Make the Most of Vacation Shopping
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By Cathy Severson, MS
Travel shopping can be one of the best aspects of senior travel. A few simple tips will enhance your travel shopping.
Pack extra bags with you to carry your purchased items back home with you. Select simple bags that can be folded flat and packed in your suitcase before you leave on your trip. Also, if you put all your purchases in it, going through customs will be easier.
Keep a journal of all your purchases. Purchase a simple booklet that will hold all of your receipts and any notes you need to make. If you’re buying gifts for people, make a note of where you made the purchase and how you came to purchase it for them. If you can tell them a story about the gift, it will have more meaning. Keeping a record will also make it easier to fill out the customs forms at the end of your trip.
Check the export laws of the country before you make a large purchase, particularly of antiquities. Make sure you get the vendors name, address, and fax number in case you should need to contact them in the future. Remember, shipping items home may take several months.
If you are looking for specific items, such as a rug or other home décor, bring color swatches and space measurements. Remember to bring clothing and shoe sizes with you. Check online for the size conversion for the country you are visiting, as most countries don’t use American standards.
Find out the customs about bartering. In some countries, it’s customary to barter with street vendors, but not in stores. Research so that you may find out how much you can expect the vendor to reduce their costs. In some locations, you may be able to reduce the price as much as ninety percent. Have fun when bartering. Think of it as a game and enjoy interacting with someone from a different culture.
Be careful about buying expensive items such as jewelry, art or antiques without researching reputable vendors. Suzy Gershman at www.suzygershman.com has a number of Born to Shop travel guides that specialize in small markets, factories and stores that are off the beaten path. She tells you where to get the best deals from reputable stores and vendors.
As I recently discovered, be very careful about purchasing liquids to bring home in consideration of security regulations. On a recent trip to Europe, I purchased wine, olive oil and liqueur. Normally, I would have carried them on the plane with me. Because I forgot that I couldn’t take liquids on the plane, I had to pack them inside of my suitcase with my clothing. They were wrapped very carefully inside my luggage. Nevertheless, I was much relieved to find I didn’t have olive oil all over my clothing when I got home.
Know when it’s best to use cash or credit cards. Small shops and street vendors will often not take credit cards. When buying larger purchases, pay by credit card if you can. You will get a good exchange rate and sometimes guarantees on your purchase. You will also eliminate the VAT (value-added tax). In many countries with a values-added tax, tourists are exempt from paying. BUT, what you have to do is apply for a VAT refund by filing a form you get from the airport customs office. For most people, it’s not worth the hassle, unless you made a large purchase. If you pay by credit card, the vendor will credit your charge account in dollars.
Finding unique treasures is one of the most enjoyable aspects of travel. With these few ideas, your shopping experience will add to the memories of your travels.
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