Going Concerns: Cross Border Shopping Part 2
Posted November 20, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
In part 2 of “Going Concerns”, Consumer Specialist Jee-Yun Lee takes a look at buying electronics across the border. You can see the report here after CityNews at Six. In the meantime, here are some things to watch out for.
The Bargain
Prices for electronics are in a constant state of flux, and unlike most products these days, demand for them seems to keep the prices coming down. So check the Black Friday ads before you leave to see if there’s really an item that makes the trip – complete with gas and long border waits – worth your while.
Will They Work Here?
You can take your iPod just about anywhere, but what about an iPhone? It’s not yet introduced in Canada and the device won’t work here, even if you buy it there for a good price.
Warranties
The repair guarantees for many items aren’t applicable in Canada, leaving you literally paying the freight if something goes wrong with it once you return. Make sure you nail this down before buying anything. Most products made by reputable manufacturers are good quality and the chances of them breaking down within the warranty period are slim. So think about whether you’re prepared to take the risk to save a few bucks.
Can You Get It Here?
Some electronics stores here are so anxious for your bucks they may price match if you can prove you can get it cheaper elsewhere and are willing to go those extra miles to do it. Ask at one of the big chains before you leave. You just might save yourself a trip and the worst they can do is say no.
What About Price Guarantees?
Some merchants provide a 30-day price guarantee on the products they sell. If the cost goes down within a month of your purchase, they’ll give you the difference. But how can you tell if you’re hundreds of kilometres away? An online service called “priceprotectr.com” offers a solution. It lists a growing number of retailers – including many in Canada – who will email you if the price of something you bought at a store decreases. But unless the store or chain you bought it from is here, you’ll still have to decide if the difference is worth another trip to the U.S. to claim the refund. Find the site here.
Photo credit: Yoshikazu Tsuno /AFP/Getty Images
