Hi there

I'm just curious...Almost anything you buy in the states is remarkably cheaper than if you were going to buy it here in switzerland, but I dont see how some electronic stores like digitec's prices for smart phones, in my case in particular, Samsung galaxy Nexus or galaxy note are considerably cheaper than the one offered in the states by say the BestBuy store ..

Galaxy Note (sim-lock free)
Digitec : 549 CHF
BestBUY : 699 USD

USD =.91 * CHF

I ask this question because i'm leaving to the states tomorrow and was planning to buy a phone there but Now i realized how stupid this thought could have been ...

So does anyone have an idea, whats going on ? am I missing sth ?

thanks

Most electronics are cheaper here than most other places.

Dont know why. But a good place to get the best price:

www.toppreise.ch

Lower rate of VAT (Mwst) than in the surrounding EU countries helps. But phones are not a good example for comparison, as local markets vary tremendously.

Some things are cheaper. e.g. Acer Iconia A100

Best Buy is generally no deal. Although on certain items they are no cheaper than anywhere else especially when you are talking items like apple stuff, items that are generally not discounted or items that just came on the market. You should look at Amazon to avoid the sales tax and have the stuff sent to a friend or co-worker. $684 on the Note, free shipping. Still a better deal here. The other thing is most cell phones in the US are sold locked and $500-$600 phones are frequently free on a 2-year contract. Very different in the US the way consumers get and use cell phones.

Less import duty.

For ex. 8521.9000 Video recording or reproducing apparatus, whether or not incorporating a video tuner:

CH: Max. CHF 84.00 / 100 kg (JP, KR are duty free)
DE: 13,9 % of its value (JP and KR are not duty free)

Additionally, the tax in Switzerland is only 8%, whereas in Germany it is 19%.

So a Korean HDD recorder weighting 3kg which costs 200.- to import will cost at least 216.- in Switzerland but a whooping 271.- in Germany. No seller profit added.

Yeah, noticed that too. Certain electronics are surprisingly cheaper than in North America.

Right before Xmas, I picked up an AppleTV for 88 CHF. It was EUR 99 in Germany, USD 99 in USA, and CAD 119 (+13% more if you're in Ontario!) in Canada.

Ridiculous.

Actually one could have gotten an AppleTV in US around Dec 1 for $85 delivered.

Another example of needing to know the cost of what you are buying and don't assume that Switzerland is always more expensive. Buying electronics in the USA to bring here is highly likely to cost you more especially if you don't check if you also need a power plug or converter

In short Digitec is usually very good value and service is brilliant

A question to ask when buying is "Has the device already been activated?"

I bought an iPod as a gift at Interdiscount - same price as the Apple store - and it developed a problem six months later. The warranty was for a year but unbeknownst to me Interdiscount had somehow activated the device six months before it was purchased rendering the guarantee void. Lots of copying receipts and international mail later Apple relented and repaired the iPod. Apparently it happens a lot, so think to ask and save yourself the faffing about.

Sounds like a refurbished unit...

can't think of any other reason it would have been activated...although, to be honest, i was pretty sure that when you buy refurb'd units from Apple, you get a full warranty as for a new unit.. can anyone confirm that??

Got a ful year warranty on my refurbed Macbook Pro. And it was eligible for an extended 2 yr. Applecare warranty (which has been put to good use!)... so no difference there.

fduvall

If you buy them from Apple you get the same as a new unit. If you get them elsewhere buyer beware. This was a non-Apple sale. 60-day vendor warranty.