Ever bought appliances from the US?

[laptop-tech]

Ok folks. Im no sure where to post this so I thought it would be ok in the shopping discussion.

Im buying some appliances and the price for the items I want are simply ridiculous in Canada.

For example, the wall oven:

$4399.99 at Sears (http://www.sears.ca/product/bosch-30-self-cleaning-convection-double-wall-oven-br223-625-106/223625106)

and @2414.99 at an american retailer with free shipping within the US (http://www.number1appliance.com/hbl5650uc.aspx)

I called/visited all major players in the GTA (Goemans, Tasco, CA, etc)...lowest I could find here is around $3799.00


Anyone here done that? Bought in the US and brought it over?

Thanks.

[CSK'sMom]

Yep, both a range and an OTR micro. Payed taxes due at the border and were on our way. The only concern you might have is warranty as some companies won't honor the warranty if imported into Canada. You'll have to weight that issue for yourself and see if it applies...

[laptop-tech]

Thanks CSK.

The warranty issue is a consideration, but given the difference in prices Im tempted to take a chance. The oven the wife really wants is the next model up, which Sears sells for only $5200.00, while the dealer in the US offered me for $2729.00.... almost HALF the price.

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure. The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.

Anyone else experienced this?

[tsatsa]

Be very careful buying big items from US, if something goes wrong you are out of luck, the "Warranty" is the problem.

[jurassicjockey]

You're not totally without warranty. You can always take the item back to the US if it's worth it. I would probably only do that for something catastrophic where the whole item needs to be replaced. Otherwise I would bite the bullet and have it repaired myself, possibly with parts supplied under warranty. You can pay for a couple of service calls for $2G and still come out ahead. With regards to the wiring, I would be surprised if there was any difference.

[bylo]

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure.
Here's some of the warranty verbiage for our Bosch dishwasher that was purchased in Canada [my bold]:What this Warranty Covers & Who it Applies to: The limited warranty provided BSH Home Appliances (“Bosch”) in this Statement of Limited Product Warranty applies only to Bosch dishwashers (“Product”) sold to you, the first using purchaser, provided that the Product was purchased: (1) for your normal, household (non-commercial) use, and has in fact at all times only been used for normal household purposes; (2) new at retail (not a display, “as is”, or previously returned model), and not for resale, or commercial use; and (3) within the United States or Canada, and has at all times remained within the country of original purchase.
The same clause appears in the warranty for our Bosch clothes washer and dryer.

The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.Electrical codes are different, especially with respect to 220V high current appliances like a stove or clothes dryer. As a result there are some differences between the same model that's sold in Canada and the US. If you're going to buy a US model at least have a licensed electrician do/check the wiring. Otherwise, if there's a fire or other accident your insurance company may have grounds (no pun intended) to deny your claim.

Added: You can find owner's manuals, installation manuals, warranty terms, etc. in PDF form on Bosch's websites in Canada and the US. (That's where I got the warranty wording above.) You might want to review the warranty, and especially installation instructions, for the model(s) you're interested in before you buy. Same generally applies to other appliance manufacturers.