new thread
Hey guys, I know this is gonna be a totally off-topic but since some of you are (and live) in Europe I wanted to ask this.
I will be travelling to Europe in a couple months and am looking for mega store chains where I can buy electronic gadgets (computers, tablets, cameras, tv's , etc).
I will be going to Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and London but I have no clue which country is the "cheapest" to buy electronics and which store to go.
Is there something like a U.S "Best Buy" or something like that in any of the countries I mentioned above?
Hi Dave,
Even though I have never set foot in Europe, so not the best person to answer your specific question, but why not just shop online?Many large electronics chain stores, such as Best Buy, have online stores where you can compare prices and have it shipped to your front door:)Why buy it while on a vacation and have to lug the gear around until you arrive home.Just a thought as it just seems simpler to me.Do enjoy your trip my friend:)Cheers
Mârk
I prefer to shop it personally because my local customs is very restrictive regarding things bought online, especially electronics.
Once, I shopped clothing from a UK website , they delivered the clothing but it never arrived to my home ( I assume that the package either lost in the way - very strange thing- or my local customs decided not to let the clothing in -very normal thing here-)
Our government is very restrictive regarding importing items from abroad :(
Also, the good thing about shopping personally is that I can touch and see the product myself before buying it.
Hi Dave,
Yes I can understand the part about actually handling the item your interested in purchasing.Unfortunately its not always possible especially if you buy say through an auction such as ebay.I've actually took a chance and have purchased motor vehicles that way and fortunately have not been burned.lol.Still if you buy something abroad doesn't customs check your items when you return to your home country?If they have a beef about things like that I'd imagine they would refuse to let you keep them.
Mârk
When I return from abroad , my local customs do not check the items haha , believe it or not. I can only bring in items for up to 300 USD without paying taxes.
So if I buy something that costs 500 USD , I have to pay 50% of the exceeded amount ( exceeded amount = 200 USD , so I'd have to pay 100 usd in taxes)
During my last trip to New York, I bought a MacBook Pro ( in the USA it costs about 1,200 usd - here in Argentina it costs around 3,500 usd due to the high taxes that Apple pays to bring in those products ). I did not declare the macbook, I told them that I already had it when I left the country. I bought the computer the first day I arrived in the USA and used it so when I arrived in Argentina it looked like I had it from before.
Ok Dave now I'm getting the picture here so being a little sneaky you can buy abroad,bring it home, and say you already owned it before you left:)Great job with the computer as that was a huge savings!Mac computers aren't cheap to begin with, as that's what I have,as those taxes they impose make it ultra expensive.Funny as I was in New York just this past Saturday since I live close to the city:)Anyway good luck on your trip into Europe and hopefully someone here can give you some tips on good places to shop locally.Be sure to take pics and post when you get back my friend.Cheers
Mârk
Hey Mark!
Almost EVERYTHING is cheaper abroad (comparing to Argentina prices) . In Argentina we have high levels of inflation, so vacationing in Argentina (for an argentinean) is more expenisive than going to New York, London or Tokyo.
So, for me is more affordable buying the most expensive clothing in New York or the most expensive electronic items than buying things in my own country. Sad, but true.
And the same thing happens with food, etc.
Hey Dave,
Wow, had no idea how high priced your homeland is.I don't travel a lot but interesting to hear your experience there.Guess not the most economical place to vacation eh? LOL.Surprised unemployment isn't high,or maybe it is, with such a high cost of living.Oh well I should talk as I was just layed off from my job this past Friday:(
Mârk
It isnt expensive for people who come with dollars or euros. For us is expensive in our local currency. And no, unemployment is not a big deal here. Actually Argentina is the country with lowest rate of unemployment in Latin America (about 7%).
Too bad to hear those news from you Mark! But hey, one of the things I noticed when I visited your country, is that anything you want you can make it. So dont put your arms down. I am sure something will come up :)
Hey Dave,
Thanks for your words of encouragement as I'm sure something will work out job wise.All you can do is take what comes your way and react as best as possible to it.I feel a change is needed and maybe this is that opportunity.We'll see.Guess as a tourist you'll do well in your country as that is where the money is for lots of places.Certainly don't want to scare them off with unreasonable expenses.
Mârk
Hi Dave,
I am sorry I can't help you with this, but I sure wish I was travelling with you! I am seriously jealous:) Enjoy your trip my friend!
Ted