Buying Electrical Goods

[2-islandangie]

Just a word of caution about buying electrical goods.We usually tend to buy from a reputable shop like Visanta. However we bought an mp3 player from a shop that is owned by an aquaintance I have met here through my Spanish lessons.It was a Christmas gift for our daughter.
The recorder had a 512mb sticker on it & being a novice about them & it was bought on the reputation of JVC. However when we got it back to the apartment & she went to use it we found that the model was not recognised on the JVC spanish website & there was a warning that they were not made by them.
Also it was not 512mb either it was only 256mb.Luckily we noticed before it was too late we took it back & got it changed for a "genuine " one.

[swifty]

always be aware of the electrical shops all over the canary islands.
things are not always what they seem.
many are cheaper to buy in the uk and are the real thing.

[Owen]

When it comes time to paying for the electrical you want to buy, calculate yourself how much the product would be in your own currency, don't trust the shop-keeper's calculations. Do not sign any blank credit-card slips, make sure it's filled out completely, empty boxes crossed out and you are sure the total can't be increased by another 100 euros or so.

Once you have signed a credit card slip, if later you realise a mistake then later is too late. The credit card companies (including UK ones) will not refund you anything, you would have to go to court to resolve any issues.

Unfortunately there are quite a few electrical shops ready to take advantage but if you know what you want and you know what you're doing there are also quite a few where you can get a good deal.

Personally I head north to the Atlantico center in Vecindario, shopping around Las Palmas city or best of all for electricals is MediaMarkt in Siete Palmas (just outside Las Palmas).

[swifty]

when i am there in february i am paying a visit to one in pr.
they tried (did not suceed) to charge 45 euros for processing a film last time i was there..
now i will get my own back.

[Cap'nJack]

Can I add a word of caution about buying electrical goods on Gran Canaria.
My elderly inlaws ( both aged 84 ) had a holiday there in November and I have just seen their bank statement. It would appear that they have been charged 890 euros for a portable DVD player that is quite frankly rubbish. I have seen them in the UK for less than 50£. To add insult to injury they were charged 295 Euros for the battery that came with it!. In total they have had over £2000 taken from their bank account for this DVD player and a Sony camera which retails in the UK for about £300. They admit that they freely signed the Debit card slip but as the "chap was sooo nice" they thought it was a good buy. Gullible? Certainly, and they are suitably ashamed. I don't think they have any comeback so 'caveat emptor' :mad:

Personally we have advised them not to set foot anywhere near Gran Canaria again.

Cap'nJack

[libbyo]

Please dont tar the whole island with this. It is sad it happened, very sad. But I think you will find this sort of BAD trading going on in most tourist places around the World.

Most GC/ Spanish locals are nothing but kind and helpful to the tourists. Sites like these always advise you to stay away from the electrical stores.

A good way to think about it is if I buy this item here, can I use the gaurentee sold with it from my home. If not DONT BUY.

Nothing that apears to be very cheap EVER it. There is always a catch.

Once again, I am sorry this has happened. But dont blame the Island.

Libbyo

Oh yes. Always pay cash if you choose to buy like this, then figures cant be changed and your details not on any shop system.

[Stephen]

well i have said and always will say BUY IN THE UK , the guarantee will be 100% genuine , and the prices for electricals at the big electrical stores like comet and currys are a lot cheaper most of the time and the cameras at Doixons and Jessops and even Boots are cheaper

also remember that most of the supermarkets sell electrical goods at very low prices and if you read the reports , a lot of them score higher marks than the BRAND NAMES

[Annie]

yes, it is very important to be careful. i've been to canary islands for about 4 times but i was younger and my parents were the ones in charge of being careful when buying stuff, but now i know a lot more than they do - when it comes to prices of cameras, dvds, etc... eventhough we've heard of many ppl with a bad experience, we didn't have one. we bought walkman and a video camera a few years ago and everything was fine, the price was good, etc.

it is awful what they do to some people...

i remember one year i wanted to buy a black purse...
i wouldn't pay more than 10 euros. because it wasn't worth it.
the salesman told me the price was 50 euro, which made me laugh at his face! i was shocked... after 5 minutes i got the bag for 10 euro. that is the most simple example of the way things are going there. and i really liked the purse, i've had it for 2 years, hehehe...

[Cap'nJack]

Just so that I don't tar the whole island withe same brush,

The shop in question was Foto Pravi in Maspalomas.

Give them my regards :mad:

Cap'nJack

[libbyo]

Thanks for that. Its good to know.

Libbyo :)

[Eyja]

My Spanish teacher, a born Canarian, tells me to buy a printer only in Courte Inglése. She is 26. Just thought I'd add my bit...

[coolcreen]

I would not trust any of the camera shops in Puerto Rico except for one. It is on the upper floor of the Europa Shopping centre. The name of the shop is "Foto Action". All goods on the displays are priced and haggling will not result in a price reduction. So it is very straight-forward. You see the piece of equipment with the price attached, that is the price you pay. They also offer a 2 day refund of your money if you are unhappy with your purchase (Notice displayed in the shop) An Indian Lady and her son run the business and appear to be very honourable people. We were very happy with our purchases. You may appear to get a much better price in one of the other shops, but as you walk out the door with your purchase, they will have conned you out of a lot more of your hard-earned money. Alternatively consider "Visanta" located in Playa del Ingles and the city of Las Palmas who operate in a similar manner to that of "Foto Action"

All of the above in my humble opinion

[nutjackuk]

Hi Folks.

Just thought i would have a shout too. I have bought electrical items (Camcorder & Camera + accessories) during my previous visits to PR. The 1 thing i always do when interested in an item is take a note of the manufacturer and the model number, then go to an internet cafe and search this product. Google can give you results including reviews, price comparisons and technical specifications of your intended purchase. The items in the shops in PR tend to be mainly 'deleted' stock which means that they are probably cheaper to buy in the UK than in PR. Don't be fooled by Argos books in the shops stating how much this product is to buy in the UK, they may used to be this price but the chances are that the price has significantly been reduced in a end of range sale to make way for new stock.
It's definitely worth spending a few hours and euros doing your homework just to see if you are getting a genuine bargain or ripped off.
Also if you do this homework you will see on the JVC website the warning regarding 'fake' JVC products on sale , mainly in the Canaries so you won't make the mistake of purchasing one.

Be Warned. There is a minority that will sting you for all they can. Don't be gullible fool that everyone laughs at.

Happy Holidays.

Regards.

Nutjackuk
:) :angryfire: :)

[libbyo]

Sadly in the resorts I think it is the majority of the electrical shops that will try to sting you. In the shopping centres in Vecendario , Las Palmas etc I think it is a safer bet.

But it is still BUYER BEWARE

Libbyo :)