shopping for ICE in Amsterdam

[leadf00t]

Hello fellow BHPians.

I am currently in Amsterdam on a 3 4 month assignment.

I would like advice from the gurus here on what to shop while coming back.

My lancer is quietly hibernating at a friends place under the covers for the next three months. So once i come back have plans to give her a ICE makeover.
It currently runs a not-so-cool setup ( by the ICE standards here)
-> pioneer 3550MP HU. with just one rear pre-out.
-> some "faint"front coax .. didn't bother to look what make they are.
-> and a ok-types pioneer 6x9 A6860 or something.

I plan to give a complete ICE makeover when i go back . now that i can afford to raise by budget a bit after taking so advice here.
my plans are putting a new HU with atleast 3 preouts, USB support and decent customization in terms of eq and adjustments (like to buy here)
6.5"front coax
a 4-channel amp ( INDIA or A'dam .. Confused?? )
and maybe a sub.
don't seem to make my mind whether i should pick a new 6x9 rears



Please help me pick stuff from here which i might not be able to get in India.

When i was here last time i did get to see a lot of electronics stores on the Amsterdam Schiphol airport. however i really don't know if i can get electronics stuff for cars.

I would preferably love to pickup stuff from the airport since that does not count to my weight.
SAM: does JBL have a store/outlet/dealer on Schiphol. any specific EU models for amps/speakers that i can pickup here. any suggested/preferred dealers in NL.

However if not possible on the airport can someone suggest a car/auto accessories store in Amsterdam.


Please also post suggestion for stuff that I can pick for my car even if it doesn't fit in to my plan currently. will try to squeeze it in

Regards
leadf00t/Vineet

[navin]

Originally Posted by leadf00t

When i was here last time i did get to see a lot of electronics stores on the Amsterdam Schiphol airport.

Most airports (Schipol incliuded) do not offer VFM shopping. At best you can get your HU from there (no thte airport but Amsterdam). Remember you baggage allowance is limited.

[sk456]

I think buying car audio frpm europe will not make much sense as prices will be more expensive than India. Schipol airport- dont really remember seeing any car audio for sale there :( . However as naveen said, you jsut might get a good deal in the city.

[DerAlte]

PM @TDR - a TBHP member from the Netherlands, perhaps he might be able to give some pointers to where you can buy in Amsterdam.

There are some things that are cheaper in EU by virtue of higher sales, but one has to do a lot of scanning and legwork to find the real good bargains. Not for visit for a couple of days unless you do your research in advance.

Schiphol has only 1 shop with Philips stuff primarily, and has some VFM stuff (cheaper than elsewhere in EU) BUT nary an ICE item. Anyhow, to get VAT refunded you should buy it, fill out the form beforehand, and either keep it in your hand baggage OR get to the airport 3 hours early so that the Customs person can see the stuff before you check-in your luggage.

[Fountainheader]

If you take the VAT refund into consideration, I guess the prices in EU and India can be comparable. But there are a few rules you have to consider before going for VAT refund. Like the minimum purchase that should be made, the %age of refund that you'll be getting etc.

If you have a schengen visa, I'd suggest you to hop into Germany. I guess the cheapest electronics can be found in Germany.

[leadf00t]

Originally Posted by navin

Most airports (Schipol incliuded) do not offer VFM shopping. At best you can get your HU from there (no thte airport but Amsterdam). Remember you baggage allowance is limited.

I know the baggage allowance is limited ( my company pays only for economy class :-( so only 20kg ) hence i was planning to pick it up on the airport since it doesnt count to my weight .. oops i mean the weight of my luggage.

Originally Posted by sk456

I think buying car audio frpm europe will not make much sense as prices will be more expensive than India. Schipol airport- dont really remember seeing any car audio for sale there :( . However as naveen said, you jsut might get a good deal in the city.

from what i have found out that most stores stock only kenwood. i rarely found pioneer in any online stores. it did feel that it was slightly more costly... i will still keep hunting coz i still have a few months but i guess its better to start hunting now... however why i was more inclined towards the airport because there i dont have to pay the 19% VAT . if i buy it inthe city i might have to do alot more 'jugad'to claim the VAT refund later on

Originally Posted by DerAlte

PM @TDR - a TBHP member from the Netherlands, perhaps he might be able to give some pointers to where you can buy in Amsterdam.

I already did that and TDR has promised to "dazzle" me with choices
I will be waiting..

Originally Posted by Fountainheader

If you take the VAT refund into consideration, I guess the prices in EU and India can be comparable. But there are a few rules you have to consider before going for VAT refund. Like the minimum purchase that should be made, the %age of refund that you'll be getting etc.

If you have a schengen visa, I'd suggest you to hop into Germany. I guess the cheapest electronics can be found in Germany.

