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Zman 12345

I am in the process of purchasing a 2 bedroom condominium unit, just south of Cabarete.  I will need to furnish it soon.  The unit includes all appliances, wash, dryer, etc.  I need some suggestions in this respect.  Where, which stores?  What can I expect to pay for items, such as bedroom sets, couches, TV, etc.

Thanks,
Tony

planner

Welcome to the forums. Please check recent threads as this has been covered at least in part.

Costs depend what you buy, what brands and where!

Recently we had brand name smart TV 32 inches for $10,500rd. This was in the capital.

Zman 12345

Thanks Planner.
Wow...you r pretty active on this site. 
Can suggest any large, reputable, furniture stores in the Cabarete area.  I heard there is an IKEA out there.  I don't mind traveling to get a better price.  I prefer to go to not more than a couple of stores in order to purchase everything I need.

Thanks,
Tony

planner

Tony you will do much better going to Santiago where there are several larger stores and an Okra outlet.

Plaza Lama is a good place to start. The more you but the more you can negotiate

Corripio.
JJR technologies for TV and air conditioners as needed.

There are smaller stores in Cabarete area and other stores in Puerto Plata.

ChristieE

Tony...Planner is right. There are lots of recent info threads on this topic. I know, cause I was the most recent person to ask. We are doing the same thing as you, only in Sosua.

Long story short...I guess there are lots of stores in POP, Caberette and Sosua where we will be able to purchase household items and appliances. Appliances are negotiable. Look in the morning. Strike a deal. Go back in the afternoon. Put 1/2$ down. Pay the balance upon delivery. Pay with pesos if possible. And if you know one, take a Dominican or established expat with you to negotiate.

We have nothing at this point, so here is our plan. There is a regular IKEA store in Santo Domingo. There is a pickup site in Santiago. The Santiago site will also deliver to Sosua and Caberette. The Santiago site does not have stock.

It was a bit tricky, but I have set up an account on the Santo Domingo site, from the states. I also managed to use their live sales assistant app to ask a few questions. There is not much storage room in STI, so items should be ordered a few days before you want them. IF you want delivery to Sosua or Cab, you arrange that in Santiago. If you use a credit card, the card holder must to the pick up WITH the physical card. The card must have raised numbers. Do not let them run your card through an old fashioned swipe back and forth metal device.

We are getting a mattress and a couple other small things there. That way, we have somewhere to sleep, first night. Then, we are getting the rest of what we need in POP, Sosua and Cab. I have gone to the IKEA here, found what I want so when ordering online I know what to pick.

I also got a Delta Skymiles cc. Each passenger gets 1 free checked bag. Checked bag will be sheets, towels, basic curtains, etc. Again, the bulk of what we buy will be on-site.

There is a FB page about vendors in Sosua/Cab. Lots of good ideas on there too.

Hope this helps.

Zman 12345

Hey Planner;

I googled Okra Outlet, nothing came up. 
Do u know the full name?  Did I spell it right?

Thanks again,
Tony

Zman 12345

Hey Christie.
Thanks for the information, and taking the time to post; lots of detail.

Thanks,
Tony.

I am near Toronto, Canada.

planner

Darn I hate auto correct,  its IKEA honey.   Sorry, I usually catch those.

Zman 12345

Lol...what a correction.

Thanks.
Tony

Bob K

Welcome. Do read the recent threads as there options for furniture in Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata.
You might also wan to establish an account with CPS and ship some stuff in. As long as you keep it under $200 per shipment there is no tax to pay.  You can actually ship a very good 32 in. smart TV that you can find online (Best Buy, Amazon etc) for well under $200 and ship it in.  We have done this multiple times and the same TV here would have cost us in excess of $400.  Did the same with a  name brand BBQ which saved us over $300 for a similar (but not as good quality) one here.  These savings included the costs of shipping.

Bob K

Zman 12345

Thanks Bob. Much appreciated.

Cheers,
TZ

ChristieE

I think I am going to have to set up the shipping account with CPS or Luciano's when we are in Sosua. I cannot get any response on the websites.

planner

Consider BM Cargo as well. They charge by the fraction of a pound and that adds up. They do not round up.

Whatever company go with one of the big companies. Many small ones come and go and often have issues with aduanas.

