Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dion]

Just curious:

I'm planning on teaching in Korea in the spring and I want to ship myself a few things. I'm not going to bring everything on the plane, so I'm wondering if someone can give me a general idea as to how much I would expect to pay to ship a particular volume, say 3x3x2 ft, with a weight of 30 kg. I'm just trying to get a general idea, so approximate answers would be just fine. I don't care how long it takes, I'd just like to do it as cheaply as possible. Also, if you have any specific suggestions as to who I should use to do the shipping that'd be great too.

The other thing I'm wondering is what the deal is for running western appliances in Korea. I know that the voltages are different but I've heard you can get an adapter or something. How much do these adapters cost? If I shipped my computer to myself to use could I run it in Korea or would I have to get a new computer there? I've heard some appliances can be expensive there, am I better off to ship myself certain ones since I have a full set here in Canada?

And my last question: if I'm in the market for a digital camera and an iPod-like music player, am I better to wait till I get to Korea? Are those kinds of things significantly cheaper there?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks very much.

[Wangja]

When you say "western appliances" do you mean north American or European?.

[dion]

I'm in Canada

[Wrench]

Not a good idea since Korea is 240volt and not 110 like Canada.

[keninseoul]

if someone can give me a general idea as to how much I would expect to pay to ship a particular volume, say 3x3x2 ft, with a weight of 30 kg.
******************* try your local PO/Shipper for rates

The other thing I'm wondering is what the deal is for running western appliances in Korea. I know that the voltages are different but I've heard you can get an adapter or something. How much do these adapters cost? I've heard some appliances can be expensive there, am I better off to ship myself certain ones since I have a full set here in Canada?
****************** you have to be more specific. I doubt many of your stuff is dual voltage, but for the lower power stuff (<< 1000Watts) you can use a step-down transformer - about CAN$ 12 to 15.
An adapter only adapts to the plug style - not the voltage - those "travel adapters" are a joke.

If I shipped my computer to myself to use could I run it in Korea or would I have to get a new computer there?
********************** presuming u are talking about a standard ATX .............i would guess it is not worth shipping; would suggest dis-assembling it and taking the high-end stuff (if you have a GOOD video card, etc) with you. Cases and power supplies are easily had at a reasonable price. Motherboards run CAN$85 to $150.



And my last question: if I'm in the market for a digital camera and an iPod-like music player, am I better to wait till I get to Korea? Are those kinds of things significantly cheaper there?
************************* buy at home, or duty-free

[Wangja]

Away a few days, come back, same old garbage.

"Western Appliances" hmmmmmm.

Sorry to disappoint those NA'ers here, but the 110 V you use is not the standard of the rest or the world, nor even a majority of the "western" world.

Many reasons for this - safety being perhaps the main one.

Welcome to globalisation.

[Wrench]

Well you will need a pretty hefty transformer for an appliance and cheap one will not do. It will most likely cost you about 80 dollars or more for a good one and it will be very heavy. (looks like a car battery charger)

Computer will be fine here, most power supplies have a voltage input of 110-240. Luckily desktop parts are the same price or lower then in North America, you can get most brand name stuff here. Although Korea is more like Intel land you can find AMD stuff if you look hard enough. I'd just recommend bringing your HD and maybe your video card other wise leave your stuff at home, maybe you can setup a remote server or something like that. Memory is pretty inexpensive as well.

Shipping I think it will be a safe bet that around 200 dollars for 30kg package is a safe bet (Probably more). I shipped a laptop and it cost me 170 dollars.

Any personal electronics are expensive here. If you want a camera get it in North America. Mp3 players are abundant here but they not exactly cheap either, you can take a gamble on this item tho because most are around 100 dollars or so. Laptops are also on the expensive side.

[keninseoul]

[hack]

[OiGirl]

[ttompatz]

[Bulsajo]

[dogshed]

Make sure your voltage switch is in the correct position. -Jeff