This is a list I've started starting with IMPORTANT HINTS and INFO on Buying Electrical Appliances in Costa Rica as this is a VERY different country with VERY DIFFERENT circumstances and VERY VERY different conditions and prices!!
This is by NO means complete so if you can enhance any of the listings (get me DETAILS!!! Facebook pages, websites, phone #s, directions, hours, English-speaking contacts, etc.) - PLEASE forward them to LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com
First -
HINTS and INFO
It sure seems that appliances made these days are basically designed to last only about 5 years - ESPECIALLY in Costa Rica where you have the extra element of the weather rusting things out FAST!!!
GADGETS & BUTTONS
Basically if it has a bunch of gadgets - there’s more room for problems!
BEST TIME TO BUY APPLIANCES IN COSTA RICA
SEPTEMBER
(this is because the end of September is the end of the business calendar year and companies NEED the extra money from lightening their inventory.
Next would be around Mother's Day (August 15) where I've noticed more deals with things - Buy one - Get one Free, throwing a toaster in with a fridge . . .
PRICING - WHEELING & DEALING
MOST of these places - even big chains - you can wheel and deal – ESPECIALLY if you’re buying a LOT and/or paying by cash. Just ask! Note that IF a large appliance comes with a Power Cord [MANY do NOT] – MOST do NOT match the outlets here but you can usually find them at a Ferreteria/Hardware store like EPA).
WARRANTY:
GE and Whirlpool only have 1 year warranty.
Monge offers the option of purchasing an Extended Warranty on appliances (though it's not that cheap).
HIGHER END APPLIANCES:
Ambitec & Monge have the best selection of high end appliances.
BEST STORES
(this changes from week to week so it's BEST to COMPARE PRICES - BUT - OVERALL I've heard it's:
#1 - Monge
(the tend to have the best prices on LG)
LG is best overall for most appliances & tvs - but - NOT stoves or dryers. Their washing machines come with a 10 year warranty on the motor on some models
(so does Samsung)
#2 - Hogar Feliz
#3 - Casa Blanca
#4 - El Goyo
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WHICH APPLIANCES ARE BEST (or worst)
(based on ease of finding someone to repair it in a TIMELY manner and finding parts)?
I've asked a few of the Appliance Repair people I know and here's what they've shared (note - this CHANGES over time as quality changes):
WASHER • DRYERS
Whirlpool and LG are BEST in Costa Rica.
Front Load Washer have the MOST PROBLEMS (electronically).
WASHING MACHINES
If you insist on buying a new Washing Machine,
Whirlpool, GE or Frigidaire are better though it’s best if it’s made in U.S. (this is RARE on newer machines though as most are made in Mexico) as MANY have weak transmissions and are expensive to repair.
FYI - A 20 year old Washer is LOTS better than newer one.ESPECIALLY with Washing Machines, make sure metal part of body is in good shape - you can fix anything but the body.
DRYERSBEST Dryers
a 20+ year GE or a 5+ year Whirlpool (better) or Frigidaire (ok). Whirlpool is better - BUT - NOT digital!!!!
Note that GE Dryers have LOTS of parts and the controls are fragile so you might want to stay away from them.
STACKING WASHER•DRYERS
Melvin (my #1 Repair guy in Costa Rica!!) does not recommend them as they're challenging to repair.
STOVES
ALL new ones in Costa Rica seem to have PROBLEMS so - especially with rusting and the controls.Seriously - if you want something to last longer - buy an OLD one - 5-10++ years!!! Just make sure it's one you can find parts for easily here)
STOVE - GAS (cheaper):
Mabe (store - easy to find spare parts in Costa Rica) or GE (Whirlpool, GE, Frigidaire, Amana, KitchenAid are hard to find parts for in Costa Rica).
STOVE - ELECTRIC:
STAY AWAY FROM newer ones as ALL are made with cheap metal parts and a thin layer of paint so it rust fast.
If you insist on getting an electric stove - at least Frigidaire’s heating elements are at least cheaper to fix - quality is same but parts are cheaper.
Whirlpool parts are REALLY expensive!!!
REFRIGERATORS • FRIDGES:
LG is more expensive - BUT - they're THE BEST of the new fridges in Costa Rica (best if it’s made in Korea)
Samsung, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, Maytag.
MOST PROBLEMS
GE
(they seem to especially have problems like heater - BUT, they have the best SERVICE DEPARTMENTS of all the companies if it's still under warranty [you might just want to buy the extended warranties but make sure to check what's covered])
DISHWASHERS
NONE are very good as they ALL seem to have electrical problems eventually. You MUST use it at LEAST once a week or the electronic board or touch pads will go bad!!
The more bells and whistles,
the more challenging it is to find parts here hence also LOTS more $$ to fix (IF it's repairable)!
