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INSIDECOSTARICA.COM | COSTA RICA  NEWS |   Thursday 24 November 2011


Costa Rica: Buying Online on Black Friday

To take advantage of the Black Friday deals offered by online retailers in the United States, two companies are offering Costa Ricans to make their purchases, with reduced discounts on their fees and longer hours of operation.

JetBox and Aerocasillas are two companies that offer a mailbox in the United States and online purchases to those who cannot for whatever reason.

JetBox said it will be offering a 25% discount on international freight tariffs and a voucher for use in 2012.

Aerocasillas says it will waive its commission to customers who use their Aerocasillas sponsored credit card to make their purchases and open its stores until 10pm Friday.

Typical items purchased online are electronics, clothing and books.

Of course, you do not need either or any other service to make your online purchase, but will for the delivery and/or if you do not have an credit card that can be used online for international purchases.

Here are some tips:

- Talk to your banker to learn if your credit/debit card can be used online for international purchases and if not, how to obtain such a product.

- In terms of delivery, since there are no "traditional" street and number addresses in Costa Rica, your options can include the expensive courier delivery like DHL and UPS or the much less costly postal box offered by Correos de Costa Rica (Post Office).

- Please note that in many cases online retailers will only deliver to the address registered with the credit card. In some cases, like that of Scotiabank Mastercard, that rule is not strictly applied, but not available at all retailers.

- Online payment for all online purchases is required,international COD is not available.

- Then there is the cost of duty and sales tax. Although some items, like computers (but not computer software and books, for example) are exempt from duty, the 13% sales tax is payable. And the tax is based on the value placed by Aduana (Customs) on the item and not the invoiced or price paid.

- Depending on your checkout choice, your purchase will arrive from 5 to 30 days. Next day delivery offered by online retailers means it will be shipped to the US address the next day, which you must then add from a few days to a few weeks - depending on your choice of delivery in Costa Rica - for your purchase to arrive and clear customs.

- Consider returns if merchandise is not to your liking or defective. Returning a defective or unwanted item can be very expensive. Companies like JetBox and Aerocasillas will return items free of charge if purchased through them, for not, the cost will be yours.

- And then there is the guarantee. In most cases warranty on products purchase online is not available in Costa Rica. The item has to be returned to the retailer where purchased. In some cases, however, like computers, the manufacturer will honour an international warrantee, but there still may be a cost associated.

If you are considering making an online purchase, add - average - 35% to the cost of the item for duty, taxes and delivery. For example, an iPad2 sold in Costa Rica for $890 can be purchased only for $600. But, if you add the 25% ($600 x 1,35), the final price is $810. The price difference is only $80, not much when you consider that your online purchase will not likely be covered by Apple's warrantee in Costa Rica and the time to get it. And then, the quality of the item, NOT ALL SELLERS ON EBAY ARE REPUTABLE.

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