Electrical Goods
May 27th 2011, 5:49 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2011
Location: Currently Sandhurst, Berkshire; moving to Austin, Texas 09/15
Posts: 1
Electrical Goods
Hi,
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
May 27th 2011, 6:21 pm
#2
MODERATOR
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Costa Valencia
Posts: 14,800
Re: Electrical Goods
Hello and a big welcome to BE.
Excellent information can be found in the BE Wiki, not forgetting the Living and Moving Abroad forum that will help you. Yet another set of great help is the permanent threads at the TOP of each forum, they are very pertinent to that particular forum and makes sensible reading.
Moderators deal with any problems that arise such as inappropriate posts, spammers etc, you will find their names at the bottom right hand side of each forum's index in bold font.
Sorry that I cannot answer your question but the folks on the US forum are extremely helpful and friendly so I am sure that they will be along soon to give you the answers that you require.
Please contact me if I can give you any further help.
Rosemary
Excellent information can be found in the BE Wiki, not forgetting the Living and Moving Abroad forum that will help you. Yet another set of great help is the permanent threads at the TOP of each forum, they are very pertinent to that particular forum and makes sensible reading.
Moderators deal with any problems that arise such as inappropriate posts, spammers etc, you will find their names at the bottom right hand side of each forum's index in bold font.
Sorry that I cannot answer your question but the folks on the US forum are extremely helpful and friendly so I am sure that they will be along soon to give you the answers that you require.
Please contact me if I can give you any further help.
Rosemary
May 27th 2011, 8:34 pm
#3
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Electrical Goods
Hi,
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
Generally unless it's something like a computer with dual voltage it's not worth bringing them to the US. Electronic items are quite cheap here compared to the UK. There have been loads of past threads in the US Forums about this subject. We have several members living in Texas...so any questions you may have about the Lone Star State...ask away.
If you require any assistance finding your way around BE's many forums we have a team of concierges who will act as your tour guide...they will be pleased to help you. The concierge for the US forums is Kaffy Mintcake...please contact her if you need pointing in the right direction.
If you have any problems or concerns please contact a mod or admin. The mods for the US forums are Bob and MsElui. Although you can contact any mod or admin...there is usually one of us around 24/7.
Please give me a shout if I can be of further help. I look forward to seeing you in the US forums.
May 28th 2011, 12:10 am
#4
BE Co-Founder
Joined: Feb 2000
Location: Florida
Posts: 25,928
Re: Electrical Goods
Hi hjtoal, welcome to BE. So pleased you have joined us.
I agree with JG. We only brought our computers/printer. The rest we bought over here, as electronics are pretty cheap. It was far easier that way.
I agree with JG. We only brought our computers/printer. The rest we bought over here, as electronics are pretty cheap. It was far easier that way.
May 28th 2011, 2:55 am
#5
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: Electrical Goods
Hi,
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
My husband & I will shortly be moving to Austin, Texas & I wondered if anyone out there could advise us whether or not it's worth taking electrical goods with us given the difference in voltage? I have read on another site that any electrical goods we take over must have an inbuilt transformer & I'm just not sure whether it's going to be more hassle than it's worth to do that; however the expense of replacing everything is putting me off! Any advise would be gratefully received.
H
Also, http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Compatability_of_Goods For Canada, but basically the same issues.
May 28th 2011, 4:55 pm
#6
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,680
Re: Electrical Goods
Hi Hjtoal
I see you have been given the links to our USA forum which just leaves me to say welcome to BE and wish you good luck with your move
Dread - x
I see you have been given the links to our USA forum which just leaves me to say welcome to BE and wish you good luck with your move
Dread - x
May 28th 2011, 7:39 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2011
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 46
Re: Electrical Goods
Hi, Funny we're just moving to Austin, and my best friend from school lives in Sandhurst - small world.
We had a corporate move over to the US in 1998 so as 'extra' items didn't cost us anything to ship I brought a load of electrical items with me. (We gave away TV's and sold my washer/dryer). That left a load of small kitchen appliances. As we were buying a new 'custom' house over here I was lucky enough to have 220v sockets put in my kitchen and utility room - just one in each. The sockets look a bit industrial but enable me to use my food processor, Kenwood mixer with myriad attachments, ice cream maker, toasted sandwich maker, Dualit toaster, coffee grinder, spice grinder, electric carving knife and iron. Now that we're moving to Austin a kitchen re-model there has enabled me to put such a socket in my new kitchen too (it can't always be done, by the way.) Just because I did it it doesn't mean it's a sensible thing to do! I have now replaced my iron with one that cost less than $10 from Walmart.
I suppose my rationale was that if we went back to Europe quickly I wouldn't have to buy yet again all new 220/240 appliances.
One tip. Don't bring TV's or anything with a clock in it.
Good luck with the move.
We had a corporate move over to the US in 1998 so as 'extra' items didn't cost us anything to ship I brought a load of electrical items with me. (We gave away TV's and sold my washer/dryer). That left a load of small kitchen appliances. As we were buying a new 'custom' house over here I was lucky enough to have 220v sockets put in my kitchen and utility room - just one in each. The sockets look a bit industrial but enable me to use my food processor, Kenwood mixer with myriad attachments, ice cream maker, toasted sandwich maker, Dualit toaster, coffee grinder, spice grinder, electric carving knife and iron. Now that we're moving to Austin a kitchen re-model there has enabled me to put such a socket in my new kitchen too (it can't always be done, by the way.) Just because I did it it doesn't mean it's a sensible thing to do! I have now replaced my iron with one that cost less than $10 from Walmart.
I suppose my rationale was that if we went back to Europe quickly I wouldn't have to buy yet again all new 220/240 appliances.
One tip. Don't bring TV's or anything with a clock in it.
Good luck with the move.
