tamaja

What items are a) more expensive or b) have minimal range in Australia (Sydney)?

I was planning on buying bink beds, sofas and plasma tvs before we go? Is this a good idea - I heard tvs are expensive and there is not much choice in sofas??

Anything else?

Many thanks!

Pomster

not sure about most stuff, but we bought a new front loader before we came- the choice here for front loaders is not as good, and I am not a fan of top loaders.

As far as I am aware most other stuff is comparable.
We had our bed made (by Chinese carpentry shops which are dotted over Melbourne) for about $700. Sofas are leather with spring loaded recliners- from Adriatic and can't remember price but they were not more expensive than UK.

Have to weigh the costs of buying up against cost of transporting them! (and potential damage and duty for owning them less than 1 year)

chippy2

we are in brisbane we bought a 50 inch samsung plasma last month and it cost $1500 that was cheaper in the uk things are pretty much the same there are loads of bargains at the moment friend of mine bought 2x2 sofas, tv cabinet, 4 chairs and dining table and 2 coffee tables for $1800 just look around and google retailers and find out whats about near where you want to be. Hope this helps and good look joanne x

aussiedreamz

Hi There is plenty of choice for sofa's we bought ours in Oz it was hand made and the quality is way much better than the Chinese stuff churned out back in the UK, same goes for TV's plenty of choice from major brands to unknown brands and at a reasonable cost, If you want to compare products and what sort of choice is on offer in Australia then feel free to click on my link below this post, I have just compiled a website with 100's of links to Australian retailers so you can compare prices easily between here and the UK...

FiP

Depending on where you end up living you may find the sofas from the UK too small and don't fit the houses here in the format you would ideally want - thats what we found. Sofas are a good price here in Perth but not sure about other states, sister is in Sydney and thinks there is less choice (for her taste) than Perth surprisingly.
If you buy a Plasma TV make sure you get it insured as heard some insurers do not cover certain plasmas (larger sizes?) for shipping without charging you extra.

I would do a quick look through the Argos book! No Joke! I certainly miss Argos for all the little odd household items you end up needing.
Here are some links to the some national furniture/electrical goods retailers which may help you decide:

http://www.harveynorman.com.au
http://www.freedom.com.au
http://www.retravision.com.au

sj oldfield

I would do a quick look through the Argos book! No Joke! I certainly miss Argos for all the little odd household items you end up needing.



We could do with something like Argos!!

However IKEA is pretty good for prices

Burkins

If you have kids in nappies, as many Pampers nappies and wipes as you can find.

Decent men's undies are expensive too so stock up!

tamaja

Many thanks - keep the replies coming!!

Also, did anyone have problem shipping their wicker??

sj oldfield

Actually I would save the money on shipping and buy it when you get here................it will also help the economy!!!

sj oldfield

In addition the rooms are that much bigger here, furniture from the UK can sometimes look a bit lost!!

JOHN G BLOOM

Bring international adapter plugs as it takes a while for you to get aroung to changing all you plugs over...we only brought 1 and everyone was fighting for it

shears

Bring some "Manchester" with you - that's what they call their bed linen 'n stuff here. I think it's more expensive over here for stuff like that - just yer basic bits 'n pieces

lerato

I've stocked up on my fave pants socks and bras

Just b/c whilst I'm willing to accept different cereals...bread etc...I don't want to have to find any of the above in my first couple months!!

suzyambrose

Your link's fantastic it's what every migrant needs! everyone should check it out

dougie-jen

Hi all, ive just read this thread and im now some what confused
, i have read and been told before hand that TV's bought in the UK won;t work in Oz,, due to being on a different fequency, ive been holding of buying a large plamsa because of this , is this correct or have i been miss informed?, can anyone advise, sorry for high-jacking your thread