Shopping around the world - which country is best.

[marki]

I've done some price checking of late and since Rimowa (like Apple) has standard prices globally, it's actually the same price in AUD to just buy it at Hunt in Melbourne (one of the few retailers locally).

As soon as my beloved little black Muji hard case cracks I'll do the upgrade.

I was in Berlin in December and asked around a few department stores and no one had a Topas. I was told the "Chinese bought them all"... :shock:

Best time to buy in Berlin is When the January sales start and Join KaDeWe shoppers card. You get special invites to the extra 20%!off which has now rewarded me with free parking and Breakfast for 4 just for using that card!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Best time to buy in Berlin is When the January sales start and Join KaDeWe shoppers card. You get special invites to the extra 20%!off which has now rewarded me with free parking and Breakfast for 4 just for using that card!

20% off Rimowa is pretty big – surely it'd be excluded?

 

[trixydoza]

Might be in Tokyo in June so will have a look then.

After the smaller cabin-sized Topas so could work well!

If you like Rimowa stuff, I recommend going just to check things out and for a general conversation. The staff are so knowledgable it's ridiculous.

The Omote-sando branch is perhaps the best (biggest):

RIMOWA | RIMOWA Store Tokyo Omotesando Store

 

[Fiches Mouser]

If you like Rimowa stuff, I recommend going just to check things out and for a general conversation. The staff are so knowledgable it's ridiculous.

The Omote-sando branch is perhaps the best (biggest):

RIMOWA | RIMOWA Store Tokyo Omotesando Store

Of course they are! Don't you just love the Japanese!

Will definitely do that, thank you!

 

[trixydoza]

Don't you just love the Japanese!

Ummm, to the extent that modesty allows...

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Ummm, to the extent that modesty allows...

Referring to onsens?

 

[marki]

20% off Rimowa is pretty big – surely it'd be excluded?

No sometimes it's incredibly cheap but you have to be there at the right time ...... Shame Rimowa does nothing for me :rolleye

 

[ralphkerle]

South Africa specifically Johhanesburg, is the cheapest destination I have experienced in the last two years for clothes and electronic equipment.

 

[N860CR]

South Africa specifically Johhanesburg, is the cheapest destination I have experienced in the last two years for clothes and electronic equipment.

+1

I was amazed on my first trip to SA at just how cheap it was. After dropping nearly $2000 per night at a few safari lodges, I couldn't believe walking into a 5 star restaurant in JNB/CPT and spending $50-60 on three courses with wine!

 

[windycityf]

I was in Berlin in December and asked around a few department stores and no one had a Topas. I was told the "Chinese bought them all"... :shock:

mrsmart I was in Paris in mid-February looking to purchase a cabin Limbo. I walked into Galeries Lafayette and there was 1 Rimowa bag being hogged by some tourist. I am not sure if it was display piece, because they would not even let me get close enough to it. It was quite bizarre. I ended up at Printemps and then discovered the actual Rimowa Store a few blocks over. It was 630 euro or $703 USD, before VAT refund. With tax back, it was 555 euro or $620 USD. In the States before tax its $850. I was already in Europe so it made sense for me to buy it there.

And yes I agree with some items there are standard prices globally. But if the prices are not tied to currency fluctuation, then it could be in the consumer's favor to do some homework.

 

[ontheaisle]

Oregon has no sales tax, there is one other state but can't remember which off the top of my head.

Pretty sure the other one is Delaware.

I find on the whole that the US is great for shopping, at least the things that I tend to buy most when o/s: clothing, accessories (usually handbags, sometimes jewellery), and cosmetics. Shoes can be a bit hit and miss on the value front though, unless you can find some good buys at the outlets or it's sale season. Having said that, some of the European outlets can yield great bargains but generally require at least a half or full day trip.

I tend to do most of my shopping online these days, partly so I don't have to worry about carrying stuff back with me and partly because I don't always want to spend precious time away shopping. That can be a mix of shopping online for delivery at my destination or delivering stuff back to Oz via a forward shipping company.

Having said that, some of my favourite items have been things bought while travelling and they were nearly all random impulse purchases.

It's just a shame the Aussie dollar has less buying power at the moment but at least it will help me stick to this years NY resolution which was to buy less stuff

 

[Timtammi]

Bindibuys here is my list (note I mainly travel in Asia and to the USA so not an expert on Europe).

1. US outlet malls - as others have said, ideally a state where no or low sales taxes on clothes/shoes.
2. M & S - Hong Kong. I like M & S too and always spend time at the stores in Hong Kong when I visit.
3. KL generally. Find prices here generally better than in other Asian cities for the mid market brands/no name brands. High end probably not so much, global pricing as has always been stated.

Happy Shopping!

 

[Mongoose]

Spent a week in NYC end of June '15. I hate shopping, but was blown away by the range and price of the menswear in Macy's. Managed to out-shop Mrs Mongoose and the Mongosling. Sports jackets by Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren for <A$100 ea and a pair of Loake 1880s for ~A$160. Only problem was convincing the Ladies to allow me some room in their suitcases...:mrgreen: