Quote:
Originally Posted by BadJeff
Got a call from the big boss man on Saturday. Apparently I will be off to China for a few days next week. So far, all I know is that we'll be flying into Hong Kong and then off to Foshan City.
Anyone had any luck scoring TF's in the Hong Kong airport? Or any suggestions on where to poke around? Any tips would be great. Unfortunately time will be tight.
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Yes, there are stores @ HK airport that stock toys. I have found Binaltechs and Soul of Chogokin figures over there last year when I was visiting. However, prices are not the best.
You can always go to TRU. They sell US version and Japanese version TFs there among other things like Gundam model kits, etc. There are quite a few of them around the city. You may be able to find something that is not available here: for instance I got a Classic Ultra Magnus + Thundercracker set @ one TRU. There are one in almost all major shopping malls, like the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui district, which is just next to the Star Ferry Pier on the Kowloon peninsular side. Just google it. There are always the one and two odd toy stores in shopping malls/centers that you may come across when you are walking around. Shopping is everywhere in Hong Kong
On the Hong Kong Island side there is a street called Tai Yeun St. (you can find it on google map) in Wan Chai district on Hong Kong Island that has a couple of toy stores. They usually sell things @ really good prices. I bought my Revoltech Prime there for around $16 Cadn or so last year. You may be able to find TFs there. I think I have read that they started selling Animated and the Japanese Classic series already over there! The street stalls around there may have KOs. If you decided to go you can walked a bit east from there and there is a mall on Wan Chai Road (I think it is called Wan Chi 188 or something nearby to the corner of Heard St and Wan Chai Road) that has a few toy stores (and video games stores if you are into that too). Just walk up the stair to the 2nd floor.
Or, you can go to Mong Kok district. There are tons of collectable/toy stores around there. Some are located in the basement of Sino Centre on Nathan Road. There are some more around that area that I couldn't recall the names of. Some are even on the upper floors inside commercial/residential buildings which are hard to locate so unless you have time to walk around don't bother. There are also a new shopping center next to a somewhat upscale hotel on Portland St between Argyle St and Shantung St called Langham Place which has a couple of toys stores inside (it stands out from all the old and slumpy types of buildings around so you won't be able to miss it). If you are in Mong Kok, pay a visit to Sai Yeung Choi St or the "Women's St" a block east of Nathan Rd between Argyle and Dundas St. You may find some KOs there (or very cheap iPod and cellphone skins, etc. and bootlegs goods. Even lingerie
). One thing about Mong Kok: it is crowded beyond imagination. You may find it overwhelming.
Someone told me there there are a few KO and toys distributors in the Sham Shui Po district. However, that person didn't give me the exact addresses... I spent a few hours walking around w/o any success. However, I did able to see a few small general stores around that sell toys (authentic + KO) at cheap. However, it is not the best part of the town, if you know what I mean, so I don't know if you will be thrilled walking around the block there. Of course, it is where the famous Golden Computer Centre @ Yen Chow St and Fuk Wa St. which has tons of game stores and computer stores (I bought a really cheap batteries iPod charger and a USB 2.0 hub over there last time. Not to mention a R4 for NDS).
BTW, most stores sell the latest batch except for the ones that are into vintages (or stores that hold their prices high
) so don't expect to find older gen stuffs.
Unfortunately I don't have the addresses of these places for you. Sounds confusing? Yes, it is
so unless you have a local (or someone who has been there) to give you a hand you will probably not be able to do this quick. But then, some of these are somewhat well-known and I did see some tourist type people around when I was out shopping over there, even in some non-tourist locations, so it is not totally undoable. Also, since I don't live in there anymore and I only visit there once every few years or so there must be places that I don't aware of that have tons of TFs too. But, even if you didn't score anything it is a very interesting and different shopping experience that you won't forget. But if you really want to score some TFs only, your best bet, w/ a tight schedule, would be TRU. If I were over there too I don't mind to give you a "toy" tour
or even explore a bit further together but too bad I'm not