RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘Shopping’

Buying A TV in Switzerland

16 Oct

I recently embarked on a journey to purchase a new TV.  This TV would be the first new TV I had ever bought.  Not being a big fan of TV  The last TV that I bought was a second hand model that I paid 20 dollars for  back in university.  Now as a ‘professional’ I thought it would be a good time to get something that was up to date and had all the features I was looking for.

So what was I looking for?  That was  good question.  I knew I wanted something larger than my 21 inch computer screen which had been my staple for watching movies over the past 5 years.  I knew that after trying to watch my wife’s Mac in our well light living room I needed something with an non-relfective screen.

I was also looking for the following features:

  • 40 inch or larger screen
  • built in DVR recording
  • Internet connectivity with built in wireless LAN capabilities
  • Integrated Skype with video capabilities
  • Multiple HDMI inputs and Computer connections

Then my search started.  I did most of my shopping in the local interdiscount shop which had a large display wall and lots of models available.  As a deep contemplator I was getting into the habit of stopping by the store about 2-3 times a week over a period of about 3 weeks.  Was I a bit obsessed, maybe, but the shop was on my walk home from the office and it wasn’t out of the way.

After about 2 weeks I had narrowed down my thoughts, looking at a few Sony models, and a few Samsung models.  The decision was made based on the screen.  The Sony EX700 series had the right features and the right screen.  I liked the Sony HX800 screen and the Samsung’s screens better, but in my living room with the huge windows I knew the HX800 and Samsung’s glossy screens would  just not work.  I’ve had the EX721 for a couple of weeks now and I can say I am happy with my purchase.

So how about the shopping experience?  Let me give some thoughts on all of the websites and stores I visited.

Fust

I check out a few sales advertisements for Fust and their website.  I found their website not very useful and The selection did not really have anything that interested me. Their website doesn’t have a way to browse the available TVs, rather it is just a place where they post a PDF of their latest sale paper.  Totally useless in my opinion.

Interdiscount

I found the interdiscount website one of the easiest to use.  While the graphic design is a bit dated the site does allow you to filter results based on screen size, brand, and a host of other features.  The only disadvantage of the site is that the technical data on the models is not necessarily complete.  From the store perspective they have alot of their stock available for viewing in the store.  They also have a HD video clip playing on the display TVs that is very good for comparing the TVs.  If has a fast action scene for checking motion blur, and dark scene for getting a feel for the contrast of the TV, and some color rich scenes.  Interdiscount has a large selection and their prices were also very competitive.

Mediamarkt

Mediamarkt has just launched an oneline shop this year.  And it shows. There are some basic search features to filter by brand and size, but there is not much choice on their website.  The store is a different experience.  I visited the newly remodeled  Mediamarkt in Dietikon and found it to be comparable to any big-box shop like best buy in the U.S.  Their instore selection was good.  Non-sales items were a bit higher priced than others, although their sales prices were comparable to other chains.  The one negative about the Mediamarkt store, was that the TVs are not setup in a way where one brand of TV is next to another.  This makes comparison of image quality very difficult in the store. Interdiscount was much better on this account.

Digitec.ch

Digitec is a former web based shope that has recently started opening small show rooms.  The digitec website as the best tools for searching and comparing TV models.  You’ll need to read a little German, Italian or French, there is no English option.  I used the Digitec website to do most of my research.  I did visit their showroom and with only about 6 TVs on display it was a bit of a joke.  Digitec had some of the best prices and offers delivery or pick-up in the showrooms. If you know the specific model you would like to purchase it is definately work checking out.

Migro Electronics

Migro Electronics had very limited selection but they had the best prices.  I actually ended up purchasing my TV from the local Migro Electronics shop.  It just so happened that Migro carries a good selection of Sony and Samsung TVs and they have some great sales prices.  I think the key to getting a good price at Migro is to wait until there is an electronics sales. One negative about the shop was the HD video clip playing on the display TVs.  The clip is just a loop of store advertisements and it is almost impossible to use to compare the TV quality in the shop.  For model comparisons visit another shop like interdiscount.

That wraps up my thoughts on TVs in Switzerland.  Good luck with your search. If you have any additional ideas or experiences leave a comment.

 

 

 

 
No Comments

Posted in Shopping

 

Photo Time

20 Sep

Life has gotten away from me lately.  I have had so much going on between home and work that I haven’t spent as much time on my hobbies as I like.  I don’t think I have really picked up a camera for a serious day of photography in a couple of months.  Tonight I was going through pictures from our vacation this year and found this little gem from the U.K.

At least this past weekend I got a bit of a kick start.  A friend from work just got his first DSLR and he asked for some tips.  We went out for a couple of hours last Saturday afternoon and talked a bit about what he wanted to improve.  Then we spent a bit of time working through a few ideas.  Hopefully it will do some good for his upcoming trip to the U.S.

