Korean Job Discussion Forums

[phenomenon09]

How much cheaper, if at all, are electronics and small appliances in Korea than in the US? I'm coming in a couple of months and was thinking about bringing my Omega juicer with me, but I noticed it's made in Korea and thought it might be cheaper to buy it once I arrive than to pay to lug it there. It's pretty bulky, but I am definitely either going to bring it or buy one over there.

Apart from juicers, what about electronics in general? How discounted are they from US prices?

[bcbenjammin]

be aware that they'll probably run on a different voltage and you'll need to get a converter. i'm having the same quandary about whether to buy a computer before leaving or get one after i get there and see if i can finagle it into english
sorry if that didn't really answer your question, haha
do they have craigslist or an equiv in korea that you can check?

[bogey666]

[Jandar]

Buy a converter before you come I burnt out my wife's hair dryer first day in Korea.

[RACETRAITOR]

When you factor in the hassle of bringing it with you, best to just buy one when you arrive. I'd be willing to bet it would be cheaper over here, especially considering you won't need to use an inefficient converter.

As for computers, I got a laptop before coming, and because it has an AC adaptor, all it needs is a slightly different $1 wire and it works fine here.

[Ukon]

[Poemer]

Most electronics and appliances are not cheaper here. Do an internet search for the products you are thinking of buying on some Korean sites and see how much they are.

[Pooty]

[OiGirl]

The only appliances I brought from home were my laptop and a few other small electronics that I haven't bothered to get Korean power cords for (digital camera, Palm, etc.) I have a single transformer box for these. (The computer, of course, is 110-240v.) Everything else is Korean...not worth the bother to schlep from home.

[ttompatz]

[bogey666]

[jhuntingtonus]

I have two electric things to bring from the US to Korea - a shaver, and a laptop (a perfectly unassuming 2005 Dell Inspiron).

I'm getting a bit confused, reading about voltage regulators, adaptors, and converters - which one(s) do I need?

Also, how about the plugs and outlets? I take it they're not the same, so where can I best get things to physically plug in the shaver and computer, and what am I looking for?

I would rather get these things in the US, but don't know where to look, and exactly what (on the voltage things) I need.

Thanks again for your help!

P.S.: Anybody know if China is the same as Korea? I will be there for a month first.

[lebowski]

China/Korea similar voltage different outlets.

Don't worry about bringing your laptop, it has a power converter on it, all you will need is an adapter to change it from the NA 3 prong to Korean 2 prong. Buy it for 5 dollars here.

If it is a shaver, you can get them here for pretty cheap. maybe 20 dollars. If they are clippers, bring them. There are only crappy ones here. Buy a transformer. you can get a small one for 10 dollars. worth it though.

Buy the transformers and converters here.

[Pooty]

[suki]

When I went to buy international prong converters, it said on the package not to use them for type 1 (my memory could be failing me here) appliances such as computers, because using regular converters could fry your personal electronics. Anyway, there are two types of converters - one for general use, and one for personal electronics. Because I have a Macbook, I had to go and purchase a proprietary converter. Didn't think it was worth running the risk.

I have a Wolfgang Puck pannini grill, which does all the things the George Foreman grill does plus has interchangeable plates for meat grilling, griddle and waffle-making. I love it to death, but those cast iron plates are HEAVY. Do they sell the Wolfgang Puck grill in Korea too?