Decided to fly to the US to buy some hard drives
Hacker News
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Flying to New York to buy 28TB hard drives proved to be a cost-effective solution for a UK-based tech enthusiast struggling with rising prices at home. After years of upgrading his storage system, he found that UK prices had become prohibitively expensive, with taxes and import duties making each drive nearly £300. By using travel points to book a trip to New York, he managed to purchase 10 drives for around £244 each, plus import VAT, saving thousands compared to buying in the UK or shipping them.
The journey involved navigating complex purchasing processes at Best Buy and B&H Photo. While B&H was straightforward, Best Buy required setting up a Delaware billing address and faced multiple declined card payments before completing the transaction. The enthusiast also had to ensure each drive was authentic by testing them with diagnostic tools like Seatools and CrystalDiskInfo in his hotel room.
This story highlights the lengths tech enthusiasts will go to save money on high-capacity storage solutions. While flying to purchase drives may seem extreme, it underscores the importance of comparing prices across international markets and understanding local tax policies. The individual’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about logistics—packing hand luggage with foam inserts for 10 large drives proved challenging but ultimately manageable.
For readers interested in tech, DIY storage solutions, or maximizing savings on hardware purchases, this story offers practical insights into the benefits of international shopping and the importance of due diligence when purchasing expensive components. It also raises questions about global price disparities and the feasibility of similar cost-saving strategies for other tech products.
Verticals
techstartups
Originally published on Hacker News on 2/23/2026