Yongsan Electronics Market

Yongsan Electronics Market is a retail area in Seoul, South Korea, comprised of over 20 buildings housing 5,000 stores that sell appliances, stereos, computers and peripherals, office equipment, telephones, lighting equipment, electronic games and software, videos and CDs. A variety of electronic components for constructing computers and other items can also be found. Korean-made products generally cost 20% less in this location than other retail outlets, while imported items can be as much as 50% cheaper.

The market has a variety of stores, each with different operating procedures. Some stores operate like traditional retail shops, with set prices, name brands, and warranties. Other shops accept, or even expect, customers to bargain and may not have any posted prices for items.

Location and Hours

The Electronics Market is located on Subway line 1, at Yongsan Station. One should walk through the train station to enter through the Terminal Shopping Center or walk around the station at ground level to enter the market.

The major stores are open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, while many smaller stores keep a variety of hours. Most stores in the area are closed on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month.

Touting

A great deal of shops are in competition and merchants usually try to let you test out the product. From such conducts, Netizens coined new word, Yong pali, meaning Salesperson in Yongsan to criticize their shameless sale behavior. [ [http://www.hani.co.kr/section-021107000/2007/06/021107000200706140664044.html [인터넷 스타 용팔이 패러디 : 맛있는 뉴스 : 특집 : 한겨레21 ] ] It has been pointed out that this is one of the reasons consumers worry about visiting the market. Due to this publicity, The President of the Hyundai I shopping mall has announced that it seeks to improve such misconduct and offer improved customer service. [ [http://www.economy21.co.kr/magazine/txt.asp?news_id=59131&icon=21&part=naver :::: [커버스토리선진국형 몰 문화 정착시켜 나갈 것｜뉴스분석｜ [이코노미21｜ [네이버 ] ] It is recommended to use english-speaking stores and compare each seller.

External links

* [http://www.yongsanmall.com/ www.YongsanMall.com] - Official page of Yongsan Electronics Market (KOR)
* [http://www.iparkmall.co.kr/ www.IParkMall.com] - Large shopping mall attached to Yongsan Station (but not the only shopping mall in this area)

References