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Hello guys,

I was thinking of buying a microwave oven here in the U.S. or some fancy electronic drills for my lady's parents when I go to Ukraine next month.  However, plugs and wattages may pose a problem as they use 220 V over there.  Also, warranties dont work work there too.

Any experiences with this type, please share your thoughts. Is it okay to buy U.S. appliances and what was the result? Were they able to use it well? What are good gift ideas for future in-laws?

Thanks in advance for sharing.

... in response to Electronic stuff for future in-laws, posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

Microwaves and things like that will require a power invertor, and are probably not worth the effort.

Many electronic things with EXTERNAL power supplies (like laptops, portable DVD players, shavers, etc) CAN be used with just a plug adapter, but you need to make sure the power supply will handle the power differences. (For instance, my razor did... my 8m Video camera did, but my portable DVD player did not.) Look at the power supply (that square thing) and it usually says right on it if it does.

However, you are always safe to go with things like portable CD players or (in case of kids) Gameboys which will only use batteries.

... in response to Electronic stuff for future in-laws, posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

European standard is 220 volts and 50 Hz - American standard is 110 volt and 60 Hz.

Most appliances made for the American market are incompatible for use in Europe (Ukraine) unless you add an expensive voltage converter - not just a plug adaptor.

Depending on exactly what you have in mind, you are probably better off to make the purchase there.

- Dan

... in response to Not Such a Good Idea . . ., posted by Dan on Jan 9, 2003

Thanks for the tip, Dan.

Is there any duty free shops that sells appliance or electronic stuffs?  

My fiancee told me that duty free shops dont carry them but they do in Asian countries like the Philippines.  

... in response to Re: Not Such a Good Idea . . ., posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

[This message has been edited by Jeff S]

...carry items that MUST be exported from the country in which they were bought, i.e. the shop did not pay the import duties to get the goods into the country, so the goods ust be re-exported. You can buy goods airport duty free shops only if you have a boarding pass for another country.

But, as Dan says, just because the shop didn't pay import duties when they purchased the goods, doesn't mean the goods are any cheaper when they sell them. For instance, Chivas Regal is $32 at the LAX duty free store but $21 at Costco. It's all about perceived value to the tourists. Japanese tourists, for instance, buy lots of Chivas at LAX because it's $50 at home.

The duty free shops in Asia usually require you to show them your passport and tourist visa with the understanding that you'll export the goods. They're not any better deal either, just tourist traps.

Jeff S.

... in response to Duty free shops . . ., posted by Jeff S on Jan 10, 2003

Whne I travel to Abu Dhabi for work, they have inbound duty free shops just before and after immigration.  When I smoked, I always purchased them there for use in that country.  They also encourage those who are non-muslim visitor to purchase their alcohol there as well.  

Just an exception to the "Must be exported" rule.

That's one town where $15 for VIP airport service is worth every penny!!! :-)

... in response to Duty free shops . . ., posted by Jeff S on Jan 10, 2003

They actually have things at Duty Free that are NOT available anywhere else

I discovered this the hard way.

I found a cologne that I really liked at the Duty Free shop in Paris. I thought about buying it, but decided against it, figuring I would just get it here...

Only NO ONE has it state-side.

I even looked at the internet sites: No Dice. NO ONE has it available.

I wish I could go to a duty free shop and pay import taxes. I would be happy to because now, of course, I HAVE to have that cologne!

... in response to Duty free shops . . ., posted by Jeff S on Jan 10, 2003

you are so right,  duty free shop do take their best shots,  because we are captive in the airport and they do have to make the rent. I do know that in France, after it proven that you have taken the goods out of the country and
mail back the stamp letter, they give you.  They do send you the taxes back, something like 25%.
But somehow the good stuff, cost the same all over.

... in response to Re: Not Such a Good Idea . . ., posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

If you fly to Russia or Ukraine through London Gatwick airport they have lots of duty free shops to visit while you wait for the next flight.  They have at least one electronics store, some clothing stores, music and book stores, etc.  I took British Air to Europe but all major international airports I have traveled through have duty free shops but they may not have extended hours.

... in response to Re: Not Such a Good Idea . . ., posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

Most duty free shops will sell power invertors, convertors and plugs. They also sell electronics stuff... but I've never seen an appliance per se.

Power inverters are not that expensive. I got mine at Frys for about $40 (and it came with plug converters for almost every nation) but they are kind of a pain to have to use.

Especially for an every day appliance. And if the invertor goes bad, the appliance would get fried. Not worth it in the long run...

... in response to Re: Not Such a Good Idea . . ., posted by BruceJet on Jan 9, 2003

There are plenty of shops that sell appliances. Kyiv has a Philips store and a Siemens store just off Kreschatyk, in addition the the Tsum Department Store right in the center of the city that carries a number of western brands.

As far as "duty-free" - I am not sure what you are thinking. I recall many trips to Singapore and Hong Kong and I purchased a nice Fuji APS camera there some time back, but when I returned to the US, I discovered that even though the sale was in a "Duty-Free" shop, the price was no better than I could have gotten with most major discount retail shops here in the US.

I am not aware of any "Duty-Free" shops selling appliances that you can take into Ukraine - but maybe some others on the board have more information than I do.

- Dan

... in response to Well - Kind Of . . ., posted by Dan on Jan 9, 2003

Appreciate your comments!  Take care and have a good weekend!