Going to The USA for The First Time, What Should I Buy/Look out for?

KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:23
Last edited 24/07/2024 - 15:53

Hey OzBargainers

I'm about to leave for my trip to the USA for the first time in a week. Will be meeting up with some mates there. Will be going for roughly 16 days

Whilst on the trip, I want to take advantage of my time there, I'll be having a good time but I'd want to buy some stuff as well. So I want to ask what should be on the lookout for whilst there and bring back some stuff for myself or family.

Edit: I'll be travelling mainly West Coast, like LA, San Fran and Seattle.

I'll then fly to New Orleans and Florida before heading to New York, then back to LA to get home

Also any tips on just travel in general would be pretty handy, will be my first time exploring outside of Australia so hopefully I make it out alive.

Thank you !

Travel North America United States

Comments

  • offthetap on 24/07/2024 - 15:23
    +126

    Look out for getting shot

    • pharkurnell on 24/07/2024 - 15:31
      +42

      Bullet proof vest good investment :D

      • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:36
        +1

        Number 1 on my list !

      • AngoraFish on 24/07/2024 - 15:41
        +8

        I know it's a joke, but for what it's worth, if OP were to buy a bullet proof vest they'll be leaving it in the US since body armor is a prohibited import. https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing…

        • KITT888 on 24/07/2024 - 16:33
          +1

          What about a bulletproof backpack?

        • Miami Mall Alien on 24/07/2024 - 17:06
          +26

          Good rule of thumb: everything is prohibited to import into Australia, especially anything remotely fun.

        • Hellcrusher3304 on 24/07/2024 - 18:58
          +1

          Just strap a cast iron pan to your back!

          • Mark365 on 27/07/2024 - 13:08

            @Hellcrusher3304: I hope OP gets a good bargain in cast iron pan before flying out. Havent seent cast iron pan bargain recently here.

        • jonow83 on 26/07/2024 - 11:05
          +2

          The airport has a bin where you can dispose of your guns and bulletproof vest before you board the plane.

      • freefall101 on 24/07/2024 - 16:46
        +5

        I hear bullet proof headphones aren't a bad investment either.

    • Miami Mall Alien on 24/07/2024 - 17:05
      +3

      If I had a dollar for every time someone has made that joke on a US-related OzBargain thread, I could fly to the US right now.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 25/07/2024 - 01:31
        +2

        Bikes
        Eneloops
        Put it all on black

      • ozbjunkie on 25/07/2024 - 08:23
        +3

        If you had a dollar for every time someone was actually shot in the USA on holiday you'd be rich and powerful there

        Which is, essentially, already what has happened, for many companies

      • May4th on 26/07/2024 - 11:39

        but would you get shot?

    • cbastien on 25/07/2024 - 14:25

      Correct, My recommendation for New Orleans
      1- Bourbon street
      2- https://www.gatorsandguns.com/

      • jacobb on 25/07/2024 - 19:34
        +1

        Add Napoleon house for a meatball sandwich and go and get some beignets

    • nobro25 on 26/07/2024 - 19:09

      Ear protection???

    • kaleidoscope on 27/07/2024 - 11:06

      /thread

    • npnp on 27/07/2024 - 23:28

      We saw a lot of cars with broken windows. And many warnings in public car parks advising of theft. Do not leave anything in the car, not even overcoat or a rubbish bag. The fact that something is in the car is asking for someone to break the window. Also DO NOT confront if you see they do that (yes, they will do it bright day light while owner is watching. Nobody intervenes in fear of potential fire arms).

    • BuddhaBoy on 28/07/2024 - 12:29

      😂

    • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:25

      From either the Police or Citzens?!
      More importantly, remember that the "Authority" over there is not a friendly helpful people service, not there for your benefit and quite easily arrest.
      Stealing only occurs, because people over there really are "poor".
      Don't get tricked by the numerous people who are friendly, but want to mooch off your money.
      Begging is not uncommon.
      Most homeless are harmless really, but there is very little social services and very limited measured health care in many states.
      So, take your antibiotics, precautions and don't drink too much with the cheap liquor.
      "Hard drugs" are much more common, regular.
      Stick together, enjoy the sights and avoid the politics. (try to).

