Travel Technology - eBook in LAX?

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I've had a good search
around the site for an answer to this - but to no avail...:confused:

Not really a flying-related question but I am totally clueless here.

Anyway, I will be flying through LAX ( around an 8-hour stop ) on
my way to Oz.

I'm wondering if it is possible to by a Sony eReader (eBook reader)
at LAX? We only have a couple of models in the UK and they
still command a high price.

That is it, simple question, can I buy one of these at the airport?
Also, would it be tax-free, or perhaps more expensive than a local store?


Thank you,

spacebucks

Sony and Best Buy have kiosks (vending machines for electronics) at LAX. Maybe you will get lucky there.

But with an 8 hour layover in LAX, you will have plenty of time to take a cab to a local electronics store and buy whatever you want. There's a Fry's Electronics in Manhattan Beach, CA, which is less than 4 miles from LAX. There's a Best Buy in El Segundo, which is very close (less than 1/2 mile) to Fry's.

http://www.frys.com/isp/manhattanbeach.html

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=lax&daddr=3600+N+Sepulveda+Blvd,+Manhattan+Beach,+CA+9 0266+(Fry%27s+Electronics)&hl=en&geocode=FezvBQIdVjrx-ClNpPu-ILHCgDEzG4k9ug9THQ%3BCSZ-OodpJRG_FfdKBQIdHHDx-CF3nfm0vW5s0Cm3-ofF-LPCgDGInBuTgEHS0g&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=33.945215,-118.177016&sspn=0.660756,1.064301&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=13

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=lax&daddr=740+South+Sepulveda+Boulevard,+El+Segundo,+C A+90245-4717+(Best+Buy+-+El+Segundo)&hl=en&geocode=FezvBQIdVjrx-ClNpPu-ILHCgDEzG4k9ug9THQ%3BCSzFDuj436PlFQdeBQIdgXPx-CEV4fXdW7WIkylhoSVM_rPCgDH5kgPM63HEOw&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=33.998157,-118.354308&sspn=0.660349,1.064301&ie=UTF8&ll=33.91523,-118.400774&spn=0.041312,0.066519&t=h&z=14

http://www.frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&query_string=sony+ebook&cat=0&submit.x=0&submit.y=0

Finding the model/color you want? That's another story I guess.

-David

David,

Thank you.

I had no idea there was such a thing as vending machines for items such as electronics (like I said, not too well travelled).

Well, being able to get out of the airport is not something I thought I could do - assumed it would be too far away from shops etc.

Been looking at links you gave, exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.


Out if interest, do you, or anyone else know the score on getting tax back when leaving the country with goods bought there? I read something along the lines of being able to claim it back at customs if I have the receipt for the product I purchased?


Cheers,

Magnus

p.s. any idea how much a cab would be for the 4-mile run to Manhattan Beach? :)

As far as I understand it, you actually have to get a visa or ETS to transit the US, don't you? In other words, you will actually enter the US as a tourist and not just stay in a sterile area in LAX, right? As long as that is the case, it will be very easy for you to go to one or both of those of stores. They are very close to the airport. (I guess you just need electronic authorization since you are from UK.)

We don't have anything like a VAT here, so there's nothing like that here.

search for los angeles taxi fare finder or something like that. It's probably around $20 or less to Manhattan Beach (plus tip, ~20% is good.) You can get a card from the driver and have the store call you a cab when you are ready to leave, or just pay the guy extra to wait for you.

-David

Ah right, cool, thanks again David.

Thanks for the tip on tipping, was unaware of that too!


Magnus


Yeah, I had to apply online for a visa-type thing. But, yes, able to do what I want with my 8 hours - shame it's not more... next time!!

ok, don't forget to come back here after your trip and let us know how it went.

-David

We don't have anything like a VAT here, so there's nothing like that here.
Well you have sales tax in most states, including CA. And because it's based on antiquated logic, there is no way of claiming this back.

So to the OP - you will see 8.25% tax on top of the price of whatever you buy (unless the LA area tax has changed) and you just have to pay it.

The form you filled in online to visit the US isn't actually a visa application, it's simply an entry permit (and valid for 3 years).

Visitors from many countries are able to visit without a visa, I assume you're in this category (as am I).

Sales tax in California is quite high, and cannot be claimed back. On electronics you might also have to pay a recycling fee on top of the tax.

