Receiver & speaker purchase location?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Well, Dec 1st I'll be getting into a truck and moving from Ontario to Vancouver. The quickest route happens to be through the U.S. So, I figured that I should consider picking up a receiver & speakers while travelling through a country with a better price on electronics. My question is, does anyone here recommend a place for me to stop along my route to pick something up? See pic below for my path.



If any of you have connections that could land me an extra deal, feel free to PM me.

[clyon]

Montana, no sale tax.

edit: how long is that trip going to take?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

About 40 hours of driving. However, that's the estimate by Google Map standards. I believe that it can be done in about 35 though... with my heavy foot anyways.

[jsteinhauer]

Here's what you do.

Price out what you want at the Big Box stores, like CC and BB, then go to a Mom and Pop style Boutique home theater store and tell them what you intend to buy at what price. My local small shop will beat the local BB, if you go in informed, and you get personalized knowledgeable service, and they will often throw in things like wires, cables, etc.

Use the internet to search for the stores in the medium sized towns on the way (about 100,000 pop.).

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

About 40 hours of driving. However, that's the estimate by Google Map standards. I believe that it can be done in about 35 though... with my heavy foot anyways.

Yeah, but winter weather can get in the way, eh?

Are you going nonstop? I've done Idaho Falls to Ann Arbor nonstop and Fargo to Houston nonstop, but you've got yourself a long haul there.

[SingingTheBlues]

You used to be able to buy Paradigm speakers (made in Canada) a lot cheaper in Canada. Same with Energy, I think. Not sure what is happening with exchange rates being what they are these days, however.

Maybe just buy your receiver here. Better look.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

My main intention is to get the receiver itself. I can deal with speakers once I'm in Vancouver. I'm looking at the Sony STR-DA5300ES receiver right now.

Originally Posted by jsteinhauer

Yeah, but winter weather can get in the way, eh?

Are you going nonstop? I've done Idaho Falls to Ann Arbor nonstop and Fargo to Houston nonstop, but you've got yourself a long haul there.

Are you a fallen Canadian or were you cracking a joke, EH? lol

And yes, I am driving straight through. I may have someone to take shifts with me though.

P.S. It looks like my journey through Montana will be on I-94 or I-90 (google doesn't specify very clearly which roads I will be on at what point in the trip). So, any good deals in towns along that specific highway would be muchly appreciated. Don't worry... I'll have my GPS to guide me safely.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I was just on hold with www.butterflyphoto.com regarding this deal (http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/p...ap=STRDA5300ES) for 25 minutes. I explained that I was going to be travelling through the US and wanted to know if there was any possible way for me to give them my business. The clerks response was, "We don't even accept Canadian credit cards. Good-bye. [click]" How rude!!! But, for those of you in New Jersey, this looks like a winning deal!

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Are you a fallen Canadian or were you cracking a joke, EH? lol

No, but I grew up in Detroit area. I never knew it, but when I moved away from there, others commented on my use of "eh". Now, I notice my own family saying it. Yoopers, by the way, say it as much as any old timey Canadian.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

So, nobody else has any suggestions?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Picked up the Onkyo 805 on sale for $769 USD at Vann's Appliances in Billings Montana today! That's $769 total (no tax in Montana). They also showed me the new Sony Media Centre unit in action! It holds 200 BD discs and has lots of pretty coloured lights, touch screen icons (like the power & eject on PS3), trays, sliding doors, etc. Still had incredibly slow load times though. Nevertheless, a very sleek looking unit. This picture doesn't do it justice!!!

http://arstechnica.com/journals/hard...y-disc-changer

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

They also showed me the new Sony Media Centre unit in action! It holds 200 BD discs and has lots of pretty coloured lights, touch screen icons (like the power & eject on PS3), trays, sliding doors, etc. Still had incredibly slow load times though. Nevertheless, a very sleek looking unit. This picture doesn't do it justice!!!

http://arstechnica.com/journals/hard...y-disc-changer

WOW anyone want to adopt me for XMAS.... I come with baggage !!!