Unexpected trip to US. US SIM card? Any shopping idea?

kingofduck on 12/06/2013 - 13:56

I will be flying to US tomorrow.

Normally I have super long lists of what I wanted (after good research here and there). This trip is a big unexpected and I have had so many distractions during the pass week. Didn't even have time to fully regret that I has just bought Nexus 7 and Kindle here recently.

Any suggestion to spark some ideas is highly appreciated.
Computer stuff, woman wears, electronic stuff, etc

Also what is the best Ozbargain style to use my iPhone to make calls and surf while I am on the go. I won't be staying in any hotel.
Do you think this option is the best? http://www.roammobility.com/sim-card

Last, if anyone want me to grab US Itune cards for you, let me know too. I'll get some myself anyway.

Travel

Comments

  • cyssero on 12/06/2013 - 14:32

    I've used AT&T GoPhone pre-paid a couple of times recently. My first stop after the car-rental at the airport was an AT&T store. I got the SIM and activated in-store, very easy and I highly recommend doing this instead of buying a burner celly and using the SIM in that (costs more and takes longer).

    I paid $50 (inc. tax) for unlimited calls/text and 1GB of data. If you really call home often, I'd recommend a calling card, I use www.comfi.com which is great. Otherwise, Skype/Viber are all good choices and you can even take your DID with you if you're with some VoIP providers. There's plenty of free WiFi across the country.

    I would not buy the SIM card you suggest - it will almost certainly end up more expensive and if you're departing tomorrow, unlikely you'll get the SIM unless you can pick it up.

    Shopping wise - hit up all the outlets, particularly the "Premium Outlets" brand and Citadel if you're in/around LA.

  • neil on 12/06/2013 - 14:46

    In regards to sims, check out http://prepaidwithdata.wikia.com/

    I used SimpleMobile last time I was over there.

  • vicerum on 12/06/2013 - 15:56

    T-Mobile and AT&T are the only two providers that use the GSM network, Verizon and Sprint both use CDMA which the majority of Australian phones are incompatible with.

    Last time I was in the US, I used T-Mobile's pre-paid service which was sold based on duration of service. As we were there for 2 weeks, we bought 14 days for $33 and that included unlimited calls/text and 1GB data per day. We used Skype to use the data allowance to call home for free.

  • rx8pilot on 12/06/2013 - 16:01

    I'm going in a couple of weeks and was planning on a T-Mobile SIM - I'm thinking the "Unlimited Web & Text with 100 Minutes Talk" option, which is $30 per month and gets you unlimited SMS, 5GB of data (after 5GB you're shaped) and 100 minutes of calls. Apparently for another $10 there is an international calling pack for phoning home…

    From the following article
    http://www.mactalk.com.au/content/how-using-your-australian-…

    Apparently T-Mobile data speed is pretty poor…but there is lots of WiFi around, so this should suffice (I hope).

    I second the "Premium Outlet" shopping (In Vegas, anyway - North & South malls both good). Genuine, name brand clothes & shoes are cheap compared to here. We go to Vegas each year for work, and colleagues spend up big buying clothes for their wives and kids etc. Get sizes etc if you're buying for others. From memory sunglasses were also cheap…

    Frys is like for "Bunnings for Nerds" (I spent an hour there and got through about a 3rd of it)

  • 2ndeffort on 12/06/2013 - 16:03

    Cant help with the SIM but shopping wise:

    They are in summer so if you can find outlets as mentioned there should be great deals on last winter's stuff. I have bought great deals over there on stuff they dont really consider 'premium' but for some reason we here in Australia do. I obviously bought a heap of stuff for myself that might not match your interests but stuff I got good deals on:

    • Running shoes and sportswear
    • Golf Clubs (if you are OK to carry them back on the plane checked into the hold)
    • Ralf lauren/Tommy Hilfiger/Calvin Klein/Timberland/North Face clothes at the outlets
    • Quality shoes, sitting here at work in my daggy but extremely comfortable Rockports that cost a fraction of their Aussie price in the Premium Outlet in Orlando.
    • Watches
    • Kids clothes/surf clothes etc. I was buying billabong/quicksilver/oakley/hurley t-shirts at the outlets for $10 ish for my teenage son. Also bought them hoodies for $25 ish that are probably a lot more in surf shops here.

