Are prices for Laptops, Cell Phones or Tablets in Poland cheaper than in the US?

Hi,

I am moving to Bydgoszcz from USA in a few months. Thinking about a laptop, cell phone or even a table that I may need once in Bydgoszcz, I was wondering I will find them in Poland cheaper than in USA. Otherwise, I will buy them in the US, and bring them with me to Poland. Please advice about this.

Sincerely,
Peter

Unless you can speak Polish, a laptop purchased here won't be much use. An English version of Windows or Linux would have to be loaded. I recently purchased a Samsung tablet and luckily Android has the option to switch to English so not a problem there. Prices are generally higher on most electronic items, although the tablet I got was on sale and it only worked out about $30 more than the US. Nice thing is, you get a two year warranty on electronics in the EU.

euro.com.pl is a good starting point for your research.

Generally speaking, electronics are far more expensive in the EU than in the USA.

I didn't think about the OS language, but that is a good point, thanks.

No, they are not. I just bought a Canon Reflex camera a month ago and the price is even more expensive than Germany/Spain/etc. A basic guide is that EU is 33% more expensive than US right now when it comes to electronics.

I still got it as I received the tax refund so for 1500E got back about 250E which made it about 15/20% more expensive than the US which wasn't so bad considering I don't have any trip back Sam's Land planned at the moment and really needed the camera.

buy it in the USA, it's much cheaper.

Oh don't say that. EU does everything so much better economically.

In Poland is 23% vat in USA some 6% or lower sales tax so that's basic price difference explanation.

Oh and don't forget to ask your US cell fone carrier to open sim lock by telling them that you might be using it in Europe and they will open your sim lock free or you might have to pay to open it here

I don't think electronics are or more or less expensive. Electronics are basically the same price everywhere. You do have to worry about cell phone providers locking phone or language barriers. It is true that Poland does have a high VAT but we take that into consideration with our pricing. Check out secretsanta.com.pl if you need a 7 inch tablet with 3G & 2G plus wifi and GPS it's at 649zl but I am the owner and I'll sell you one for a big discount if you mention this post, just email our site.

Have fun when you get here. It is an interesting place as I am also from US.

Secret Santa

You'll find the large retailers in Eastern Europe charge more than those in Western Europe. As well as being far less legally accountable if the goods they sell are faulty.

A friend of mine living here in Warsaw is a Canadian. He bought his IPhone 4 in Canada for about half the price you would pay in PL. Of course here you have the bundles = telephone+subscription...But if you analyse the conditions, you are much better off buying a phone separately.

It is true that it will be - in general - very tough to beat the US prices (sales + rebate offers, etc). However, if you intend to stay in PL for an extended period, it would be advantageous to have the warranty coverage there (most purchases in the US will not be accepted elsewhere, unless you pay for international coverage).


Not necessarily so. I managed a language switch in Windows (Vista?) several ago, so I know it can be done - and quite easily at that (took me <2hrs including google searching for instructions). In addition, most of the computer literate sales people speak some English and I bet if you were to use your personal charm and asked nicely, they could do it for you free of charge with the purchase of the new machine.

Unless you're buying something for your company. SWIM just bought a 42 inch Philips LED TV 'for his company': 1,515zl sticker price; 996zl actual cost.

In new versions of Windows it's possible to change the language, but there is no point buying devices like a laptop in Poland if you can do it in the US - just because of the price. In terms of the mobile phone - or even a tablet - you should check the band frequencies on which the phone would work. In Poland GSM 900 MHz and 1800 MHz is used. And 900 MHz and 2100 MHz for UMTS. Ensure that the mobile bought in the US don't have a sim lock.

Simlocks can be easily undone everywhere in Poland.

Depends on the model of phone (i.e. the security it uses). Some are simply not economically viable to unlock.

I notice you maybe living in northern ontario, in which case a move to Bydgoszcz Poland should be easy to adapt weather wise Plus you will have cheap public transport.