Run to your local Curry's and you may be lucky to score a PRS 505 for £90:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/547920/sony-reader-prs505-89-97-in-store-a

ok, don't forget to come back here after your trip and let us know how it went.

-David


Will do.. ^

Well you have sales tax in most states, including CA. And because it's based on antiquated logic, there is no way of claiming this back.

So to the OP - you will see 8.25% tax on top of the price of whatever you buy (unless the LA area tax has changed) and you just have to pay it.


Ah right, okay. Not a huge concern as a decent saving should be made.

Actually, it's more a newer model than saving some money (but I won't complain if I get both :D)


Cheers,

Magnus

The form you filled in online to visit the US isn't actually a visa application, it's simply an entry permit (and valid for 3 years).

Visitors from many countries are able to visit without a visa, I assume you're in this category (as am I).

Sales tax in California is quite high, and cannot be claimed back. On electronics you might also have to pay a recycling fee on top of the tax.



Yeah, that's it, an ESTA form.

A recycling fee?! Wow, never heard of such a thing!


Thanks,

Magnus

Run to your local Curry's and you may be lucky to score a PRS 505 for £90:

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/547920/sony-reader-prs505-89-97-in-store-a


Definitely a good deal, but as I mentioned above, I'm after one of the later models.


Thanks Purdey,

Magnus

Thanks to all those who replied.

I am now back in the UK and managed to get the Sony eReader I was after in LA... at a decent discount to the prices here in the UK... :D

Also, I found everyone I encountered to be very helpful there - in shops, buses, etc... very refreshing... will hopefully head to LA for a holiday this year.


Magnus

Thanks for the follow-up.

So where did you get it, and how did you get around? Did you take the bus?

-David

I am now back in the UK and managed to get the Sony eReader I was after in LA... at a decent discount to the prices here in the UK... :D

I hope you paid the import duty when you got back to the UK :D

Cheers,
Rick

Thanks for the follow-up.

So where did you get it, and how did you get around? Did you take the bus?

-David


Got it from Best Buy. Borders were sold out and didn't find the service at Fry's very good.

The buses were initially difficult to figure out. Had to get a bus out of LAX - this was free. Then take another bus to the shops - number 232 and it cost $1.25 - bargain!... :D


Magnus

I hope you paid the import duty when you got back to the UK :D

Cheers,
Rick


Hmmm... will have to fake ignorance here... *clears throat*... what exactly is "import tax"?... :p


Magnus

... didn't find the service at Fry's very good.



hahaha, you got the usual Fry's experience. :) Well, hopefully you looked around. It's still a unique experience.

-David

hahaha, you got the usual Fry's experience. :) Well, hopefully you looked around. It's still a unique experience.

-David


Interesting.

I had no idea of any of the reputations of any stores there. So my [literal] 5-minute experience of Fry's was pretty standard then?

Yeah, it was an interesting store. There seemed to be some sort of theme
going on in it.. like a jungle/Mayan/Inca thing... but I couldn't quite get it with so much electronics and such everywhere.

Shame I didn't have more time there... :(


Magnus

I had no idea of any of the reputations of any stores there. So my [literal] 5-minute experience of Fry's was pretty standard then?


Yes, service-wise, you hit the nail on the head, but if you know what you want and checked pricing ahead of time, sometimes they have good deals, and they also have a lot of stuff that's hard to find, and a lot of stuff you generally won't find elsewhere at a retail store, so it can be fun just to look around the store. They also sell Jolt Cola and things like that at the same time. Fry's Electronics has become a sort-of institution in the California Bay Area because of all that.

Also, they take returns, so one of my friends calls Fry's his "lending library".

Each store is themed differently.

-David

Yes, service-wise, you hit the nail on the head, but if you know what you want and checked pricing ahead of time, sometimes they have good deals, and they also have a lot of stuff that's hard to find, and a lot of stuff you generally won't find elsewhere at a retail store, so it can be fun just to look around the store. They also sell Jolt Cola and things like that at the same time. Fry's Electronics has become a sort-of institution in the California Bay Area because of all that.

Also, they take returns, so one of my friends calls Fry's his "lending library".

Each store is themed differently.

-David


Yeah, only 5-min so unfortunately didn't get the whole experience.

They had all-sorts of stuff as well as electronic/gadget... quite interesting - what I saw at least.

Hopefully check it out again soon...


Magnus