just a question

[misspickle]

i hope you's can all clear this up for me
my wee brother was working out in the usa and when he came back i asked him if the shopping was really cheap out there and he had said not really once you put the tax and that on.

is that true?

i've never been and i thought it was dead cheap.

thankx

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Shopping is cheap yes, however it can depend on what you shop for and where you shop.

Denim/jewellery/perfumes/sportswear in particular offer very good value for money and are generally much cheaper than in the UK, irrespective of whether you buy from one of the outlet discount stores or at one of the major malls or department stores.

It all basically comes down to what you are buying, it's obvious that if you are looking to buy designer clothes from a European label then you will pay more, just the same as you would expect to pay more for Ralph Lauren clothing at the Trafford Centre, as opposed to in the US.

All things considered, despite the added TAX shopping in Florida is generally cheaper than in the UK, personally I think your 'wee brother' is wrong

 

[UKDEB]

I'm not so sure that I agree with Johnny. When we first visited Florida in 1992, the exchange rate was $2:£1. Couple that with the fact that many things cost the same in dollars as they did in pounds and you had yourself some major bargains. Everything was effectively half price.

These days, the same is rarely true. Put it down to globalisation and the internet, I guess. We often consider waiting for a trip to the US to buy certain things, but upon further investigation, it's rarely worth it. Cameras, lenses and games consoles are all good examples. We have bought iPods there and saved around £20 - worthwhile, I suppose, but not worth putting off a purchase. If you make direct comparisons on many goods, the difference is negligble. Some things which immediately spring to mind:

Tiffany's jewellery, designer fragrances, skin care and make-up (in the last couple of years, I've bought Vera Wang, MAC, Laura Mercier, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Narcisso Rodriegez, Michael Kors, Versace, and a host of others ), Converse shoes (we scoured Miami in May this year), watches (Tag, Rolex, et al).

There are savings to be made, just not many genuine bargains. The discounted outlet malls have some if you're prepared to be tenacious, but the same can be said of those types of outlet in the UK (many of which are operated by the same companies as those in the US).

Sadly, it's no longer 'dead cheap' and, having lived there, your brother is better qualified to comment than us humble holiday-makers!

 

[paulh]

althougth the food in resturants is chep the food in supermarkest we have found sometimes dearer except the beer ,But DW wouldent let me bring that back as a soviener
Paulh

 

[Ware Bears]

Am I right in thinking that the tax varies from state to state?

 

[gilld]

I agree with Deb, it used to be very cheap but now some things are a little cheaper and some things actually more expensive. We rarely do much shopping these days as many of the real bargains seem to be trash.

 

[Claire L]

Am I right in thinking that the tax varies from state to state?

Yes it does and by quite a few % at times and even from county to county within states.

Claire

 

[gavvy]

You have to remember too that if your living there wages overall are less compared to here,hence the lower cost of living, its all relative really, I argee though that America is not the big bargin that it once was, those days are long over it seems.. sadly!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I probably didn't explain very well on my first post...certain US labels are still (in my opinion) very good value for money, I wouldn't expect to find bargains on Lacoste/Armani etc but I wouldn't be shopping for European labels anyway.

Nike trainers, whether you buy from FootLocker or at an outlet store, are in my experience much cheaper than in the UK.
I bought a pair from FL last year that were $80 - I saw the same pair in a major UK sports store the week before for £85....whilst I accept what Deb says, depending on what you are buying things can be much cheaper.

Oakley sunglasses, similar example, bought a pair from their store in the Florida Mall, $150 - my local stockist in the UK, £150.

Maybe things are not as cheap as they used to be and I agree there has been a levelling off over the years.

Either a) I have just been lucky, b) I am a shopping expert c) I am talking nonsense, d) have an eye for certain bargains on US labels - probably d I think

 

[scojos]

As I said on my earlier post .

Either a) I have just been lucky, b) I am a shopping expert c) I am taking nonsense....

i would never say you talk nonsense johnny
what time do you get up???? I thought i logged on early!
OT - does everyone have new houseofmouse tickers, or am i imagining it??

Tracy
xx

 

[JohnnySharp2]

i would never say you talk nonsense johnny
what time do you get up???? I thought i logged on early!
OT - does everyone have new houseofmouse tickers, or am i imagining it??

Tracy
xx

I get up very early, I am a team manager and work in Cheadle 2 days a week.
Plus Josh is up at 5am every morning too....

Many people have the new ticker's yes - I have to be perfectly honest and admit I saw that Deb had one and got the idea off that.

Just to keep the thread on-topic, I drive home past the Trafford Centre which has shops (apparently)....

 

[UKDEB]

Am I right in thinking that the tax varies from state to state?

Yes and, at 6%, Florida's at the upper end of the range. Some States have a 0% Sales Tax rate.

 

[UKDEB]

Oakley sunglasses, similar example, bought a pair from their store in the Florida Mall, $150 - my local stockist in the UK, £150

Oakleys are definitely a bargain and dh does wait for our US trips to buy. If you are a USF Annual Passholder, you can get a further 10% off (the already cheaper prices) by buying in the Oakley stores in the parks - a 'bonus' as Oakley doesn't allow price discounting on its products.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Oakleys are definitely a bargain and dh does wait for our US trips to buy. If you are a USF Annual Passholder, you can get a further 10% off (the already cheaper prices) by buying in the Oakley stores in the parks - a 'bonus' as Oakley doesn't allow price discounting on its products.

That's right Deb, we are AP holders and have used to good effect, I bought a watch from this store last August and got an additional 10% off.

Although the plan of sneaking in there whilst Julie & Joshua go on 'Jaws', failed miserably last time I tried to have a look round. Josh (in his own way) insisting I go on the ride instead

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yes and, at 6%, Florida's at the upper end of the range. Some States have a 0% Sales Tax rate.

New hampshire

 

[Claire L]

Yup Oakley's are good value I can see DH heading straight there in December he did restrain himself last weeek in Vegas

As for Lacoste there can be some good deals in the sales, £32 (£44 full price) compared to £55 here, but even better is the likes of Polo where last year DH got some really nice colours for about £17 each

As for other items a 2 cell AA Maglite £15 here, £4.90 over there

Claire

 

[catherine]

You have to remember too that if your living there wages overall are less compared to here,hence the lower cost of living, its all relative really, I argee though that America is not the big bargin that it once was, those days are long over it seems.. sadly!

I have to disagree with this. Everyone I know who works in the States earns more than people who do comparable jobs here!

 

[Queenie]

Last year I got a Gap denim jacket for around £5, Sketchers for around £17 and Disney t-shirts from £1.50 up (yes it was a genuine one!) The deals are out there to be had if you're willing to look for them, just don't expect to find anything great, then you won't be disappointed.

 

[Minniespal]

Oakleys are definitely a bargain and dh does wait for our US trips to buy. If you are a USF Annual Passholder, you can get a further 10% off (the already cheaper prices) by buying in the Oakley stores in the parks - a 'bonus' as Oakley doesn't allow price discounting on its products.

I didn't realise that ~ Need to remember that for next year

 

[mikki.young]

And after the State tax there is always the UK customs tax and duty for anything over the limit - anything up to 40% for clothes if they really want to sting you.