Ever bought appliances from the US?

[laptop-tech]

Ok folks. Im no sure where to post this so I thought it would be ok in the shopping discussion.

Im buying some appliances and the price for the items I want are simply ridiculous in Canada.

For example, the wall oven:

$4399.99 at Sears

and @2414.99 at an american retailer with free shipping within the US

I called/visited all major players in the GTA (Goemans, Tasco, CA, etc)...lowest I could find here is around $3799.00


Anyone here done that? Bought in the US and brought it over?

Thanks.

[CSK'sMom]

Yep, both a range and an OTR micro. Payed taxes due at the border and were on our way. The only concern you might have is warranty as some companies won't honor the warranty if imported into Canada. You'll have to weight that issue for yourself and see if it applies...

[laptop-tech]

Thanks CSK.

The warranty issue is a consideration, but given the difference in prices Im tempted to take a chance. The oven the wife really wants is the next model up, which Sears sells for only $5200.00, while the dealer in the US offered me for $2729.00.... almost HALF the price.

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure. The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.

Anyone else experienced this?

[tsatsa]

Be very careful buying big items from US, if something goes wrong you are out of luck, the "Warranty" is the problem.

[jurassicjockey]

You're not totally without warranty. You can always take the item back to the US if it's worth it. I would probably only do that for something catastrophic where the whole item needs to be replaced. Otherwise I would bite the bullet and have it repaired myself, possibly with parts supplied under warranty. You can pay for a couple of service calls for $2G and still come out ahead. With regards to the wiring, I would be surprised if there was any difference.

[bylo]

I called Bosch and the CSR told me the warranty IS valid in Canada. I called again 10 minutes later and the second CSR told me "no way! Warranty only in the US!". Go figure.

Here's some of the warranty verbiage for our Bosch dishwasher that was purchased in Canada [my bold]:

What this Warranty Covers & Who it Applies to: The limited warranty provided BSH Home Appliances (“Bosch”) in this Statement of Limited Product Warranty applies only to Bosch dishwashers (“Product”) sold to you, the first using purchaser, provided that the Product was purchased: (1) for your normal, household (non-commercial) use, and has in fact at all times only been used for normal household purposes; (2) new at retail (not a display, “as is”, or previously returned model), and not for resale, or commercial use; and (3) within the United States or Canada, and has at all times remained within the country of original purchase.

The same clause appears in the warranty for our Bosch clothes washer and dryer.

The other concern is that the lady at Bosch told me the appliances for the US market have different electrical specifications" than Canada, thou she could not explain to me what was different.

Electrical codes are different, especially with respect to 220V high current appliances like a stove or clothes dryer. As a result there are some differences between the same model that's sold in Canada and the US. If you're going to buy a US model at least have a licensed electrician do/check the wiring. Otherwise, if there's a fire or other accident your insurance company may have grounds (no pun intended) to deny your claim.

Added: You can find owner's manuals, installation manuals, warranty terms, etc. in PDF form on Bosch's websites in Canada and the US. (That's where I got the warranty wording above.) You might want to review the warranty, and especially installation instructions, for the model(s) you're interested in before you buy. Same generally applies to other appliance manufacturers.

[akyyyy]

OP

any luck in getting the wall oven from the USA. im in the same situation and thinking of purchasing from USA as well.

is electrical actually different in USA over Canada?

if anyone else has an opinion on this please advise.

also thinking of getting washer/dryer, in wall oven, cooktop, dishwasher.

pretty much need all new appliances.

[bylo]

is electrical actually different in USA over Canada?

Yes for anything but standard 120VAC/15A. Wall ovens, cooktops, ranges and electric clothes dryers all need 240VAC at high current. There are differences in the wiring and connectors used as well as electric code requirements. You should definitely locate the relevant installation manuals on the Internet for any such appliances before you buy them and make sure you understand the differences. It's possible that an appliance intended for sale in the US will come with slightly different wiring than one for Canada. (Some makers may provide a more universal hookup.) You should also make sure that your existing kitchen 240VAC circuit has a high enough current capacity to handle your wall oven and cooktop. Some high-end models draw more than the usual rating (40A IIRC.)

Also make sure the appliance is CSA approved and can be imported into Canada. This isn't a problem with name brands but if you buy some obscure European high-end brand in the US you may have trouble getting it into Canada. (I'm not 100% sure on this last point but you should be before you show up at the border with a truck full of appliances )

[akyyyy]

I only plan on purchasing north American brands, whirlpool etc. Should these be a prob in Canada. Also these will be going into a new house that's being constructed right now. Cooktop will be gas.

Can you see any major problems I will run into if I go with NA brands, and install into a new house. a 220v connection is provided in the kitchen.

Also, do I just purchase and drive up to the boarder? Should I have any paperwork prepared besides receipt?

[bylo]

Can you see any major problems I will run into if I go with NA brands, and install into a new house. a 220v connection is provided in the kitchen.

Probably not, but I would download the installation manuals and look for any Canada-specific wiring instructions. Better to be safe than sorry. Since this is new construction I'd also discuss this with the electrician because he's the one who has to get the final wiring inspected.

Also, do I just purchase and drive up to the boarder? Should I have any paperwork prepared besides receipt?

Dunno. Never done it. My guess would be just the receipt.

[akyyyy]

Probably not, but I would download the installation manuals and look for any Canada-specific wiring instructions. Better to be safe than sorry. Since this is new construction I'd also discuss this with the electrician because he's the one who has to get the final wiring inspected.

Dunno. Never done it. My guess would be just the receipt.

K thx for the help. Would the manual have Canada specific instructions, since there would be a similar model but for Canada. I'll check it out though.

Anyone else know what I'd take to bring these to the boarder. Just drve up or do I need to do anything specific. ??

[freeisnice]

I used to work for sears and remember that they will not repair anything that is not brought in Canada ,even if it a Kenmore brand( that is in warranty).But then this is what a CSR is supposed to say,What a tech says might be a diiferent version ( if you can get the tech over).

[akyyyy]

anyone recommend any retailers in the US that are cheap for appliances?

Bestbuy any good, in relation to prices?

[fdiddy]

The electrical thing is a non issue. The only possible discrepancy could be that they use slightly different connectors in the US, but though I've never worked there, I highly doubt it. If that were the case, your electrician would replace the connector for less than $20. The problem that you might have is that I do not think that an appliance meant for US market would be CSA approved. This is against Canadian building law, but as long as your electrician gets the final inspection before the appliances are installed, nobody will call you on it. Conversely, if you were really concerned about this point, you could get your appliance inspected and CSA approved for a few hundred dollars.

I'm an electrician, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the wiring will not be different, there is no more possibility of fire hazards etc. than there would be with the equivalent Canadian model.

[akyyyy]

The electrical thing is a non issue. The only possible discrepancy could be that they use slightly different connectors in the US, but though I've never worked there, I highly doubt it. If that were the case, your electrician would replace the connector for less than $20. The problem that you might have is that I do not think that an appliance meant for US market would be CSA approved. This is against Canadian building law, but as long as your electrician gets the final inspection before the appliances are installed, nobody will call you on it. Conversely, if you were really concerned about this point, you could get your appliance inspected and CSA approved for a few hundred dollars.

I'm an electrician, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the wiring will not be different, there is no more possibility of fire hazards etc. than there would be with the equivalent Canadian model.

thanks for the info. how can i tell if the connector is the same or diff. can i post the links to the manuals for the washer/dryer and perhaps you can let me know?

washer
http://www.abt.com/images/products/P...0rd_manual.pdf
dryer
http://www.abt.com/images/products/P...0rd_manual.pdf