I have heard that the only place to go is Panama. Any help would be appreciated.
"Home of the free half point"
www.betrio.co.cr
"Home of the free half point"
www.betrio.co.cr
I went to Golfito last May and they didn't have any high end electronics -- just the same shit you see everywhere in San Jose, priced maybe 30% less. Sony and LG flat tube televisions, don't recall even seing any rear-projections but maybe. Boom boxes only, no separate stereo components nor speakers.
The purchase limit at Golfito is something like $600 per person, so you'd need several people even if they did have such an item.
I can't imagine but maybe you could get such an item from a vendor outside the public duty free section. For example, they don't have any Play Stations within the section, but outside there are a dozen street vendors willing to sell you one. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a plasma display in this fashion. YMMV.
I've been told there's at least one high end audio (and video?) store in Escazu. There's a shop in MultiPlaza with a plasma display.
I think you're best bet is to ship one in from the States and get a decent agent so you don't get screwed on the tarrif.
Don't know anything about Panama bet let me know.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 02:27 PM.]
The purchase limit at Golfito is something like $600 per person, so you'd need several people even if they did have such an item.
I can't imagine but maybe you could get such an item from a vendor outside the public duty free section. For example, they don't have any Play Stations within the section, but outside there are a dozen street vendors willing to sell you one. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a plasma display in this fashion. YMMV.
I've been told there's at least one high end audio (and video?) store in Escazu. There's a shop in MultiPlaza with a plasma display.
I think you're best bet is to ship one in from the States and get a decent agent so you don't get screwed on the tarrif.
Don't know anything about Panama bet let me know.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 02:27 PM.]
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Adam Selene:
I went to Golfito last May and they didn't have any high end electronics -- just the same shit you see everywhere in San Jose, priced maybe 30% less. Sony and LG flat tube televisions, don't recall even seing any rear-projections but maybe. Boom boxes only, no separate stereo components nor speakers.
The purchase limit at Golfito is something like $600 per person, so you'd need several people even if they did have such an item.
I can't imagine but maybe you could get such an item from a vendor outside the public duty free section. For example, they don't have any Play Stations within the section, but outside there are a dozen street vendors willing to sell you one. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a plasma display in this fashion. YMMV.
I've been told there's at least one high end audio (and video?) store in Escazu. There's a shop in MultiPlaza with a plasma display.
I think you're best bet is to ship one in from the States and get a decent agent so you don't get screwed on the tarrif.
Don't know anything about Panama bet let me know.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 02:27 PM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks a lot. When you say a decent agent, does that mean a good connection at customs?
"Home of the free half point"
www.betrio.co.cr
I went to Golfito last May and they didn't have any high end electronics -- just the same shit you see everywhere in San Jose, priced maybe 30% less. Sony and LG flat tube televisions, don't recall even seing any rear-projections but maybe. Boom boxes only, no separate stereo components nor speakers.
The purchase limit at Golfito is something like $600 per person, so you'd need several people even if they did have such an item.
I can't imagine but maybe you could get such an item from a vendor outside the public duty free section. For example, they don't have any Play Stations within the section, but outside there are a dozen street vendors willing to sell you one. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a plasma display in this fashion. YMMV.
I've been told there's at least one high end audio (and video?) store in Escazu. There's a shop in MultiPlaza with a plasma display.
I think you're best bet is to ship one in from the States and get a decent agent so you don't get screwed on the tarrif.
Don't know anything about Panama bet let me know.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 02:27 PM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks a lot. When you say a decent agent, does that mean a good connection at customs?
"Home of the free half point"
www.betrio.co.cr
Yeah.... Adam is right... I called around today, and that is what I was told... Because of the buying limit per person, they can't sell such goods there.
For everyone's information... the applicable sales tax on a Plasma TV is 49.25%.
If it makes you feel any better... if you bring it down yourself (order it from the US) and pay the tax, the amount you end up paying is still less than the going rate at local stores such as Sony Center, or LG.
For everyone's information... the applicable sales tax on a Plasma TV is 49.25%.
If it makes you feel any better... if you bring it down yourself (order it from the US) and pay the tax, the amount you end up paying is still less than the going rate at local stores such as Sony Center, or LG.
Yeah, a good intermediary import service or someone who knows someone. You know how it goes.
Often custom agents haven't a clue (intentionally or unitentionally) about retail prices and have a lot of latitude in determining the value of the item.
As for standard mail-forward services, I've heard Interlink gets stuff in much cheaper than AeroCasillas, but no idea about big ticket items. Honestly I haven't done much importing.
49.25%! Say, what's the largest check-in luggage size? Time to stuff one in a suitcase underneath a bunch of ladies underwear.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 08:59 PM.]
Often custom agents haven't a clue (intentionally or unitentionally) about retail prices and have a lot of latitude in determining the value of the item.
As for standard mail-forward services, I've heard Interlink gets stuff in much cheaper than AeroCasillas, but no idea about big ticket items. Honestly I haven't done much importing.
49.25%! Say, what's the largest check-in luggage size? Time to stuff one in a suitcase underneath a bunch of ladies underwear.
[This message was edited by Adam Selene on April 13, 2004 at 08:59 PM.]
People I know that have a bunch of them for their business say the suck after awhile and aren't worth the money unless you really need it in a certain spot with no space. They were told by a salesman that the next round of technology will be better and you won't have bad screen burn or even worse picture degradation after just two or three years use. Until then I would suggest going with a big screen.
Last week Igot a 32 INCH plasma at HYPER MAS for $1100........Good deal IMO.....
http://www.bonestamp.com/images/animations/Image6.gif
http://www.bonestamp.com/images/animations/Image6.gif
