Your ‘must buys’ and stock ups when visiting the US

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2276 posts

Uber Geek

#3102588 11-Jul-2023 10:51

sen8or:

We were in Vegas recently for 5 days -

Highly recommend the Mob Museum tour, add in a couple of experiences in the museum too (speak easy to try their moonshine and we did a forensics experience), really enjoyable.

Night time viewing of the Bellagio fountain and Bellagio's has a botanical garden inside thats quite spectacular

Grand Canyon West (don't bother with the skywalk, que for hours to walk on a glass balcony) and Hoover dam (can cover both in a day comfortably)

Re-do wedding vows with Elvis

Yep been there and done that except for the mob museum.

Saw Elton John there and have seen Penn and Teller there too , we go to the outlet stores at each end of Vegas. I did the zip line down Fremont Street.
For a laugh I may have to do the "hyper loop" consisting of Teslas driving slowly in a tunnel to get from one side of the road to another.

Lenovo

Lenovo computer and accessories deals (affiliate link).

bendud

243 posts

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#3102727 11-Jul-2023 13:32

I’d rather redo wedding vows with my wife - hamburger expenditures lower!

B

From the Antarctic Riviera

quickymart

11231 posts

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#3102733 11-Jul-2023 14:03

Usually Fruit of the Loom t-shirts.

JimmyH

2820 posts

Uber Geek

#3103655 13-Jul-2023 14:07

Clothes - particularly jeans. The range of sizes is much better than here, and when you see the US retail prices it becomes apparent how much NZ retailers price gouge.

Some electronics, particularly the small stuff (due to luggage constraints) that you either can't get here or is stupidly priced by local retailers. For instance, Walmart has a 4K Android TV with a remote and built in chromecast ability etc for only $20 - which would go well with the older TVs that have been moved to other rooms.

Camera accessories. Last trip, the cost difference was significant.

Many years ago I grabbed a DVD player as well, as I wanted to play US-zoned disks and multi-zone players weren't really a thing here. Less of an issue now - multi-zone players are readily available, but I'm starting to move away from physical media anyway.

MikeAqua

7619 posts

Uber Geek

#3103673 13-Jul-2023 15:14

Also .... toys for grown-ups. By which I do not mean drones or jet-skis. If they're something you buy, they are often much cheaper in the US than NZ. Ditto the associated consumables. Obviously, beware air travel security restrictions on liquids, battery powered devices and anything solid enough to be used a bludgeoning weapon.

Mike

Daynger

384 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3103762 13-Jul-2023 18:26

My partner and I are heading over in October, so this is a timely thread.

Santa Monica for 5 nights, Vegas for 4 nights, Palm Springs 2 nights, Carlsbad (friends place) 2 nights, Hollywood 3 nights.

We are renting a car and driving, i was going to buy something and ship it back but the mortgage rejuggle has stopped that plan.

tchart

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#3103825 14-Jul-2023 07:54

Not your usual holiday shopping item but last few trips we grab a bottle of these from CVS. Good for headaches, migraines, colds, flu, covid etc and much cheaper than buying Panadol Extra in NZ (FYI Acetaminophen = Paracetamol)

catdog

101 posts

Master Geek

#3104082 14-Jul-2023 15:33

MikeAqua:

Power tools (skins only)

The power tool batteries are ok to buy too, you can carry a maximum of 2 batteries in your carry on luggage (and the power tool in your checked in suitcase).

A few of my suggestions

Spirits are often much cheaper at the supermarkets over there than at NZ duty free stores on return (although it must fit in your checked luggage)
I like to get certain foods that are not available here. Check out Trader Joes supermarket for things like chocolate coated powerberries or choc coated pomegranates, and "Hot & Sweet Jalapenos"
Palo Alto Firefighters Pepper Sauce, particularly the medium heat Habanero one
I tried bringing back Bacon Jerky once... but had it taken off me at the NZ border. Apparently beef is fine, but pork is not.
Store branded generic medications, such as hay fever spray/tablets or pain killers are much cheaper than branded ones
Pixel phone/laptop etc
Check out https://slickdeals.net/ a few days before you leave for opportunistic deals that you can grab on special.

Last time I used the Amazon ship to hub option to pick up my order (which was a counter within the Whole Foods supermarket). I've had too many issues with parcels being delayed or going missing, and when you're on a tight travel schedule it becomes a huge hassle to sort out. I'm pretty sure if something goes wrong with the hub option and you don't pick it up, it simply gets returned automatically.

frankv

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#3104149 14-Jul-2023 17:24

Like many people, said, shoes and clothes. Shoes are not only cheaper, especially if you go to one of those warehouse discount places out in the boonies alongside the freeway, but also you can get wide (and I assume narrow) fittings.

