What is Cheaper/Available in the USA?

Buyer0fBargains on 13/04/2024 - 09:43

Hi everyone, I did extensively search the site but most threads I found were at least a couple years old or they had little-to-no helpful responses. The jokes were funny, but I’d love some actual answers too.

I’m heading to the US in November!! Very likely my last chance to go overseas, let alone the USA. I have a few beauty products and snacks on my wishlist that aren’t available to Aus but I’m wondering what other items I should be looking at. Considering the Aus dollar isn’t great against the USD, is there anything there that is so much cheaper it still outweighs our crappy dollar? AND things that are just available there that we can’t get here at all? Even if it’s just to try while I’m there, it doesn’t have to come back with me.

General Discussion North America United States

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 13/04/2024 - 09:54

    Beauty items, cosmetics, skin care and apparel / fashion are probably the cheapest things you can get there.

    If you like shopping definitely take the time to check out their Premium outlets. I went to one in Seattle and might have spent way too much money than I intended to (1 AUD = 64 cents USD at the time), but there's some brands and clothing there that you can buy that aren't available in Australia.

    The exchange rate is still crap so the savings are minimal and many things in the USA have greatly inflated in price. Eating out is expensive too.

    • dmbminaret on 14/04/2024 - 15:29

      Research state sales tax. Outlet shopping in California is more costly than say, New Jersey with 0%.

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/04/2024 - 17:56
      +1

      100% Correct!

      The lousy AUD/USD exchange rate is a killer.

      US 0.65c to AUD$1.00 wipes out the savings.

      You are paying 50% more in AUD - remember that !

      By the time you convert back to AUD there is little if any savings.

      Better to wait for the sales here in Australia.

      Just go and enjoy yourself

  • nekro on 13/04/2024 - 10:03

    Agree with scrimshaw there's virtually no bargains there anymore.

    • Neoika on 13/04/2024 - 10:03
      +1

      Grab and go with no pay is the way.

      • Minimum chips on 13/04/2024 - 10:10
        +1

        Then you get to experience the American cultural experience of being shot, and the other American cultural experience of having to prove you can afford to be treated at the hospital.

        • EightImmortals on 13/04/2024 - 12:45
          +1

          Not if the value of the goods is under $1000 USD..apparently. In certain states anyway.

        • BluebirdV on 15/04/2024 - 17:54

          Do they refuse to treat you at the hospital if you don’t have money like in the Philippines?

          • Minimum chips on 16/04/2024 - 17:38

            @BluebirdV: Non-emergency: Yes.
            Emergency: No. But you will owe them money if anything is not covered by the (bare minimum) "medicare". They will chase you for it, and ruin your credit.

            Also if it isn't an emergency yet but obviously will be and you're not insured, you just have to wait until your condition deteriorates enough for it to be an emergency. Which obviously leads to worse outcomes.

  • Muzeeb on 13/04/2024 - 10:03
    +5

    AK47 or AR15

  • Minimum chips on 13/04/2024 - 10:07

    The Valve Index isn't officially available here, and there is some demand for it if you wanted to resell. Various other consumer electronics will be cheaper, but to be honest most of it isn't worth the trouble to bring back. For example there are computer components that don't make it to the Aus market, but only enthusiasts would care about the difference and only a subset of them would prefer the US ones. US Mobile phones used to be useless here but maybe 4G has fixed that. Not sure what the deal is with import duties.

    There's definitely less stuff you can't get here than there used to be, between access to Amazon US and novelty food resellers like Ezymart.

  • Stewardo on 13/04/2024 - 10:12

    Tequila

  • mskeggs on 13/04/2024 - 10:19
    +6

    Even ignoring the exchange rate, I found the US has become much more expensive.
    Food everywhere was very dear, clothing too - where both used to be cheap.
    The only things objectively cheap were things that carry a lot of tax here, alcohol, cigarettes, petrol.
    So I would suggest looking at it from a “not available in Australia” perspective.
    Things I brought home from a trip before Xmas were snacks and stuff from Trader Joe’s like Tex mex herbs and spices and a fun grocery tote bag, some local team sports merch, some local craft market art, some band posters, some clothes from recycled fashion places.

