Travelling to USA next week - what toy/device should I pickup ?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Travelling to USA next week - what toy/device should I pickup ?

afe66

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#255917 6-Sep-2019 11:31

Dear GZers,

I'm heading to USA next week and was wondering what the masses think I could/should buy when there.

One thought is battery pack which compatible with rapid charge of samsung s9+. Memory cards ?

What do you think?

A.

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#2311672 6-Sep-2019 11:34

You can buy these items in New Zealand why buy in the US?

Rikkitic

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#2311701 6-Sep-2019 11:59

Linux: You can buy these items in New Zealand why buy in the US?

Half the price?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

frankv

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#2311703 6-Sep-2019 12:06

Shoes. Clothes.

Electronic stuff is generally speaking not much cheaper, and warranties become difficult if they die.

But... you might be able to get stuff a bit cheaper since you won't have to pay GST. But IIRC there's a limit on this of a total of $900 (i.e. $900/15 of GST) for stuff other than personal effects.

In Louisiana and Texas (dunno about other states) you can claim back their sales tax. They have booths at airports for this, so keep receipts. But! The booths typically take 1/3 to 1/2 of your refund. Probably there's a way you can claim it back yourself and keep all the refund.

Rikkitic

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#2311705 6-Sep-2019 12:09

Swing through Oregon or another tax-free state and you don't have to bother with this at all.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

eracode

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#2311709 6-Sep-2019 12:24

frankv:

Shoes. Clothes.

Electronic stuff is generally speaking not much cheaper, and warranties become difficult if they die.

But... you might be able to get stuff a bit cheaper since you won't have to pay GST. But IIRC there's a limit on this of a total of $900 (i.e. $900/15 of GST) for stuff other than personal effects.

In Louisiana and Texas (dunno about other states) you can claim back their sales tax. They have booths at airports for this, so keep receipts. But! The booths typically take 1/3 to 1/2 of your refund. Probably there's a way you can claim it back yourself and keep all the refund.

That’s interesting so I looked it up. State Sales Tax in Texas is 6.25% and 4.45% in Louisiana. Unless you buy something expensive it’s hardly worth the effort especially if the agents take 1/3 to 1/2.

Edit: However there are some things that are worth looking at. Last time we were in the US I bought a Sonos Play One speaker from Best Buy for about USD140 (NZD220) when they were about $399 here.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

afe66

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#2312223 7-Sep-2019 12:08

Thanks for suggestions.
While we can get almost everything online.
Sometimes nice to pick something up.

Samsung

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Dunnersfella

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#2312250 7-Sep-2019 13:33

Clothing...

A couple of colleagues are heading over next week and one is known to only pack well worn clothes, then hit up the outlet malls.

The old clothes he arrives with never go back in the suitcase once they've been worn - instead he returns with all new threads.

Tech is seldom worth it in my experience, but who knows what you can find?

nathan

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#2312254 7-Sep-2019 13:52

shoes are much much cheaper here in US

afe66

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#2312256 7-Sep-2019 13:59

Flying over premium economy and back business so can bring back a fair amount.

I didnt think about clothes though.

Have bought shoes before. An advantage of being the same size the last 20yrs is clothes will still fit in a couple more years !

Will Google for clothing outlets.

A.

gzt

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#2312396 7-Sep-2019 16:33

I'd have an eye for a bargain on Microsoft Surface noise cancelling headphones.

Tinkerisk

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#2312427 7-Sep-2019 17:55

Toy? Get THIS , the Present of the United States!

Qui nihil scit, omnia credere debet. - He who knows nothing must believe everything.
Firewalls do NOT stop dragons. Really not!
I avoid Big Tech. They try hard to dictate technology and „culture“ across borders.
In effect we have everything to hide from someone, and no idea who „someone“ is.

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afe66

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#2312430 7-Sep-2019 17:58

Ha.
If I see it maybe.
Might be tricky to find in southern states though

Brunzy

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#2312590 8-Sep-2019 01:13

afe66: Flying over premium economy and back business so can bring back a fair amount.

I didnt think about clothes though.

Have bought shoes before. An advantage of being the same size the last 20yrs is clothes will still fit in a couple more years !

Will Google for clothing outlets.

A.

As per the ‘Hawaii ‘ post,
Marshalls/TJ Maxx/ Ross Dress for Less , last years style and generally cheaper than outlet stores.

Handle9

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#2312591 8-Sep-2019 01:25

gzt: I'd have an eye for a bargain on Microsoft Surface noise cancelling headphones.

Why would you bother given the pricing on QC35 or WH-1000XM3 in NZ?

eracode

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#2312599 8-Sep-2019 07:33

If you are going to have the use of a car and if you’re interested in cheap, ‘real brand’ discounted clothes, I can really recommend Premium Outlets. The have large mall-type centres all over the US but they’re always outside of main city centres because they need a cheap-land location to make their formula work.

https://www.premiumoutlets.com/

We’ve been to their sites in about six different states at different times and they’re fantastic - but some are newer, larger, better than others. Typically they have around 100 large shops in each mall - all of which are well-known mainstream brands selling clothing and footwear at a large discount compared to those brands’ stores in the cities and towns.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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