Thanks to our prime position on the equator, our little red dot is one hot and humid island. Constant perspiration is the norm, and while there are afternoons where you can walk down the streets wearing a pullover without melting, that only happens about 1% of the year if you’re lucky.
To stay cool while keeping electricity bills low, we turn to good quality standing fans. To stretch our dollar even further, savvy Singaporeans will flock across the border to get all their home needs, from groceries to big-ticket purchases. With that, here are the 7 best fan stores in JB where you can enjoy up to 75% savings on your haul.
1. Tampoi Lighting Centre – 15 minutes from Woodlands Causeway
Image credit: Tampoi Lighting Centre SDN.BHD
Just 15 minutes away from immigration stands Tampoi Lighting Centre. Contrary to what its name suggests, Tampoi Lighting Centre sells more than just lights. In fact, they also carry a good range of fans from popular brands such as Franco and KDK.
Image credit: Tampoi Lighting Centre SDN.BHD.
While prices are not explicitly stated on their website, you’re expected to save up to 70% once the exchange rate is accounted for.
Case in point – the KDK Mounted Sirocco Ventilating Fan and Fanco DC Motor Bladeless Ceiling Fan cost S$130 and S$209.90 respectively in Singapore. At Tampoi, they cost approximately RM130 and RM210 respectively.
Even though the store is only a 15-minute drive from the Causeway, you’re not expected to bring your purchases home by yourself. Tampoi Lighting Centre delivers to Singapore with the help of third party couriers. When making your purchase, you can make shipping arrangements with Tampo Lighting Centre.
In general, delivery via these couriers cost around $4/500g.
Address: 2,4 & 6, Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm | Sun 11am-8pm
Contact: +60 7-241 8999 | Tampoi Lighting Centre website
2. Starworld Lighting – Up to 75% discount on KDK fans
Image credit: Starworld Lighting
A short walk down the road from Tampoi Lighting Centre will bring you to Starworld Lighting. Like its neighbour, this place sells more than just lights.
Here, KDK ventilation fans start from RM108 (~S$32.52), which is a whopping 75% lower than similar offerings in Singapore which start from S$140.
According to seasoned users on the car and utilities forum Mycarforum, shoppers can expect to save 40% on Fanco fans on average, which is similar to the deal you’d get at Tampoi Lighting Centre.
Image credit: Fanz
Starworld Lighting labels their Fanz listings as the “Top Pick In Singapore”. So understandably, they carry a wide range of the brand’s ceiling fans, such as the 52-inch WiFi-operated fan with LED light (RM458, ~S$137.34).
The store also carries other fan brands such as Rezo. At Starworld Lighting, prices of Rezo’s Lorca series start from RM333 (~S$99.85), which is cheaper than buying it from Lazada, where it costs RM389 (~S$116.48).
Starworld Lighting offers delivery to Singapore via their own delivery fleet. Shipping starts at RM40 (~S$11.99) per box of purchases. However, do note that the products are only under warranty in JB, and you’ll have to send them back to the store if they require fixing.
Address: 01, 26-01, 28, 28, Jalan Titiwangsa 3/1, Taman Tampoi Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-8pm, Daily
Contact: +60 16-713 1171| Starworld Lighting website
3. Yako Lighting – Popular brands like Panasonic & Nippon
Image credit: Yako Lighting Centre Sdn Bhd
Just like with interior design and decor, there’s always a sizable group of homeowners with an affinity to brands made by the Japanese. If you’re one of them, you can shop for your favourite Japan-made fans from brands such as Panasonic and Nippon at Yako Lighting.
Image credit: Panasonic
While prices are not stated for most products on their website, juicy discounts are still evident in the store. For example, Nippon’s II-3 Blade can be snatched for RM99 (~S$29.70), which is just 20% of its market price in Singapore.
Location wise, Yako Lighting is a 35-minute drive from the Causeway, with places like The Mall, Mid Valley Southkey along the way to help you get your bearings.
Note: Contact store for delivery information.
Address: 399A, Jalan Tebrau Batu 3 1/2, Taman Majidee, 80250 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-334 2985 | Yako Lighting website
4. YES Electrical Supply – Opposite KSL City Mall
Image credit: YES Electrical Supply
Opposite KSL City Mall stands YES Electrical Supply. While its lack of a showroom display makes it a tad dodgy-looking, the store is quite well known amongst Mycarforum users, thanks to its accessible location.