    Something I noticed over there was that the regular 'malls' didnt seem to have massive bargains on a lot of stuff over what we pay here in OZ. It was cheaper sure, but if you pay regular retail the bargains werent as marked as some expect. If however you shop over there at the outlets or online you can get amazing bargains. Last couple of times i have gone in winter I have bought high quality gore tex ski clothes online before i left and had them delivered (free shipping most times) to my US hotel. They are normally waiting for me at reception when i arrive! outlets were also great, especially for brands they consider middle of the road but fanboys here consider premium. I managed a few RL Polo shirts in an outlet somewhere for $10 each once.

  • donga100 on 12/06/2013 - 16:26

    How recently did you buy the nexus 7? If you have over $300 on that receipt you could claim back the GST.

    • kingofduck on 12/06/2013 - 17:46

      He he I got it under $279 from one of the deal here.

  • kingofduck on 12/06/2013 - 17:48

    Thanks for all the suggesting guys. Will definitely hit outlets and get some watches, shoes, running shoes (esp the one with five fingers)!

    For the sim, will look more into all given options tonight.

  • After Dark on 13/06/2013 - 07:47

    Not sure where you are going but it's worth remembering that different states and even different counties have sales tax that is added to the prices shown. Oregon and Delaware (& a couple of others) have no tax

  • reddragon on 13/06/2013 - 09:40

    Look out for Ross's stores & T J Maxx. These stores sell remainders so you won't find all sizes but you will find bargain prices.

    Marshalls also have a lot of sales on right now as do Sears and J C Penney. JCP are a bit of a lottery. Some stores are great for stock & some not so much so.

    SIM: we have Straight Talk from Walmart. $45/month, unlimited USA calls & unlimited wireless. You can only order online and will need US address for delivery (your first hotel?) As far as WiFi is concerned though, Starbucks is your friend.

    Enjoy the trip.

  • gimme on 13/06/2013 - 10:03

    SIM - I did a lot of research and settled on the T-Mobile PREPAID $30/month SIM. Initially I had gone for the $3/day one however changed it later because the former looks better for my purposes.

    $30/month - Gives you 5GB Data, Unlimitted text and 100 mins talk time.

    I purchased the SIM on ebay because as soon as I get to the States I want to hit the ground running (driving to Vegas) and don't want to waste time.

    No idea about coverage/speed but I'm hoping it won't be terrible for basic stuff.

    Best of All - I've contacted T-Mobile support and a couple of other US callcentres and they seem to be MILES ahead of OZ in terms of being helpful. As soon as they find out I'm from Aus and going for a holiday to the States they get even nicer. I had one guy call another callcentre on my behalf (not even related to them) to verify something

  • altomic on 13/06/2013 - 20:55

    how recently did you buy the Nexus 7 and Kindle?

    claim back gst and take them with you

  • kingofduck on 08/08/2013 - 12:25

    Hi guys

    Just thought I should update my trip to show ozbargain spirit.
    I tried to get AT&T but the shop dude said if the phone is unlocked, it may not work and I would only be able to find out after get the sim card in.
    In the end, I decided to use T-mobile with $3/day unlimited call&text and 200MB 4G. I chose it because I won’t be using my phone everyday (was in a retreat out of nowhere for 1 week) so the plan simply suited my needs. The T-mobile 2-4G is terrible. Even in the bay area or big train stop like Portland, the network kept dropping out. The only reason I want to keep the sim is that I really like the number. So hopefully it’s signal will improve by the time I go back next year.

    I spend most of my time in the Bay area and WA. For shopping, I did mostly on Amazon and had it shipped to my place. Plan ahead, that works well. I also stop at this massive Outlet in Oregon. http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=110
    It has almost everything. Price wise is reasonable but won’t be as good as random luck at Ross.

    Luckily I didn’t have much time in this trip or else I could have gone broke.

    • donga100 on 08/08/2013 - 19:07

      Thanks for the update. Premium Outlets are always good at every location. I did some online shopping when I was there last year too.

  • After Dark on 09/08/2013 - 20:57

    Thanks for the update
    Just a thought for US trips - a lot of US companies offer free shipping within the US - we contacted the hotel we were staying with and confirmed they were OK with us having things sent there before we arrived - then ordered online and had it all there ready for our arrival - worked out really well.

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