  • pharkurnell on 24/07/2024 - 15:32
    +1

    Where exactly are you going … that would help, USA is a rather large place.

    • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:37

      Oh whoops, probably shouldve added that.

      Mainly West Coast, like LA, San Fran and Seattle.

      I'll then fly to New Orleans and Florida before heading to New York, then back to LA to get home.

      • ThithLord on 24/07/2024 - 15:47
        +30

        New Orleans

        I cannot stress this enough: Beignets. They are everywhere and effing delicious.

        LA is an absolute sh!thole, be prepared to be vastly underwhelmed (apologies).

        NY is an absolute blast and you get exceptionally good pizza everywhere. Do your research if you're a foody.

        Figure out tipping, as well. Everyone has their hand out, that country is an absolute joke.

        • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:55

          I have never heard of Beignets, but they do look good so ill definitely check them out.

          I did figure LA would be trash but I gotta experience it first hand hahaha

          New York I definitely have high expectations for, but I have to be prepared for high costs as well as their tipping culture

          • sumyungguy on 24/07/2024 - 16:33
            +14

            @KDOZ: Yes, learn about tipping before you go. Just met up with a friend back from New York City who wasted money tipping unnecessarily by not carrying enough one dollar notes and not knowing when to skip the tipping options on POS terminals. As soon as you have your first ATM withdrawal, buy food or drink and ask for the change in singles; do this wherever possible. Then you can tip in multiples of one instead of having to hand over a tenner.

            • poboy on 24/07/2024 - 20:59
              +7

              @sumyungguy: And the tip is calculated on the pretax total, not the post tax total.

              • sumyungguy on 24/07/2024 - 21:18
                +1

                @poboy: The options presented on mobile terminals are generally based on the post-tax total, arguably an upsell but I've read that many Americans happily tip on the grand total. Personally I too tip on the pre-tax amount having dined at a restaurant back in the 90s where the suggested tip on the check was based on the sub-total.

                • Scrooge McDuck on 25/07/2024 - 01:36

                  @sumyungguy: But what's your base rate of tip for average service?

                  • sumyungguy on 25/07/2024 - 08:37

                    @Scrooge McDuck: First visit was 1995 where I may have tipped 15% but even then the service charge for room service was 18%. From 2000 onwards I've been tipping 20% everywhere, with people in smaller places overtly appreciative while in the big cities it's in line with their expectation. I'm grateful to not live there so have always enjoyed being a benevolent visitor.

          • Sunshines bright on 25/07/2024 - 14:25
            +1

            @KDOZ: Waiters only make about $ 3.00 per hour. Keep that in mind

            • ThadtheChad on 26/07/2024 - 10:47
              +2

              @Sunshines bright: Not necessarily! A lot of places like California have implemented minimum wage for waiters ($16USD per hour in California, but many cities have higher), and this is in addition to the tips they receive. However, because the culture of tipping is so exceptionally pervasive, it is almost impossible to claw this back (just like gun control).

              In a lot of other states, the min wage includes tips, so not tipping adequately, results in waiters getting underpaid (theoretically, the business is meant to cover the gap, but in practice this rarely happens due to piss poor enforcement because…MURICAH!).

              Source: My side of the family is based in US, so I have the misfortune of being forced to travel there every other year.

              PS: LA is a god-awful shithole… can attest to this

        • nizzkid on 25/07/2024 - 11:52
          +2

          What happens if you don't tip?

          • ThithLord on 25/07/2024 - 13:10

            @nizzkid: You'll disappoint m'lady

          • sumyungguy on 25/07/2024 - 14:14
            +2

            @nizzkid: I know people who travel to the US and don't tip. Best case nothing, sometimes you'll get asked why you didn't tip, worst case an unpleasant exchange where you get accused of being discourteous and rude

        • cnitsuj on 25/07/2024 - 12:21

          Beignets are good but I don't recommend Cafe Du Monde, I didn't like the service. You pay straight after ordering, they then expect their tip which is before they have finished serving.

