Interested in getting a PSP? Why don't you buy one for $2,600? According to a STOMP report, that was the price a girl paid for a PSP at an Orchard Road store when she went game gadget shopping with her mother. The amount she paid was equivalent to about 9 PSPs.

The shop assistant told the girl that the gaming device cost $290, while accessories, including a memory card and a screen protector, added up to $196. However, the salesperson then added a $2,114 "modification" charge to the invoice, the citizen journalism website reported. The gaming device was also "taken away from the shop to a technician" who performed the said modification.

While dubious practices like these are getting less common in Singapore, some electronics and videogame stores here still have separate price policies for different customers who walk in. The ones most likely to fall target to such cases of overcharging at local videogame stores are often female customers and parents with young children.

Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from less than honest videogame and electronics retailers, and still have a great time:

1. Do your homework

The best way to protect yourself would be to check prices online for any gadget or device you want to buy before you actually step into a store.

Most manufacturers will state the recommended retail price(RRP) on their websites, and many tech websites also provide price lists for easy reference. Just Google the brand or model of the gadget you are looking for.

The retail price at stores should have too much of a difference compared to what was recommended by the manufacturer. Also, it might good to find out if the manufacturer's site has a list of authorized resellers, as these stores are more likely to follow the recommended retail price.

2. 'Packages' are not always a cheaper

When gadgets come in 'packages' that include accessories and games, always ask for a breakdown of individual items in the list.

Ask yourself if you need everything that is included in the package. Do you like that Spongebob Squarepants game that comes free with your PSP? Does that heavy, battery-consuming PSP cooling fan look like a practical and useful accessory?

If you find that the bundled software or accessories do not make sense to you or are not to your taste, skip them and go solo.

3. Check several stores before you buy

Visit several stores first before you decide on which one to buy from. Not only will you minimize your chances of ending up with a bad purchase, you also get to compare prices and check out any existing promotions that might be a better deal.

4. Cheapest (or most expensive) doesn't mean it's the best price

Don't jump into a deal just because it's cheap. Is it cheap because the gadget is sold alone, with no accessories? Or is it because it's an older model, or running on older software? Does it come with a warranty?

When prices quoted by a store are very different from that of most others you have surveyed, don't be afraid to ask the shop staff why. If you feel that the salesperson is unable to give you a good answer, take your business somewhere else.

5. Ask for more information

When a salesperson mentions technical terms you do not understand, do not be afraid to clarify your doubts. Why did he recommend this model over another one? Is there a product brochure you can take home? Do they have a demo unit you can try?

Just because you are a female customer or a parent with a young child eager to try out the latest Pokemon game doesn't mean that shady retailers have the right to charge you exorbitant prices for their wares. Checking out a few stores and comparing prices may not take up a lot of your time, and it will likely save you some money in the long run.