Iquique - highest prices in S America?

[Tony LEE]

Admittedly it was saturday afternoon when I had a look around, but it seemed to me that here was not the place to buy stuff and keener prices were actually available back in Buenos Aires provided you used blue dollars to make the purchase.

Anybody found bargains here in Iquique? Looking for Michelin tyres, battery and solar panel.

[zaplaje]

If you want lower prices you should go to the Zofri: a tax free mall, but probably you will not find the stuff you are looking for, maybe tires and the solar pannel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Tony LEE]

Had a bit of a look in the mall. A vehicle place called Safari that did have tyres and batteries but not in the sizes I wanted. Will go back on Monday and have a better look.
I sort of assumed that all the shops tacked on the outside walls of the mall along the street were also tax free, but maybe not.

[markharf]

Originally Posted by Tony LEE

.... tyres and batteries but not in the sizes I wanted....

Seems to me this is a common plaint. I learned to buy whatever I needed the instant I saw it in front of me--trying to save money or squeeze a few more miles out of a set of tires inevitably meant I spent a lot of time searching before settling for an inadequate substitute. When I thought I was going to save a few bucks there was always the "not in your size" issue at the cheaper price.

Sometimes shopping around can be a good introduction to local places, people, or ways of doing things. In most cases it just interferes with what I'm there for. Once I'd figured that out I spent a lot more time riding and a lot less time in pursuit of that perfect set of tires.

Mileage, of course, varies.

Mark

[sellheim]

Pps (pepe) Cornejo is a highly respected mechanic, trainer and rider in Iquique. He's heavily involved in the Dakar and in other off road events.

has a workshop and spare parts , I used his services and recommend him as he charges a fair price, professional and a great guy - if he can't help you I'm sure he'll send you to the right people


sorry I don't have his contact details .............but he's in downtown Iquique and close to the beach - if you ask any of the other local moto shops or associated businesses I'm sure they'll point you in the right direction of Pepe.

cheers

[s445203]

You've probably moved on by now, but if your Spanish is up to it, when you're in the FTZ if you can ask what is the deal with these 000s of second hand imported cars, you'll nail one my life's bigger mysteries.

As far as I can tell you're not allowed to import them into Chile proper, so what they're all doing there just bugs the hell out of me.

[Tony LEE]

Yes, including a heap of RHD vehicles as well. The other great mystery is where do all those hundreds of car-carrier trucks go at night.

One possible solution to the first puzzle is that huge storage yard cut into the hillside above the free zone. I think they park all those cars there and the dust gradually covers them up and then they park another lot on top - and so on.

Bought a battery at a reasonable price, a couple of tyres at a so-so price and a solar panel and regulator as well - but no swiss watches or any of the other junk. Just as well we went up there sightseeing rather than to save money.