Shopping around the world - which country is best.

[Bindibuys]

Using the likes of Marks & Spencer & H&M, general everyday wear shops, that can be found in most major cities around the world, is there still a country/city that is the best price wise for shopping???
Has the on-line purchases, with delivery to your door, now made "shopping on foot" obsolete?
So, if you are a regular "round the world" traveller, where do you shop for the best priced items?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not my area of expertise Bindi but as a point of reference Cruiserette bought 2 jackets from Zara in Bordeaux in July - identical jacket 2mths later in Zara in Changi airport twice the price - extent of my contribution.

 

[Bindibuys]

Yes, this is the kind of information I am looking for, same garment, different prices at different cities.
Is there a city (that I guess due to taxes) is a good place for shopping.

 

[Cynicor]

Toyko during sales is really good and the tax-free value is only 10000Y for non consumables, and 5000 for consumables.

I have found European destinations generally cheaper than Asia for the same stuff, in the area of luxury boutiques (Bally etc.)

 

[RooFlyer]

I think 'global pricing' has greatly cancelled out the price arbitrage in numerous markets for brand name goods and clothing.

For most things I find you can't beat the USA for both quality and price, but that's before the currency exchange.

Edit: and within the USA, the state will make a difference, due to variations in sales taxes. I think Nevada is the best, with low or no sales tax.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Well known brand labels must be cheaper in Oz than in Brazil where I understand there's a sizeable sales tax.

Spot the pax early morning at BNE Domestic flying to SYD with a connecting flight to SCL and beyond.and look for a trolley with two massive 32kg bags on it plus carry on bursting at the seams.

You don't even need to ask what country they're flying to only which city in Brazil!

 

[clazman]

In my experience North America is the winner, but depends on what you are chasing. Recently a mate went to HK and China with work with the intention of buy a watch, in the end Perth international was the cheapest.

 

[cove]

We use Amazon and Costco quite a bit. Amazon works well in the US and UK.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

In my experience North America is the winner, but depends on what you are chasing. Recently a mate went to HK and China with work with the intention of buy a watch, in the end Perth international was the cheapest.

That's my experience too. It's the ones you don't expect!

One to rule out is the UK. I've found that even taking into account the exchange rate, buying something in EUR tends to be cheaper than GBP if it's the same product sold in both markets (like the H&Ms of the world, for example).

I've been on the hunt for a new Rimowa Topas for a few months, and couldn't decide where to buy. I've compared it between the UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China and it's identically priced (which is impressive considering the frequent currency fluctuations).

That's a trend that's pretty common for global brands. You might save 1-2% if you're lucky by gaming the exchange rates but it's nothing worth travelling for.

What do you have your eye on Bindibuys?

 

[Bindibuys]

I like M&S tops/shirts for work. (I don't need anything fancy, but don't like to see myself coming down the street in a country town, where Target is the only local shop)

M&S are in 8 different cities/countries that I will be visiting later this year.

My line of thought was that I don't want to spend my holiday "shopping" if I know the taxes are a better rate at a certain country, then I would do my shopping there.

I had on my mind the old adage "buy your electronics in Asia - they are much cheaper there." (no longer relevant?)

And I guess was looking for someone that knew international taxes to say XX has the best rate.

I am always happy to pay the going rate, but I do get annoyed when a bit of home work could have saved me some coin for my next trip.

At this point in time, it looks like Hong Kong (last stop) will be my shopping day.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I had on my mind the old adage "buy your electronics in Asia - they are much cheaper there." (no longer relevant?)

Probably not relevant for the last 20 years.

USA all the way.

 

[LadyC]

I have certainly bought a lot of stuff online from the US. Although with the slump in the exchange rate, I'm not sure i will continue to. I find both pricing and variety is significantly better in the US.

 

[Cynicor]

Electronics- big stuff you generally need to shop around, remember the US uses 110V and can hear different models at times.

I spend a bit of time in Asia and I would say AU is pretty much on par/better if you can get a good sale price. It's very close.

I find it isn't really the taxes that change much, especially as a traveller you can buy most big ticket items duty free.

Boutique brands in Asia and Au are marked up massively. There is no parity of pricing. The EU have lower base pricing so if you can get it on sale it will be a relative bargain.

 

[cove]

If you use rebate sites and gift cards then sale prices in the US are still very good. I am over raise.com after getting two gift cards that did not work in the US. I may try cardpool, gift card granny and then top cash back to win back some US dollars if I go shopping.
It is pretty hard to get a discount at places like Bulgari but some sunnies tossed in can work a treat if you are doing a present.

 

[UP4014]

I think 'global pricing' has greatly cancelled out the price arbitrage in numerous markets for brand name goods and clothing.

For most things I find you can't beat the USA for both quality and price, but that's before the currency exchange.

Edit: and within the USA, the state will make a difference, due to variations in sales taxes. I think Nevada is the best, with low or no sales tax.

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

But agree, the US is probably best and you generally know where it is really from.

Matt

 

[Limewood]

North America for clothes and cosmetics, passing through Dallas went to the massive Grapevine outlet Mall about 10min free shuttle from airport hotel, Mrs Lime purchased one of the nicest jackets I've ever seen, beautifully made, soft white eel skin (like soft leather), fully lined with zippers in arms, not a stitch out of place and fitted her perfectly (it was marked down from USD$395 to wait for it $49!! I "kid" you not. Also picked up a large suitcase was $50.

Also bought cosmetics about 1/3 price of OZ and patch dolls with individual clothing choice for our grandkids. It also had a huge food hall and restaurants, we spent most of the day there.

 

[Bindibuys]

I must say that I do do a lot of shopping on-line via USA, as I have a friend in IN that collects, then ships as 1 parcel to me. (1 box arrived just last Friday ) and on-line is fine for non-fitting garments - purchased Marmot Precip jacket and a travel hand bag. As us ladies would agree too - some things just have to be tried on before purchasing.

 

[burrco]

That's my experience too. It's the ones you don't expect!

One to rule out is the UK. I've found that even taking into account the exchange rate, buying something in EUR tends to be cheaper than GBP if it's the same product sold in both markets (like the H&Ms of the world, for example).

I've been on the hunt for a new Rimowa Topas for a few months, and couldn't decide where to buy. I've compared it between the UK, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China and it's identically priced (which is impressive considering the frequent currency fluctuations).

That's a trend that's pretty common for global brands. You might save 1-2% if you're lucky by gaming the exchange rates but it's nothing worth travelling for.

What do you have your eye on Bindibuys?

I updated my Topas to a larger model (85l) in Jan and found the German Prices to still be very competitive. Base RRP was around 740 Euro - the department store was having a 10% off sale combined with the VAT refund left a total cost of approx 580 Euro.

 

[burmans]

If you use rebate sites and gift cards then sale prices in the US are still very good.

I think this is probably true. I'm not sure that at normal prices there is that much difference between countries but certain countries including the US, seem to have much better sales. In OZ we think 50% off is a good deal, in US sale discounts can be much higher. The problem with this is of course in knowing how to suss out those sale prices in a foreign land.

 

[Mark3000]

I was immensely disappointed with the shopping at Mall of Asia in Manila. Much more expensive that KL for example and really on a par with australia