[Captain Kerthorse]

perhaps belongs in Bargain Basement , feel free to move.

Heading to US for first time in a couple of days. - Generally speaking if one was to wish to indulge in a spot of shopping, what kind of stuff do you get the most savings on compared with back here? i.e Electronics, clothes etc - or is it pretty much a case of 'fill yer boots / wellies'

help appreciated

[sitheref2409]

Don't have a lot of comparison points, because I've been here 6 years but....

Levis are $30 - so, what, fifteen quid? Clothing will be cheaper.
Electronics - iPods (the wee one) can start at $80.

Two things going for you: one, stuff is generally cheaper. Except booze.
Two - currency is so heavily weighted to the pound it's ridiculous.

[Virtual Insanity]

I don't know where you get your Levi's but yes stuff is much cheaper in general, usually get some good out of town malls for clothes, electronics are cheaper too, but you need to get away from the downtown area of wherever it is you are going generally to get the best prices, these outlet malls are good for cheap prices without having to know the best individual places. Whereabouts are you going?

[doulikefish]

ive always found clothes to be about half the price so its worth taking hardly anything in your suitcase and filling it!!
small electronics are pretty much the same probably slightly cheaper but do you really want to hump them home

[Captain Kerthorse]

Virtual Insanity, on Apr 2 2008, 02:59, said:

Whereabouts are you going?

New York - may have to change choice of luggage then....

[saints1884]

Have a look at Trip Advisor New York Forums Do a search for shopping in New York,there are quite a few threads about it on there.

[footiechick]

If you want a days shopping , go to Woodbury Common.

Get the bus from the main bus station in NY, it's about 40 mins away, but it is a great place for bargains. It's an outdoor mall place. Tons of outlets.

[Mrs M]

Clothes will definitely be cheaper. I know a few people that make regular trips over to the States, and they always take practically empty suitcases with them and fill them over there. You should see how my niece and nephew are dressed. They'd never get clothes like that here!

[Captain Kerthorse]

Cheers Folks

[sitheref2409]

Virtual Insanity, on Apr 2 2008, 01:59, said:

I don't know where you get your Levi's but yes stuff is much cheaper in general, usually get some good out of town malls for clothes, electronics are cheaper too, but you need to get away from the downtown area of wherever it is you are going generally to get the best prices, these outlet malls are good for cheap prices without having to know the best individual places. Whereabouts are you going?

Local stores - target, the infamous walmart...

[thejailender]

The bloke who sits near me at work has just come back from Houston, Texas. He commented on how more expesive electronics were now compared to 10 years ago when he was last there. He said there is very little price difference in electronic goods now.

With the excpetion of Levi jeans even clothing was much about the same as back here.

Petrol is still cheaper, but three times as expensive as it was ten years ago over there. But I don;t suggest trying to get a container of that back home on the plane !

[SimplyTON]

We're heading out to the States on Tuesday for our bi-annual trip to North America

Usually do a fair bit of research before we head off and tend to stock up on a load of clothes while out there.

For most clothing brands the rule of thumb is you'll pay roughhly in dollars what you pay in $ what you pay here is £'s

For example a pair of Levis will set you back £45 where they will be $45 in NYC store - (current rate of about $1.9=£1 means you save something like £18 after tax)
Adidas Stan Smiths in footlocker are about $55

Obviously this applies to US brand goods its a little different items like european football shirts etc. which you'll pay the same price as here.

Electronics is in general slightly less lucrative with around 25% to be saved by buying stateside (obviously there are issued to address with compatability - Research regarding consoles etc)

Due to the tight reigns that Apple keeps on its products and their price there is usually only around 15% or so to be gained on ipods. Been looking at a new ipod Touch

8gb £180 UK $300 US
16gb £240 UK $360 US

Most of these prices are based on high street shops or big retailers like Walmart, Circuit City etc.

The outlets are a whole different ballgame
Generally the outlets tend to be last seasons stuff or slight seconds but unless you are dedicated follower of fashion these places will be a goldmine.

Every big brand of clothing/footwear tends to have some sort of outlet presence
In the past ive gotten stuff from Timberland, GAP, Levi's, Guess, Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Tommy, Ralph Lauren, Fossil etc.
Jeans - any colour any Style - $25-$30
Sports T-shirts - £10
Trainers - 2 pairs of Adidas superstar for $50
Timberland Boots - $70

[Whistle Blower]

Everything is cheaper, including hotel rooms, so don't book your accomodation through UK travel agents/websites, vist the US websites.

[Frank Booth]

Something to bear in mind is that you're only allowed to import £145 worth of goods back to the UK duty free from a non -EU country.

If you come back with a suitcase full of electronic goods and brand new clothes and you're unfortunate enough to be stopped by HMRC then you could face a hefty bill.

[Captain Kerthorse]

Frank Booth, on Apr 2 2008, 16:18, said:

If you come back with a suitcase full of electronic goods and brand new clothes and you're unfortunate enough to be stopped by HMRC then you could face a hefty bill.

Worthwhile removing labels and roughing them up a bit then i think.
Might be a bird far to take a precautionary jobby in them mind....