Korean Job Discussion Forums

[broken76]

It really depends on what you're looking for. Chances are if you are going for more niche products they are going to be hard to find in Korea. For more mainstream products they can be found in Korea without too much of an issue. Now if you want name-brand items you'll see a premium on the prices.
Again you should be able to find almost anything unless the specific company or model isn't imported to Korea. Korea will also have items not imported in other countries. As for the price of things right now with the won plummeting it's probably going to be cheaper buying your mainstream products here.
I really haven't had any issues finding electronics. Sure there are certain brands and types I'd like to get (especially when building a computer) but a little research can get you pretty good deals.
Again the choice probably won't match the US but then again not many countries do.

[jvalmer]

I'm with PKang on this one. At least for me, the choice of electronics, for the things that I bought are much better here in K-land. Although, they tend to be on the pricey side. And I guess it's the small things that Korea has the advantage in.
I especially love the USB hubs here, they are tiny and can power my several external hard drives.

Although for big items, like the wall TV's, the selection is pretty much limited to LG and Samsung.

[Temporary]

[sargx]

Well, I like the service Korea offers their products. They came and replaced my 24" monitor without my receipt, no questions asked.

[ovid]

Ya, when it comes to technology, it's going to be lots cheaper and far advanced outside Korea. I tried getting computer parts this weekend (and avoiding the salesmanships) in Yongsan. It was a nightmare.

Computer parts in general are far cheaper in the United States for superior items. You have to go to the outskirts of Yongsan to find anything comparable.

When it comes to small electronics, Korea may have what seems like a small edge. But even here, American products reign superior. Most cabs have small GPS devices that sell for about 200K won, whereas you can buy a good Tom Tom for less than 100 bucks. MP3's.. well in the States you got lots of cheap low end stuff to choose from (San, comes to mind.. going for about $30 for 2MB of memory) which usually drives high end models down.

Most people go to Yongsan to find items... but check out the States with Best Buy, Electronic Fry's, etc. Not to mention tons of easy to navigate tech sites (Newegg, pricewatch, etc.) which offer free shipping throughout the States/Canada.

This isn't to bash Korea... but it's simply stating... when it comes to electronics, buying in Korea is always the last option. When you check out the "won't ship to Korea" on most of these international sites, you're left with inferior products.

[Easter Clark]

When I was in Akihabara last year I didn't see anything there that I couldn't find in Korea. The prices in Akihabara were a bit higher than those in Yongsan as well...but Bic Camera is a lot of fun to shop.

[hugekebab]

[Temporary]

[Easter Clark]

^

Why the hate-on for Yongsan? Not enough cos-play shops for your tastes?

[eamo]

[SeoulnPepe]

I'm with eamo on this one. I have found the internet cheaper than Yongsan. The only downside is you either need to have a Korean credit card, or you get a Korean friend to order for you.

I often buy my camera cleaning supplies online. It's cheaper and better than having to haggle with an adjoshi who probably gets his supplies off the internet, too.

It makes no sense why Korea is so expensive--but there you have it, and you either deal with it or wait till you can go home and pay half-price for camera gear.

If you ask me, Koreans, who are so good at protesting, should protest against all these high prices. Even my Korean friends avoid Yongsan electronics market.

[DCJames]

[Draz]