What stuff is cheaper to buy in US compared to the UK?

shaun_from_Africa

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

But if you do get 'pulled over for a word', you will be liable for VAT/Duty/Phatbears Christmas party fund.

Which is why I always go through the goods to declare channel when I've over my limit, and why I didn't say or imply anything to the OP about trying to get through without declaring any excess.

I've always found that the border agency staff to be very fair as long as you are honest and up front with them.

barbarawright

I have been to the US with only one set of clothes and bought a couple of changes there. As people have said, it tends to be dollars for pounds so depending on the exchange rate you can save about 40%. Electronic goods - only do it if you're tech savvy. While a cheap Kindle might be a bargain, you could be locked in to Amazon.com if you don't know what you doing

Murphy_The_Cat

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

Which is why I always go through the goods to declare channel when I've over my limit, and why I didn't say or imply anything to the OP about trying to get through without declaring any excess.

I've always found that the border agency staff to be very fair as long as you are honest and up front with them.

Shaun, I wish that there was a double thanks button, as I would have used it for your post :beer:

[Deleted User]

I normally get friends to pick me up branded polo shirts (Ralph Lauren, tommy hilfiger) as they're about £15 in the outlets

blindman

silvercar wrote: »

Certain medicines/ vitamins are cheaper in the US.

It is also a way of obtaining items classified as prescription only medicines in the Uk that can be bought as health supplements in America eg melatonin.

Seems like Catheters are a hot ebay seller back here.

I usually buy

Jeans
Branded running shoes

pollypenny

barbarawright wrote: »

I have been to the US with only one set of clothes and bought a couple of changes there. As people have said, it tends to be dollars for pounds so depending on the exchange rate you can save about 40%. Electronic goods - only do it if you're tech savvy. While a cheap Kindle might be a bargain, you could be locked in to Amazon.com if you don't know what you doing

I bought my little Kindle for $49 three years ago, just set it up to Amazon UK. The only difference is that a 'daily deal' appears on the kindle in dollars and I can't use it. However, I get my daily deal on the website in sterling.

American made cosmetics are cheaper there, especially Clinique, which works out cheaper than Boots Number Seven. I stock up in a Duty Free on the way home.

On the other hand, cosmetic offers, where you get a gift bag with products, usually require just one purchase in the USA, rather than two as here. I have noticed that sometimes there is a charge for this lately, though.

DigForVictory

Not sure if it's Money Saving but a colleague took her family to Florida, the luggage was lost & so they *had* to buy clothes. Her husband, being a tall thin long armed soul, is utter h!ll to get shirts for in the UK - in the US, an assistant turned them loose in an entire section of shirts of his fit.
As for their teen, he nearly expired with delight as he was allowed one brand new clean band T shirt a day & so picked all the most collectable/swoppable ones. Which his mother serenely sent home parcel-post-by-boat to a (warned) sister.
During the holiday, she pointedly got husband to choose "work shirts", and for every one he protestingly picked out, she tucked another 3 identical into the trolley. These were unpackaged & also shipped home. [Not quite sure that's sporting, but I doubt she'd have had too much trouble with the border folk.]

I have heard of all sorts of fun clothing (both for children & adults) being sourced from Target (not quite US Asda, but analogous) so it slightly depends on who you are shopping for & why.

Anything with an All American logo - Macys, Bloomingdales etc? Cheaper in Singapore, but tricky to source in the UK.

Have a smashing holiday!

emz_m

American brand clothing will be considerably cheaper. Examples include Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, etc. You’re not likely to find savings in European brand clothing stores such as Zara, H&M, and Topshop.

Rambosmum

My uggs were about £50 cheaper in New York than here. Didn't see much else worth getting but then we didn't do much shopping - I was under far too many layers to be bothered with trying stuff on! (February in New York!).

User3890

Thanks for everyones input - keep it coming - and I'm now sure ill find a lot of clothing. Ill go with a near empty suitcase and stock up on polo's etc etc. I remember last time i did a similar thing but 10 years ago when i was last in the US. In the time during i thought Amazon must have pretty much bridged the gap for most things you'd want from the US. Def be buying a few peanut butter squares snickers!

Im sure Apple would fix an iPhone in the UK if brought in the US. Loads of people visiting the UK and needing their phones to be fixed for whatever reason - they are no going to leave people stranded. But i have an iPhone 6+ so i don't really need one - just thought it might be worth considering a 6S+ at that price and selling my 6+.

Anyway, Ill be in Vegas for 3 days (to go Grand Canyon by car) then California (San Francisco) for 10-12 days so definitely not the cheapest place in the US (or anywhere). I will travel down the coast then flying out of SF.