Just to share with you guys my experience light-hunting today
I went to 2 shops in Balestier and 1 in Jalan Besar.
Went to Light Arcade and Etoile Lumiere. Both have nice sales people willing to share their knowledge. Both sell Atco ballast, complete with Renzo Light holder. However, Arcarde sells Osrom tube but Etoile sells Toshiba (a check at any NTUC Fairprice will show you that Toshiba is cheaper than Osrom which is the acclaimed longest-lasting tube)
Jen-E is the lady who attended to me and patiently explained to me the requirements of my apartment. She's very experienced (despite her young age!) and comes across as sincere and trustworthy. I was uncertain at the end cos it was the first shop I entered, and I told her I needed to look around. She wasn't offended at all and told me to call if I have any questions.
We walked into Etoile Lumiere next. Elson at Etoile was very helpful as well. However, he stated that Toshiba tubes are made in Japan but I later learnt that they are made in Thailand. The salespeople in Etoile were generally more pushy and this turned my husband off. We went off to a third shop which is 168 trading at Jln Besar.
While the salesgirl was really nice and friendly, the price quoted was almost 40% higher than either Etoile or Arcade. They claimed that it is because the mateiral is different - I asked how different can one Atco ballast be from the next? Was told by a more senior sales person that other shops may not be providing genuine stuff, and if I want low price, "pls buy from the other shops". Since she was kinda rude, and since I know that Light Arcade is not some fly-by-night operation, I took her at her words and left.
Went back to Arcade and closed the deal with Jen-E and Andrew. We walked away two satisfied customers. My final quote is below to share with you guys:
18 pcs of 1x13watt downlight (Osram tube, Atco ballast, white round Kenzo housing): $15 each
03 pcs of 2x13watt downlight (Osram tube, Atco ballast, white round Kenzo housing): $19 each
06 pcs of 50watt (Osram tube, Laniber housing, approved transformer): $15 each
03 pcs small 22watt hamburger lights (Safer tube): $15 each
02 pcs medium 33watt hamberger lights (Safter tube): $25 each
01 pc 20watt 2feet florescent tube: $30 each
TOTAL COST: $542 (no installation - my contractors will be doing that)
All in all, a happy experience with Light Arcade. Will keep everyone posted on the process when ligths are delivered, installed, etc
cheers,
Yvonne