Shopping tips for America, esp Florida

JammieDodger

Hi,

Does anyone have any good shopping tips for America? I go there quite often so have picked up some good ones. Does anyone know of an equivalent to moneysavingexpert.com for America? Or is this it???

OK here are my tips:

1) If you're shopping in Macy's, take your passport up to the Gift Registry and ask for an overseas card. This entitles you to 11% (that's their tax rate) off of any purchases, including sale items! It doesn't work for fragrance and cosmetics though.

2) If you're getting a good exchange rate over there and know you're going back to shop in certain department stores later in the year, take your credit card (Nationwide!) and buy a gift voucher. It will be at that exchange rate, so when you go back a few months later and it's a worse exchange rate, it won't matter because you've effectively already changed up your money.

Works with things like Starbucks cards too, and makes it much quicker to pay at the kiosk.

3) Contact lenses are half the price out there. Take your prescription out to somewhere like Sams and they'll order in your lenses for you at less than half price! My lenses cost 54p per pair compared to over £1 here, so it's worth bulk ordering. They sometimes do cash back as well, so double bonus!

4) If you're eating out, then eat at lunchtime or mid-afternoon. The portion sizes are HUGE (especially in places like The Cheesecake Factory) but are much less expensive at that time of day. Double savings: if you eat at lunchtime you won't need a big meal in the evening so save on not having to spend more on a third meal that day!

Any other tips??

JammieDodger

arealbasketcase

Take a bigger suitcase than you need for the outward journey, 'cos you will need it for your return.

Don't put gift wrapped items in your suitcase, if it is opened it is way too obvious that you have purchased them and you could be liable to UK tax, which of course you will own up to and go through items to declare anyway wont you........pause for breath

There are loads of coupon internet sites for the US, but pick up local papers and you will find more than enough to keep you happy.

Remember the customer is king, your happiness is the most important thing to any member of staff in the store. If you want to share one burger and fries - tell the waitress you need two plates, she won't bat an eyelid. Can't finish the desert, then ask to take it home, they will have boxes ready and waiting.

Drinks are almost always a bottomless cup, and you can get tea, just ask.

Tipping is a pain, but get over it, it's a way of life.

Local taxes vary so don't assume you know it, just moving county will mean the tax probably varies and the price tag won't show the price inclusive of tax, so be prepared to do the math!

I'll be back if I think of anything else. :rolleyes:

Pooky23

Travel with the bare minimum. The last time I went to NYC I travelled with 1 change of clothes and the bare essentials. When they weighed my case at LHR they laughed as it only weighed about 5kgs! On the way back it weighed nearly 20kgs. Abercrombie and Fitch is half UK price, great if you like trendy american clothes. Cosmetics are cheap too, esp Clinique.