The price of laptops and electronic gadgets have reportedly increased by more than 70 per cent due to high demand during the home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) session.

According to a check by Sinar Harian at several gadget shops in two malls in the Klang Valley, the prices have drastically gone up compared to last year.

For example, an A1 laptop which used to be sold for RM1,300 per unit last year, cost RM2,322 each, last week, while an A2 model now costs RM1,899 each, compared to RM1,300 last year.

A tablet from a popular brand beginning with the letter S, which is among the "favourites" of parents for PdPR lessons, is now being sold for RM759 - up from the previous price of RM599.

A gadget shop owner who refused to be named, told the Malay daily that the price increase is due to two factors - high demand, and lack of supply.

"The S-brand tablet is in high demand now, but they are not a lot of units left. So in places where there is no stock, the traders will hike up the price of the products.

"This should not be happening, but that's the nature of supply and demand in business," he said.

Imran Lokman Nor Hakim, the chief executive of ILNH Mobile Group Sdn Bhd told Sinar Harian that it was improper for traders to drastically increase the price of gagdets, especially when the devices are in high demand, and many parents have had their livelihoods affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged consumers to be more wary of opportunistic traders and look for alternatives online, when hunting for gadgets.


Source: Sinar Harian
Photo source: The Star