    • JimmyF on 13/04/2024 - 15:15

      Basically this…. The USA is no longer cheap at all!

      I've never really found food much cheaper after taxes and tips etc. But now days its crazy costly!

      Even a bigmac meal will send you broke over there compared to oz!

      • Gdsamp on 13/04/2024 - 15:46
        -6

        Bidenflation…. and bigly

        • JimmyF on 13/04/2024 - 16:34

          Bidenflation…. and bigly

          Just like our inflation, its not all directly related to the person in power currently.

          The entire world has had massive inflation thanks to all the gov printing billions and billions and billions of money to keep things moving.

          • mskeggs on 14/04/2024 - 18:36

            @JimmyF: Surely Mr Biden is powerful enough to drive global inflation, even though he can't win control of Congress!

    • Buyer0fBargains on 14/04/2024 - 18:19

      Trader Joe's is always a priority visit for me. I do have a Wishlist on Amazon US of all the stuff I want that they won't ship here, but I wish I could think of more things to look for before I actually go. I just know I will get back afterwards and think of things.

  • rumblytangara on 13/04/2024 - 10:31
    +1

    Haven't been for a while, but top quality outdoor gear will either be cheaper, or simply available. Try REI.

  • sumyungguy on 13/04/2024 - 10:54
    +2

    Are you visiting any states where clothing is fully or partially exempt from state sales tax? There's plenty of stuff that's still exclusive to the US or at least not available here without extortionate shipping costs. Much of it is quite niche, like: hardware/tools at Lowes, fashion brands like Hollister, among many others.

    • Buyer0fBargains on 14/04/2024 - 18:21

      I don't know what or where I am going yet. I needed to use my freq flyer points and was able to grab seats to LA that actually worked out in my perfectly narrow window so I just grabbed them. Next comes the planning of where to go. But clothes shopping is not my thing any more. I used to love clothes shopping there, but I'm too fat now.

      • sumyungguy on 14/04/2024 - 18:30

        How much time do you have? Are you into natural or man-made wonders? I'm getting Vegas buffet vibes

        • Buyer0fBargains on 14/04/2024 - 19:07

          Wow, are you a psychic? That was impressive. I am a fine dining, spas, museums, interesting sights and experiences, shows type - but not touristy stuff. I'm more of a "live amongst the locals" type. I have about 10 days. I've been to various places in the US but about 12 trips in total. Just not in the past 10 years

  • brendanm on 13/04/2024 - 11:11
    +5

    Go to California and just shoplift what you want?

    • OzRealityBites on 13/04/2024 - 21:00
      +3

      … but don't take anything over $999 or it's a felony offence.

  • RiseAndRuin on 13/04/2024 - 11:33

    It really depends on what you can fit in your baggage allowance while staying under the limit for our import taxes. Anything related to electronics, hi-fi, musical instruments and accessories, etc… might be much cheaper. Clothing is not necessarily
    cheap, but you can find reasonable prices for higher quality items than you would normally find here.

    • Buyer0fBargains on 14/04/2024 - 18:22

      I have so much luggage allowance I'm panicking it will go wasted!!

  • joka on 13/04/2024 - 11:36

    That was quite allot of reading I had to do to figure out what you were asking.

    • Buyer0fBargains on 14/04/2024 - 18:22

      You think it was hard to read, try living with my brain!

  • freefall101 on 13/04/2024 - 13:10
    +1

    OLED Steam Deck, beer and whisky.

  • OzRealityBites on 13/04/2024 - 21:03

    US-branded clothing and accessories, much cheaper if you can find one of their local factory outlets, or seconds store chains like NordstromRack

  • Kayrhcp on 14/04/2024 - 09:12
    +1

    Semi-weird niche but second hand tech (ie. on eBay) is WAY cheaper.

    I got a second hand Mac Pro in March for a third the price I would have paid for here.

    • BluebirdV on 15/04/2024 - 18:02

      Could I get a friend in USA to buy one and send it to me and still save?

