Whats the real deal when it comes to shopping in hong kong? regarding pickpocketers, scammers and etc?

pickpockets? you mean europe

yeah, if u speak chinese you'll be fine. go in to a store, and talk in english and hear what they say about u in chinese, and if they try to cheat u say oh i speak chinese, and most to all of them will freak out and give u the right deal. but always bargain

it's quiet safe actually in HK n we dun get rob often. of cos we do hv some 'danger' area which the poor lives there & might hv some robbery. but most of the tourist's area r clear wt police (non uniform) patrolling aro. especially those shopping area like Tsim Sha Tsui + Central. when u step into a crowded area, always alert urself wt ur bags in front of u. we can't control those mainlanders as some of them really just travelled to HK 4 doing pickpockets. they r pro.... n always in a group. but just u pay attention on ur belongings, that wil be fine! none of my friends being rob or pickpocket by anyone yet (touch wood!!).

well, hong kong is very crowded, i would carry bag with zipper facing you and not rear. once, i had a backpack on while carrying luggage to bus stop on a residential street. later i found out my backpack was opened but nothing was taken because it was full of english books. i would say just use caution, carry bag near your body and watch out for shady people. good luck

As for pickpockets, I have never been robbed when I was there but just to be on the safe side, get a purse with a very short strap so that it stays under your arm and make sure that it is a purse that zips closed. Or put the money in your pocket but only the front pocket of tight(well fitting) jeans. Don't carry tons of cash just what you will use. As for scammers, unless there are marked prices on tags always bargain with the sales people. Never except their first offer, even their second offer shouldn't be excepted. Try to find out some typical prices for the things that you want tobuy in Hong Kong and then you will know if they are ripping you off or not. You could also get a translator to go with you that might now when you are being ripped off and negotiate the prices for you. I had a girl do that for me in China, she was great. ALSO DON'T BUY ANYTHING SOLD IN THE STREET!!!!!!!!!!!! People will come up to you in the street and try to sell you designer bag and designer watches and lap tops and mobile phones. These things are knock offs. They will break the first time you use them. Be especially aware of the computers they will open the computer and show you that it has core2duo and things like that, it doesn't they just use software to change the properties. Be careful!!! Have a good trip!!!!!

Pickpocketing is quite common, but not as bad as in China. Just watch your stuff and keep your bags closed. People like most wallets, purses, mobile phones. Scamming shops are out there too. I would not shop in TST in those small electronics shops on Nathan Rd, Mody Rd, the whole area...... For digital cameras I would probably go to Mongkok Computer Center or Yau Shing Commercial building (6-16/F) in Mongkok.