Bargains / must buys while in the USA

[Traveller1955]

On Tuesdays those over 55 get a 10% discount at Ross dress for less stores.

 

[cove]

Yes I took two friends (over 55s) to Ross Dress For Less and they loved it. We went to the one north up Lincoln from LAX and it has been transformed into a well set out store. 10% off was nice.

 

[BettyB]

I use Amazon quite a lot and have all the parcels delivered to the last hotel I'll be staying at before I fly home.

 

[baldman]

I like to fly straight through to NYC w just carry on. Then straight up to Woodbury Common for power shopping and buy a suitcase / luggage there.

 

[get me outta here]

I'm flying straight through to JFK next year. What's the cheapest best way to Woodbury as I have 4 weeks. I'm not a huge fan of outlets so I haven't tried it yet...

I like to fly straight through to NYC w just carry on. Then straight up to Woodbury Common for power shopping and buy a suitcase / luggage there.

 

[cove]

We get new suitcases from Costco US if it has been a buying clobber trip. Costco usually have a set of two or three suitcases from Samsonite for $169 to $189 the set.
Raise.com can help you get a better net purchase price.
We spend a couple of months in the U.S. and I figured I have travelled to Los Angeles more than 100 times for work.

 

[k_sheep]

Any suggestions for outdoor and adventure gear near NYC?

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I'm flying straight through to JFK next year. What's the cheapest best way to Woodbury as I have 4 weeks. I'm not a huge fan of outlets so I haven't tried it yet...

Our son lived in NYC for 6 years so we were regular visitors to NY. There is a bus that leaves from the Transit Centre, I have never used it. We always just rent a car for the day. It is so much easier and you are not restricted to just Woodbury Common. There is a Kohls and a Target close by as well, and you pass a large shopping centre when you go over the Verrazano Bridge. Just remember shops are open 10 to 10 so with a car you have a lot more shopping time !

 

[Limewood]

Dallas Grapevine shopping centre is awesome, its a 10min shuttle ride from the airport, get ready for some walking because it humungous - well it is Texas . Mrs Lime purchased a beautiful white kid leather (real L) jacket, fully lined has side zips for a mere $99 and tagged RRP was $399, a strong light suitcase 1/3 price, cosmetics too and Cabbage Patch dolls etc. for grandkids at home. We stayed at DFW Airport Hyatt Regency, big rooms, nice bar and good food, very handy to the massive mall it was.

 

[baldman]

I'm flying straight through to JFK next year. What's the cheapest best way to Woodbury as I have 4 weeks. I'm not a huge fan of outlets so I haven't tried it yet...

From jfk, I would normally go into Manhattan and check into my hotel and then whenever, take the Woodbury shuttle bus up and back. If I've arrived at Newark, sometimes I'll grab a rental and drive straight up there and drop the car off in Manhattan on the return.

Happy shopping!

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

 

[niqian]

However not accepted at the attached Costco petrol stations (not in 2013 anyway).

You can buy a gift card from inside Costco and then go and use that at the petrol stations.

 

[Lonely Flyer]

Bubble wrap is expensive!!!

 

[get me outta here]

I DO like a Target store, and there is not one in Manhattan afaik.

Woa, 220 stores. [Quote From jfk, I would normally go into Manhattan and check into my hotel and then whenever, take the Woodbury shuttle bus up and back. If I've arrived at Newark, sometimes I'll grab a rental and drive straight up there and drop the car off in Manhattan on the return.

Happy shopping! Woodbury Common Premium Outlets)

Our son lived in NYC for 6 years so we were regular visitors to NY. There is a bus that leaves from the Transit Centre, I have never used it. We always just rent a car for the day. It is so much easier and you are not restricted to just Woodbury Common. There is a Kohls and a Target close by as well, and you pass a large shopping centre when you go over the Verrazano Bridge. Just remember shops are open 10 to 10 so with a car you have a lot more shopping time !

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I DO like a Target store, and there is not one in Manhattan afaik.

So at Woodbury Center is where Kohls is located - in front of the Hampton Inn and there is a Walmart and a Target at the Harriman Commons.


https://www.google.com.au/maps/plac...2!3m1!1s0x89c2d72d6602cb7d:0x8425fe21b5a2baa8

 

[Flying mermaid]

Sephora is also good for make-up and perfume.

When I was in New York in 2012 Sephora was incredibly cheap and I stocked up for myself and the girls. However when I priced in May this year prices were pretty much the same as I had priced at Duty Free in Sydney before we left - ravages of our dollar I assume....

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I think Ulta stores are better than Sephora Ulta.com - Cosmetics, Fragrance, Salon and Beauty Gifts and they seem easier to get around too.

