pointless duty free

[markis10]

Saying inbound Duty Free is expensive is a broad sweeping statement, like any outlet there can be bargains to be had at times if you do your research. Last year I found them to be cheaper than Singapore twice on Liquor, and half the price of Dans. If you walk into a store and just grab the items off the shelf you will never get the best price, the coupons in the airport mags and skybus also help.

 

[boomy]

I found Amman airport to have great bargains on alcohol and cigars, better then any Asian airport.

 

[Grooba]

I found Amman airport to have great bargains on alcohol and cigars, better then any Asian airport.

Yep, pretty much everywhere is cheaper than Australian ports.

 

[Denali]

I love my duty free but I'm particular about what I buy, I want limited edition or vat numbered or certificates.

Bundy rum bottles we paid $39.95 are now selling for $900, I have a couple of royal Salute bottles that are no longer available/valued at $600 each and I paid $269 for two. Same with some Ballintines and Wild Turkey in really nice wooden presentation boxes.

 

[Hammando]

Bundy rum bottles we paid $39.95 are now selling for $900

Sell sell sell!

 

[burmans]

Saying inbound Duty Free is expensive is a broad sweeping statement, like any outlet there can be bargains to be had at times if you do your research. Last year I found them to be cheaper than Singapore twice on Liquor, and half the price of Dans. If you walk into a store and just grab the items off the shelf you will never get the best price, the coupons in the airport mags and skybus also help.

I agree. Just did a search on 6 different spirits, all were cheaper duty free for a 1 litre bottle vs 750 ml at Dan's. Clearly Dans has specials from time to time but alcohol does still have high taxes. Must admit the duty free is much cheaper still in NZ though!

 

[Pushka]

I did a price check on Dan Murphy's while in Singapore. They didn't stock one type of Bacardi on my sons list so that was purchased in Singapore at the airport as was Whisky which was cheaper than DM and the arrivals duty free.

As you can't buy airport duty free alcohol in HK for Australian flights and arrivals duty free is more expensive than DM I didn't even buy any this time.

 

[drross]

Saying inbound Duty Free is expensive is a broad sweeping statement, like any outlet there can be bargains to be had at times if you do your research. Last year I found them to be cheaper than Singapore twice on Liquor, and half the price of Dans. If you walk into a store and just grab the items off the shelf you will never get the best price, the coupons in the airport mags and skybus also help.

Usually can find a bargain or two if you know what and where to look. Fragrances and litre bottles of spirits but occasionally premium champagne.

 

[JohnK]

Get your flame suit ready - the issue of kids in planes is quite a fiery topic. FWIW I believe a lot of it comes down to the parents, as such I don't believe in such bans.

Yes it's never an easy debate but surely if kids are misbehaving then the adults need to be held responsible?

They must be getting away with it too easily as we hear quite a few of these stories.

 

[Alanslegal]

The complaint is why we pay good money to be disturbed by these children. I often fly business for sleep so that I arrive at my destination relatively fresh.

DYKWIA maybe?

The child paid for their flight (well their parents did) and are entitled to be in the same cabin as you. Their money is just as good as your money.

And I fly Business Class because I can't afford First Class.

PS. I do not have any children of my own.

 

[whoistheg]

My wife and i were in HK last Aug and i bought her a bottle of CK Euphoria for around $110 AU.

Driving home from airport we stopped at Chemist Warehouse and the same bottle was $39.99 !!

It pays to shop around. Prices in AU are very competitive now. Singapore,HK are no longer really cheap
for some items.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I thought the "Duty Free" shops in HK were just gimmicks to catch unwary travelers.

 

[maninblack]

The shops at the airport are very expensive.

 

[Mr_Orange]

The shops at the airport are very expensive.

I discovered that the hard way .

 

[Quickstatus]

Noticed there are no longer any duty free shops in town now?, The only ones remaining cater to tourists who are after Aussie memorabilia. Duty free went out the window when GST was introduced.

I never buy duty free anymore unless its an urgent item, or something I cannot get in town.

Duty free just delays my arrival at the lounge or delays my exit from the airport.

 

[Muzfly]

You pay good money for privacy but then so do they, they have the same rights as you. They may not like boorish plonkers from Queensland too but seems the airlines alow you to travel in business.

... as opposed to boorish plonkers who generalise along state lines I take it.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Rolex watches at 1/3 the price of Australia? Not if they are real

Agree. Rolex works on a world price.

 

[harvyk]

Rolex watches at 1/3 the price of Australia? Not if they are real

But the guy who approached me off the street assured me that they where real and "good price"... , you could tell, it had genuine Rolax markings.......... Oh......

 

[wandering_fred]

The only thing I have seriously look at DF in Changi is Bailey's. One liter bottle there versus 750 ml in Oz. And about 10% (or little more) less expensive than BWS. OTOH, when I looked at noise canceling headphones, Changi was twice the price of the same set at Sim Lim (electronics computer mall) downtown.

OTOH, I do remember getting flight vouchers for some upset on a transPacific CX flight. Made my DF purchase on the next CX of perfume very price competitive. Earned brownie points when I got home too.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[ChrisDPom]

PER has one duty free in the City now and one at the airport - both owned by same group First Duty Free so prices are now expensive and city store has measly selection of booze - Drambuie a favourite tipple has disappeared

For flight with 2 legs, you cannot buy departure booze at the airport so I just buy to collect on return and don't bother with family or freinds gifts when heading to Europe.

Booze is cheaper over there anyway so I got to the supermarket.

I am overseas 3 times a year minimum so have learned to buy my camera gear, tablets etc before I leave and go through the very civilised Aust. Customs process to get my GST back.

LHR VAT refund outside the terminal are a joke with queues of Chinese taking an hour plus to get served. There is a VAT refund once through customs in the terminal which is much faster.

However, you never get the full 20% VAT back due to the "processing fee" charged by the seller when they supply the forms on purchase which is just a damn ripoff!!

Oz system of just take the receipt and item to the customs counter is easier and more honest.