MOST U.S. appliances seem to develop rust issues within 1-1/2 to 2 years in Costa Rica, so CAREFULLY inspect your appliances thoroughly EVERY MONTH!!!
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"WHY CAN'T I FIND THE MODEL #s I'M LOOKING FOR??"
I've discovered that MANY of the model numbers you find in the U.S., strangely you can NOT find the same model number in Costa Rica though EVERYTHING about it seems the same.
"WHY?" you might ask?? I'm not positive, BUT, a few times I did LOTS of digging around and found that some (NOT all) of the items in Costa Rica, were items that didn't, shall we say, have the most positive reviews. Hmmmm - looking at that a l've thought for ages and MANY others feel it might be the case - have you ever wondered why SOOOOO MANY things you buy in Costa Rica don't seem to last as long as they would elsewhere or say they should. Overall, Tico's (NOT all) are known for not liking confrontation right? When something breaks down in the U.S., most people I know will return it and if they're not getting good results/customer service, they can get quite boisterous yes? How many Tico's have you seen carry on like that? In my going on 8 years and I can say I have not witnessed many! So have you ever wondered if there was a connection between this????? Hmmmmmm!!!! Makes ya think eh? 1+1 = __??? (I COULD be wrong but MANY OTHERS have shared similar observations!!)
One thing that is pretty consistent, you will usually find yourself paying LOTS more $$$ for the same appliances IN Costa Rica.
Also, MOST new appliances in Costa Rica are
MADE IN MEXICO
(excluding most LG which are made in Korea and some of the upscale appliances).
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Do you have a model you like that you saw in the States but can’t find here, some of the larger stores MAY be willing to special order for you to come in their next container. ASK!!!
SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND - "In the U.S., the FTC requires appliance manufacturers to make repair parts available for at least 3 years. In the late 1990s, Maytag made a corporate commitment to make parts available for 15 years. If you bring an older appliance here, there's an excellent chance that you'll NEVER find parts for it because #1 - that model probably was never imported to Costa Rica and #2 - even if you were in the U.S. the supply of parts has probably dried up unless it's a Maytag (including Magic Chef and Jenn-Aire). It seems to me that one would be better off to buy a new appliance here and have some chance, at least, that it could be repaired, if needed." (THANX David Murray)
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NEED AN APPLIANCE REPAIR PERSON?
My #1 guy is:
MELVIN VALVERDE
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2012/02/appliance-repair-melvin-valverde.html
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WHERE TO GET SMALLER ELECTRONIC THINGS FIXED
HANDS DOWN
SERVICIOS ELECTRONICOS DIAZ!!
LivingLifeInCostaRica.blogspot.com/2011/12/servicios-electronicos-diaz.html
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WHERE TO BUY APPLIANCES IN COSTA RICA:
USED APPLIANCES, ETC.
The OLDER the BETTER EXCEPT for Fridges (because they use more energy & the gaskets are not in as good a shape. Best to get one that’s less then 5 years because an Energy Saving Fridge could save you $10-$20/month on average (depending on size [note, that was NOT my experience when I got an Energy Saving Fridge])
Basically if it has a bunch of gadgets - there’s more room for problems!
Where to find
USED APPLIANCES •
WEBSITES LISTING THINGS FOR SALE
It sure seems like LOTS of people are leaving and most are NOT taking their things back with them so sometimes you can get some incredible deals - especially if you're getting a bunch of things so don't be afraid to ask for a better price.
If you're selling your things - PLEASE - do NOT calculate in what you paid for it in the States, those taxes AND most importantly - do NOT calculate in your Shipping costs. YOU made the decision to bring it so just suck it up.
Check on some of the standard websites where people have things For Sale but if it were ME, I wouldn't just look for what others are offering - I'd post what I was seeking!! But be as SPECIFIC•DETAILED as you can - saying #1 where you're located and how far you're willing to go to look at something (otherwise, your might get someone in Liberia offering a fridge and you live in Cartago). Do you have or need transportation - it's not real cheap to haul something often. If you're wanting a fridge for example - do you NEED to have a side-by-side, or 2 door, or bottom freezer, or stainless steel, or a specific side, or ice maker or water dispenser . . . Help make YOUR life easier and that of whomever is selling it (this same information is true for the seller!! But make sure to include HONEST details like dents and pictures of the machine). I'D look under Appliances • General and Garage Sales.
Ecuentra24.com
is THE BEST - THOUGH - you tend to have more of the appliances purchased in Costa Rica vs brought from the States - AND - most of it's in Español from Tico's - so it's harder if you don't speak Spanish
CRAIG'S LIST Costa Rica
CostaRica.en.CraigsList.org
is one of the BIGGEST one for the English-speaking community.