          • ThithLord on 25/07/2024 - 13:09
            +1

            @cnitsuj: Yeah, their coffees were pretty terrible (as is the case across most of the USA I visited - did a ~7000km road trip) but the Beignets were so good, even if the service was pretty poor.

            • cnitsuj on 25/07/2024 - 14:08
              +3

              @ThithLord: I didn't bother with their coffee as with any cafe in the US as it's usually bad as you said. I had their hot chocolate and it was bad as well.

              • ThithLord on 25/07/2024 - 14:56

                @cnitsuj: There was a Cafe in Los Ang en-route to the airport that was run by Aussies, unfortunately I cannot recall the name. Best coffee I got the entire trip, lmao. That, and Ahh, Coffee! in Houston, Texas

              • ThadtheChad on 26/07/2024 - 10:48

                @cnitsuj: There are a substantial number of coffee shops being opened by Aussies and Kiwis in the trendier parts of the city. They have seen immense popularity due to obvious reasons.

              • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:29

                @cnitsuj: Black Tea is better and readily available,(as in iced tea), but often has been highly sugared (like everything there).

        • Brianqpr on 25/07/2024 - 18:57
          +1

          Agreed on LA. Literally the only city I've been to that I wouldn't bother going back to if given the chance. Everything about it just seemed plastic and fake.

          • ThithLord on 26/07/2024 - 08:38

            @Brianqpr: I've been to the USA twice, and we made pain-staking plans to spend as little time as possible in LA

            • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:33
              +1

              @ThithLord: The National Parks and museums and art galleries (free in Washington, cost something elsewhere) are fantastic. People LUV "Oussies' still and may even offer to marry you! I had several proposals. (probably they wanted to leave the USA).

        • nigel deborah on 26/07/2024 - 13:21

          Go see USS Iowa in LA, it's awesome. The space shuttle is fantastic too but they're doing a re-development and its off display.

      • sauce2k on 25/07/2024 - 08:30
        +4

        LA SF ☠️ good luck homie. Drug city

      • ribze1 on 25/07/2024 - 12:56

        Cuban food in Miami

      • Sunshines bright on 25/07/2024 - 13:57
        +2

        Tipping is 20% for normal service up to 30% for excellent service. Always tipped on total of bill.

      • jonow83 on 26/07/2024 - 11:11

        6 cities in 16 days? You won't be doing much. Half your holiday is checking in/ out hotels and boarding planes. Like ThithLord said, prepare to be disappointed with LA. New Orleans and New York are good picks so hopefully you have more days there. Find out which cities have lower sales tax and do your shopping there. Also you can buy stuff online now to have them shipped to a mate or the hotel there. Most things there are cheaper and more readily available then over here anyway.

        • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:38

          Hire a car to get around and take a preloaded USA map GPS before you go?
          People can be real friendly and they are nice.
          But of course always be wary.
          Overlook (or ignore) conservative/different attitudes as they like to push them on people without even realising it.

  • ThithLord on 24/07/2024 - 15:32
    +3

    How long are you going for?

    Maybe pick up a cheap SIM with lots of data if you'll be there for a while. If you're only there for a week or two, maybe check how much roaming will cost you.

    Make sure you have proper travel insurance - buy it now, not closer to the date. This ensures your travel plans are covered if any last minute changes (check your PDS).

    If I were you I'd be checking which states have legalised marijuana and really party it up.

    If you go Philadelphia, check out the plethora of Philly Cheese Steak restaurants - those are some seriously good feeds.

    Check out Old Vegas if you're headed that way, that's so much fun

    • ThithLord on 24/07/2024 - 15:33
      +1

      Oh and have you ensured you have a VISA waiver? I think it's called the ESTA

      • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:39
        +1

        Thanks for your comment !

        Yeah i managed to buy a SIM from one of the deals on Ozbargain, i hope it works otherwise I will have to find another way.

        Travel Insurance is all purchased as well just in case, as well as my ESTA so i shouldnt have too many issues in that field i hope.

        Don't think ill be heading to any of the states you mentioned, but definitely good to know. Thanks so much

        • Currynuts on 25/07/2024 - 07:01
          +2

          Any reason not to go with the t mobile esim?

