Bargains / must buys while in the USA

[dairyfloss]

Hard to beat the HNL Wakellie Shopping expedition, its day out for Mrs Lime, sorry 2

Yep - not too bad for Hawaii, but certainly not as good as the mainland. There's also a few 'Ross Dress for Less' stores in Honolulu, with the most convenient likely to be the one behind the Ala Moana Center, close to Walmart. Exit Ala Moana out the back through Nordstrom.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[get me outta here]

If staying in HNL, there is a Ross right there, Sunshine or Sunrise St or some such name.

Yep - not too bad for Hawaii, but certainly not as good as the mainland. There's also a few 'Ross Dress for Less' stores in Honolulu, with the most convenient likely to be the one behind the Ala Moana Center, close to Walmart. Exit Ala Moana out the back through Nordstrom.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Yep - not too bad for Hawaii, but certainly not as good as the mainland.

Agreed. It's usually people who have only been to Hawaii who are of the view that the shopping is so great in Hawaii.

Anyone been to Hawaii plus the mainland will quickly realise how much better the variety and savings are on the mainland.

 

[Dr Ralph]

If staying in HNL, there is a Ross right there, Sunshine or Sunrise St or some such name.

It's Seaside Avenue, but this store is much smaller than the one near Ala Moana.

 

[Bunty]

If buying products online , look for shops in states with no sales tax .
Some cities charge extra sales tax on top of state sales tax so it pays to do some research .

On a side note - I recall claiming the Sales Tax on my clothes shopping at the New Orleans Airport (Louisiana) on one of my trips several years ago. Not sure it's still available, but hang on to your receipts.

 

[Pushka]

Agreed. It's usually people who have only been to Hawaii who are of the view that the shopping is so great in Hawaii.

Anyone been to Hawaii plus the mainland will quickly realise how much better the variety and savings are on the mainland.

Pretty sure most people would recognise that Hawaii cant cut it compared with mainland. I asked the question because I am only going to Hawaii. . Strangely our holidays are not based around my shopping requirements.

 

[UP4014]

Don't forget this to impress the Jones's: Easy Cheese vs Cheez-it |

 

[Denali]

Don't forget this to impress the Jones's: Easy Cheese vs Cheez-it |

I admit, love wandering the grocery aisles and judge the items (and the people that buy them). Butter spray, cheese in a can. Really?

Although there are so many items I would love to bring home but cant because refrigeration required.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I admit, love wandering the grocery aisles and judge the items (and the people that buy them). Butter spray, cheese in a can. Really?

We do that every trip as well ! I can spend hours inside a Super Walmart looking at all the things I didn't know I needed.

 

[UP4014]

We do that every trip as well ! I can spend hours inside a Super Walmart looking at all the things I didn't know I needed.

Yes, many put Walmart down, but to me it's a fascinating place and a must do on every trip to the US.

Matt

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, I do the same thing and marvel at how much high fructose sugar there is in almost everything. I do bring back a few little things that are probably only available in say DJs very expensive food hall. Always declare them and never had a problem. Unlike a colleague once when we in Paris who bought a huge stack of pate exactly the same as is sold here in the little green tins. He had the lot confiscated. Moral for me, only buy cheap food stuffs.

We do that every trip as well ! I can spend hours inside a Super Walmart looking at all the things I didn't know I needed.

 

[Mcnock]

I quite like TJ Maxx when in the states. The range is good, but varies - a great place to pick up essentials - boxers, standard business wear etc

 

[johnsluk]

This thread is making me want to go back to America :-|

 

[UP4014]

This thread is making me want to go back to America :-|

Yes, and via QF's re instatement of SFO direct.

Matt

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting - a family member bought a pair of work shoes here yesterday - AUD195. Currently the same pair is selling at Zappos (USA) for USD160 - or AUD225 equivalent. So looks like there's some lag between existing stock in Australia and the new imported prices (or else merchants here are cutting their profits substantially).

 

[Milboo]

I love US supermarkets too (especially being in FMGC here) and could spend ages in Wholefoods too (damn I love that shop and it's freezer after freezer of ice cream lol)

Walmart...last time I walked in not only did I get a real People of Walmart experience but was amused by the ability to buy your coffin beside DVDs and giant leaf blowers!

 

[cove]

Gelsons, Ralph's , Whole Foods, Costco, Ross's Dress For Less, Ulta Beauty, Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) are all local stores for us. We get back there next month.
oops missed IN N OUT!
Whole Foods is known locally as whole pay packet but we love it.

 

[N860CR]

Can't say I've ever been into one of these Ross dress for less places. Always walked past assuming it's just like best and less. Do they actually have decent stuff?

 

[cove]

Yes you can get decent stuff at Ross Dress For Less. Our local store has had a makeover ( north up Lincoln past Venice) and of course Spanish speakers can outnumber English speakers. Good for shirts,slacks, belts and luggage.

 

[johnsluk]

Aldi will be opening in Southern California in March too for those who currently shop there in Aus. I also like Trader Joe's.