Buying home goods in Panama to take to Colombia

Waterdawg says on Jul 16, 2007, 10:52:

Why would you want to buy home goods in Panama ??? Not any cheaper . what if you need waranty work ?? Pay customs ? Just do not compute in me pea Brain !

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chewy says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:06:

Thank for your reply Waterdawg:
Is just that I was told that electronic goods are much cheaper in Panama than in Colombia. If not, then I would not have to worry about. But I do have to take some personal things such as computers and personal family treasures. I will also have to check about sending a small trailer full.

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Waterdawg says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:13:

.. "But I do have to take some personal things such as computers and personal family treasures. I will also have to check about sending a small trailer full... "

That I understand . You are not going to save anything buy moving Electronic goods , washer , dryer , sofa , ect ... ect .. Personal family stuff I understand !

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chewy says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:22:

No, no big appliances at all. The only thing I meant besides the family stuff is antique love seat and chair and also my tools such as mechanic and power tools and a couple of offset satellite dishes because I have not been able to find any in Colombia and I want them to receive Dish network in Colombia. A utility trailer would be plenty big which can be towed by a car or pickup. I just need to know what hassles if any I will encounter getting them in Colombia.

I do appreciate your replies since I am a newbie on this.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:29:

Maybe I am misinterpreting, but your mention of a utility trailer caught my attention. Last I knew, there was not a paved road between Panama and Colombia. Your big items will have to go by boat.

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rjstuff says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:32:

Are you planning to drive a car with a trailer from Panama into Colombia? My wife (Colombian) thinks thats impossible to do or 'loco' at best. I am not aware of any highways from Panama into Colombia (but who knows) - how are you planning to do this? Ship it or drive it? Shipping costs will more than eat up your savings on buying anything cheap. Driving will be dangerous - as the border area is one of the most dangerous areas in Colombia. Good Luck

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chewy says on Jul 16, 2007, 11:41:

Thanks for the input to all of you. Is nice to be able to find all this out in first hand from caring people. As you can well see, I am a newbie on this. Perhaps there is a freight liner that ships from Puerto Rico to Barranquilla which is just north of Cartagena. I was told that the easiest way to get to Cartagena was going to Panama first and then from there to Colombia. Any more experiences and inputs will be appreciated very much.

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rjstuff says on Jul 16, 2007, 12:18:

Chewy:
What you should do is this - find out prices of some of the things you want to take to Colombia - both in Colombia and in Panama and in Puerto Rica. Then find out the shipping costs of goods from Panama and from Puerto Rico and compare to see if its 'cheaper' or not.
I did a similar exercise - take my old stuff (furniture etc.) from Denver to Costa Rica or buy there - the shipping cost of $3500 to $5000 (I asked two shippers for rough estimates) was enough for me to decide to not take any of my old stuff - instead buy new stuff with the saved shipping cost alone ( a little more).
Given that, I do agree that if you want to take a few things like Digital cameras, video cameras and X-box etc. they are much cheaper here (and maybe in Panama too - don't know about their prices) we have carried some of this stuff for family and friends every time as part of our luggage.
Good Luck

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chewy says on Jul 16, 2007, 12:56:

That is a good advise. I was going to do the same when I was transferred from my job in NY to PR but as long as the company payed for everything, I took everything but the snow shovel.

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elk says on Jul 16, 2007, 13:15:

I lived in Panama for three years, moving to Medellin July 2006. You can't drive to Colombia from Panama and the prices are about the same here in Colombia as Panama. Try Exito for appliances.

I sold everything I had in Panama and purchased here in Medellin. As mentioned above, what is a warranty worth? The hassle with Aduana would be another problem. I've driven from the U.S. to Panama and Costa Rica starting in 1973 for a total of seven times and I can tell you crossing a frontier isn't exactly a fun experience....

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Robert Jorge says on Jul 16, 2007, 13:19:

The passage from Panama to Colombia is called the Darien Gap. The poster above is correct. It is one of the most dangerous areas of Colombia. It is total jungle, and filled with narcotraficantes, FARC, AUC, and combinations of all 3. Most people who make this trek do it for something to brag about. If you are just trying to move to Colombia, the Darien Gap is an insane option. Get a boat!

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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chewy says on Jul 16, 2007, 14:02:

Thanks for the advise. What would I do without you all. I am glad I am doing the research now and not have to walk the jungles like in Apocalypto. I am going to Cartagena the second week of August for two weeks. I will spend time checking all the things there. For sure am not taking any furniture of appliances. Just memory stuff. I will do research on sending things in a freighter company and I will pick up in either Barranquillas or where ever they have the carriers come in.

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expatriate says on Jul 16, 2007, 14:21:

My wife and I went to Panama City for shopping and sightseeing. We came back with less than $20 worth of stuff, mainly food items I can't find in Cali. If you're going to Panama for the shopping, it is not worth it.

Panama City has one of the largest shopping centers in the world, but nothing appeared to me to be a good deal.

If you are young, skilled, and intelligent, you might want to seriously consider leaving the US now, while you still can.

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