Gringoes.com: Cost of LCD TV's in Brazil

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Dave
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Joined: 28 November 2007
Location: Canada
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Topic: Cost of LCD TV's in Brazil
Posted: 24 July 2010 at 14:17

Does anyone know the approximate cost in Brazil of a lower end, 40-42", 1080p, 60Hz, brand name (Samsung/LG/Panasonic/Toshiba/Sony) LCD TV? I am told that my Sogra purchased a 40" Samsung LCD HDTV about a year and half ago in the interior of SP for about R$ 2000, but based on the prices I've seen online and during my last trip to Brazil I suspect that someone has "made a confusion".

I would like to evaluate this option vs the cost of importing a TV in luggage on a tourist visa:

$700 (approximate price of such a TV in Canada)

+ $90 (12.875% local sales tax)

+ $100 (50% Brazilian tax on portion exceeding $500)

+ $150 (oversize luggage fee)

= $1040 (landed cost in dollars)

x ~1.7 (current CAD/BRL exchange rate)

= R$1770 (landed cost in reais)

If the costs are at all similar, I would assume that it would be better to purchase in Brazil (to get a PAL-M or SBTVD set and a warranty), unless anyone has some advice to the contrary.

Thanks

Edited by Dave - 24 July 2010 at 14:20

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GreatBallsoFire
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Joined: 27 October 2009
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Posts: 620

Posted: 24 July 2010 at 17:42

I broought in a 23 inch LED hdtv from Target at a cost of about 250 bucks. Gave it to my neighbor and it works fine with the satellite service.

I will bring in a 32 inch led hdtv from Costco next month. Costs about 375 dollars. Give it some additional bubble wrap. Declare the price and no tax to you as it is under the 500 dollar limit.

Tip: Bring in a laptop with HDMI. Buy a USB tuner here both HDTV and PAL/Analog for about 90 to 150 reais. Hook up TV to laptop via hdmi and watch the airwaves for free.

Others have posted about bringing in great 40-42 inch hdtvs with no problem.

Edited by GreatBallsoFire - 24 July 2010 at 17:44

Deus nao tem presa nenhuma, para Ele tudo e ontem, hoje, e amanha, so quem vive dento do tempo somos nos.

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tomjo
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Joined: 29 September 2008
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 495

Posted: 24 July 2010 at 18:46

I can't remember if mine was 40 or 42 but it is a Panasonic and was just under R$ 2000's in the sales about 12 months ago.
I pretty sure it was 42ich, its in storage at the moment - but if I had to choose again I'd go for the Sony which was 40inch and around R$ 150 / 200 more pricey because the Panasonic is pretty crap to say the least... Thumbs%20Down

The Sound on it is horrendous and the picture is terrible as well - maybe the picture could get better if you have Net HD.

Edited by tomjo - 24 July 2010 at 18:48

I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.

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nikkij12185
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Joined: 10 March 2009
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 586

Posted: 24 July 2010 at 18:53

The homepage of pontofrio.com has a 40" Samsung for R$2199 right now and you can get much better deals than that.

The question you need to ask yourself with a big tv is if it is worth it to save $150 Canadian to have to lug the think to the airport, to your home in Brazil (try and fit it into a cab with all your other luggage maybe) and deal with the other issues (Pal-m, warranty, etc) that you've already mentioned.

IMHO with smaller tv's its worth it ($300 vs. R$1200 and its easier to lug/counts as a regular bag). But with a big one it might be better to just buy it here.

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MovingSoon
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Joined: 21 January 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 1285

Posted: 24 July 2010 at 19:49

The best, and cheapest way, is to find some perm resident person shipping a container over and give them a couple of hundred to include it.

No tax...

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways at a high rate of speed, drink in one hand, totally worn out shouting, "Whoa, what a ride"!

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Dave
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Joined: 28 November 2007
Location: Canada
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Posted: 25 July 2010 at 03:20

Thanks for your responses. Unfortunately I don't know anyone shipping a container.

If I could find a similar product for just over 2k BRL then I would tend to agree with Nikki; it may not be worth the trouble, especially given that in Canada electronics are 10-15% more expensive than in the US and our sales tax is higher (at least where I'm from).

One more question: Does anyone know whether there is a difference in quality between sets of the same brand purchased in North-America vs Brasil? I assume that they are all manufactured in the same factories in Asia so no, but I would be curious to know if anyone has had negative experiences.

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sven
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 14 March 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 4650

Posted: 26 July 2010 at 11:31

Originally posted by Dave

If the costs are at all similar, I would assume that it would be better to purchase in Brazil (to get a PAL-M or SBTVD set and a warranty), unless anyone has some advice to the contrary.

If it is the intention of the wife/sogra to watch Novellas in HDTV and have interactive information on those programs, a Brazil bought set with SBTVD would definately be the best option.

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

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