Friday, Sep 30, 2016
Where did September go? I can’t believe we have been in Cuenca for five months now. As promised, as part of understanding the cost of living in Ecuador, I will share some of the prices of appliances, household goods, and electronics as seen on the shelves in the stores here. (If you missed part one you can find it here)
Let’s look at some appliances first…
GE Refrigerator
This is a stainless GE Refrigerator with ice and water dispenser. The cash price of this item is $3,525.29. If you did 15 payments of $261.13 it’s more. I think in Lowes, these refrigerators are closer to $1500. What do you think?
Freestanding Oven
If you rent an “unfurnished” apartment in Ecuador, it most likely will not have a refrigerator or an oven. These are items you are expected to bring with you. This oven is $649.28. Aren’t they closer to $350 in the States?
GE Microwave
Panasonic Microwave
How many microwaves can you buy for under $100 at Lowes or Home Depot? Both of these are over $250. When we were looking at furnished places to live, some units did not supply a microwave.
Coffee Brewer and Dish Set
This 12 cup coffee maker is $35.90. It simply has an on/off switch. Any brewer with auto start/stop or brew settings is closer to $100. The dish set is a basic four person place setting, $63. Aren’t they $19.99 at Target?
24 piece silverware set
Don’t forget the knives and forks. This set will cost close to a Benjamin for a six place setting.
24 piece tableware set
There are cheaper ones that will easily bend…with only your thoughts. 😉
9″ Fry pan
We had a Salad Master pot and pan set that we didn’t bring with us. A few of those really great pots and pans would have gone to good use here. The quality of material the cookware is made of here is very poor.
Electrolux Blender, Margaritas Anyone?
I think it’s hard finding a good blender, even in the US. The blender we bought in the States was close to $300 but it was fantastic. I think this Electrolux is a “normal” blender, maybe better than average? I don’t know.
This grill is similar to the one I had on my back patio before moving to Ecuador. It was top of the line, extra burners, auto clean etc. I think it was around $600. Here, I will need to pay almost $2,500! I wouldn’t be able to afford the meat to grill on it. 😉
Coleman Coolers
$75 dollars for a cooler that only holds 22 cans? All I can say is that someone at Coleman must have pissed off President Correa.
Bed Sheets
Good bed sheets are very difficult to find here. The basic stock I can buy at Corral don’t have deep pockets, and feel one step up from sandpaper. When I have found a better quality sheet, the cost is out of the park. Pictured is one double size, 300 thread count sheet set, $167.39. Where is Costco when you need it?
Need to stay cool on the coast
This is probably a pretty good fan, but over a hundred bucks? To be fair, I did find adjustable floor fans for under $50. They made a lot of noise, but hey.
MacBook Air
This is probably twice what you could buy it for in the States. Make sure you bring a good laptop with you.
This Epson all in one seems way over priced to me. The Cannon may be a better deal.
Epson Printer
Cannon Printer
This will blow your low cost of living in Ecuador…
Ok, I admit this is a killer TV, but priced over $16,000 dollars? I’m not sure how how big the screen is, but it was very large.
Check out my price tag
Curved TV
Then there are more reasonably priced TV’s. This is one you might find in Costco for easily under a grand. Here it is almost $2,500.
And in case you need to pick up a toy for the grandkids…
Fisher Price toy
Well that’s all I have to show you. Living in Ecuador is about learning to make due with what you have. This is not a place that has 20 different choices for each and every thing you could want. And some of those items that are here can be much more expensive, at least what I have been used to paying. Your cost of living in Ecuador will be affected by these types of purchases made here.
I am enjoying my many experiences in this country and “things” are not a big part of that.
Chau.
Hi Todd
The monthly payment plans are really big in Ecuador for more expensive items. Disposable income is not the norm, and many people are willing to pay hugely inflated monthly payments in order to acquire basic appliances. While the cash price is listed on the signs, in many stores there is also a “real” cash price that you get by negotiating with the store rep (or sometimes the manager.). We’ve purchased dozens of appliances in EC to furnish our rental properties, and discounts of 10-30%+ off the posted cash price were not uncommon. An example is our really great Panasonic refrigerator. I think the cash price on the sign was $2,299, but we got it for $1399.
That’s really good to know Don. It is an example of understanding the culture. In the States, negotiating with a Lowes employee on a refrigerator won’t go far. In Ecuador, negotiating with the salesman looks like it can translate into significant savings. Thanks for the tip!
Todd
Negotiating at the major big box stores probably won’t get you very far, but it seems be be the norm with many of smaller retailers.
Well, all they can do is say no. I have gotten into the habit of asking if there is a discount for cash for my small purchases, even at the bigger stores here. Sometimes I get it! Thanks Don.
Yikes !!!!
So much more expensive than I thought it would be!! International Living magazine doesn’t mention the cost of things at all!
I guess they don’t want you to know about the prices of refrigerators or TVs.
Thanks for taking the time to write about the prices.
Have a good Monday. 🙂
Laree
I agree Laree. I have never seen anything written in International Living about some of the higher priced items here. Some things are much lower in cost comparatively to the US…like rents and produce. I think IL tends to show a narrow view of costs in Ecuador. Thanks for reading.
Todd