We are hoping to save some $$$ by shopping in Chetumal (instead of BZ) to buy a refrigerator, power tools, couch, general hardware like paint and varnishes & home furnishings. Any suggestions on where to go? I know they have a Sam's Club there but where else? Has anyone figured out if it is cheaper to shop in Chet verses Belize City?
Any advice is appreciated!

Cherie, You might be able to buy some things like pillows , fabric and some kitchen tools cheaper, but have never found it to be worth it on larger items like a refrigerator and furniture. The duty and shipping generally eats up any savings. Power tools you might get some good prices on in Cayo at Spanish Lookout. R.B. and Judy P.S. Someone on here might have some ideas to help you out.

Buy Belize. Support Belize if you can get what you want here. If not you'll do better to get them in the US and ship them. You won't save too much $ as there's duty and shipping costs and all you are saving is the mark up by the local retailer and often that will be wiped out by you not being able to buy as cheaply as they can. What it will do is open up your choices and options more models and brands, but it's often not worth the pain so just buy locally in Belize and add it as a cost to live here. Also factor in parts and ability to fix appliances etc when they go wrong twice as quick and twice as often as other places.

We bought a nice GE (genuine!) fridge from Benny's in Belize city and a nice gas stove too. The price wasn't bad at all when you take into consideration the cost of shipping the item to your house paying customs/duty etc. The things we brought in from outside Belize were sheets and towels (cuz I got good quality cheap on Ebay), a dishes set (just cuz I liked the pattern very much) and a good drill (cuz I had a gift card to Home Depot).

Having lived in Chetumal for 2 years and now moving back to Caye Caulker, I agree with the opinion of... buy in Belize. Sam's Club has name brand good stuff, but by the time you pay shipping and duty, it will cost you more. Mexican made appliances are poorly constructed. And while Mexico will never run out of eggs, flour, beans and rice, the cost of living has skyrocketed to the point that in many ways it is cheaper to live in Belize now. Chetumal is great to go to for a spree, but don't go expecting to save lots of dollars any more. The exchange rate is down 15-20% and prices overall are up 25-50% over what we were getting 2 years ago. I would buy from Courts, pay a little more and get a warranty on everything electrical. I've used my warranty more than once, and they have always honored it.

Agreed on the prices going up in Mexico - we were in Playa recently and this time a beer at a bar on the beach was running at $7bz!