Buying electrical items in lanzarote?

Question

I'v heard lots of horror stories about buying electrical items in lanzarote...cameras inparticular. Has anybody had any good experiances in buying electrical items? or any tips on buying?

Answer 1

Its daft, anyone saying electricals bought abroad are dangerous, of course they work, that is except for TV's as they are on different systems, but everything else is fime, just need adapters and they are sold everywhere there is a market for English tourists. What you need to be aware of, is that some items are more expensive than the UK, I struggled to find a kettle under 30€, in the end I bought an english one and use an adapter

Only buy from recognised retailers, and not from the chino shops or the like

Answer 2

I lived in Lanzarote and would recommend you go to the main shopping areas/centres where the local people shop.

I agree with one of the other messages, beware of the indian electrical shops, I have heard about and even seen the horror stories! Not all of them are bad but many are, not worth the risk.

Try having a look in Arrecife in the main shopping street theres plenty to choose from!

Theres a really good department store thats a bit "hidden", look for a supermarket called "hiper dino", it has a cute green gragon (like out of flintstones, haha!) on its sign. Theres about 3 floors above the supermarket, not sure which but one floor will have all the electrical stuff.

Or theres a shopping centre in Playa Honda, "Deiland".

The guy who lives in the Canaries made some valid points too, so take note!

Just write the info down and when you get there just ask, the people over there are nice and will point you in the right direction!

Hope this helps and enjoy your hols!

Answer 3

you shouldnt really buy electric stuff abroad anyway. they have different voltage so you'd need to buy an adapter or change the fuse head. more trouble than it's worth, especially as fuses blow easily once you change the power.

Answer 4

dont buy a camara in lanzarote.

Answer 5

I go to the Canaries every year and buy my electrical goods, the only thing I would suggest buy a good name eg Sony, JVC etc and check it has the European mark on it and then you are covered by its guarantee if anything goes wrong.

Answer 6

Bought our digital camera in Tenerife and no problems since. This was three years ago.

Find the make & model you like. Compare it online in the UK or US and then when you get to Lanzarote check the pricing to see if the saving makes up for the lack of piece of mind.

Personally I would say do it... But then I buy all over the world and if one thing doesn´t work I take it on the chin as the other 99 do... Probably the same chance of something going wrong with a purchase from any high street store!

Answer 7

You can find the same items cheaper at home. Don't be sucked in.

Answer 8

Hi Kez

As someone who lives in the canaries, my advice to you is NOT buy from Indian run shops which most electrical shops in tourist areas are. Some are genuine, sad to say most are not.

Certainly do not use your credit card as you may find you have been over charged when you get your statement. I have a bar and hear so many stories of tourist being ripped off.

One of there scams is not give you the correct change could be 1 Cent or 1Euro if you complain they may say ITS ONLY A EURO but my answer is a Euro in my pocket is better than in yours. If they do this to every customer it amounts into a few Euros at the end of the day. A lot of there products are second hand which have been refurbished by the manufacture.

I suggest buy in a reputable shopping centre where you would find the locals shopping.

If you do decide to buy fix a price in your mind you are willing to pay and barter, if they do not accept your price leave the shop if they want to sell they will call you back.

The other gimmick they have is sell you the camera, then you have to buy the accessories that you would normally get with that particular item. Voltage in the Canaries is 230V AC which should not cause you problems in the UK or Ireland. Electric motors would run slightly slower not that you would notice

Have a great holiday and take care