Hi all,
I'll be heading into New York at the end of November. Was wondering what things are cheap in the USA compared to here that's bring-able back here. Including name brand clothing (Any Burbuerry Sales, etc). Should I consider buying a PS4 there? (release date is 15th Nov $400 USD). Anything else?
Thanks!
EDIT: Should I worry about PS4 Warranty?
sales tax? like gst? is it listed as part of the price?
nope, it's added on at the checkout
Sales tax is only on over the counter or in state purchases. So if it's a high value item you can save up to 8% by buying online from another state or Amazon. Assuming you have a delivery address while you're there…
If you do buy online don't forget to do a google for coupons. I got a refurb MacBook Air 2011 in 2011 for $700 using coupons and avoiding sales tax.
I also got student apple care over there for an amazing price.
I doubt you'll be able to get a PS4 in the US easily Sony has promised there will be stock available on shelves but given the momentum I don't think you'll find it readily available.
End of November is Black Friday/Cyber Monday. I'd be taking a look at Fat Wallet or one of the other US deal sites to see what the bargains on the ground are.
If you're buying electronics (although I suspect that for high tech electronics no worries) make sure it works on 240V otherwise enjoy buying a heavy pos transformer. May not be much of an issue anymore…
Definitely go and check out B&H Photo Video's store in NYC.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/NYSuperStore08.j…
I have been there. I was impressed! :)
What's cheap to buy in the USA?
The USA!
alcohol.
Oz tax has reduced over the last few years on many high profile products…. So I find the niche electronics like a thunderbolt hard drive significantly cheaper.
For photo gear b&h is the best, though crazy busy.
But it's clothes/ shoes which I find consistently better deals…
I'm not 100% on this but US PS may be NTSC and Australian version PAL
the PS4 isn't region locked
I would worry about getting US TVs or game consoles and bringing them back. Warranty, plugs and all that, plus it is generally not much cheaper than here.
If you are going to buy expensive technology, consider going somewhere like New Hampshire (no state sales tax). Stuff like laptops and phones used to be cheap but the gap has come down a lot; the new Nexus phone, for instance, is cheaper here than it is in most of the USA.
Make sure you visit 2 Apple Stores. The original glasshouse (just south of Central Park) is an icon and the new one in Grand Central Terminal is stunning, even if you do not buy anything! Like all Apple Stores, they do not do sales!
If Microsoft is more your deal, try the Microsoft Store at Columbus Circle. Well worth a visit and they do have specials from time to time.
Clothes are very cheap. Ridiculously so. I have not bought clothes or shoes in Aus in 7 years because it is cheaper to fly to NYC and stock up. My wife is an Olympic class shopper and does likewise, particularly with cosmetics.
Some good venues;
Century 21 (22 Cortland St, near the World Trade Center subway).
Used to be a bit shabby but now remodeled and looks a little like DJs. Huge discounts but DO NOT go at lunchtime, go early morning or later afternoon, otherwise it is like the estrogen NFL.
Macy's (151 W34th St)
Make sure you go to the 1st floor office and ask for the discount card for 'foreigners' (you will need ID). Gives you 10 percent off your final price, regardless of whatever discount you already received. Great sales (watch the papers for ads). Last trip I bought a Ralph Lauren sports jacket in Italian linen (RRP $495) for $50 and Timberlands for under $40.
Nordstrom Rack (60 E 14th, at Union Sq)
My fave. Great for men's wear, from sporting stuff to shoes, underwear and socks to hats! Cheap suits and jackets, great brands (Boss, Klein etc) really cheap but the sizes can be all over the place so you have to stick to your guns and look at everything.
Also, if you are hard core shopping, consider a trip the factory outlets at Woodbury Common. There is a bus and it is a big day out, but you can get a lot of stuff for cheap.
One more thing; here they generally keep the el-cheapo hangers in the store but in the US, they usually include them — and if they don't, I ask. I have some real quality wooden hangers in my wardrobe!
Oh yeah, extra suitcases are cheaper in NYC too!
Hope that helps.
hahaha I just checked out the above a few days ago…. As not an Apple fan I did visit the Apple Store and took a photo with 2 thumbs down :P also did visit the Grand Central Terminal
CLOTHES ARE SO CHEAP… bought heaps today at Macy's at Flushing didn't realise they had another 10% off for foreigners :(
Also planning to head to Woodbury, heard it's pretty chaotic…
Thanks so much will consider checking out the other ones as well!
Go to Woodbury early.
If you can wait until black friday sales, they have extra discounts on sale prices there.
Burberry is cheap there so stock up!
yeah I went early on the Sunday after Black Friday, wasn't too many people when I arrived so that was great! Burberry is cheaper, but not necessarily cheap. They had 30% off purchases of $750 or more. Needless to say awesome bargains. I managed to rack up 2-3k worth of purchases (only spending 1k)
You want to meet up OP I'm going to be there too at the same time. PM me.
Second time in town, I was there when biggest\newest store opened but did not go and did not shop. I
Completed the following in 3 days:
Central parked walked it.. around and thru it
Trump tower
Rockofella tower
Walked Wall st
Ferry past statute liberty and back.
Pastramy Sandwhich shop
Times square
National history museum
Tiffany's
World trade centre (9/11 memorial)
Walked along Hudson river
Central station
The rich streets??
Upper westside.
Sex museum
Sub way train rides.
Have 9 days now and look to shop….anymore suggestions
WIFI instore free?
Take catalogs from here?
I got the Black Friday APP installed
I've been to most of those places already from my last trip apart from the Sex Museum… hahaha check out The Met Museum, it's on a donation basis so although it says $25 for adult that's a recommended price. Just head to the counter and say you want to pay by donation basis and pay w/e you please.
Labour is cheap specially if not in IT. To get the best value bring a sparky or a plumber. It'll be less than a fraction of what you pay in here. However in NY is not the place for that.
MacBooks are considerably cheaper in the US. If you are able to buy a ps4 then I think you should, stock is sold out everywhere. Sony did say they're "holding back" stock to replenish stock throughout the holidays but it's suspected that they will run out too. Games and accessories are cheaper there too, if you don't plan on online for some games, you should buy those games there too. Don't forget that sales tax is added on everything you buy.