Hong Kong IT Fest sees students queue outdoors days in advance for massive discounts on electronics

Even a typhoon No 1 signal did not deter them, as being first in line can mean getting a 43-inch TV for HK$1

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15-year-old Lee Ming (sitting) and his schoolmate have been queuing outside Golden Computer Arcade in Sham Shui Po since Sunday. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 3:00pm, 17 Aug 2016Updated: 4:35pm, 17 Aug 2016

While the rest of the city hunkers down for another possible round of strong winds and rain, typhoon signal No 1 means nothing to some students, who are queueing days outdoors to get discounts at this week’s computer festival.

The eight-day IT Fest features electronics at massive discounts, but some only available to the first few in line on Tuesday and this Friday, depending on the particular item. Hence the days of advanced queuing for these eager students.

“It’s cheap,” Lee Ming, 15, says. He’s been first in the queue since Sunday with three of his classmates.

Having spent just HK$1 for a 43-inch TV usually priced at HK$3,599, he went straight back into the queue outside of the festival’s entrance, this time for something else. With 48 more hours to go until an LG computer display worth HK$2,390 will be available to the first person in line for HK$999 on Friday, Lee looks tired but cheerful.

The IT Fest organised annually by the Hong Kong Computer Association, kicked off Tuesday this week, and will run until next Tuesday. It takes place at the Golden Computer Arcade and Golden Computer Center in Sham Shui Po, as well as their branches in Mong Kok.

The event usually leaves the malls packed.