Hello All.

We are moving to Italy from the US in September. Given the current exchange rate and the fact that we have very few appliances and electronics, we are considering purchasing in the US appliances and electronics that are less expensive here than in Italy.

So, which appliances have you found to be considerably less expensive in the US than in Italy? We know we’ll have to purchase these appliances with 220volt configurations (or bring compatible tranformer) and might pay a premium for those, but any hints from experience would be greatly appreciated. We'll be in Italy for the foreseeable future and will not be coming back the US so this is a one-shot opportunity for us.
I am not an Italian citizen (my wife is), so to the best of my understanding I would not be paying customs on these.

Thanks,
Uri

The problem in Italy is not the cost of the appliance but the cost of the electricity to run it. With this in mind, look for lower-consumption items--in other words read the tags.

Apart from that, if you're making a major move, and it sounds like you are, fill that container! For overseas moves, movers don't do multiple households in one container, unless it's sealed crates, probably because of the customs issue, and while you're paying for weight, you'd do best to get as many items in as possible. Not least, you're better off getting everything you want the first time.

Computers and a lot of electronics these days are made with multiple voltages, so definitely look into that. A transformer isn't terribly expensive, either, but you wouldn't want to be running your clothes dryer on it.

the only electronics we brought we our computer (laptop), our printer, and Art's Coniar travel radio with built in noise machine. The computer and printer needed only a plug adaptor since they're dual voltage, but we do have to use a converter for the noise machine (Art likes to sleep with 'whte noise')

What are the things you'll use every day? TVs and related itmes have gone down quite a bit in the 5 years we've been here, and others have reported that there could be some problems trying to use US devices here, but I can't say for sure.

I'm assuming you'd buy large applicances here rather than risk shipping (refrigerator, washing machine) and the other stuff is small...steam iron, maybe a mixer, food processor, toaster, fans, blow dryer. I can't imagine using converters for all that stuff. Oh yes, and maybe a microwave? Vacuum cleaner?

Anyway, I know that the dollar is much weaker than when we moved here, but because neither one of us was very experienced with electrical stuff, we'd probably still choose to buy the majority of our electrical stuff here. Maybe others have different experiences.

I'm with Barb. Other than your computer, just buy the stuff here. Even with transformers many items don't work as well, due to 50Hz power vs 60 Hz in the US.

Uri,

You may want to checkout some of the 110/220V appliances at Overseas Electronics which is in Chicago or similar companies.

If you are buying some new appliances in the States with a motor in it, I would NOT recommend running them off of a transformer in Italy. Besides the difference in voltage, there is an difference in hertz (Hz) -- 60Hz versus 50Hz. This affects the speed of the motor in the appliance. A transformer only changes the voltage but not the hertz which is 50Hz in Italy. Take a look at this article, Moving US electrical devices (110v/60Hz) to a 230V/50Hz country . I have a blog entry titled, Info about electrical plug adapters, power strips and voltage converters for Italy that you may find of interest.

BTW, there is a difference between US TV sets versus Italian/European ones. You want one that is PAL compatible rather than NTSC which is the US standard. However, if you are buying one of the newer flat screen TVs, they may support multiple formats, e.g., PAL, SECAM, NTSC. Also, you want to consider buying a region free DVD player. Many DVDs that you may already have in the the States, may not play on an Italian/European DVD player.

My wife (dual citizen), our dog and myself moved here last September from the Washington, DC area. We bought new a microwave, and a toaster. Our rental house in Tuscany came equipped with a refrigerator, washer/dryer, hand mixer, hair dryer. We shipped 41 boxes including 4 boxes of Asian cooking ingredients that while they are available here, they are much more expensive than what we paid for them in the States. In addition, we shipped hard to find items or items that you cannot find in Italy, some OTC drug items or items that we wanted to bring with us. I shipped my Yamaha stereo receiver and CD player but they were dual voltage along with our laptops and other dual voltage items, battery chargers, AC adapters, etc.

One last thing, be sure any warranty on a product that you buy in the States has world-wide coverage.

If you have any more questions, this is the place to ask them.

Good luck with your move and ciao, Ben

If desired, I would definitely buy my microwave in Europe. The American ones we bought and ran off of a transformer only lasted about three years. Several of our friends had the same problem.

Digital cameras are less expensive in the States if you need one, and ipods, and they will work with no problems in Italy (just a plug converter for the battery recharger on the camera).

I owned quite a few small appliances which I brought with me and have had varying degrees of success in using them through transformers. Blender works well, juicer (for carrots, apples etc.) not so well (it shuts itself off after about a minute). I use my bread machine to make pizza dough (I suspect the baking cycles wouldn't work well?). My Kitchenaide stand mixer did not survive (I need to buy new brushes) though I have heard of others who haven't had problems. My BOSE radio/CD player works well through a transformer but I think it is 50/60 hertz.

I think transformers take a fair amount of expensive electricity to run, so I'd use them only with items that you use ocassionally, not ones you'd want to keep on all the time.

Major appliances I bought here--micro, fridge,washer.

If you have a place for an American washer and dryer, do try to bring them. The ones you will find in Italy don't work so well, are very expensive, and take forever to do their job. If you can use an american type washer with a hot water inlet, you will save a lot of energy and might even eliminate the need to order a higher level of service from ENEL. You will need a converter for that one. Then get a gas dryer (and the parts to convert to propane) and you will really save. You will need a power converter of the correct wattage, but in the end will be much happier. I wished I had shipped a set!

If you are a baker, you will want to bring your Kitchenaid mixer. If you can find one in Italy, or anything close, you will break the bank!

You might also consider bringing the american style coffee maker if you are into that. Really cheap in the US and hard to find in Italy.

I agree with what everyone else said re electronics. I used my entire stereo setup off of a converter for years. Saved buying an expensive one there. Since then I have shipped many electronics to friends in Italy. You will want an Italian TV, though.

If you do bring over US items, I'd recommend using transformers rather than converters.

I'll second what Bill says. I fried a small and new JVC speaker system by being inattentive. I brought it so we could use our old laptop for streaming radio...I knew the diff between converter & transformer and just wasnt thinking. Feh.

We brought a Champion Juicer--for veggie and fruit juices (also mashes up garbanzos for hummus) in the US--we got an international kind directly from Champion and they sent it to us in the US with the converion made for european use. If we ever go back to the States and want to use it there we can convert it back.
The price was about 1/2 what they cost in Europe.

-Sada Sat
-www.yogaborgo.com