When I arrive (44 days and counting) I will have to start from scratch in an apartment.
I know Ikea is big in Spain, and thats a good start, but is there a discount store along the lines of Walmart or Sears where I can pick up the basics like a coffee machine, microwave, TV, DVD and houseware items (sheets etc) without breaking the bank.
I'm a typical guy and just want to get all of the shopping thing done as quickly and painlessly as possible.
After that, it's time to go convertible shopping. Now thats something that I can get into.
As usual, thanks in advance for any advice.
Iain.
You only live twice.
Posts: 32 | Location: Palma de Mallorca | Registered: 07 June 2003
CAREFOUR!!!!!!!! It's like Walmart and Target. And they have really cute commercials on TV. Well not cute, but catchy. I don't know of any in the center of town, but there is one near the airport at the Mar de Cristal metro exit (line 8 and 4) and my friend goes to the one at Alluche (line 5 in the south). There stuff is decently priced, not too cheep, not too overpriced. And they have a supermarket.
Posts: 331 | Location: San Diego | Registered: 14 December 2002
I guess I look at Alcampo as being the older staple. They do the little 'Americanadas' that I so like such as bagging your purchase for you. Carrefour is actually the product of a large merger a few years back of two former, similar such retail centers called: Pryca and Continente.
Sorry, that's probably more info than you wanted to know, but should help you at least familiarize yourself with each before you get here... Happy shopping!
:cheers:
poseso.... Tony --- English Unlimited... Un ambiente para aprender ingl�s... (An English Learning Environment)
Posts: 656 | Location: Madrid (Kansas City, USA) | Registered: 06 November 2001
I have used Carrefour for small items that can be taken but would imagine that getting delivery of anything bulky as well as receiving good after sales service could be a problem. (I am only passing on comments I have received from others.) So I would aim to find a reliable smaller electrical retailer, and one that can give you service. Delivery at a time to suit you, and help with making sure everything works. They can have bargains as well. Big is not always beautiful ! Nige
Posts: 236 | Location: Cadiz Province and Sussex England | Registered: 07 October 2002
Hey Iain, see the thread entitled "wallmart?" HERE
Nige wrote...
quote:
I have used Carrefour for small items that can be taken but would imagine that getting delivery of anything bulky as well as receiving good after sales service could be a problem.
Actually, I have used Alcampo's home delivery service for large items (big TV) and it was great!!! You of course need to schedule delivery, providing a 3-5 hour window for them to come but it is reliable, convenient and pretty cheap. I think it cost me an additional 2.000 pesetas a few yrs. back to have the mother of a TV delivered.
I think Carrfour also offers delivery and/or installation but would need confirmation.
quote:
So I would aim to find a reliable smaller electrical retailer, and one that can give you service. Delivery at a time to suit you, and help with making sure everything works.
I made the delivery guy wait till I hooked up and tested the TV as well
RE delivery that suits you: �ojo! Plenty of my Spanish friends have looked away from IKEA and gone to smaller furniture shops that are more expensive. They were intimidated by the HUGE IKEA and wanted a more personal store. NIGHTMARE on furniture street getting delivery as the shop did not show up on 3 scheduled delivery occasions. They had pre-paid so no way out of the mess, just had to wait and wait.
BE CAREFUL, this is Spain and customer service is nearly non-existant so just becuase you may go to a smaller & more personal shop, it does not guarantee you better service. In fact, the only thing you are guaranteed is higher prices
Well, I don�t really know what kind of store Walmart is, as I�ve never been to the USA , but if you are looking for a place for buying items like DVD, Tv, Stereos, microwaves, washing machines and so on, try Menaje del Hogar. They have lots of things, prices are quite reasonable, they deliver the items to your home... There�s a few shops in Madrid, you can see them HERE
Good luck and congratulations for your new life over here
yep, wal-mart is like carrefour and alcampo, except it is the largest corporation in the world with more than $219,812,000,000 in anual revenue and the largest single employer in the usa.
they only recently (this week) changed there anti-discimination workplace policy to include gays, lesbians, and bi-sexuals, so good for them. with k-mart pulling amunition for automatic and semi-automatic weapons off there shelves (see michael moore's "bowling for columbine") it goes to show that with much effort and campaigning democracy still has a place in our increasingly corporate and globalized world.
still, i would prefer carrefour (fr. "crossroads")or alcampo (sp "to the country"?) over wal-mart, becuase they have sexier names.
"I move in a landscape where revolution and love speak overwhelming words" Ren� Char<br /><br />"Using a stone for a pillow, I drift toward the clouds" Santoka Taneda
Posts: 124 | Location: san francisco, usa | Registered: 23 August 2002
BE CAREFUL, this is Spain and customer service is nearly non-existant so just becuase you may go to a smaller & more personal shop, it does not guarantee you better service. In fact, the only thing you are guaranteed is higher prices 
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
, but if you are looking for a place for buying items like DVD, Tv, Stereos, microwaves, washing machines and so on, try Menaje del Hogar. They have lots of things, prices are quite reasonable, they deliver the items to your home... 