          • Bypass on 25/07/2024 - 20:02

            @Currynuts: Verizon and Visible have 30 day eSim trials. In my experience Verizon had better coverage

          • PiggyBoo on 28/07/2024 - 09:38
            +1

            @Currynuts: Use the travel eSIM for the day you land but it’s very limited. As Currynuts said, get a T Mobile sim using your passport as an ID as it is going to be way cheaper than relying on travel sim.

        • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:43

          Any medical expenses have to be paid while you are there and claimed when you get back and say a simple cold,
          which might mean a visit to a GP and script for drugs could set you back maybe $300 to $400 AUD/ possibly more these days.
          CVS and other pharmacies have a good range of over the counter stuff that in Australia would require a script, so they are your friend.
          Read the various travel guides and reddit posts/local internet stuff for reviews/opinions/warnings.

          • PiggyBoo on 28/07/2024 - 14:14
            +1

            @marcozmitch: True that. Hospitals and GPs are really really expensive in the USA because they except everyone has some sort of health insurance and those companies will continue to pay the claims regardless. Have you seen the price of epi-pens and insulin? Seesh!
            So please don’t skimp on insurance. I personally don’t usually get travel insurance unless I’m visiting US. Having said that, the last time I visited was pre-covid times.

  • Taro Milk Tea on 24/07/2024 - 15:34
    +2

    What Should I Buy/Look out for

    Weed

    • jv on 24/07/2024 - 15:38
      -1

      Weed killer…

  • skid on 24/07/2024 - 15:35
    +1

    If you're after a sim card, you'll find them in the chemist. A popular chemist chain there is called Walgreens. Took me days to find where sim cards can be bought from.

    • jv on 24/07/2024 - 15:37
      -5

      you'll find them in the chemist.

      Drug store ???

    • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:42
      +1

      I always thought Walgreens was a groceries hahaha, but yeah i got the SIM Card sorted, but if it doesn't work then I'll try find a Chemist.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 25/07/2024 - 01:39
        +1

        Availablity of SIM cards at Walgreens varies by location. Alternatively, find a Best Buy.

      • kiwimex on 25/07/2024 - 15:53

        I just went to AT&T paid $5 for a sim then a $30 plan for 30 days unlimited talk and text between the USA Canada and Mexico, and 2GB data for 15GB data get the $40 plan set up instore in about 20 mins AT& T are everywhere.

  • fantombloo on 24/07/2024 - 15:35
    +1

    Gushers.

    • Taro Milk Tea on 24/07/2024 - 15:38
      +1

      duplicate comment detected!

    • AngoraFish on 24/07/2024 - 15:38
      +3

      Beaten by 5 minutes!

    • JIMB0 on 24/07/2024 - 21:21
      +1

      That won't stop a bullet from hitting your ear.

  • AngoraFish on 24/07/2024 - 15:38

    Honestly, everything is cheap in the US, but you need to carry it back, so…

    Personally, I'd be bringing back foodstuffs that you can't easily get here, like hot sauce, weird lollies, and the like.

    If you have any international fashion brands you like, the US is the place for that as well.

    • KDOZ on 24/07/2024 - 15:41
      +1

      Yeah this was my main thought, clothing and food. I won't be bring much in anyway so I can afford to bring stuff back.

      Gotta get stuff for all my other family members as well lol

      • AngoraFish on 24/07/2024 - 16:03
        +3

        In terms of travel in general, my recommendation is to get on a public bus at least once in every city - straight from the airport is fine, probably best in fact. Pick something with a reasonable length that will end up with you back where you started, but otherwise the more random the better. It'll be a huge eye-opener, and you'll see a ton of stuff you'll never see in the movies, as a tourist, or from the freeways. Bring a bunch of coins because they don't make change.

        Also, Disneyland is better than it has any right to be. Don't write it off as a kids thing. Or since you're going to Florida, Disney World is even better.

      • 87percent on 24/07/2024 - 17:57
        +4

        Clothing is not that much cheaper compared to here thanks to the US dollar.

    • TEER3X on 24/07/2024 - 16:00
      +9

      not as cheap as it used to be with inflation and our weak dollar.

