Buying a console in America

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:16

I'm off to America this Christmas and I'm really tempted to pick up a PS3 as it works out to be something like £250 for the 80gb model with a game. Only problem is I'm not sure on whether the console is dual voltage, 110v/230v and if I play games bought in the UK.
I think I remember reading somewhere that the Blu-Ray discs will have to be region 1 but that's not a problem.

Thanks.

Alrik · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:18

If I remember right all you need is a standard kettle lead for a US PS3 to use UK mains. Not sure what fuse you would need for it though. All the games are region free, but the movies are region locked most of the time.

4T5 · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:21

The only thing i would worry about is Returns/Warranty. I s'pose a Sony shop over here would sort it though.

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:22

malc30 said:
The only thing i would worry about is Returns/Warranty. I s'pose a Sony shop over here would sort it though.

That's a good point actually, will look into it, although saying that I don't see why they wouldn't sort it out though.

DanMc07 · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:28

is it really worth going for the chaper console?? you wont have no warranty if you buy from america. I personally wouldnt be able to do it.

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:30

DanMc07 said:
is it really worth going for the chaper console?? you wont have no warranty if you buy from america. I personally wouldnt be able to do it.

Just had a word with my boss about the warranty, apparently Sony UK will have to honour it as they have been taken to court over it. Just going to check a couple more places first.

DanMc07 · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:33

R0551 said:
Just had a word with my boss about the warranty, apparently Sony UK will have to honour it as they have been taken to court over it. Just going to check a couple more places first.

If thats true thats great news! It's the first I've heard of it before though!

4T5 · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:37

I'd say i work over there & here & want reassurance that if it breaks whilst over here that Sony UK would sort it. Surely they cannot expect you to buy a Console for every country you spend time in.

Kyle009 · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:38

a standard uk kettle lead will suffice in powering the unit

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 10:45

Just remembered about the grey import car problem where UK dealers said they wouldn't honour the warranty, so one of the big car supermarkets tried to take them to court and every UK dealer ended up backing down as they knew they couldn't win.

According to Sony's technical forum for the ps3, if a console is bought in the US the UK service centre won't do anything even if it's in warranty. ******** to them.

DanMc07 · 6 Dec 2007 at 11:14

R0551 said:
Just remembered about the grey import car problem where UK dealers said they wouldn't honour the warranty, so one of the big car supermarkets tried to take them to court and every UK dealer ended up backing down as they knew they couldn't win.

According to Sony's technical forum for the ps3, if a console is bought in the US the UK service centre won't do anything even if it's in warranty. ******** to them.

It is a joke in its own right. It shouldnt really make a blind difference where the console is bought. They manufacture the damn thing, they should cover it!

player · 6 Dec 2007 at 11:35

I was thinking about picking a console up from over the pond - but to be honest, for what I'd save I think I'd rather just buy it from a UK retailer

Bonjour · 6 Dec 2007 at 12:04

Not worth the hassle imo.

commited · 6 Dec 2007 at 12:14

Will a Nintendo DS bought in the states work with games bought here?

Wrathamon · 6 Dec 2007 at 12:32

commited said:
Will a Nintendo DS bought in the states work with games bought here?

Yes. There is no region coding on DS games.

wannabedamned · 6 Dec 2007 at 12:35

malc30 said:
I'd say i work over there & here & want reassurance that if it breaks whilst over here that Sony UK would sort it. Surely they cannot expect you to buy a Console for every country you spend time in.

Very good point. Go with this

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 13:35

player said:
I was thinking about picking a console up from over the pond - but to be honest, for what I'd save I think I'd rather just buy it from a UK retailer

From 1 American shop

PlayStation 3 80GB MotorStorm Pack $499

Which is about £240/250

From 1 UK shop

Sony Playstation 3 PS3 Console with 40GB HDD £279.99

So I'd be paying less for a PS3 with the 80gb hdd and a game than I would for just a 40gb version on it's own. Hell of a saving don't you think.

player · 6 Dec 2007 at 13:57

Hardly a massive saving, and if it breaks? What about the headache then? Have you also allowed for any extra baggage allowance? What about resale value?

not worth the hassle imho

Wossi · 6 Dec 2007 at 14:10

player said:
Hardly a massive saving, and if it breaks? What about the headache then? Have you also allowed for any extra baggage allowance? What about resale value?

not worth the hassle imho

You are allowed 2 suitcases with the airline we are flying with, if it breaks Sony UK will have to fix it, if they refuse I'll take them to the small claims court, I couldn't care less about resale value as I'll actually be using it and if I do end up selling it at some point, who is honestly going to know the difference?

Christ, you are a pessimist aren't you.

player · 6 Dec 2007 at 14:43

R0551 said:
Christ, you are a pessimist aren't you.

no an atheist