GadgetFreak
Jun 1, 06, 4:34 pm
Just wondering if taxation or what have you makes it possible to get any deals here. Maybe a Nokia factory seconds store or something ;) Just curious if it is worth looking around while I am here. Thanks.
Travel Technology - Any good places in Helsinki to buy cell phones?
View Full Version : Any good places in Helsinki to buy cell phones?
grahamb
Jun 2, 06, 1:23 am
When we were living in Helsinki, the Nokia employee discount deal was so poor that it was cheaper to buy a phone at the special offer price in a department store than get it with employee discount. There's no outlet store.
VAT is a hefty 22% but you can get some of that refunded if you are resident outside the EU.
It used to be that phones in Finland could not be subsidised through the contract (not sure if that is still the case) so they were all sold 'full price' but the full price seemed to be similar to the off-contract prices elsewhere; the only differences I noticed were due to VAT differences.
If you're looking for the absolute latest Nokia model, I found that the shop in Helsinki Airport arrivals (just near the exit from the non-Schengen section) had them before anywhere else in Finland and usually before anywhere else period. They weren't necessarily the cheapest there though ;)
I'm not sure where you travel to but my assumption would be that Helsinki is probably not the cheapest place to buy...
VAT is a hefty 22% but you can get some of that refunded if you are resident outside the EU.
It used to be that phones in Finland could not be subsidised through the contract (not sure if that is still the case) so they were all sold 'full price' but the full price seemed to be similar to the off-contract prices elsewhere; the only differences I noticed were due to VAT differences.
If you're looking for the absolute latest Nokia model, I found that the shop in Helsinki Airport arrivals (just near the exit from the non-Schengen section) had them before anywhere else in Finland and usually before anywhere else period. They weren't necessarily the cheapest there though ;)
I'm not sure where you travel to but my assumption would be that Helsinki is probably not the cheapest place to buy...
ojala
Jun 2, 06, 1:56 pm
Best prices are typically through on-line stores that can be difficult to use if you're just visiting.
One good alternative is Verkkokauppa.com at the Ruoholahti shopping centre, next to the Ruoholahti metro station. You can check their pricing and availability online, www.verkkokauppa.com, select "Puhelinkauppa" from the middle on the left. Then "Puhelimet". Click your favourite brand, e.g. Nokia. When you click "Näytä" next to the phone model, you'll see the details in a popup window.
For example "Saatavuus: Heti" means that the phone is immediately available. Under "Varastosaldo" you could read e.g.
Tuotteella varastosaldona 1 kpl, joista 0 kpl tilattu.
Vapaana yhteensä 1 kpl.
Helsingin myymälässä hyllyssä 3 kpl. Myymälässä olevia tuotteita ei voi tilata netistä.
That means there is one unit available for on-line ordering and none of them has been ordered. There's also 3 units in the store that you cannot buy online.
If a product is not available immediately, it could say e.g. "1-4 työpäivää" for 1-4 working days or "2-6 päivää" for 2-6 days.
You can also pre-order the phone before your visit and you can pick it up when you arrive. I believe they'll keep the product available for 14 days.
They are also very competitive for cameras and linses compared to rest of Europe.
One good alternative is Verkkokauppa.com at the Ruoholahti shopping centre, next to the Ruoholahti metro station. You can check their pricing and availability online, www.verkkokauppa.com, select "Puhelinkauppa" from the middle on the left. Then "Puhelimet". Click your favourite brand, e.g. Nokia. When you click "Näytä" next to the phone model, you'll see the details in a popup window.
For example "Saatavuus: Heti" means that the phone is immediately available. Under "Varastosaldo" you could read e.g.
Tuotteella varastosaldona 1 kpl, joista 0 kpl tilattu.
Vapaana yhteensä 1 kpl.
Helsingin myymälässä hyllyssä 3 kpl. Myymälässä olevia tuotteita ei voi tilata netistä.
That means there is one unit available for on-line ordering and none of them has been ordered. There's also 3 units in the store that you cannot buy online.
If a product is not available immediately, it could say e.g. "1-4 työpäivää" for 1-4 working days or "2-6 päivää" for 2-6 days.
You can also pre-order the phone before your visit and you can pick it up when you arrive. I believe they'll keep the product available for 14 days.
They are also very competitive for cameras and linses compared to rest of Europe.
kanebear
Jun 2, 06, 2:02 pm
IMO the best deal for cellphones is off Ebay. Several sellers are very reputable and ship quickly. I've used a gent (x1387 IIRC) in HK who gets stuff faster to me than I get it in the US! I ordered a Samsung P300 and a Nokia E61 on Friday and had them Wednesday! Much cheaper than anyone in the US as well; the E61 was $409 +$29.95 FedEx and the P300 was $365 +$15 shipping. Knowing what int'l FedEx Priority costs, that shipping isn't out of line. Considering at THREE places I know in Houston that carry the phones I couldn't bargain lower than $699 + tax I'm not complaining.