      • May4th on 26/07/2024 - 11:40

        and after 30% tips

    • Dollar General on 24/07/2024 - 16:06
      +5

      Maybe cheap in $USD but not with the currency conversion

      • Ade99 on 25/07/2024 - 08:02
        +6

        US is no longer cheap in any currency

        • marcozmitch on 29/07/2024 - 09:09

          Blame Biden for making the US have such a strong economy. How dare him that 81 yo elder.

      • Nebargains on 25/07/2024 - 08:24
        +2

        That was my thought too, when it came to food it seemed like most things were similar price to Australia but in USD. I looked at some clothing and shoes and prices seemed slightly better but after conversion worked out either the same or more than in Australia.

        When I was a kid it seemed like when people came back from the US they brought back heaps of stuff that was way cheaper there but I am not sure it is true anymore.

        • Matt P on 28/07/2024 - 20:46

          Same here, everyone that went to the US when i was a kid came back with suitcases full of bounty.

          With the world getting smaller due to the internet, cost of our goods have been plateauing due to international competition as theirs have been going up.

          When i went to the US in 2008 i was buying at regular stores and getting a great deal. As of 2020, i was buying at outlets to save a fraction over local outlets.

    • BOGOF on 24/07/2024 - 17:26
      +4

      I was in LA in January. Nothing is cheap anymore. Inflation & poor exchange rate.
      California has sales tax upto 10% which is only displayed on the bill. Anything remotely associated with a service immediately attracts a tip tax. Some are asking 25% now. Of course you don't have to pay/give a tip, but its expected.

      • PiggyBoo on 28/07/2024 - 09:43

        I agree. Tax and topping culture are getting worse by the day in the US.

    • Bypass on 25/07/2024 - 20:10
      +1

      Everything in the US is expensive now compared to Australia, it's not the bargain it was a decade ago.

    • marcozmitch on 28/07/2024 - 13:48

      Buy clothes in cheaper places with shopping outlets in Jersey (just outside NYC) or other lower sales tax states.
      People seem to go wild over clothes shopping in the US.

  • Dollar General on 24/07/2024 - 15:58
    +22

    Look out for a chic that says hawk tuah

  • ihbh on 24/07/2024 - 16:01
    +2

    Don't waste your time looking for stuff to buy.

    I'd spend all my time in Seattle - culture, nature, and if you're into business/tech, Microsoft/Amazon and HQ for many other businesses.

  • El cheepo on 24/07/2024 - 16:01
    +13

    Be sure to do an AMA about your visit to The US of A upon your return.

  • Dollar General on 24/07/2024 - 16:04
    +4

    If you see an 81 year old senile man walking the streets, call his wife Jill

    If you see an orange man walking the streets, cross the road so you don’t get shot from a stray bullet

  • Ocker on 24/07/2024 - 16:05
    +12

    Travel insurance is a must

  • TEER3X on 24/07/2024 - 16:06
    +2

    San Fran

    Stay well clear of the Tenderloin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenderloin,_San_Francisco)
    Crime ridden and lots of homeless. It's adjacent to the business district.

    LA

    Beaches are nice (Santa Monica, Venice, etc)…. Food is amazing, possibly the best you can find in the US with every type of cuisine imaginable (except when comparing to local specialities of course)…. Anaheim/Disneyland 30mins drive.

    Just be courteous and don't do anything stupid, American's are, for the most part, very nice people and they love Australians.

    Good luck!

  • scrimshaw on 24/07/2024 - 16:08
    +4

    Liquor is cheap but you need to be aware of sales taxes which differs from state to state. In Washington (Seattle) for e.g there is a spirits sales tax, so while that bottle of spirits might look cheap at Safeway you may end up paying another 20.5 percent on top of the sale price.

    Taxes not being displayed in the purchase prices of goods in the USA is something you'll have to quickly get used to. Makes you appreciate the tighter consumer regulations in Australia.

    If you are after fashion, check out the Premium Outlets as well, there's one in Seattle and they sell brands and styles that you can't get in Australia. Don't expect things to be cheap though, given how weak the AUD is ($0.66)

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