Bob K

Planner is correct. Stay with the "name brand" shipper.  Also look at Encargo Pack for heavier marine shipments.  Their prices are very good but they take a bit longer to get your stuff. We just shipped a paper shredder with them at 1/3 the cost of other shippers but it did take 3 weeks to get it.

Bob K

ChristieE

I know this will make me sound like an idiot, but when setting up a shipping account, before I get to the address part, they want you to choose location. Should I choose US, where I am, or RD, where I want to ship? These websites are not very intuitive. Or maybe it is me. Lolol

planner

I believe they want the DR address. It depends which company you are talking  about of course.

Bob K

Not sure what site or company you are dealing with.

Bob K

ChristieE

Another quandry where advice is solicited. Do you all have cloth covered furniture, leather, something else? I am wondering.... Cloth might feel damp, or mold. But, it would be easier to replace. Leather might be hot and sweaty, but will last longer. Maybe open weave structure and easily replaceable fabric covers??

Bob K

Our indoor furniture is either leather or microfiber (does not get damp). Outside all rattan
Bob K

planner

I regret my leather love seat. Never again. It is hot and sticky 9 months of the year. Unless it is an air conditioned room don't do it!!!

ChristieE

How about inverters on your fridge? Yes, no??  And Carripo's seems a bit high...lots of the lower priced items on their site are unavailable. I don't want a fancy fridge....

Bob K

For your fridge if you are going to have back up power (generator or batteries with inverter) all you need is a delay plug. This keeps your compressor from coming on and off every time there is an outage but allows a cooling off period.  We have set ours for a 5 min delay. So if we loose power the compressor has a 5 min time out before the fridge fires back up.  VERY helpful when the power goes off then on every couple minutes for 2 or three cycles  which is sooooooo common with ede Norte here on the north coast.  This will fry your compressor if not protected.  These are very cheap $500 pesos or so
Many new higher end fridges have this built in already so check your paperwork.

Bob K

ChristieE

Thanks Bob. I checked and the complex has a generator . I have the delay plug you suggested on my list.


My list is getting long. Lolol Lots to do but I cannot wait to get started!

Bob K

The most interesting thing about that list you have.  It NEVER gets completed just added on to. But it does keep you busy.
Bob K

planner

So true Bob there is always something!!!

Bob K

Folks back in the states ask me what I do all day being retired and all on an island.  My answer...."I don't know but it takes me all day to get it done" :)

Bob K

ChristieE

Should we have those delay plugs for the TV and other electronics?

And, I found a shipping company that seems to be responsive. Have you ever seen a MyUS office? They say they have one in Sosua. They charge by weight. Out of Sarasota.

Bob K

We do not do the electronics , not sure why we don't but not a problem so far

I have never heard of that shipping company.  Be careful of small companies they go out of business regularly.  Just had one I think call ship n Pak (I think that was the name ) go belly up just before xmas.  What  a mess .  Some are still waiting to hear about their packages.
Stick with CPS, EPS  or encargo pac (not quite as user friendly and it takes longer to get your stuff with them but we have used them on heavier items coming by boat as they are usually a fair amount cheaper than the other two.

Bob K

Oba711

Greetings planner, I have a question that hopefully you can answer lol. It looks like I will be finally making the move there this summer. My question is if you know of a shipping company that operates from the new York city new jersey area. Thank for the help these ladtcfew years that I have been a part of the forum. I will definitely bring you some miracle whip when I come lol

planner

I agree with Bob. Add BM Cargo to your list.

Recently many people lost thousands of dollars worth of purchases. It involves smaller shippers, intermediaries and customs issues here! Don't take that chance stick to the big players.

planner

Oba  gracias!!!! That is too cool. Ok I have to find the name of the shipper.  Can't remember off hand.

Others will also know!

Bob K

Oba how much are your shipping?

Bob K

Bob K

Is Miracle whip really food????? or just messed up Mayo?????  :D

Bob K

Oba711

No furniture .primarily clothes a couple of t.v.'s household items and some woodcarvings artwork

Oba711

It's ambrosia Bob lol

Bob K

Sorry I don't now any New York shippers.  However with the HUGE DR community in the area maybe Just google local shippers to the DR

As to ambrosia....nope just fowl smelling and bad tasting mayo

Bob K

planner

Bob and here I was thinking you were perfect. Damn now I have to rethink this!!!

Bob K

Very funny :D:D:D:D

Bob K

Oba711

Thanks Bob, and I am aware that there is no accounting for taste.

planner

:D:lol:;)

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