All international gadgets and gizmos are easily obtained in Berlin, but expect to pay more than in the US or technology hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. All the international brands, from Panasonic to Sony, are available, as are leading German brands such as Bosch, Braun, Siemens and Miele. Department stores such as Karstadt, and specialist shops such as the flashy Sony Style Store at Potsdamer Platz, tend to be pricier than chains like Media Markt, Conrad and Saturn.

Most of these shops offer delivery but Media Markt goes one further – if you can prove you’ve found the same product cheaper elsewhere within the first 14 days of purchase, Media Markt will refund the difference. If you’re planning to spend big, keep in mind that a difference in voltage means electronic goods from Europe will require expensive adaptors in order to function in the United States.
Your best bet for specialist sound systems and DJ equipment is Boxen Gross in Kreuzberg, or DJ-Parts, which also sells plasma and LCD TVs. HifiPlay stocks brands such as Avantgarde Acoustics, LUA, and T+A, and is happy for customers to touch and test sound systems before purchasing (delivery is included in the price). For sleek designs as well as great sound, Musik & Design stocks Bose and Bang & Olufsen among its brands.

You’ll find the odd second-hand electrical goods shop in Friedrichshain and Kruezberg. For used goods in decent condition or if seeking spare parts for older models of any make, head to Technischer An-Und-Verkauf in Neukölln. For CD and DVD player repairs, try Redisk Multimedia Service, which won’t charge you if the equipment still doesn’t work after repair.

Germans are ahead of the pack when it comes to recycling – around 65% of waste is recycled. Locals have been separating plastic, organic waste, paper, aluminium and glass for decades, but new waste management laws that came into effect in 2006 mean you’ll need to think twice before tossing out anything – in fact, it’s now illegal to dump electronic goods, from energy-saving lights to electric razors, televisions and washing machines, in the rubbish bin to become landfill. You’ll need to take anything with a cable or battery to a recycling centre. Your local council can tell you where they are or see www.verbraucherzentrale-berlin.de, which lists 15 recycling centres, mostly on the city’s outskirts.