Hawaii Residents/Experts Please Help
 

Could anyone please tell me where the best/cheapest places (on Oahu) are to purchase Digital Video DVD Cameras. Any advice would be appreciated, we will be in Hawaii in 4 days!!!!

I would ask the hotel where you're staying at.

Try Costco ($35 for a membership, but you can buy gas there, too) or Wal-Mart. I don't know of any small places. Regardless it will be more expensive than buying one on the Mainland (if that's where you are).

We are actually travelling from Australia. Not sure what type of store costco or walmart is. Pretty sure that anywhere would be cheaper than here. Any more advice?

You could try Circuit City near Pearlridge Center, membership not required.

I don't know if Circuit City is the cheapest, but they will have a good selection.

One nice feature is if you have a particular brand/model in mind, you can go to their website to see if they have any in stock at that particular store. Then you can purchase it online and pick it up at the store, as long as you do so within 14 days or so.

Not sure if that method of purchase and pick up would work given that you reside out of the country, but if it does, it could save you the time spent in the store.

Just curious Mandy, why are they more down under? Taxes?

Costco is a "warehouse" store, meaning their prices are less but you have to buy a yearly membership ($35-40) and often the merchandise is in big quantities. However, they also sell electronics and other high end items at big discounts. BUT you never know what you're going to get. They're very popular in Hawaii since things are so expensive. Wal-Mart is a big "everything under one roof" kind of store, and their prices are usually very good...thanks to some very shady business practices. Either might be cheaper than Circuit City, but you'd probably have a better selection at CC. Good luck!

Costco is a warehouse club and they have everything from jewelery to tires to food, electronics, etc. etc. Its usually cheaper to shop there but for most thing you buy in bulk. It costs $ to join. Here in the Chicago are membershipo is $40.00 per yr. I think. As we saved $330.00 this yr. alone on our Alaska cruise its worth it. If I was you I would check the local papers upon arrival to see if there are any sales at that time. Good luck, Larry.

I would second Circuit City. Bought our digital camera there. Cheapest after doing some searching.

Doesn't Sam's give you a free one day pass? Costco may do the same. Daie may have some too.

Thanks so much everyone - so much helpful info. Will certainly look into it all. Att - Jacketwatch we have been looking at a Sony Camcorder here in Australia & the prices quoted at various outlets is $1600.00. We checked out Sony's US websites and rrp is $800.00 - some difference (even after we convert it into Aussie dollars)!

Costco will be cheaper, but may not have the model you want..their stock comes and goes. You have to buy membership, but they will allow you in before you join, so you can see if they have the camera you want at the right price.

Comp Usa will have better prices than Circuit City.

WalMart soesn't require membership, and their prices are good, but merchandise tend to be last seasons models.
We just shopped for these recently.

Circuit City seem to have just what we are looking for. Do you have to buy it online, or can you just go into the shop & purchase direct? (Sorry, please excuse my ignorance)

Thanks mandy. I had no idea it was that high there. Good grief!

You don't have to purchase online from Circuit City. Only problem if you go to the store to purchase is that they may not have the specific model you're looking for.

My suggestion to see if you can purchase it online and pick up at the store will save you money in shipping only - I think the prices online should be the same as the prices in the store.

Another thought... purchase online and have it shipped to your hotel? Also, if you become a new member at Costco, you can use their cash back American Express. I was quite happy with my February rebate check, which more than covered my yearly membership fee. But then again, I'm a Costco junkie.

Just a heads up to Mandy, if you do decide on Costco. They only accept American Express as a credit card. This irks me, since I always use my Visa everywhere else to get FF Miles and I spend $2500 to $4,000 a year at Costco. It's the only place I ever use my American Express. I don't know if they will take a check being that you're from Australia. Your only other option would be cash.
Costco website:
http://www.costco.com/