Bargains / must buys while in the USA

[Steady]

I am taking my family on our first trip to the LOTFAP and after reading a recent thread started by TQ about sunglasses I started thinking about what AFFers hold off buying until a visit to the states, or seek out whilst there.
I have been told clothes are cheap and I have seen mention of Bose noise cancelling headphones and even high strength melatonin, but are there any other pearls of wisdom I should know about?

 

[get me outta here]

Uniqlo has good everyday casual inexpensive clothes for men, women and children. uniqlo.com. It may be helpful to mention which main cities you will be shopping in. Also, some hotels will accept packages for you that they will safely keep if you are arriving soon.

 

[russ]

With the drop in the A$, it's not as great as before, but lots of stuff is cheaper over there. I returned last week with some new workshop tools bought from Sears (Craftsman brand, for those interested.) Also because the seasons are reversed, you can grab some insanely cheap clothing at their end of season sales, bring it to Oz and wear it immediately!

It all depends on what your interests are, where you are headed, whether you have a car to drive to outlet malls or whether you are on foot in a major city, and how much luggage you are willing to lug around! I usually take over a suitcase that is too large for my stuff because I know it will be bloody full by the time I fly back to Oz!

 

[get me outta here]

If I take a suitcase, it goes over with wads of bubble wrap which gets displaced by bought stuff. Sometimes, it's not only the prices that you consider, but also the choice is wider and varied and often more creative.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Watches and shoes are usually cheap.

 

[Steady]

Flying into LAX, a week based at Anaheim, 3 days down at San Diego, 3 at Vegas and another day and a half near LAX before flying back to OZ. I have a hire car and 3 teenage girls..... I have info coming from One AFFer on factory outlets.

I'm flying QF and as a WP have a reasonable checked luggage allowance that I expect will be fully utilised by the 4 fairer sex in the family.

I don't really need anything but I'm a sucker for a bargain. The only thing on my list at present is some Californian wine to bring back but if nothing stands out I will just grab some of my favourite Glenmorangie whiskey somewhere

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just about anything can be found cheaper in the states! But a lot can depend on which state you're in as well (different sales taxes apply.)

Along with melatonin, over the counter medications (generic brand) can be dirt cheap in the USA. This includes cold-and-flu tablets (just a few of dollars a pack), vitamins (300 multivitamins for a few dollars), pain relief (huge bottles for just a couple dollars), right through to things like ulcer medications (again just a couple of dollars a pack - compared to $20-$30 a pack in Australia).

As Russ says... clothing can be ultra cheap - especially clearance racks! Shoes are also about half the price... and that's across the range for things like Nike, dress shoes etc etc. If you know your size, and if your hotel will accept packages, you can hop on-line to Zappos and order all your shoes to be waiting for you (although most major department stores will be in the same price range, just the range of styles won't be a big).

Major brand cosmetics are also cheap (can be as little as 1/3 the cost of Australia).

If you go to some of the huge supermarkets, they have all sorts of interesting cooking utensils (cheap), and all of the 'As seen on TV' items - again all half to a third the price you'd find them in Australia.

(edit - just saw you will be in CA - the supermarkets aren't as cheap for medications there... but still can be great value compared to Australia).

 

[Steady]

I am due to replace some shoes - I may as well wait a month.

 

[blackcat20]

Go the Premium Outlet mall in Vegas; the north rather than the one south of the strip as it's larger.

I find shoes, jeans, handbags are all cheaper than home, especially at the outlets.

 

[Fifa]

Ski and outdoor gear!
I usually buy online and have it sent to my hotel at LAX (after sending them a request).

If buying from department stores like Macys, Sears etc always ask the cashier if she/he has any discount coupons which they will miraculously pull from under the counter! You can also often get a 10% discount from Macys for being a visitor.

 

[Steady]

If buying from department stores like Macys, Sears etc always ask the cashier if she/he has any discount coupons which they will miraculously pull from under the counter! You can also often get a 10% discount from Macys for being a visitor.

Thats a good tip thanks Fifa

 

[russ]

If you are going to Vegas, I highly recommend seeing Anthony Cools, but under no circumstances should you let any members of your family volunteer to be on stage!

Edit: From the reviews on Yelp: "Anthony Cools is a narcissistic sociopath. He is not funny and his show sucks. He appears to be a sick, depraved and pathetic individual. I cannot believe I paid money to sit through his garbage of a show. I feel sorry for the people who volunteer and feel compelled to do what he makes them do"

 

[Steady]

I just watched a few Utube clips of Anthong Cools and I think it is safe to say that I won't be taking my teenage girls to any of his shows :shock:

 

[wandering_fred]

Alas Walmart is the among the less expensive places if you are into vitamins, OTC pain-killers and related items.

I keep hearing shoes are cheaper though I find Singapore more practical.

And remember the USA is the cheapest place in the world to find and buy "junk food"

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And remember the USA is the cheapest place in the world to find and buy "junk food"

And in Vegas - deep fried twinkie bars!!! (yes, they are back in manufacture now... rush while they last!))

 

[Steady]

Alas Walmart is the among the less expensive places if you are into vitamins, OTC pain-killers and related items.

Fred

I see OTC pain killers have been mentioned a few times - are they a similar strength to those in oz but cheaper or stronger and cheaper?

 

[amaroo]

Timberland boots for <$50, Brooks Brothers Cashmere overcoat for ~$300 ... the cheese and kisses got a truckload more than I did.

 

[11sjw]

Have a look at Kohl's | Shop Clothing, Shoes, Home, Kitchen, Bedding, Toys & More

The shopping there is even better when you have a local using the correct credit card. A dress listed as $44 (for Miss11) ended up costing us $3.89!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I see OTC pain killers have been mentioned a few times - are they a similar strength to those in oz but cheaper or stronger and cheaper?

Same ingredients as Australia, although paracetamol is known as acetaminophen in the states. So anything that says acetaminophen is basically panadol. While we have it here now in Australia, the states was the first place to combine paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine in a single tablet that knocks even migraine on its head. So there are some interesting things like that. Here you pay a lot of money for it, in the states the generic brand is dirt cheap.

What you will see in the states is generic brands that actually say on the box 'compare with panadol' or 'compare with Codral' or 'compare with centrum' - they are the exact same ingredients but because USA allows the 'compare with' on the box, it makes generic substitution really easy.

Anyway a trip to a large supermarket or Walmart is certainly worthwhile - you'll stumble across the medicines aisle, the 'as seen on TV' aisle, cosmetics and a bunch of other stuff - certainly worth a 30 minute stop.

 

[11sjw]

Another mundane pick up whilst over there last year was 10 Chapsticks for $10 at a grocery store. As I always carry one this price was way too cheap to knock back!