Afterwards we took a short trip to the local mediamarkt where my friend reciprocated and we discussed and reviewed LCD TVs.  I’ve been looking for one for several weeks now but I just don’t know what to get.  Right now it is a toss up between Samsung and Sony.  The one problem I am trying to overcome is the large number of windows in our living room.  With all the large windows I have a concern that the high gloss Samsung screens will be too reflective to view comfortably.  The Sony TVs seem to have more of a matte finish.  If anyone reading has experience with either brand leave a comment.

 

 

 
No Comments

Posted in Photography, Shopping

 

How About a New 1500 Franc Iron?

28 Aug

Can you imagine an American buying a 1500 dollar iron?  I sure can’t.  But for some reason there are plenty of them around Switzerland.  I should say its not just an iron you are buying for 1500 francs, its a way of life.  The 1500 franc iron come with a hugh 1.2 liter water tank that is capable of producting 3.5 bars of steam (50 PSI).  And with 2200 watts of power you can iron all day long.

I was thinking this would make a great Christmas gift for my wife, if I want a divorce of course.

But who buys these irons?  There has to be a market because they have them.  I need to meet someone who has purchased one just so I can get a better insight into this strange corner of Swiss culture.

If you have one leave a comment, and let me know what motivated you to make the purchase.

 

 

 
No Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Shopping

 

01 May

Zurich

We had a beautiful weekend this weekend.  I got tons of things done.  In started with a very good trip to the Baden flea market.  Where I found some junk I was looking for.  It really was.  I was amazed that I actually found everything on my ‘list’ of strange things to buy at the flea market.

  • Music Stand
  • Exercise Mat
  • Cheap 3D glasses with red and blue lenses

All of this junk as I will call it is for some projects I had been planning on doing the last couple of months but I just need to find the right pieces and parts.  Well this was my lucky day.

If you are looking to go to the Baden flea market is is the last Saturday of every month.  The flea market does take a three month break between December and February.

After the flea market I made a trip down to Zurich to take a few photographs around town.  They had some nice flags flying over Grossmunster so it made for a few good pictures as well.

 
No Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Shopping

 

Cleaning House At Manor

12 Feb

This week one day after work I ran over to the Manor Supermarket on my way home to grab something to eat.  I had about a hour before the store closed and thought that should be plenty of time to get a few items for a meal.  On the top of my list were a few items from the diary section.

Much to my surprise when I entered the store the entire dairy section was not there.  The shelves were completely empty.  There were employees scurrying everywhere throwing butter in one shopping cart and yogurt in the next.  There were others cleaning the shelves, and even others readjusting other shelves.

After about 30 seconds of observing the situation I realized first, I would not be getting my yogurt that day, second there were obviously in the process of restocking and arranging things, and finally the Swiss still have no concept of customer service.

Why in the world would you basically shut down about 20 percent of you entire shopping store at a prime shopping hour to clean shelves?  Not only does it surely impact sales, but it pisses customers off.  I saw more than one person including myself with a look of total disgust because of an apparent wasted trip since we weren’t going to get what we had come for.

I talked to a Swiss friend later in the week and explained the situation and she mentioned that stores like that can’t do such work outside of work because they can’t pay overtime.  To me, that is just another sign that the Swiss labor system including the unions are extremely powerful.  These stores are closing at 7:00 in the evening and are opening at 8:30 in the morning and they can’t find a way to work with the unions to do such work as major store layout changes outside of opening hours.

I however don’t think that is really the root of the problem.  The easiest explanation is that the store managers just don’t care. Customer service doesn’t matter here.

Unfortunately I went back to the store today.  I had no choice, it is the closest.  Wow, what a difference the new layout makes.  The frozen pizzas are now closer to the fruits & vegetables, which really has improved my life.

 
No Comments

Posted in Food, Shopping

 

The Christmas Tree Is Up

09 Dec

Sled Under The Christmas Tree

Keeping with tradition our Christmas tree was up early this year.  We have become accustomed to getting out the decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving.  This year was no exception.

On the weekend we put up the tree there was also a photography conference in Baden.  On my way out the door to the conference I noticed that the flea market was going on just outside our door so I decided to make a quick loop of the stands.

This was the first time in months that I was lucky and found something I had been looking for.  It was a beautifully well worn Davos sled.  I got the deal of the century on the sled (20 CHF) and ran back to the apartment with it before heading back out to the photography conference.

Of course when I returned home with my new prized possession my wife was a bit surprised that I had returned from the conference so quickly.  She was even more surprised by the fact that I was bringing in some old piece of junk.  I convinced her that it would make a great seasonal decoration.

Now the sled is sitting proudly under our Christmas tree.  I of course think it’s a great addition. But sometimes I think I sense my wife rolling her eyes behind my back.

