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Original poster

What to buy from US Amazon?

19 replies

Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:35

I have a gift voucher for $125 that appears to be only redeemable from US Amazon, which is a bit annoying but obviously in some ways a nice problem to have.
Has anyone got any suggestions for style/beauty things that might be worth splurging on from the states (must be available from amazon.com), maybe things that aren't available in UK...? Was looking at trainers but they mostly seem to be available for similar price/cheaper in UK. Maybe doesn't matter so much given it's a voucher but I thought I'd see if anyone had suggestions for US specific products. Sorry for vague question as surely the answer is whatever you like... but would love some inspiration before I decide!
Obviously postage etc is mostly extortionate but again given I've got the gift voucher it doesn't matter too much.

OP posts:
INeedAnotherName · 28/09/2023 13:38

Postage would be extortionate for sure but what about the custom tax? I would ask if the voucher could be exchanged for your currency, etc first. Was this from a returns or a family gift or from a competition?

botemp · 28/09/2023 13:43

They do the taxes for you, you see it before you pay. Shipping isn't too bad IME, often around $10-20. For S&B things I like the Alpha skincare glycolic body lotion, crest white strips (although it's worth waiting until black Friday for those as the price drops by a lot) and I occasionally buy curly hair stuff as that's a lot cheaper and/or brands you can't get in Europe.

Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:44

Long story but it's from a fairly disorganised company that I did some training with, and I met one of the conditions to get a voucher. I hadn't actually been expecting it at all. Not sure I can face trying to exchange it.
I have amazon.com filtered by ship to UK and some products claim not to require import tax (though postage is often $15-20 ish)

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:48

I have in mind maybe some running trainers, fashion trainers, makeup or a new Fitbit type watch as my old one packed up. As a starter for 10. But not sure what might be worth getting on US site...

OP posts:
INeedAnotherName · 28/09/2023 13:51

I was worried you were being scammed etc, so congratulations and hope you find something you like!

*also bumping this up a little

MattDamon · 28/09/2023 13:52

Crest whitestrips. Much stronger than what are allowed to be sold here.

Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:52

botemp · 28/09/2023 13:43

They do the taxes for you, you see it before you pay. Shipping isn't too bad IME, often around $10-20. For S&B things I like the Alpha skincare glycolic body lotion, crest white strips (although it's worth waiting until black Friday for those as the price drops by a lot) and I occasionally buy curly hair stuff as that's a lot cheaper and/or brands you can't get in Europe.

Ah yes good call on BF too. Hadn't thought of that! Will take a look. Definitely interested in beauty products

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:54

No good call re potential scam etc, but I have the voucher and it's in my account. Genuine company that I worked with and offer, but they are scatty (and also not UK based which I assume is why it's a generic .com voucher)

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 13:55

Sorry have just typed "good call" twice. How annoying 😔!

OP posts:
olarry · 28/09/2023 14:55

Hey there,
I can pay you £80. for the 125$ amazon vaucher if you like to spend on amazon uk rather than amazon us
Thanks,
O.

Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 16:28

I've found decent Saucony running shoes that I think should work and I actually need as my old running shoes literally have holes in them now. They are similar or slightly cheaper price to the UK site, and then I am checking out all the Percy Jackson merch for my daughter for xmas- there's a bigger range than in the UK! So I reckon that's probably the voucher spent...

OP posts:
dudsville · 28/09/2023 16:32

@olarry , that's no where near the exchange rate!😂

Op, I'd stick with things you're not likely to need to exchange. Are you confident about the shoe size?

Certainlyreally · 28/09/2023 16:37

be careful on shoe sizes, they can be different to UK ones

Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 17:40

Fairly confident because I've had Saucony before including my old pair. They do come up small...

OP posts:
Resentful2023 · 28/09/2023 17:41

Do you read on a kindle, as you can still use it for books. I did that once, loaded it into my account and used it for kindle books.

Polis · 28/09/2023 18:09

that's no where near the exchange rate!😂

It’s olarry‘s exchange rate. I’d take it for the lack of hassle.

Original poster
Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 18:15

Resentful2023 · 28/09/2023 17:41

Do you read on a kindle, as you can still use it for books. I did that once, loaded it into my account and used it for kindle books.

Ooh that is a really good idea actually!

OP posts:
anunlikelyseahorse · 28/09/2023 20:55

If you go with the shoes, remember to order a size or two up as American sizes are different from UK.
I recently made a purchase through the global store as couldn't get the item in UK, no import duties to pay, as Amazon already do it at checkout. It took a couple of weeks for my item to arrive, but arrive it did, and I have a very happy dd!

Certainlyreally · 29/09/2023 07:48

Rosti1981 · 28/09/2023 17:40

Fairly confident because I've had Saucony before including my old pair. They do come up small...

But is that the UK shoe size or the American show size, and US women's size, as that is different to the US men's size

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