Discover in this post the best stores to buy electronics in the USA, those with the best product selections and which will save you a lot on your trip!
In the last posts I wrote here on the blog, I noticed a trend about shopping in the United States in general.
Before, for any category, it was safe to say that you would save a lot when purchasing your products from foreigner. Now, with the dollar rising, it is necessary to do the math carefully, because it is no longer advantageous to buy several brands abroad.
However, if there is something that hasn't changed, and that I don't think will change anytime soon, it's electronic products. At this moment, the dollar can practically double in value, and it will still be more advantageous to buy in the USA than in Latin America.
Therefore, if you are traveling to the United States and intend to go shopping, it is worth including more technological items on your shopping list. To help you, in this post I have gathered the best stores to buy electronics in the USA.
5 Best stores to buy electronics in the United States
Here I have brought together both physical and online stores, and a private label store which, as you can imagine, has the best selection of its own products.
1. Best Buy
Best Buy is one of the largest electronics stores in the United States, offering products from the main brands on the market, such as Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, and many others..
In addition to new electronics, the store also sells refurbished (refurbished) and open box (open-box), which are economical options for those who don't mind buying products that have already gone through the store's technical assistance. They all have a warranty, and work as if they were new.
One of Best Buy's attractions is its Price Match program, which promises to match the price of qualified competitors. The main stores in the country are included for Price Match, and this way you guarantee that you will get the best offer, even if it is not from Best Buy.
Additionally, Best Buy offers a Trade-In program where you can exchange your used electronics, such as cell phones, laptops and other devices, for a gift card to use in the store. On Best Buy's website you can get an estimate of how much they are paying for the delivery of your electronics.
I've already bought a lot there, and it was even my option to wait in line during the only Black Friday I spent there in the United States. I think the selection is excellent, a large store, lots of products, and employees who really help with shopping.
2.Apple Store
One of the most impressive things about the research I do for my shopping posts is that It doesn't matter if it's a computer, phone, watch or tablet, Apple products always cost almost half the price abroad compared to prices in Latin America. Sometimes even less!
Therefore, I couldn't help but include the Apple Store itself here. In addition to the stores being an attraction in themselves, with their modern designs and millions of different accessories that you didn't even know existed, they also have the largest stock of Apple products you will find (Thankfully, right? LOL).
Buying from Apple's own store also means that your products will be under the brand's warranty, and you can even buy AppleCare if you want an extended warranty.
Buying online (you can have it picked up in store), you also have the option to buy products Refurbished, i.e. reconditioned. That's what I did with my MacBook Pro in 2017, and it came in the box, looking like new, and I never had any problems. It was a savings of almost $400 over the in-store price.
3 Amazon
If you won't have time during your trip to shop, or if you prefer a virtual experience to compare all product offers and features, the best solution is to buy on Amazon, one of the best stores to buy electronics in the USA.
In the United States, the internet giant sells all major electronics brands, including Apple, Samsung, Beats, Sony, GoPro, JBL, Acer and more. In addition, the store also offers several incredible discounts and participates in all promotional holidays, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Amazon Prime Day also takes place in July, full of electronics promotions.
If your hotel doesn't accept packages, or if you're spending all day exploring and have no one to receive the mail at your AirBnb, you can use the free Amazon Locker service and pick up your purchases at a pre-determined point. I did this on one of my last trips and it was super practical!
Amazon also has its own refurbishing service, called Amazon Renewed. There you will find several functional products, in different states of conservation. All are tested by a professional team, and are guaranteed by Amazon itself. It's an excellent way to buy iPhones, Galaxys and computers at a great price.
4 Walmart
If you have little time for shopping and are going to Walmart for those little products, you can also consider buying your electronics here. The selection of products from popular brands such as Samsung, Apple, HP and LG is huge, although stock is somewhat limited.
Walmart's physical stores and website offer a variety of options, from the latest smartphones and tablets to laptops, TVs and speakers, so you'll probably find most electronics on your shopping list there.
Remembering that Walmart's motto is “lowest prices every day”, so the values are usually excellent, and they run several promotions throughout the year, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Additionally, Walmart also has a price-match (match prices), so if you find a lower price in another store, just show it on your cell phone to get the same price at Walmart. To take advantage of the fact that you’re already there, right?
I find it very practical to be able to do all my shopping in one place, first I go to the makeup aisle, then the vitamins and supplements aisle, the snacks aisle and then the electronics aisle. That's life, lol.
5. Newegg
Newegg is an online store specializing in computers, offering everything from notebooks and desktops as well as components such as motherboards and GPUs. In addition, you can also find other electronics there such as smart accessories and household appliances.
This is a store that is really aimed at those who like technology, so If you are one of those who like to assemble your own computer and buy each of the parts, this is the best option for you. Also keep an eye out as the store always has promotions and special offers, including quick discounts (flash).
Newegg also serves as a marketplace, then several other stores and sellers can sell through the platform. When purchasing, pay attention to who is responsible for the product and shipping, and if you choose a third party, read the reviews first to have the best experience possible.
How taxes work on United States products
When shopping, or researching prices for the products you want to buy, it is important to take into account the fees that will still be charged. This is because in the USA, taxes are only calculated at the checkout or online checkout, and vary depending on the city and state in which you are or will receive the product.
The value of taxes in the main destinations visited by Latin American tourists are:
- New York (city): 8,875% (includes a 4% state tax and a 4,875% city tax)
- Los Angeles, California: 9.5% (includes 7.25% state tax and 2.25% local tax)
- Orlando, Florida: 6.5% (includes 6% state tax and 0.5% local tax)
- Miami, Florida: 7% (includes 6% state tax and 1% local tax)
In other words, if you are going on a tour of Miami, Orlando and New York, for example, it is worth leaving to shop in Orlando, as it will be cheaper.
Conclusion
Now you know some of the best stores to buy electronics in the USA! Without a doubt, the prices are very worth it, and are an opportunity if you want a new cell phone or computer!
Now tell me, did you already know these stores? Are you going to include any of them in your itinerary for your next trip? Tell me in the comments!