Trip to the USA - Shopping Suggestions Required!

[Bad Wombat]

I'm expecting a trip to the states in the next month or two. Now I was thinking of taking the opportunity to do a bit of shopping. My first idea was the Sawyer Mini filter which is £27 in the UK and only $24 ( about £15) in the US. Does anyone have any other ideas for Stateside bargains?

[poppypiesdad]

Just remember you might be hit with tax for all your goddies should you be stopped in the green channel

j

[Plymtom]

I believe if you buy something and use it over there, then it's OK, if it's all new in the box they are much more likely to tax you.

[poppypiesdad]

Nope still importing , so in or out of box its tax needs to be paid ( if caught).

Anyway yes lots of goodies , but are they going to get in , hunting gear , knifes , may be hard to do
I would say mh food but bulky and for any real savings thats a large amount
tech is always good
hmmmm clothing ?

[rik_uk3]

Duty free allowance bringing stuff back from the states is £390 / @$580.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving ... oneu.htm#1

REI are a big chain of camping stores so worth looking at a local one, military surplus is readily available.

[Hamradioop]

Knives are liable to seizure by the Border force if they feel like it and can even be bothered to look at you. Caveat Emptor

[IfInDoubt]

on my last trip (to LV, NV) I spent a fortune in Wal-Mart, REI, Bass Pro Shops and an independent Military Surplus store. And if you can blag access to a military base the PX will no doubt have you drooling...both at the range of goods for outdoorsy types and the prices!

For a fun few hours out most gun shops also have ranges for a try before you buy shoot (or a try before you say no thanks Ive changed my mind in my case)

Jealous..........

[IfInDoubt]

Oh and stock up on decent medical/first aid supplies at a Walgreens Pharmacy - Again dirt cheap

[farnet]

I second IfInDoubt.

it is absolutely amazing what you can get in the drug stores over there. many years ago I bought a large survival kit in New York that I used on a Himalayas for 7 weeks. the book was brilliant, and the stuff it came with ....antibiotices, etc you just wouldn't get in the uk.

suffice to say, it is still my main kit and it gets updated whenever I make a visit.

Triple antibiotic steriodal cream is the must have, its prilliant for stings, cuts etc.

[Fozzie]

Will this be your first trip to the US ? If so, you should be warned about their pricing. Most shelf prices do not include tax, this is added on at the point of you paying. Tax rates vary by area, some states like New Hampshire are state tax free. Some such as Orlando, Florida are around 6-8% (That's high for them) There is a way around their state tax and that is to buy from a store that is in a different state to where you're buying, basically if you buy online/mail-order from out of state you can scrub the state tax off

What sort of things are you prepping for and do you have anything in mind?
*Tools are cheap out there as are car parts (Spot lights, LED light bars, HID Retrofits etc suspension spring lift kits etc) and performance car parts
*Camping, outdoors and fishing stuff is much cheaper out there, including maglites and kelly kettles etc
*Clothing is again hugely cheaper. It's not uncommon in their sales to see shoes 3 for the price of 2 etc or 2 pairs of branded (Levis etc) for $50. Bedding is also much cheaper over there.
*Electronics are also much cheaper and usually have stuff the UK wont see for another 6 months of so. There are ways around the laptop chargers. BestBuy will also re-code the DVD drive region on a laptop for you for a small fee

Walmart, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, Best Buy are all good places to check out if you want to spend some money. Premium Outlets are worth a look too. Obviously the stores available depend on where you go in the US as most aren't in every state.

If you plan to stay with friends or rent a villa etc, there are ways to set up temporary addresses with Amazon.com. If you do this, you have access to anything on amazon.com and their much cheaper prices

Quick Note: I wouldn't suggest trying to bring back arrow heads which are meant for hunting. UK customs will confiscate them. I've brought back folding Kershaw knives back from Walmart before in checked luggage without a problem
If there's anything you're particularly after, feel free to send a message, I usually spent a couple weeks before a trip over there, sourcing stuff - I've got quite good at it.

For a fun few hours out most gun shops also have ranges for a try before you buy shoot (or a try before you say no thanks Ive changed my mind in my case)

I also would recommend trying your hand at shooting out there however.........Saying you're looking to buy with no intention in buying is a pretty fast way to get someone's back up.
The better approach would be to approach a range that does rentals, tell them you're from the UK, never shot before but would like to have a go. Most ranges in tourist areas will be happy to talk you through how a handgun works, safety, slide release etc, little on safety etc and set you up with ammo and a target.