shopping

[charvi]

hey i am doing my shopping over here in india....i just wanted to know whether clothes and all such things(footwear) is expensive in canada or not.......please give me info...

[anumatri]

yes

[saleem785javed]

hey i am doing my shopping over here in india....i just wanted to know whether clothes and all such things(footwear) is expensive in canada or not.......please give me info...

hi charvi,

Yes they are and anyways we feel everything expensive in the beginning as we will be new and we don't know how to buy from where to buy generally there will be sales going on to pick it up you should be there at right place(at malls) and right time(before time limit). So my suggestion is pack all the things that you can be able to bring.

For me i felt that i would a brought a mixi grinder from india as i didn't found here, i found all blenders which are not good enough to grind.

If you are  coming for the first time where ever you bring is tax free from second time on you will be taxed for the items you bring ex: gold first time you can bring any amount of it, from second time you have to pay tax for it (which i don't know and i didn't brought).

If you are landing in ontario province then for health card you need to wait for 90days so better take health insurance for that period and if not at least carry some general medicines.

Most important if you have driving licence from india get a authorisation letter from respective RTO about your driving history on a Letter head which i didn't if you want to know more information you can search in this forum for that.


regards,
saleem
 

[goodwill]

Hi Saleemjaved
Thanks for the information....Won't it be voltage problem if we bring grinder/mixer from Asia?
What about curtains,comforters,blankets?Are these expensive there?
regards

[qorax]

hey i am doing my shopping over here in india....i just wanted to know whether clothes and all such things(footwear) is expensive in canada or not.......please give me info...

Simply put... NO.

[wilson]

Hi Saleemjaved
Thanks for the information....Won't it be voltage problem if we bring grinder/mixer from Asia?
What about curtains,comforters,blankets?Are these expensive there?
regards

Hi,
The electric power and frequency in Canada is110 V at 50 HZ . Evne if you buy dual voltage (110-220, 50/60 HZ ) from India, there could be the warranty problem and in case you need repair or service, the cost may be almost same or higher than a new in Canada.
Other items like clothing, curtains atc  and shoes also you may get cheap in Outlet malls or Walmart during sale period.

So shopping as a preparation for moving to Canada should be limited to  essential things, to be used immediately on arrival here and also should not exceed the allowed baggage allowance of the airline you travel. Sending by cargo is also expensive considering all the efforts for shopping and clearing,

[goodwill]

Thanks Wilson....
Can u tell in which months,usually the sale starts in the malls/wallmart?

[Canooknic]

We have found a mix of cheap and expensive.  White goods such as washing machines, dryers, cookers etc seem to be more expensive than the UK, but they also tend to be bigger too so maybe that's why.
Clothing can be bought cheaply if you are willing to look around.  We have pretty much completed our boy's summer wardrobes from Walmart, Superstore and a few more expensive pieces from The Children's Place. They are only 2yrs so will grow out of most of it really quickly so it's not worth spending out on big brand names. 
Shoe stores like Payless seem reasonable, but I am a shoe addict so have shipped all of mine from England rather than attempting to replace them.
Homewares are easy to find in Walmart or Canadian Tire as they regularly have things on sale.
The thing I have found strange is that stores have things on sale when people actually need them e.g. Summer clothing, BBQs or camping equipment on sale at the start of the summer where in the UK the prices seem to increase and sales are at the end of the season....weird, it's almost as if the Canadian stores actually understand why people are buying products at certain times of the year!! 

[fariza]

We have found a mix of cheap and expensive.  White goods such as washing machines, dryers, cookers etc seem to be more expensive than the UK, but they also tend to be bigger too so maybe that's why.
Clothing can be bought cheaply if you are willing to look around.  We have pretty much completed our boy's summer wardrobes from Walmart, Superstore and a few more expensive pieces from The Children's Place. They are only 2yrs so will grow out of most of it really quickly so it's not worth spending out on big brand names. 
Shoe stores like Payless seem reasonable, but I am a shoe addict so have shipped all of mine from England rather than attempting to replace them.
Homewares are easy to find in Walmart or Canadian Tire as they regularly have things on sale.
The thing I have found strange is that stores have things on sale when people actually need them e.g. Summer clothing, BBQs or camping equipment on sale at the start of the summer where in the UK the prices seem to increase and sales are at the end of the season....weird, it's almost as if the Canadian stores actually understand why people are buying products at certain times of the year!! 

Thats really cool info.... thnx for sharing

[saleem785javed]

Hi Saleemjaved
Thanks for the information....Won't it be voltage problem if we bring grinder/mixer from Asia?
What about curtains,comforters,blankets?Are these expensive there?
regards

Hello brother,

As other members suggested bring the items which are essential. As i am southern part of india and we use grinder frequently and when i went to buy here in malls i found was blenders. When you are about to buy as the sales person about using it in canada. About clothing as i said earlier you can find them for cheap price but you need to research and you have to be there at right time why i am saying this because it happened to me as we went one day late the same item was costing almost double the sales price.

dont bring curtains,comforters, you can bring one light weight blanket/person if u want and again it depends on type of accommodation you are going to take(furnished/unfurnished).

What i feel is we will be new and it will take some time to know your surrounding places and areas, till that time I think we can't spend without the needful items(blanket..etc ..etc..)

dont go with my words please take the suggestions from senior members as well.

regards,
saleem

[wilson]

Thanks Wilson....
Can u tell in which months,usually the sale starts in the malls/wallmart?

There are frequent sales in the malls and outlet but mostly huge sales will take place in the beginning of each season like winter sale, Spring sale, Summer sale like that. There are flyers distributed by the malls in advance. Each province have manufacturer's outlets and also in most of the large malls. You have to compare where it would be cheap. Those who have US visa can cross the boarder for some shopping. We used to go to Buffalo some times and do some shopping in the outlet malls which are  cheaper than Canada by price as well as lesser tax.

[shibuya]

Hi Saleem,
               I think u need a Sumeet Mixer - Grinder to make idlis i guess. But I think the big black stone grinder is much better and u get tasty idlis & dosas with sambhar. Will the Airline allow this stone thing to be ferried across keeping in mind the South Indian aspect.

[kyu010170]

Hi, you may also check out Dollarama (dollar store), NOT for food, clothes or bigger items, but for smaller things you need around the house.  Although some of their items cost over a dollar now, they are still way cheaper than buying from the bigger places.

Also check out No Frills as this is like an outlet of Superstore.

Try to be frugal in the beginning, this really helps stretch out your funds until you get a job.

[Canooknic]

I totally forgot about the dollar stores!! They sell things like kitchen utensils, table clothes, glasses/cups etc. 

[kyu010170]

I totally forgot about the dollar stores!! They sell things like kitchen utensils, table clothes, glasses/cups etc. 

Dollaramas are really great.  I cannot say the same for the smaller dollar store chains. There are a lot of items in Dollarama which are good quality and I cannot believe they are only being sold at those prices.