and other gadgets would be Mong Kok in Hong Kong. Both Chinese products and branded products are available here. Bargaining is possible, if that is your sport.
Just make sure to test the product yourself before you make your purchase and see if warranty is possible, even though I doubt it is. Just remember not to be swayed by the packaging. Palsonic, for example, is a Chinese brand that is not to be confused with the Japanese Panasonic!
Funan Centre (Singapore)
I understand that paying extra sometimes does mean good quality, service and even replacement in case the product you purchased was a lemon. Funan Centre in Singapore deals only in branded electronics. It’s like the Mall of Emirates in Dubai that has stores like Cellucom, Eon and flagships of electronic brands.
Back in India, I would recommend Phoenix Mills in Mumbai, not just because Vu has a store there, but you also have Sony Centre, Croma, Staples, Apple, JBL, Access and Nokia.
Akihabara (Tokyo)
Think of a humongous Lamington Road or Nehru Place with Japanese lettering and unique products. Most products made by Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, Canon, Nikon and other Japanese tech conglomerates are floated in Akihabara to test consumer response. Which means you get a product a couple of months before it hits the stores. Having been there two years ago, I can say it is not the Mecca that it used to be [as Japanese brands are in a rush to keep up with Korea, rather than themselves] but they have well-designed and unique products that are fun to pick up. My personal favourite was a TV remote control in the shape of a tube of cream that would stand straight. Japan still rules the roost when it comes to design.
Technology Fairs
My all-time favourite place to buy gadgets from (this is a secret I will share with only you) is a technology exhibition. On the last day of the show, the show is open to general visitors and not only traders. Exhibitors don’t want the cost of freight of carrying their wares back and are open to selling their products to consumers. These are innovative products that have not reached the stores yet and are being exhibited for potential buyers and branded manufacturers. The shows that I visit every year include Consumer Electronics Show (Las Vegas, US, in January), CeBIT (Hannover, Germany, in March), Canton Fair (Guangzhou, China, in April and October), Computex (Taipei, Taiwan, in June), CEATEC (Tokyo, Japan, in June), IFA (Berlin, Germany, in September) and Gitex (Dubai, in October)
Lastly, once you buy a gadget abroad and bring it back to India, remember to buy a transformer and not just a plug converter from 110V to 220V. These are available in plenty in the grey markets in Mumbai. India has a different voltage system and, without the transformer, the electrical current will turn your shining new camera into a toaster.
The author is CEO, VU Technologies. The views expressed are the author's own.
