bargain/ripoff

[benfilo]

hi all
I was having an argu... discussion with my mate today. He visited florida for the first time last year, and he'd heard about all the bargains there . however ever since he's come back he keeps going on about how nothings any cheaper over there.
Has anybody got any views on where and where not to shop. The tips will come in handy for me , I haven't been for a bit

Benfilo

P.S.we took into account the exchange rate changes

[Ray&Sarah]

The outlet malls are definately cheaper as you pay much the same in dollars as you would in pounds. Also things like electronic equipment, my son bought a portable DVD player for $260 in the Florida Mall and the same one costs £270 here. We always buy trainers as they are so much cheaper, especially the latest fad.

[Ruth]

Obviously not everything is cheaper in the US but loads of things are the same in $ as £ so I don't know how he can say that[B)]

[benfilo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ruth
Obviously not everything is cheaper in the US but loads of things are the same in $ as £ so I don't know how he can say that[B)]
[/quote]

neither do I, But he was going on about jeans and some shirts and stuff like that. Then again he wasn't that keen on the theme parks so perhaps he's not normal

Benfilo

[MrEktion]

Benfilo,

The problem is your mate is comparing 2 weeks in Orlando visiting a handful of stores versus his whole lifetime of experience of finding bargain stores in his hometown in the UK. He is convinced he is right and you probably won't convince him otherwise.

For example I know a great place in the UK to get AA batteries Panasonic brand 4 for 59p I don't expect EVERYSTORE in the US to be that cheap but I expect there is one somewhere the problem would be finding it in a 14 day visit.... Therefore are batteries in the US more expensive?

If you want bargains then the outlet stores are the places along with Wal-mart, Sams Club, Target and Costco.

At Belz last Sept we got Nike and Reebock golf style Polo shirts for $12-$20 couldn't be beaten anywhere in the UK so bought a few. I'd agree the Jeans prices I saw were not that cheap probably par with the UK for 501's.

The best thing now is the exchange rate we got £1=$1.80 and that is 20% better than we got in September so all those bargains I got then are 20% better bargains this time and even the Jeans I thought were par are now 20% below UK prices. You gotta love it!!!

Mr E. Preparing to buy a few bargains in 36 hours time!

[lambdeng]

I've got loads of bargains in Florida compared to UK.

And like Mr E points out, youdon't always seek out tghe cheapest place in US - just one wqhere it's significantly lower than UK

GANT jeans - same $50 compared to £60
LEVI's for $30 compared to £35 for same style
Golf balls
Vasaline!!!!!
Rockport shoes
Laptop for $700
Jump drives / camera storage cards
Personal CD player
....and loads more.

I have to say though that gradually our prices for electronic goods are coming down. And before anyone asks - I didn't bring them all back on same trip.

Gary

[SteveW]

Got to be the camera equipment and electronics for me. Visited a few stores who were more knowledgeable on their products than most of our uk colleagues and were very interested in discounts for cash. If you fancy a new video camera ensure you get those extra batteries, tapes (or cd's now) thrown in. Also negotiate a good price on a wide angled lens.... could spent all night in one of those stores.

[amy]

I am sure you all queue up at he red aisle at customs on your return aswell.........

[benfilo]

I know I won't convince himhe asked me to ask "what about designer gear"

have a great trip MrE[msncool]

[Matt]

I hardly ever shop for clothes in the UK anymore and buy all of my stuff in Orlando.

I can't see how anyone can say that things aren't cheap in the US (unless they get their clothes from Lidle or Alldis maybe, can't even spell it but I know what I mean there,[)]).

Example: I picked-up two pairs of Tommy Jeans 2@$39.99, Polo Shirts 2@$29.99, all of my work shirts are from Ralph Lauren (OK, I spend around $250 per visit to that store, but hey I walk out with a hundred bags).

There is no way you can pick these items up in the UK for the prices out there (unless they are fake or off the back of a lorry[])

Matt