But I always look at the stores websites to do a price comparison before I leave home.

 

[Kiwi Kid]

Not sure if it's relevant for anyone, but in Vegas on Tuesdays there's a 10% discount for "seniors" - being anyone over 55! So that's the day I drag my Mum to the outlets and Ross Dress for Less - it negates sales tax and saves a few dollars. As for Ross store - I find the one opposite Circus Circus to be the best for variety - but you always need to hit them first thing as they become a miss match of strewn clothing by days end.

Sign up for Premium Outlets VIP programme - pick up the voucher booklet and print off any coupons that look appealing. Coupons are your friend!

Be careful with Melatonin if you live in New Zealand - it's illegal to bring it back in without a prescription.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Any suggestions for outdoor and adventure gear near NYC?

The only place to go is Cabelas.

Try their flagship Hamburg store.

Store Information - Hamburg, PA : Cabela's

You'll need to rent a car. It's worth it.

 

[cfellows]

Did a few business trips 2013-2015, about 8-10 returns overall so I spent a lot of time improving my techniques. I'll just add my 2c.

PA does not have any sales tax on clothes/food items so generally good for the outlet malls when getting clothes. There is a wiki page somewhere with a breakdown of all the states and what they do/don't tax and the rates. Obviously PA is a bit of a hike if you are wanting to only visit the west coast.

i usually bought suitcases online, a few luggage sites have decent coupons / end of series sales so you can get some stuff cheap + free delivery (travelpro/samsonite/antler/victorinox even)Otherwise Walmart or Target stores have cheap enough American tourister or samsonite. Extra to this... If you are buying mostly clothes / soft items go to the Walmart camping section, they have a Huge duffel bag for about $15 that compacts down into its own carry bag which is great for taking over in your regular suitcase pocket.

as with the clothes, Ross/Marshall/another one I can't remember the name of are great to just poke your head into when you see them at the strip malls to see if there is anything decent, but not worth basing your whole shopping trip around.

i found Target and Walmart the best for makeup, prices comparable to Amazon and other online stores. Target have a decent range of NYX for about 50% cheaper than they offer in Oz. I was lucky once to find a heap on clearance for $2-4 each compared to about $20 in Oz. Basic brands only at these stores you will need to hit up JCPenny Kohls Macy's for other brands. Perfume is hit or miss, I normally went through Amazon as the cheapest compared to dept stores. Wife also loves bed head hair stuff, got some amazing prices on the giant bottles online, twin pack of Sha,poo was $20 cheaper than one single bottle in Aus. There is a large cosmetics chain that is in most strip malls (ULTA) but they are pretty good value also especially when they have sales on, keep and eye on their website.

keep an eye on the upcoming holidays in the U.S. And change of seasons, normally means stores have sales / coupons. I randomly found Levi's having 40% off + free delivery through their online store, was about $30 a pair USD...compared to $70-120 in Aus? Yep I'll take five. Best to know the style numbers and sizes but they are easy enough to try on at a department store and remember for later.

you can get Amazon prime membership trial for 30days, just cancel it before it ends. Free 2-day shipping on most common items that Amazon stocks, it's brilliant!

Alcohol cheapest in Walmart ( if the state allows it) or the giant liquor stores will have a massive range of stuff you can't get or have never heard of. I normally wrap the bottles up in a pair of thick wooden socks + tshirt or jumper before packing it in the middle of the suitcase. Avoid LAX duty free, seems more expensive than buying in Aust stores.

not the best time to go, but it won't improve back to the glory shopping days of $1.10 so enjoy yourself and also get a little pair of luggage scales (Amazon ~$15) they are awesome to use when packing your bags.

Walmart great for pharma or CVS as well. Even regular stuff like toothpaste/soaps/razors/toothbrushes are very cheap. Colgate optic white, giant tubes are about $5, a tube 1/4 the size sells for $7 here. Energiser lithium batteries! 8 pack $16 in Home Depo/Lowes they sell a two pack for $20 in woollies in Aus, they are pretty light also. Best buy for electronics, not amazing prices on computer hardware buy good for a look at accessories or headphones, mice etc.

regular sports stores, like find a giant warehouse style one have good deals on tshirt said and general clothing sometimes as well. Usually centred around the local sports team you can get some end of season gear for 50%+ off. Knives for camping or LED lights they will have a good range, regular victorinox in Walmart is very cheap.

enough dribble for now

 

[k_sheep]

The only place to go is Cabelas.

Try their flagship Hamburg store.

Store Information - Hamburg, PA : Cabela's

You'll need to rent a car. It's worth it.

2.5hrs each way might be pushing it! But I've added it to the list.