Image credit: Tampoi Lighting
Catering to minimalists at heart, YES Electrical Supply has mainly KDK and Elmark fans in their catalogue, with their Scandinavian styles being the most popular. While delivery methods and prices are not explicitly mentioned, you can look forward to enjoying good half-priced discounts on your purchases.
Address: 22, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80050 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm | Sat 8am-1pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: +60 7-333 9900 | YES Electrical Supply website
5. E-Mart Nusa Bestari – Appliance hypermart near AEON Mall
Image credit: Darson Electronics Sdn. Bhd.
Big hypermarkets are hallmarks of shopping in JB, and E-Mart Nusa Bestari is a good one that specialises in household appliances including fans.
Near AEON Mall Bukit Indah, this spot is a 50-minute drive from both the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints, and it is popular amongst Singaporeans looking to bulk-order a lot of furniture at one go. You’ll find ceiling fans from around RM200 (~S$60.20), and much more when you start shopping on-site.
Note: Contact store for delivery information.
Address: 23, Jalan Bestari 12/2, Taman Nusa Bestari, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia | E-Mart Nusa Bestari website
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +60 7-556 3418
6. Best Light Electrical – Up to 67% cheaper than SG
Image credit: Best Light Group
Another popular wholesale hypermart is Best Light Electrical. A 50-minute drive from Woodlands, this place not only has an outlet at Mount Austin, but also in more industrial neighbourhoods such as Skudai.
Image credit: KDK Singapore
Thanks to the standard exchange rate, you’ll find that products here are two-thirds cheaper than in Singapore by default. For instance, the KDK DC Motor Short Pipe is yours at RM575 (~S$172.48), compared to S$618 back home.
Note: Contact store for delivery information.
Address: No.15, 17, Jalan Ros Merah 2/10, Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8.30am-7pm | Sun 8.30am-3pm
Contact: + 60 7-358 1211 | Best Light Electrical website
7. Elektronik Keck Seng – KDK Wholesaler
Image credit: Elektronik Keck Seng
No fan shopping trip is complete without perusing through a selection of the ever-popular KDK fans, and there are few better places to do so than at Elektronik Keck Seng.
Image credit: Carousell
A 50-minute drive from the Causeway, this wholesaler has all things KDK. This includes their KDK V Touch Junior, which goes for RM479 (~S$143.69) – more than 40% cheaper than the same fan in Singapore, which costs S$220. Furthermore, they also have more novel buys such as the sleek Phison Bladeless Cooling Fan for RM409 (~S$122.69).
Price perks aside, do note that Elektronik Keck Seng only delivers around East and Peninsula Malaysia, so you will have to make your own cross-border delivery arrangements.
As for refunds and warranty, faulty items need to be reported within 2 days of purchase if you want to get your money back. You’ll also need to transport faulty items back to the shop yourself in order to get it fixed under warranty.
Address: 37-39, Jalan Persisiran Perling 1, Taman Perling, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: +60 7-230 9120 | Elektronik Keck Seng website
Delivery & transportation back to Singapore
Now that the shopping is done, it’s time to think about bringing your goods back home.
Beyond asking about price, it’s good to ask whether delivery is done through a third party courier or their own fleet service so that you’ll know how to track your parcel. This is especially important for stores that don’t explicitly state their delivery methods.
As for taxes, we’re still required to pay the usual 8% GST, though with some exceptions. For example, if your time away from Singapore exceeds 48 hours, you are granted a GST relief of $500; else, it’s $100.
While we may have heard stories of stores giving “fake receipts” to help customers evade GST, we discourage this practice as immigration authorities have recently been more stringent on such measures.
Warranty and servicing wise, you’ll generally need to bring the item back to the stores yourself as the staff can’t cross the border to fix it for you.
Best stores in JB to buy fans
When it comes to furnishing our home, it isn’t usually the price of a single item that’s daunting, but the accumulation of all our purchases as a whole. After emptying multiple piggy banks to buy our house, renovate it, and secure furniture and appliances, even the smallest discount is a welcome break for our battered finances.
That’s why keeping tabs on good shopping haunts can go a long way in helping us save more money. To look for durable, effective and affordable fans, start by visiting these stores in JB over the weekend.
For more guides on appliances:
- Fika vs Modori non-stick pans
- Best smart home gadgets
- Best home appliances
- IKEA’s new Varmblixt collection
Cover image adapted from: Best Light Group, Darson Electronics Sdn. Bhd.
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