I do have a schengen work permit but i wish i could convince my manager/traveldesk and get a ticket via frankfurt however that's not in my hand. so i cant depend on it . moreover a lot needs to be worked out to get a VAT refund since it applies only if i return back to india within 90 days of purchase . However if I buy it on the airport i wont pay VAT in the first place.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by leadf00t

I know the baggage allowance is limited ( my company pays only for economy class :-( so only 20kg ) hence i was planning to pick it up on the airport since it doesnt count to my weight .. oops i mean the weight of my luggage.

The trick is to check in early, when they are not so hassled! You can get away with 6-8Kgs extra if only you give a big smile and say "please help me, I don't travel often, gifts for the family... you know how it is...".

The other trick is to minimize what you need there. When packing in India, look carefully at each thing that you are packing and ask yourself "Do I REALLY need this?". While coming back, throw out anything that you can buy cheap in India.

For business travel up to 10 days, I travel with only carry-on baggage - I hate waiting at the luggage conveyor! Of course, 3 months stay needs a different strategy.

Happy ICE hunting!

[gunbir]

Well this is just my .02, but in Amsterdam ICE will be the last thing on my mind. IMHO, go out, enjoy, party and buy the ICE back here in India. It will cost you as much or cheaper, and you will have some great memories too

[Bass&Trouble]

Originally Posted by leadf00t

I know the baggage allowance is limited ( my company pays only for economy class :-( so only 20kg ) hence i was planning to pick it up on the airport since it doesnt count to my weight .. oops i mean the weight of my luggage.

I don't recall seeing any ICE gear being sold at an airport.

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by gunbir

... IMHO, go out, enjoy, party and buy the ICE back here in India. ...

Besht advice!

Go out of the Central Railway Station, turn left and walk to the first canal, turn right (on the left is an old Naval ship, further down the old Heineken brewery building) and walk along the canal. Nice sights and experiences!

Or, walk straight down the road leading out of the Central Station (Madame Tussauds is at the end of this road). After a couple of buildings on the right is a Museum, 4 floors of 'how to' over the ages. They even have cubicles for private DVD viewing.

Do share your experiences in the Travelogues section.

[leadf00t]

Originally Posted by gunbir

Well this is just my .02, but in Amsterdam ICE will be the last thing on my mind. IMHO, go out, enjoy, party and buy the ICE back here in India. It will cost you as much or cheaper, and you will have some great memories too

ya went today to the MediaMarkt a huge 2 storey electronics superstore that stocks everything from a dishwashers/toothbrushes/irons to the best electronics ala laptops/ICE/TV/Audio equipment/mobiles/.... i think i will run of "/"to mention what's available there for a gadget freak like me...

well coming to the point there is quite some stuff to confuse me however i really feel now that i should save all the Vitamin M and get a install done in mumbai itself rather than just looking for ICE stuff here . I might as well end of getting more peace of mind in india rather than getting confused here ..

There were some really goodlooking / goodsounding ALPINE and CLARION HU's hooked up to a huge display board where i could select 'n' HU to listen on 'n' speakers.. however it was just driving me nuts and feel that all the connections to multiplex them with the push of button would just mess up the sound and not give me true idea of the SQ.

SO after getting confused and overwhealmed with so many options i quit my hunt (atleast for the moment)

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Besht advice!

Go out of the Central Railway Station, turn left and walk to the first canal, turn right (on the left is an old Naval ship, further down the old Heineken brewery building) and walk along the canal. Nice sights and experiences!

Or, walk straight down the road leading out of the Central Station (Madame Tussauds is at the end of this road). After a couple of buildings on the right is a Museum, 4 floors of 'how to' over the ages. They even have cubicles for private DVD viewing.

Do share your experiences in the Travelogues section.

Sir I appreciate your help for being my navigator to lead me into the dark realms of the "Sincity". however for some one who has already been before to amsterdam its more like a pilgrimage ..something unforgettable . something to visit every weekend and stare at the godesses of beauty .. however things only to apprecaite from far.. . without getting into the acts.

I would like to detail my travelouges but doubt if the mods would ever approve my posts uncensored .Otherwise i would have to describe things of the sincity using a lot of euphemisms.

i guess it would be better to express myself in a TBHP meet where no rules of the forum apply to express yourself .

[navin]

Originally Posted by DerAlte

After a couple of buildings on the right is a Museum, 4 floors of 'how to' over the ages. They even have cubicles for private DVD viewing..

Arey baba he said he was looking for ICE. Not VICE.

[s0uljah]

Why ice when all that spice if on offer

[DerAlte]

Originally Posted by leadf00t

... I would like to detail my travelouges but doubt if the mods would ever approve my posts uncensored ...

Originally Posted by navin

Arey baba he said he was looking for ICE. Not VICE.

Navin, his handle may suggest otherwise, but he is quite twinkle-toe'd and no "doodh ka dhula"!!!

Attaboy, @leadf00t, we look forward to your travelogue, euphemisms and all!!! Take inspiration from Sam's travelogues.