Buying in the US at £1=$1.94: suggestions?

sah10406

Some things are cheaper in the US anyway, but with £1 worth almost $2 right now, there must be some amazing bargains. Any suggestions for strategic purchases, either off- or online?

Marigold123

This may not be exactly what you are looking for, but if you are buying from Amazon, look at the 'new and used' link. Often you can get brand new stuff, (which quite often comes from the US, at a much reduced price).

Don't know whether this is because of exchange rates, or just because books are cheaper over there, but you can get very good deals, and it often arrives quicker than Amazon's regular stock!

The only drawback is that using the Amazon marketplace you pay separate postage for each item, so the strength of the deal depends very much on what you're buying.

Make sure you do your sums first.

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ALSO, my sister bought her wedding jewellery online from the US, which is OK if you are sure of what you are looking at.

And when I was last married, we bought rings from a jeweller in NZ, whose name I've forgotten. Nice jewellery, fast and friendly service and a very good price.

mhuk

For cheap used computer books try https://www.abebooks.co.uk - books from the US are much cheaper than UK books, even with postage.

Sooler

PC software that you can purchase by download ...
Several vendors offer this option - always worth checking if they sell in US dollars, VAT is added at 17.5% for European customers.

For example Norton AntiVirus 2005 purchase from Symantec.

UK download price = £44.99
US download price = $49.95 = £26.00 + VAT = £30.55

gasmark7

i bought a Nintendo DS for my youngest from America. Only £79 plus £20 postage. Still a great deal cheaper than the UK price when it arrives. ( it came across as a present - no customs :-)

crispyduck_2

I've bought quite a bit over the last year from the states and even if you do get stung on the duty you're still quids ahead.

Best so far are the ebay shops for me, cheap anyway most of it is pristine and if you use paypal easy quick and safe.

Check in advance for shipping on regular sites that state free shipping as I sometimes feel they try and recoup their Free US shipping by charging over the odds for UK.
The US standard mail can by the way be VERRRRRY slow so watch it, usually for an extra few quid you can get it expressed.

If you have any specific things you're after I might be able to point you in the right direction so PM me.

PS check this link for general guides on duty(cut and paste).

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_Home

lnjk

i bought a Nintendo DS for my youngest from America. Only £79 plus £20 postage. Still a great deal cheaper than the UK price when it arrives. ( it came across as a present - no customs :-)

gasmark7

Which shop did you use in the US?

HairyHatMan

Here's a link to the Customs and Excise site explaining the different duties payable on things....

http://www.directly2u.co.uk/customs.html

zcaprd7

You could just go on holiday there?

I went a while back and stuff was cheap regardless of the exchange rate.

And you can load up jeans, ipods etc whilst you're there.

(Bit Off-Topic)

Any other $ based holiday destinations?

The_Biff

Does anyone know a reliable US online computer shop?

spalding

How much do ipod's workout as over that side of the pond?