I'd first check:
Appliances - CostaRica.en.CraigsList.org/search/ppa
General - CostaRica.en.CraigsList.org/search/foa
Household - CostaRica.en.CraigsList.org/search/hsa
Garage Sales - CostaRica.en.CraigsList.org/search/gms
STORES:
Importaciones Miami
(ImportacionesMiami.com • facebook.com/pages/Importaciones-Miami-de-Costa-Rica/195572540458489 • 2-255-3603 • 2-222-2465 • Ventas@ImportacionesMiami.com)
They sell USED appliances that they bring in from Florida - as well as Used SPARE PARTS for your CAR!!
They deal in washers, dryers, fridges, TV's etc. They bring them used, fix them up and rarely do they price them over ¢125,000 and they have a 3 month guarantee. They deal mostly in Kenmore, Frigidaire, Whirlpool, GE and other known brands. BUT there is a problem, they sell out so fast that MOST of the items they have in their showroom are already marked, “SOLD". To participate with a chance, you "register", you describe exactly what you want, pay a ¢10,000 deposit and they search for that item in the used market in Miami and when it arrives here and is put in salable shape, they call you and you go inspect it and decide. There are many others... you can check Craigslist for CR and look for other places.
LOCATION: San Jose - Eastern side•Costado este de la C.C.S.S (the main Caja building) on Calle 7 between Avenidas 2 y 4. Next to the Chinese restaurant.
Tibas Centro (2-297-7771 / 2-297-7772) - 50 meters South of the park - in front of TicoBurguesas.
BEST DEAL APPLIANCES OUTLET STOREElectrodomésticos Americanos nuevos y usados
(BestDealCR.com / 2-289-9558 / 8-311-7861)
Don’t go crazy going from garage sale to garage sale . Best Deals Outlet Store offers you the LARGEST USED APPLIANCE SHOWROOM in the Escazu area (Guachipelin) featuring New, Used, Refurbished, Scratched & Dented items of popular brands of Refrigerators, Washer's, Dryers, Freezers, Microwaves, Stoves, sometimes TV’s (right now he has some 27” tv’s, BRAND NEW, IN the box for $140!!) + like LG, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Amana, Admiral Samsung and Maytag. Best Deal Outlet has the cleanest used appliances you will find in Escazu. Find an appliance you like and take it home, or they can provide delivery for a fee. Omar ships 1-2 containers from the states every month so the warehouse is constantly changing. He personally inspects/works on them HIMSELF (hence their warranty). Omar’s been doing this for MANY years and I hear he has some of the BEST PRICES & RELIABLE appliances!!!
PAYMENT: Cash, MC, Visa, AmEx. The price can be more negotiable with cash and quantity.DELIVERY: Available mainly to the West Central Valley - Alajuela, San Jose, Escazu, Santa Ana, and surrounding areas (MAX Grecia to Curridabat). Or they can help coordinate it to further areas.
OWNER: Omar (he speaks GOOD English)HOURS: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm (coming from far/limited time? Hours can be longer by pre-appointment)LOCATION: ESCAZU-Guachipelin - In front of the Escuela Publica school de Guachipelin. OR - from ConstruPlaza - Go South (under the bridge - 400 mts in front of public school - on West side of street)
Please tell them that Vicki with the blog Connected you!!
Santa Ana
LOCATION: about 50 mts towards Santa Ana from Pollo Loco, just on your right before getting to the corner where you have to turn right, this place sells appliances in great prices - Hotpoint Dishwasher - $145+, Kitchens - $262+, Fridges with ice maker - $301+, grease extractors - $20+, stackable washer and dryers - $465+, also A/C - $390+
There's a place in San Jose along 2nd Avenue near the CAJA building. actually it's right across the street from the east side of the CAJA same side of 2nd Avenue still) next door to a chicken restaurant. Second Avenue is the wide one way street that runs west to east through downtown San Jose. The CAJA building is on the south side of 2nd Avenue a block or two past the Gran Hotel Costa Rica. The name of the store is Importadores Miami or Import something Miami. They sell used appliances and usually have a few large TV's for sale. Each time I've been in, the large TV's have been marked as sold. They get a shipment from the US about once a month and they go quickly.
Bodega de Electronico Domesticos (or something like that) - near Cariari Mall - Refurbished applicances with guarantees of about 2 to 3 months.
Compra y Ventas - Santa Domingo - Used items with NO guarantee.
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ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS!
I have a Form•Questionnaire that you can receive by making a Donation to this blog that will help you ask the right questions to better your chance of getting clearer answers/quotes back (though this IS Costa Rica so no guarantees)!!
For a copy of it, please submit whatever size donation you think it's worth to my PayPal account (left column of this blog) and email me at LivingLifeInCostaRica@gmail.com and I'll email it to you.