      • Kayrhcp on 15/04/2024 - 21:58

        Nah I don’t think so - depends on course on the product. Small like iPhone, maybe, but computer or laptop probably not.
        I prowl eBay a lot for good options and even tiny MacBook airs are worth their weight in gold once shipped from the USA to aus.

  • Dslrfirst on 14/04/2024 - 09:32

    In & Out Burger (ASFAIK not available in Aus); shrimp meals-Long John Silver & Bubba Shrimp chains; Sonic drive in afternoon drink special (non-alco.); Home Depot -Titanium Hammer (pre-order?); Cabelas, Bass Pro, Sportsmans W-house-Cannon downrigger/accessories; Various camera stores-some used camera gear.

    • rumblytangara on 14/04/2024 - 12:37

      In & Out Burger

      Never been able to take the name of that place seriously, the first time someone asked if I wanted to go there, I just cracked up laughing.

    • dmbminaret on 14/04/2024 - 15:38

      Steak & Shake and the Shake Shack are also amazing.

  • dmbminaret on 14/04/2024 - 15:37
    +1

    Amazon is awesome. Small packages can get delivered to a locker within a few hours. Books, t-shirts, CDs, cords, clothes, shoes, etc. Be careful with mobile phones and the bands they use. Check out woot. It's like the bargain department for Amazon. If you are getting larger packages, you can use the bounce app where they will get delivered to a business and then you pick them up.

    Macy's usually have a level for markdowns and shoes can be a real bargain if you keep your eyes peeled.

  • Oahu on 14/04/2024 - 19:56
    +1

    General items on Amazon tend to be much cheaper and there are more options. I always get makeup, kitchen, cleaning and household products that aren't sold here. I got a friend to bring me kid stuff recently - Yoto cards, books and shoes. I have some other educational items and larger play things that I want to get also but they either don't ship here or have exorbitant shipping fees so I'll buy them on my next trip. Same with clothing for myself and house stuff.

    • Buyer0fBargains on 15/04/2024 - 07:52

      Ooo I’d love to know what kitchen, cleaning and house stuff you like. I find it so overwhelming

  • TEER3X on 14/04/2024 - 20:11
    +1

    Depends which cities/states you're going to. They're all so different/unique.

    Sign up to uber/doordash over there, really good deals for new members. Start a free Amazon US trial, get stuff delivered to lockers.

    Check out slickdeals.net, especially Walmart deals/ clearance items.

    Food wise, perhaps try some biscuits & gravy or chicken and waffles for breakfast.

    In and out is mostly a West coast thing, it's not available in the east coast at all. It's nothing special the first time you try it, just simple. My favourite is a double single with grilled onions.

    I find there's a lot better food choices over there, especially if you can figure out the good ones. Install Yelp for reviews, it's very popular.

    Sushi, tacos, Thai, so much better in the US.

  • misstwist on 15/04/2024 - 12:39
    +1

    I found these were cheaper: (Trip Mar - April 2023 at .66c to the AUD) Purchasing Spirits from a Bottle Shop/Grocery Store is still cheaper. (Some had plastic bottles great for inside suitcase home) Not while out drinking. Some makeup was cheaper from Department Stores. I purchased mens aftershave in USA Duty Free (Very expensive one) still much cheaper. I found Las Vegas Outlets hit n miss. I purchased Asics runners at very cheap price at outlet shops. (Should of bought two!) however most were around the same. Had to really hunt to find clothing much cheaper. Ross's is still good value if you don't mind hunting through unorganised racks of clothing. Eating out was very expensive. Mostly purchased groceries at grocery store and purchase takeaway. Eating in a restaurant was quite expensive. I am a bit of a budget traveller and watch what I spend generally, so I found USA at .66c dear. (I have been to Hawaii when .90C)

    • Buyer0fBargains on 15/04/2024 - 19:49

      Thanks!. And I do love a browse through Ross’s! Ye I’m really hoping the dollar improves before I go.

  • BluebirdV on 15/04/2024 - 18:04

    So what country should I visit for bargains? Obviously not USA.

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