You can get back your sales tax in some states, but it's hardly worth the effort. We claimed it back at the mall in New Orleans, and after about an hour of mucking around got about $30 back. In Houston, we (despite misgivings about getting anything at an airport, on the basis of what have we got to lose) tried the airport "we'll claim your sales tax for you" stall... IIRC they took 33% (so even less worth the effort), but were much quicker.

MikeAqua

7619 posts

Uber Geek

#3106203 20-Jul-2023 11:28

catdog:

The power tool batteries are ok to buy too, you can carry a maximum of 2 batteries in your carry on luggage (and the power tool in your checked in suitcase).

...

Store branded generic medications, such as hay fever spray/tablets or pain killers are much cheaper than branded ones

Good tip about the batteries. Now that I'm into the more expensive Makita system I'll keep that in mind.

Have you ever had any issue with quantities of over counter medications?

Mike

catdog

101 posts

Master Geek

#3106208 20-Jul-2023 11:42

MikeAqua:

Good tip about the batteries. Now that I'm into the more expensive Makita system I'll keep that in mind.

Have you ever had any issue with quantities of over counter medications?

I have not had any issue, but I have not researched to see if there are specific limits on quantities.

For example, you can buy a years supply of allergy relief tablets (365 tablets) in a single jar, so its not like you need to carry boxes and boxes of medicine back.

frankv

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#3106211 20-Jul-2023 11:59

catdog:

MikeAqua:

Have you ever had any issue with quantities of over counter medications?

I have not had any issue, but I have not researched to see if there are specific limits on quantities.

For example, you can buy a years supply of allergy relief tablets (365 tablets) in a single jar, so its not like you need to carry boxes and boxes of medicine back.

Inforrmation is conflicting on medications that are available over the counter in the USA but are prescription-only in NZ.

According to

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/medicines-control/bringing-medicines-new-zealand

So long as you have a letter from your doctor (or prescription), you can bring in pretty much any medication (excluding medicinal cannabis) so long as it is legally obtained in the USA (although it doesn't seem to consider over the counter meds). However, that page says that you can only bring in one month's supply.

OTOH https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/MIET/ImportMedicines.asp says up to 3 months supply, and "A medicine may be over-the-counter in one country, but may be classified as a prescription medicine in New Zealand. For example, some cold medicines contain Pseudoephedrine. This is controlled drug and cannot be personally imported into New Zealand."

I'd get a letter from MedSafe and/or MoH and/or Customs confirming it's OK before bringing in some kind of over the counter -> prescription medicine.

cddt

659 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3106212 20-Jul-2023 12:14

MikeAqua:

Have you ever had any issue with quantities of over counter medications?

Nope. Last time we bought back a jar of 500 tablets of panadol and 200 tablets of hayfever tablets. Probably cost about US$10 each...

MikeAqua

7619 posts

Uber Geek

#3106247 20-Jul-2023 14:08

frankv:

According to

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/medicines-control/bringing-medicines-new-zealand

So long as you have a letter from your doctor (or prescription), you can bring in pretty much any medication (excluding medicinal cannabis) so long as it is legally obtained in the USA (although it doesn't seem to consider over the counter meds). However, that page says that you can only bring in one month's supply.

OTOH https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/MIET/ImportMedicines.asp says up to 3 months supply, and "A medicine may be over-the-counter in one country, but may be classified as a prescription medicine in New Zealand. For example, some cold medicines contain Pseudoephedrine. This is controlled drug and cannot be personally imported into New Zealand."

I'd get a letter from MedSafe and/or MoH and/or Customs confirming it's OK before bringing in some kind of over the counter -> prescription medicine.

I checked out the customs page which said: -

- Up to 3-months supply of prescription medicine is OK. Must have a prescription or letter from Dr. Must be in original containers. More than 3-months must be declared.

- 1 month of medicines containing controlled substance controlled.

- Nothing on non-prescription meds

After reading the requirements for prescription meds ... I've been non-compliant pretty much every time I've travelled overseas. I just transfer the requisite meds for the trip into weekly pill boxes for compactness. Whoops.

Mike

Wheelbarrow01

1445 posts

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Chorus

#3106440 21-Jul-2023 01:35

I'm contemplating visiting a VW dealership parts department when I'm in Hawaii in October.

Price for a pair of electric tailgate lifting struts in NZ - $2948.

Price for a pair of electric tailgate lifting struts in USA - USD$595 (NZ$950 at today's exchange rate)

They will not freight outside the USA. I thought about YouShop but based on the weight and dimensions it comes to another $300. They'd fit in my luggage for nothing...

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