 
No Comments

Posted in Photography, Shopping

 

daydeal.ch The Swiss Woot

11 Nov

I was talking to an American colleague at work today about one of the latest tech toys and he mentioned that the device was recently featured on daydeal.ch.  I had never heard of this site before and then he described it as the Swiss version of Woot.com.  Leave it to the Swiss to take everything including naming so literally.

I had totally forgotten about Woot.  I might have to start checking daydeal.ch now that I have a local alternative.

 
2 Comments

Posted in Shopping

 

Wow, You’ve Got Adult Furniture

09 Oct

I have one particular set of friends in Switzerland that are all tied through the fact that most of us are University of Illinois Alumni.  In this particular circle I am on the older end of the age spectrum.  Not by much, but that is where I am.

A few weeks ago this group decided to go on a weekend bike ride from Baden to Zürich and gave me a call to ask if I wanted to meet them for a drink when they got here.  That sounded like fun so of course I obliged.

When they arrived I invited them up to my place for some water and short rest before we went out.  Some of the group had not yet been to our apartment.  As one of my friends walked in he looked around and exclaimed “Wow, you’ve got adult furniture!”  I thought that was extremely funny but it made sense I supposed.

A lot of people that move to Switzerland don’t come with much furniture because of the moving costs.  It is much cheaper to furnish a place with odds and ends from Ikea.  The next price point in furniture in Switzerland is however much higher priced than Ikea.  I believe this leads a lot of folks, especially the transient world traveling types to be just fine with their Ikea stock, and not neccessarily looking to upgrade to that 4000 CHF sofa because you just don’t know if you are going to leave.

So I guess I will revel in my “Adult Furniture” brought over from the U.S. when we first moved here.  I guess it is fitting after all, I am an Adult.

 
No Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Shopping

 

How To Make Ice Cubes In Switzerland

15 Aug

Eiswürfelbeutel (Ice Cube Making Bags)

The trouble with Switzerland.  The trouble with Switzerland for an American is ice cubes.  This is an epic party conversation starter at expat parties and social events.  For the American pallet anything less than ice cold Coke, or Gin & Tonics without a good pile of ‘rocks’ is just not going to cut it.

Ice is like the holy grail of a good party for me.  For years now I have been buying ice and absolutely insane costs from the local getranktmarkt (beverage shop) for our annual first of August party.  It was not uncommon for me to spend between 30 and 50 CHF on ice to fill my American sized cooler to ensure I had the beer and soft drinks at an acceptable temperature to satisfy an American thirst.

Yesterday, I was amazed to find a truly Swiss solution to my decidedly American problem.  And where did I find my solution?  Probably the last place I ever expected to find it.  At a Swiss Housewarming party.

As I was offered and G&T by the Swiss Party host I started the lament my ice cube issue.  She immediately turned to me with a stunned look telling me that she had so much ice that she would have to throw away.  “No, don’t do it!” I screamed, offering to take the cubes home with me in my pockets if I had to.

Then she showed me the trick.  Eiswürfelbeutel.  These ingenious little plastic bags solve the problem that every American has come across.  How the heck can I fit my American sized ice cube trays into these tiny freezers?

The Eiswürfelbeutel are essentially plastic ziplock bags that can be filled with water.  They are ‘stitched’ with a quilt like square pattern so that it almost looks like bubble wrap when it is filled with water.  After the water freezes a quick tug on the side of the bag and the stitches break and you are left with a bag of ice.

You’ll still need to have some room in you freezer for the bags, but the fact that you can squish them in the freezer makes them much more convenient than the hard plastic trays I am familiar with from the U.S.

You can buy the bags at Migro in a hanging plastic bag packaging.  The cost is about 2 CHF for enough bags to make 220 cubes.  It is amazing that I am still learning about such things after more than 4 years in this country.  I can’t even imagine what my next discovery will be.

 
5 Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Food, Shopping

 

Grocery Shopping Like A Bachelor

11 Aug

I have been out of touch the last couple of weeks due to an extended summer vacation.  First we were in the mountains here in Switzerland for a while and then we returned to the U.S. for a week to visit family.

The trip back to the U.S. was the first I have made back to the States in the summer months.  Usually we are flying in for Christmas.  I had really forgotten how hot and humid it can get in the Chicago area in August.  Just unbearable really.

I arrived back in Switzerland this morning and the first thing I had to do was run to the store to get some food.  I did a quick lap around the store only hitting the essentials.  Some fruit, a couple of things for the grill and some dairy items.  That was about it.  Really bachelor style.  My wife is still in the States and will return in a couple of days so I’ll be living like a bachelor for a while.

Although my shopping wasn’t that well rounded it definately was better than the guy behind me in line. His selection was just a little odd.  On the belt at the check-out he had a single piece of sashimi wrapped in cellophane, and a powerade (Isostar) drink.  Now thats what I call bachelor shopping.

 
No Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Shopping

 
« Older Entries