What things are good to buy in USA?

[Momentumista]

I have not been to the USA for years, so wondered if people 'in the know' could enlighten me what would be good to buy there in terms of items which are much cheaper than the UK / or just not available in the UK /or online?

Bump

I haven't been in years either but bought jeans when I was there. It was so long ago though that Sevens were all the rage :-)

Just remembered I bought Dermaligica there too. Other than that, it was mainly Reece peanut butter cups!

Sephora for cosmetics, toiletries. The staff are great as they're independent and generally good prices. Where in the US?

Jeans, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch etc are generally well priced. If you want an iPad or other Apple products they're cheaper than the UK.

Beware electricals - I bought a kitchenaid and then had to buy a transformer to use it in the UK

J Crew. Same price in $ as it is £

Going to NY in January. My uncle once bought over a DVD player and not only was the plug wrong, the DVDs in us are in different format & can't play uk discs.

Bit to hear that sevens are no longer 'in'!

Oh yes- love the stores where prices are same in dollars as £- any more like that?

the exchange rate isnt as good so somethings are better priced in the Uk once sales tax has been added

sephora own range make up is brilliant wished i had bought more when i was there

tbh i googled things to see if they were cheaper inc sales tax and only bought if it was a decent saving over 10 quid or more or i couldnt get it here ie urbay decay foundation had more shades in the US than i could get here

Buy any apple products, the price in dollars is usually the same as in pounds.

Oh yes- love the stores where prices are same in dollars as £- any more like that

Sadly with the pound as weak as it is, that doesn't correspond to particularly high savings anymore!

Try outlet malls for the biggest savings. Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off Fifth are good too but a bit TK Maxx like so you need to have time to search the racks. DSW can have some good deals on shoes.

I agree with chipsandpeas, you need to do your homework. With the current exchange rate you might find that the prices are similar.

Electrical goods aren't generally a good buy (although I'm considering buying a Nespresso machine the next time I'm home as they are ridiculously expensive here).

Check the tax rate for the state you're going to, and nearby states. Be aware that sometimes there is city and state tax, i.e. Things in NYC generally more expensive than out of the city.

The cut on jeans is different here too. I really struggle to find a pair that fit me properly.

Buy any apple products, the price in dollars is usually the same as in pounds

not always, with sales tax and the excahnge rate i was cheaper getting an ipod touch or nano in the uk in august than getting it in the US

Ive just got back and sadly the bargains just arent there. The rate is terrible. Levis are buy one get one half price, Kate Spade bags if you can get to an outlet and Sephora own brand. Believe me, i did my research and was even goofling in the shops.

Some toiletries are cheaper or Burt's Bees, Eos lip balms, Real Techniques brushes are cheaper in states, Levi's, Vans and Converse and Calvin Klein are usually good buys over there as well.

Oh and Anastassia of Beverly Hills eyebrow make up is fab.

Also if you can bear Century 21 in the financial district there were good finds when I was there in February - J Brand jeans for £50, some good shoes and men's things. But it's hard work and worth going on more than one occasion if you're in the area.

The Abercrombie at South st seaport always seems to have a sale on and is much cheaper than the main ones. Have got some bargains in the Superdry there as well.

Yes to Sephora own range - the illuminating primer is amazing. I heard they are opening in Westfield Stratford soon, fingers crossed.

Just got back. Not much to be had but I did load up on teeth whitening strips, hydrocortisone cream, corn syrup and buffalo wing flavour pretzels! Also jeans -Levi's in different styles to ones available here around £35. DP bought a load of Carhartt as difficult/expensive to get in the UK.
Just browsing around didn't throw up much in the way of savings but the Black Friday deals were all on -Gap and Banana Republic 50% off certain items.
Sephora was great as always but tbh pretty much everything they stock I can get in the UK. Although they had the full Marc Jacobs range ( bought foundation -AMAZING), also Tarte. The Sephora own brand stuff is nice but not earth shatteringly cheap if you can get to a Superdrug for MUA/GOSH/Make up Revolution.
If I'd had time I would have gone to Woodbury Common in upstate NY for some serious outlet therapy. That's where you'll find the best $ to £ ratio. There's also an outlet place in New Jersey- a bus runs from Battery Park I think which is easier to get to than WC.
HTH. Man I love shopping!

Thanks for these tips. I'm staying near financial district so will def check out century 21. Was also thinking of getting a bus to Woodbury common while I'm there.

I will also be visiting rellies in Providence RI - are there are any outlets in that area?

So far I have on list:

J brand
Apple
Sephora
J crew
Urban decay
Century 21/ Nordstrom rack
Woodbury common (possibly)

Any others?

Are MAC products cheaper there too, brushes etc?

Avoid Woodbury common and go to jersey mall instead, cheaper and quicker to get to and a better range of shops. I've been to both.

Mac not cheaper. TBH I'd look for other ways to fill your time and I'm a shopoholic go to NYC every two years but it's just not there anymore, unless the rate changes. Just put aside one day for shopping. Usually I but lots of Ralph Lauren for my nephew and I was gutted at the prices. Some stuff is even cheaper here. Candy on the other hand......

swoosh- thanks- how easy it it to get to jersey mall, how far away?

I am planning to do things other than shopping by the way, but I very rarely get any me time for if so am going to make the most of it.

The clothes in Target supermarkets are well cut and stylish. They used to be ridiculously cheap, but now with the poor exchange rate are just cheap . Check the fabrics as whereas they were always 100% cotton, I noticed last time some poly cotton had crept in. Trainers are cheaper, even Reeboks. I usually buy Reebok classics (much to DC's disdain, but I find them more comfortable that Nike Air Maxs)

A trip to C21 can ruin any otherwise great trip to NYC IMO.

The only shopping I do in the States now is Bed, Bath and Beyond and Crate and Barrel.

if you're taking a DH with you get them to actually buy cosmetics - they are more likely to get freebs DH got a bag load in Blommingdales!

Oh and don't forget to go to the management suite or visitor centre of a mall/dept store as they usually give a discount card. You may need your passport.