Buying GPS in Miami?
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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Buying GPS in Miami?
Im off to Miami on hols very shortly and I fancy buying a Garmin GPSMAP 496 whilst I am in the US.
Since the $ rate is so good, I have found the international version on line for around £750 which is £350 cheaper... Unfortunately this company is based in San Diego!
Does anyone know of good / cheap GPS retailers in Miami? No doubt I could ask the place in San Diego to ship to my hotel in Miami but it would be easier if there was a place locally...
Cheers
Steve
Since the $ rate is so good, I have found the international version on line for around £750 which is £350 cheaper... Unfortunately this company is based in San Diego!
Does anyone know of good / cheap GPS retailers in Miami? No doubt I could ask the place in San Diego to ship to my hotel in Miami but it would be easier if there was a place locally...
Cheers
Steve
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Yes it is, just. By the time you hav paid the DUTY and then the VAT is calculated on the cost + duty you will save around £50.00. It is an absolute rip off in my view and such personal imports should be free of duty and tax.
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Dont forget duty and vat payable to HMRCE when you return!
Honestly, C&E don't give two hoots about someone buying a GPS on their hols. They are after the big tax dodgers.
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They all use the same power adapter 100-240V. You will just need to get the US-UK 2 prong adapter, very cheap.
The problem is the map database, You will receive the Americas database, and nothing for Europe, so you will have to buy that. Check the price and factor it in.
The problem is the map database, You will receive the Americas database, and nothing for Europe, so you will have to buy that. Check the price and factor it in.
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If you are in Florida (Miami) then you will pay Florida sales tax from any retailer in Florida. If you buy it from any state other than Florida, there is no sales tax, but there will be shipping charges. Often the Fed Ex overnight shipping charges are less than the Sales tax, so give the retailer a call to check.
Make sure you buy the international version to get the UK database, however this has not got the full US database so only has partial capability in the US if you want to use it while you are out there. I believe the warrantee is worldwide, but you will have to deal with Garmin UK rather than the retailer.
Of course you really should declare it and pay duty and customs on the way back. But it will be used at that point and you do have a personal allowance.
Make sure you buy the international version to get the UK database, however this has not got the full US database so only has partial capability in the US if you want to use it while you are out there. I believe the warrantee is worldwide, but you will have to deal with Garmin UK rather than the retailer.
Of course you really should declare it and pay duty and customs on the way back. But it will be used at that point and you do have a personal allowance.
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make sure you remove the box packaging and receipt. then send them home via snail mail.
customs wont know a garmin if it hit them in the head , but they will if you leave the receipt in !!!!!
customs wont know a garmin if it hit them in the head , but they will if you leave the receipt in !!!!!
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Is it still the case that if you buy mail-order from out-of-state you don't pay sales tax?
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Channel Islands Option
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Don't forget you can order and collect your 496 from Guernsey (VAT free). It's a bit of a treck to the shop but then so is Miami
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Don't forget you can order and collect your 496 from Guernsey (VAT free). It's a bit of a treck to the shop but then so is Miami
Do you have the details of the company you are talking about please - I need to give them a call to find out more..
Thanks
Steve
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another option, buy a 296 and save the difference, then download the waypoints, freely available on the net, bringing it up to 496 spec except the weather part, which isn't available in Europe anyway 
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another option, buy a 296 and save the difference, then download the waypoints, freely available on the net, bringing it up to 496 spec except the weather part, which isn't available in Europe anyway
There is a lot more to it than that from what I can see?
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/compare....reProduct=6426
Not least, screen refresh rate, safe taxi, smart airspace and custom points of interests...
Steve
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My Garmin came with a free voucher for any data base download ie could download atlantic, americas, asia etc or even update the current atlantic one. After this you pay around £30 I think to download or update the data base. Is this not the case for a G496?