Buying a TV as a gift - A waste of Time?

[DAKRA]

During my upcoming trip to SD, I plan to purchase a standard size Television for a gift for some frineds of mine iwho live in Santo Domingo. They are poor and live in one of the barios off Dr. Betances Street. I am torn on whether to purchase the TV in the DR when I arrive there in 2 weeks or do I just bring one with me from the U.S. - -

Also, I have been to their house a few times and they live in one of the poorer sections of townwithout running water, etc. and the electricity goes off routinely throughout the day. I guess they are used to this and that is just the way of life in this section of SD... - - I am wondering that if I buy the TV for them, are they going to have any reception? Or, do they have to subscribe to Cable T.V.? Or what.


I know they would love to have a TV of their own, but I am not sure how they will be able to afford the monthly cable TV bill (that is if they even need cable service).

Does anyone have any experinece with this. :nervous:

 

[Rocky]

During my upcoming trip to SD, I plan to purchase a standard size Television for a gift for some frineds of mine iwho live in Santo Domingo. They are poor and live in one of the barios off Dr. Betances Street. I am torn on whether to purchase the TV in the DR when I arrive there in 2 weeks or do I just bring one with me from the U.S. - -

Also, I have been to their house a few times and they live in one of the poorer sections of townwithout running water, etc. and the electricity goes off routinely throughout the day. I guess they are used to this and that is just the way of life in this section of SD... - - I am wondering that if I buy the TV for them, are they going to have any reception? Or, do they have to subscribe to Cable T.V.? Or what.


I know they would love to have a TV of their own, but I am not sure how they will be able to afford the monthly cable TV bill (that is if they even need cable service).

Does anyone have any experinece with this. :nervous:

If they are ultra poor and cannot afford cable, you have little choice but to pay for it or look for another gift.

 

[SKY]

Buy a small TV in the US and bring it with you. You will pay about one third of the price here, and get better quality.

As for cable, just sign them up and pay for six months. In the poorer neighborhoods it is about 300 Pesos a month. If you pay for six months you can usually get 20% off.

 

[miguel]

Oyeme bien....

During my upcoming trip to SD, I plan to purchase a standard size Television for a gift for some frineds of mine iwho live in Santo Domingo. They are poor and live in one of the barios off Dr. Betances Street. I am torn on whether to purchase the TV in the DR when I arrive there in 2 weeks or do I just bring one with me from the U.S. - -

Also, I have been to their house a few times and they live in one of the poorer sections of townwithout running water, etc. and the electricity goes off routinely throughout the day. I guess they are used to this and that is just the way of life in this section of SD... - - I am wondering that if I buy the TV for them, are they going to have any reception? Or, do they have to subscribe to Cable T.V.? Or what.


I know they would love to have a TV of their own, but I am not sure how they will be able to afford the monthly cable TV bill (that is if they even need cable service).

Does anyone have any experinece with this. :nervous:

Let me give you a little advice:

If you going to give them a tv, DO NOT worry about anything other than the TV.

They will find a way to watch it any which way.

If you start worrying about they light, how they will watch it, about the cable, you WILL end up spending much more for that TV than what you bargained for, if you know waht I mean.

Just give them the TV and let them worry about the rest.

OOOOOOOHHH and btw:

Don't make the same mistake I made. I bought my brother a TV in the DR bacause I didn't want to carry one and the end result was that I paid about 4times more over there.

Next time I will send it in a box like I have done before.

Let me give you another example:

My friend Mayra just bought a 12,000 btu's A/C for about 24,000 pesos in. I can get a 12,000 btu's (much better namebrand) for about 2-250 dollars.

I can pay 125 dollars and send 3 12,000 A/C's in a box and still pay less.

 

[daydream]

I was thinking of buying an LCD and packing it in my luggage but I am convinced that they would open up my case and steal it at the airport.

Has anyone had issues at the airport when bringing a TV in?

 

[daydream]

Sorry - I don't mean to hijack the thread :ermm:

and as for them finding a way to watch cable - I totally agree with Miguel -they WILL find a way....I don't know anyone living in poor area who pays for their cable! and many of them have it

 

[Rocky]

Sorry - I don't mean to hijack the thread :ermm:

and as for them finding a way to watch cable - I totally agree with Miguel -they WILL find a way....I don't know anyone living in poor area who pays for their cable! and many of them have it

They have no choice anymore in the greater Sosua area, as the cable company has gone to a decoder box system and they scramble all the channels.
Without the box and authorization from head office, no cable.
They may still use the old system where Dakra's friends live, of course.
But I think that Sky's idea is best, to just pay 6 months ahead.
Average price per month is 10 bux.

 

[DAKRA]

I was at WalMart (here in the US) today looking to buy a TV/DVD combo and the prices are crazy. I really dont want to carry a huge over-sized box to the DR, so I was looking at flat panel TVs. The cost is outrageous. I think I will just get a 20 inch color with DVD combo for $179 plus tax.

 

[Rocky]

I was at WalMart (here in the US) today looking to buy a TV/DVD combo and the prices are crazy. I really dont want to carry a huge over-sized box to the DR, so I was looking at flat panel TVs. The cost is outrageous. I think I will just get a 20 inch color with DVD combo for $179 plus tax.

Why not?
Pack it well and be prepared to give customs a tip, just in case.
Sometimes, in some airports, just having a 10 spot ready to hand over means you don't even get checked.

 

[rubio_higuey]

I can pay 125 dollars and send 3 12,000 A/C's in a box and still pay less.

3 ACs @ 50+ lbs each, that's 150+ lbs. What carrier does it for 125 dollars to the DR? Pls let me know.

 

[rubio_higuey]

Also consider if you can carry the TV in your carry-on bag or if you need to check it. If it is large it may need to be checked as bulk item or cargo and cost more. Also, beware the weight limits! The airlines on routes from USA to the DR are pretty unforgiving of oversized/overweight bags nowadays.

 

[miguel]

Miralo.....

3 ACs @ 50+ lbs each, that's 150+ lbs. What carrier does it for 125 dollars to the DR? Pls let me know.

Check your PM.