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NEW APPLIANCES
DAVID COHEN
(8-361-0408 / DavidCohenCR@yahoo.com)
I've heard OVER and OVER that David is THE MAN for NEW Appliances and that he literally has the BEST PRICES in Costa Rica!!! He says he can bring you just about anything that has a plug in it!
EXAMPLES: Plasma TV (regularly around $3,700 in Costa Rica that he can get for around $2,500), LCD 32” Panasonic ($1,180 - reg. $1600). Dishwasher (GE stainless steel $660/$440), Washer/Dryers, GE Microwave Stainless Steel ($175 - reg. $230), GE Profile Stove ($1150 installed - reg. $1700). Toshiba 29” ($350 - reg. $450), 21” $195, 30” GE Profile stainless steel range hood for $260 (someone found the SAME model in the STATES for $260-$290 + shipping - note that these prices have not been updated). I've heard he can also get mattresses?!?!
David tends to sell higher quality appliances than those I see at PriceSmart.
David know which brands have the best service centers in Costa Rica (though he swears by GE products for reliability and ease of repairs) and will assist you when you are entitled to repair services under warranty.
Warranties are usually for 1 year
FREE DELIVERY within the San Jose area. It's a 1-2 day turnaround on average and ALL prices INCLUDE tax!
He’s a REALLY NICE and helpful person!!
PLEASE make sure to tell him that Vicki with the blog Connected you!!!
LANGUAGE: English!!!
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OUTLET STORES
ARE FLOOR MODELS • THINGS WITH SLIGHT DENTS OR SCRATCHES OK WITH YOU?
Gollo Remates
2-440-7697
Gollo Remates are Gollo's "OUTLET STORES" where they sell everything from floor models, to items with dents and scratches but they still work and they are discounted!!! What they have varies based on availability but the big Gollo stores sell everything from home appliances (for the kitchen - everything from big appliances like fridges, stoves+ to microwaves, mixers, toaster ovens, blenders, etc. Also, washers and dryers - even sewing machines. Personal type items like curling and flattening irons, electric razors•shavers, blow dryers, electric hair clippers+), furniture (everything from beds, livingroom to kitchen furniture - even prefab counters/sinks), some automotive chachkees and sports equipment, tv's•monitors, stereos•audio, cell phones, to computers, office equipment. Alajuela
(2-440-7723 • 2-440-7697 • 2-440-7714)
HOURS•HORARIO: Monday-Saturday•Lunes a Sábado - 8:30am-6:30pm
DIRECTIONS•INSTRUCCIONES: 75 meters West•Oeste of the Juan SantaMaría Museum (Dolores has great gringo directions at
CostaRicaBargains.blogspot.com/2014/02/AlajuelaPawn.html
Cartago
(2-552-4825 • 2-553-1271)
HOURS•HORARIO: Monday-Saturday•Lunes a Sábado - 8am-6pm
DIRECTIONS•INSTRUCCIONES: 25 Norte de la esquina Noroeste Mercado Municipal
Ciudad Nelly(2-783-2565)
HOURS•Horario: Monday-Saturday•Lunes a Sábado - 9am-6pm
DIRECTIONS•INSTRUCCIONES: Diagonal a la Estación de Servicio Covasur
Sarapiquí - Heredia (2-766-5389, 2-766-5371, 2-766-5397)
HOURS•Horario: Monday-Saturday•Lunes a Sábado - 9am-6pm
DIRECTIONS•INSTRUCCIONES: Frente•in front of Pali
Limón
(2-758-8102 • 2-758-8091)
HOURS•HORARIO: Monday-Saturday•Lunes a Sábado - 8am-6pm
DIRECTIONS•INSTRUCCIONES: Sobre el Boulevard
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RETAIL STORES
HUGE HINT: BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO PURCHASE NEW APPLIANCES IN COSTA RICA FOR THE LOWEST PRICES:
#1 - BY FAR - Same day as U.S. "Black Friday" (the day after U.S. Thanksgiving [which has gotten VERY BIG in Costa Rica no thanx to us] - the 4th Friday in November - 2014 - November 28. #2 - Next BEST SAVINGS TIME - the
MONTH of SEPTEMBER
(because taxes are due the end of September)
#3 - Mother's Day (the week leading up to it)
With that said - you're smart to go check out prices JUST before because some places CLAIM they have drastic cuts in prices - but what they just done is jacked the published price UP & given "BIG PRICE REDUCTIONS" - which sometimes some companies have been busted for not giving ANY sale at ALL!!
Some sales are buy one thing & get something else "free" - where you often end up with something you REALLY did NOT "need"!!!
NOTE: I have RARELY found service people at these stores that speak any or much English!!!! If you email stores for quotes - I found it quite challenging to get them back without me following up a LOT and be REAL CLEAR on what you're seeking!!! So if you don't want to go it yourself, you can hire me or one of my Contacts to come with you and negotiate in ENGLISH so you know what's being said!!!
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