Positive Information based on my personal experiences:
1. LG large refrigerator. Plaza Lama. First large purchase once I hit the island. No problems.
2. LG small refrigerator (Think 7 cu. ft.). Plaza Lama. No problems
3. Stove/Range do not remember the brand, Plaza Lama, it rusted out, was non functional when sold. But do not blame the appliance I blame the conditions the appliance had to operate under
4. 40" or 42" TV Sony Bavara, Plaza Lama, worst TV I have ever owned. Never to own a Sony ever again. Didn't last for 3 years. Could not get if fixed
5. Westinghouse 6 burner stove and oven, Plaza Lama, killer deal, still going strong, Hard to hit a temperature point in the stove. Had to buy a separate thermometer for that.
6 50" JVC HD smart TV, PriceSmart, excellent TV (note it is for the Latin American market)
7. 32" JVC HD smart TV, PriceSmart, excellent TV (note it is for the Latin American market)
8. White Westinghouse washing machine, Plaza Lama, excellent deal, one of the best washing machines I have ever owned.
9. HP inkjet printer, PriceSmart, other than being a inkjet (which I don't like) it has been a great printer. But I almost exclusively by HP printers. My history with them is they are like a combination of a tank and the energizer bunny. I have rarely replaced them and I have never had to get on repaired. I just buy new ones for new locations.
10. Samsung 32" monitor, PriceSmart, best monitor I have ever owned, receives input from my Mac mini which I hand carried to the DR too many years ago.
11. I bought a iPhone XR (used) from somewhere (don't know where) as I did not procure it. I was the same priced used as I could find online in my country of origin. Best phone I have ever owned.
12. I have bought one chrome books here. PriceSmart. I had also bought the exact same one. Yes I said exact same one. For the exact same price. Two years before in my country of origin.
13. I have owned several hotspots here in the DR. Never a problem. All from Altice.
14. Just bought a stove, can't remember the brand, for my new office, I bought it from Corripo. Killer deal. Don't know if it works yet. Still need to hook up up.
I tried carrying a 32" TV with me in my luggage. That did not go well. TSA destroyed the screen doing the inspection.
Initially after moving here I shipped in a 32" TV without a problem.
I would never buy a laptop for myself here, unless is was a complete emergency.
I have bought a new Huawel cellphone (Altice) here, no problems. Even though I am a Apple person my android phone works perfectly and does what I need it to do. I use it for business. It was an emergency purchase and I wanted to give a the middle finger to the person who was the President of my country of origin at the time. That was a little over two years ago.
I ship most of my small items in. I use DOMEX now and I just pay the cost of shipping to get what I want. I just shipped in a Black and Decker 5 cup coffee maker. I paid just as much to ship it here as did for the coffee maker. But I like the brand Black and Decker. Just used it for the first time today. Works great.
Rant below:
In my opinion, people who moved to a island in the carribean should:
1. Pay the costs to buy it here
2. Import what you want
But do not complain.
No reason to complain. I have everything I could want or buy (Except Bourbon and good outdoor cooking supplies). And when I don't I just wait for my next trip to my country of origin and buy what I want and hand carry it. Brings me happiness. For those concerned with those types of things.
My experiences do not invalidate the experiences of anyone else.
They are my own.
Buy where you like
Spend your money how you like.
LOL!