I would like to share with readers an unpleasant incident which I experienced on my last trip to Hong Kong in April. As I am a household appliances importer in Argentina, I make frequent business trips to the SAR. On my last trip, I decided to buy a digital camera and checked prices in video stores around Nathan Road. Eventually, I chose a Sony model at a shop in Haiphong Road. The price was $2,800. Once the deal was completed and I signed a credit card slip, I was invited upstairs to see how the camera worked. Then I was shown another camera, a Panasonic, which was clearly a superior model, but cost a lot more - $9,625. I had not checked the price for the Panasonic at other shops, but agreed to buy it.

After I had left the shop I saw the same camera priced at $5,515. I returned to the store, but the dealer refused to take it back.

The next day, thanks to the intervention of one of my suppliers, the store agreed to give me $2,000 credit and I got a lens and an extra battery, but I doubt if the value of these items was close to $2,000. I was deeply hurt by what happened. I was told that this is a common practice in Hong Kong. Is there nothing the authorities can do? Let me offer a few ideas: Tourists should be alerted about such practices on their arrival at the airport, by being given a leaflet, warning them that such things can happen.