Cheap electronics in the US?

[DrPhil]

Heading to New York on Friday and a friend was telling me that I can pick up some crazy cheap electronics in the US. I-Pads, iPhones etc.

He was recommending it as a way of making a few quid for Christmas, bring some in and selling them, but that's a bit on the illegal side so I'm not interested.

However I wouldn't say no to a new phone, or maybe a laptop as mine is pretty hammered.

Anyone got experience of this? Any idea where to shop?

 

[dc8900]

have a read through of this as a starter: Cheap electronics stores in New York City | New York Travel Guide

as a warning, if you want to get a mobile, make sure it's GSM as CDMA will not work over here

 

[Mr_Wistles]

My experience of electronics in NY was be prepared to haggle! Its not like over here where there are chains, you have an occasional Radio Shack but most are independents.

 

[qwerty321]

One thing with a laptop would be that some of the keys might not be as you expect them. Mainly it's just the secondary symbol over the number 2 and where the @ symbol is, usually switched around. Also on a UK keyboard, there is a £ sign on there which doesn't exist on a US keyboard.

Although, then again I don't know what the standard keyboard is like in Ireland so it might not be an issue for you.

Also check the warranty conditions, what would happen if you needed to get the item repaired. Some items might be covered under an international warranty. Best to be sure though.

 

[dc8900]

My experience of electronics in NY was be prepared to haggle! Its not like over here where there are chains, you have an occasional Radio Shack but most are independents.

and that's why I love Tottenham Court Road (in London), I don't think I have ever paid full retail, I've always haggled down (and they, as in the retailers, expect that will happen as well)

 

[baldrick]

I'm not sure about Apple devices? The prices are a bit cheaper, mainly due to the difference between VAT and the State-by-State sales taxes over here (20% vs 3 - 7%).

 

[dc8900]

One thing with a laptop would be that some of the keys might not be as you expect them. Mainly it's just the secondary symbol over the number 2 and where the @ symbol is, usually switched around. Also on a UK keyboard, there is a £ sign on there which doesn't exist on a US keyboard.

on US keyboards where the £ sign would be on ours it has the # key instead, in fact, here is a pic to compare:

UK layout:

Irish layout:

US layout:

In regards to prices, always remember to add on 8.875% (combined sales tax rate taking into account the state and city rate) to the final price which is never included in headline prices.

 

[DrPhil]

Been eying up a Dell laptop, 2.1 Ghz processor, 4GB RAM, 640GB harddrive $420 on jr.com

I had budgeted £450 for a desktop PC here when we move house but I might snap up a laptop like that instead.

 

[tonyrees687]

Just do it save a lot of money. My best mate works for virgin atlantic is allways coming home with stuff cheaper. She just sold her I pad to get funds for Ipad2 which she can get for $400 apparently.

 

[Boris Blank]

I'm just back from Florida and the prices in the US are pretty good, eg IPad2 was 399US dollars, about £255 in our money plus sales tax of about 7% so its quite a saving. You can take back £350 worth of tax free goods with no customs duty. Of course you are free to exceed that limit at your own risk

Best Buy in the US can provide international warranties on all electrical goods for a reasonable fee - just ask when buying. Takes the worry out of the equation. I took out a two year warranty for my Kindle Firefor just 20 dollars!

Best deal I saw was a nice (although not perfect but still yummy) 80 inch HDTV for around £2500 ! Really, really mouth wateringly eye openingly nice.

Have fun!

 

[dc8900]

I'm just back from Florida and the prices in the US are pretty good, eg IPad2 was 399US dollars, about £255 in our money plus sales tax of about 7% so its quite a saving. You can take back £350 worth of tax free goods with no customs duty.

HMRC allow £390 coming back to the UK

although OP, you live in the Republic right? So I'm assuming you will have to abide by the Revenue's Customs Service limits?

EDIT: the allowance is €430 for those living in ROI http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1878a.html

 

[FZR400RRSP]

Been eying up a Dell laptop, 2.1 Ghz processor, 4GB RAM, 640GB harddrive $420 on jr.com

I had budgeted £450 for a desktop PC here when we move house but I might snap up a laptop like that instead.

Assuming you're not adding sales tax to that $420, thats around £270.
Not bad, but not fantastic either.
I've seen toshiba 4Gb/640gb laptops here for £349.
£79 isn't enough of a saving for me to waste time going shopping over there, or to put up with a funny keyboard.

 

[dc8900]

Assuming you're not adding sales tax to that $420, thats around £270.
Not bad, but not fantastic either.
I've seen toshiba 4Gb/640gb laptops here for £349.
£79 isn't enough of a saving for me to waste time going shopping over there.

It's only worth paying that £400 plane ticket if you are there anyway; I doubt most would cross the pond purely to get a cheap kindle....

 

[FZR400RRSP]

It's only worth paying that £400 plane ticket if you are there anyway; I doubt most would cross the pond purely to get a cheap kindle....

You've misunderstood me....I think.
I didn't mean paying to go over there shopping.
I meant its not enough of a saving to warrant wasting my time whilst there going shopping, when I could be doing other things.

 

[rousetafarian]

Also be mindful of US adaptors/plugs on certain electrical items

 

[dc8900]

You've misunderstood me....I think.
I didn't mean paying to go over there shopping.
I meant its not enough of a saving to warrant wasting my time whilst there going shopping, when I could be doing other things.

My bad, but yeah I agree with on that extent in that you don't the shopping to consume the whole of your holiday!

 

[qwerty321]

Also be mindful of US adaptors/plugs on certain electrical items

Not really a huge issue these days as most devices have an interchangeable plug. Probably need to factor in a few quid for that.

 

[nheather]

Also bear in mind warranty.

It's quite common for warranty on electronics to be region locked.

So for example your camera might develop a fault after a few months, you send it to the service centre in Milton Keynes and it gets returned to you saying that this is a US camera and you need to send it to Michigan.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[Sonic67]

Also make sure the goods work on the UK 50Hz supply etc.