hi. i will be in Canada in 4 months time. i will be working in Edmonton in Alberta and i can't wait. i'm looking for shops similar to Curry's, Comet or PC World where i can buy anything electronics from memory sticks to radio, TV, etc.

Futureshop and Bestbuy are two examples. My only problem with them is their awful return policy. Basically they will do anything possible to not cover your warranty. Bestbuy is at least a bit better then futureshop (even though they are both owned by Bestbuy).

Futureshop employees are paid on a commission basis, whereas Bestbuy employees are not. Thus you tend to find futureshop employees a little more "pushy" in trying to get that sale.

Paradoxically though they are essentially owned by the same company, they never have sales on the same item at the same time. It pays to check both before you buy something.

Jesus, your post count is taking a battering today.
Futureshop, Best Buy, Walmart, Canadian Tyre, The Source.... just wait til you get over here. You'll be falling over these shops and they'll all become self evident.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/home.asp?logon=L&langid=EN

http://www.futureshop.ca/home.asp?logon=&langid=EN

http://www.memoryexpress.com/ more computer oriented.

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/defau...language=en-CA This company is in financial difficulties right now and may not be around much longer.

I've found the same thing. London Drugs (bit like boots with an electronic section) actually has some great deals from time to time and an excellent return policy. The customer support for the computers is outstanding.

I bought a 37 inch Toshiba Regza LCD about 6 months ago for $850 sale price (taxes in) same tv at best buy was like 1150 taxes not in.

I find that Costco is cheaper than Future Shop or Bestbuy. For example a
16G Ipod is over $200 at FS or BB and $189 at Costco. And, if it doesn't work, you can return it to Costco.

Costco have an excellent return policy - I took some DECT phones back because their battery life was poor, got a full refund no problem - only place in the UK where I can think you'd get away with that is Argos, in which case you'd have probably got someone else's return in the first place....

In their defence, my experience with FS returns was pretty good - got a fridge from them and it was dented, returned it and got a different model with no problems.

+1 for Costco's return policy. Its probably the only place in Canada I've had no trouble.

Futureshop occasionally does do right by it's customers, but that's extremely variable, and I've noticed that they make it extremely difficult to get your warranty covered.

A good example was a printer that stopped working, on which I'd paid for the 'extended warranty'. They basically said that if I'd used non genuine HP cartridges in there it wasn't covered under the warranty (though when I'd asked the sales person about that before, he said it was under warranty - probably to just get a quick sale). Luckily I had only used HP cartridges. Anyway they sent the printer off for repair, and I heard nothing for 5 months, despite calling them to find out what happened.

After about 5 months, they "fixed" the printer - which when I got it home still didn't work. I took it back to them, and again heard nothing for 3 months. When I got it back home, same problem again. The printer didn't even work. I wrote it off and just got another one from one of their competitors.

Over the years I've had many such horror stories with them, so it wasn't just a once off experience. I think they'll do anything/say anything to get the sale, but if you ever have problems afterwards, good luck.

Costco have locations in the UK as well. If you are a Costco member when you ever return to the UK you can waltz right in. In the UK it's only open for business people unlike here and the US where it's for the general public. Just remember to take your card with you.

Costco's return policy is second to none.

I use tigerdirect.ca for all my gear

Costco is the biggest outlet of its kind in the world. I suspect its generous return poilcy is arranged with its suppliers before contracts are signed. This eliminates the need for them to check out the product, test it, repackage it, try to resell it etc. It is up to the supplier to deal with the issue and given Costco's purchasing power suppliers get onside.

is tigerdirect.ca a partner of Costco? do they have a actual store on the high street or malls? or are they also a good online store where you can return any item with hassle like Costco's?

Tigerdirect do have some physical stores, and no they are not a partner of Costco.

They are basically an online electronics retailer.

The problem with shopping for electronics at Costco is getting distracted. You only went in for a big screen TV but somehow your car also contains 144 rolls of toiler paper and a pallet of frozen baguettes.

Indeed - I need to go there at the minute to get some of their ready cooked bacon as it's better quality and cheaper than anywhere else, however, I just know I'll come out with 100 bucks worth of other stuff I didn't know I needed....

Sounds like you shop like a woman.

Focus man, focus, go in get what you want get out.