Good call, I'll be going to Pittsburgh so hopefully summer gear will be pretty cheap
Off-season stuff can be a good buy, especially at the likes of Macy's (don't forget to see if you can get the 10% off 'visitor card' for further discounts) plus Zara and H&M.
Another thing I do throughout the year is to flag stuff I like on Amazon.com and add it to my shopping basket... then when I have a US trip approaching, about a week out from departure I select all the items I want and have them sent to the hotel I'll be staying at (use the first line of the address field to call out your name and the dates you're staying, using 'in residence' or 'guest' and the US date format – eg "Josh Crd, guest 3/15 - 3/18"). This avoids expensive AU delivery charges, and if you order about a week in advance then delivery to the US destination is free and the gear will either be waiting for you on arrival at the hotel or will arrive during your stay. Just be careful of some hotels trying to slug you a 'handling fee' of something like $5-$10 per package, a few do this but you can usually get that taken off at departure.
Off-season stuff can be a good buy, especially at the likes of Macy's (don't forget to see if you can get the 10% off 'visitor card' for further discounts) plus Zara and H&M.
[snip]
This avoids expensive AU delivery charges, and if you order about a week in advance then delivery to the US destination is free and the gear will either be waiting for you on arrival at the hotel or will arrive during your stay.
Big fan of Melatonin here, if you buy from Walgreens they often have 2-for-1 deals or special pricing for Walgreens Club members but if you ask nicely at the checkout and point out you're from overseas and not a Walgreen Club member they will usually give you the special price anyway.
If you or someone you know is unfortunate enough to suffer from migraines, they are brilliant.
Also second the clothes tips. Another of the many hidden delights of the U.S. is the way that retail bargains can be had in seemingly random regional locations. E.g. Zappos.com has a major distribution centre near Louisville, Kentucky... major bargains in their big seconds/returns shop if you happen to be in the area.
Thanks for the replies guys, I'm mainly going for pharmacy stuff that doesn't take up much space in the bag. Good call on the eJuice my father in law uses one. Might get a pair of good work shoes and I've ordered some nikeid shoes to my hotel.
Aspirin (about $1 for 1,000 tablets compared to Coles where's it $10 bucks for 10 tablets).
Shoes - much cheaper
Malt whiskey from Specs in Houston - cheaper than duty free and a great variety.
Guns (only kidding)!!!!
Naproxen is great, used to buy Naprogesic for sports injury's but it's expensive here, I'll definitely grab some of that. I also find aspirin works better than Panadol or Nurofen so I'll stock up on that too.
I'm off to the US again in a few weeks. This time I'm looking at stocking up on some things I can buy from Amazon and have it delivered to a Amazon Locker near where I'm staying.
Kinda lost as to what I should get. I don't need anything but don't want to miss the opportunity again.
I'm off to the US again in a few weeks. This time I'm looking at stocking up on some things I can buy from Amazon and have it delivered to a Amazon Locker near where I'm staying.
Kinda lost as to what I should get. I don't need anything but don't want to miss the opportunity again.
joshcrd
joshcrd
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 7
Hi guys
I go to the US 2-3 times per year and stock up on the following:
-Melatonin (highest strength from CVS)
-Neosporin (sometimes this tends to last a while)
-Gold bond powder (this also lasts a while)
I also intend to get some L-theanine as it's OTC there.
Anything else you guys buy there to bring home?
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
I'm a fan of Melatonin, I do the 10mg tabs but usually buy a few bottles of 2mg and 5mg for friends.
joshcrd
joshcrd
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 7
Good call, I'll be going to Pittsburgh so hopefully summer gear will be pretty cheap :)
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
I also do 3-4 US trips per year and the above list saves quite a bit on shipping.
David
David
Member since 24 Oct 2010
Total posts 1,021
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
[snip]
This avoids expensive AU delivery charges, and if you order about a week in advance then delivery to the US destination is free and the gear will either be waiting for you on arrival at the hotel or will arrive during your stay.
kimshep
kimshep
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Oct 2014
Total posts 412
Good point David,
Another point is that with the introduction of GST on internet purchases on Jan 1, it also avoids the issue of GST.
Being lucky enough to have relatives in the USA, I just have any internet purchases forwarded direct to them. Shopping .. done
Mal
Mal
Member since 14 Jun 2013
Total posts 109
Big fan of Melatonin here, if you buy from Walgreens they often have 2-for-1 deals or special pricing for Walgreens Club members but if you ask nicely at the checkout and point out you're from overseas and not a Walgreen Club member they will usually give you the special price anyway.
GM
GM
Air NZ Airpoints
Member since 12 Mar 2014
Total posts 12
Excedrin tablets.
joshcrd
joshcrd
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 7
Thanks for the replies guys, I'm mainly going for pharmacy stuff that doesn't take up much space in the bag. Good call on the eJuice my father in law uses one. Might get a pair of good work shoes and I've ordered some nikeid shoes to my hotel.
drgmarshall
drgmarshall
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2012
Total posts 106
Melatonin. Yes.
vvbjr
vvbjr
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Apr 2015
Total posts 23
Clothes and shoes - lots of it! I only visit once a year over a 3-week period.
joshcrd
joshcrd
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 7
thisispete
thisispete
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 03 Jan 2017
Total posts 7
I'm off to the US again in a few weeks. This time I'm looking at stocking up on some things I can buy from Amazon and have it delivered to a Amazon Locker near where I'm staying.
joshcrd
joshcrd
Member since 30 Dec 2016
Total posts 7