7 Tips For Shopping Abroad
Shopping in the New Age means that we can now pay for our shopping with a swipe of a credit card, a click of a PayPal account or a tap of a phone. We are also no longer restricted to our local shopping mall or what we can find online. Nowadays we can hop on a plane and we could be in a completely different State by lunchtime. If we are feeling even braver we could hop on a plane , get comfortable in our seat and enjoy the inflight entertainment. We could even have a nap and wake-up completely refreshed and ready to go shopping in an entirely different country! Madness? No! We have all heard of people taking a weekend to go shopping in New York. Well, how about treating yourself to an amazing shopping holiday that is somewhere very different. We won’t be popping to the local mall, no, we are going to a far flung holiday destination for our shopping.
Why You Should Consider Shopping Abroad
You have heard the hype. Friends claiming that they managed to buy massive diamonds for a fraction of the price. But is that true? Does shopping abroad really live up the hype. Could we really find ourselves buying gold for a couple of dollars?
There is no doubt that shopping abroad can mean that we pick up some incredible bargains. Who needs thrift stores when we have the whole world at our fingertips. However, for our shopping trip to be worthwhile we need to put in the research first.. We need to make a list. What is it we want to buy? There literally is no limit to what we could buy. We could pick some silk scarves from a market like the one talked about in this article https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/4w7k5d/haggling-in-beijings-silk-market-made-me-drunk-on-power-317 , a stunning house from a real estate agent like this one http://rumahdijual.com/makassar/apartemen , you will be amazed how much further your money goes, or if you always fancied yourself a dream car then this website tells you the best place to find one https://classiccars.com . However, before you get too excited and think that you want to buy an apartment or car, you need to consider that these purchases won’t slip easily into your suitcase! Also, for the car there is the cost of transporting costs and import costs. But let’s not let the technicalities stop us. We can dream!
Once you have done research you should have narrowed down your destination. Where the best part of the world for your shopping trip? You don’t want to pay over the odds for your plane ticket so use a website like https://www.skyscanner.net to find the cheapest flights for you.
Shopping abroad is a great way of really experiencing and exploring a country. Getting out on foot and shopping like a local means that you will get a more authentic holiday. However, there are some things that you will want to consider.
Tip 1 – Is It Genuine?
If you are going shopping for a specific item then you need to do your research. Find out if that item has a kite mark or a branding mark that will help identify if the item is genuine. You don’t want to be paying lots of dollars for a fake. It is only a good deal if the product is genuine. Putting in some research before you go will also help you identify the genuine vendors. Look on Tripadvisor and see if you can find any reviews for the shops or market that you are planning on visiting.
Tip 2 – Don’t Be Rushed
Don’t be forced into buying a product. The vendor will want to close the deal. You aren’t in a rush. Make sure you take the time to go and look round all of the vendors and compare prices. Another vendor might be selling the same product but much cheaper.
Tip 3 – Don’t Be Afraid To Haggle
Many countries will expect you to haggle. Don’t be scared of this. Treat it as a business transaction. Keep it polite and always smile. You need to be patient with the haggling process as it can sometimes take a while. If you still aren’t happy with the final price then don’t be afraid to walk away. You can always come back tomorrow.
Tip 4 – Stick To Your Budget
Plan your budget and stick to it. It is only a bargain if you can afford it. Do not allow yourself to spend more.
Tip 5 – Stay Low-Key
Don’t go out shopping wearing an expensive watch and waving your iPhone 8 about. This will send the wrong messages out. It will also affect how effectively you are able to haggle. You want to be discrete and be able to blend in like a local. If you are taking a handbag then I would recommend wearing one that crosses your body and one that is fairly small.
Tip 6 – Will The Store Deliver?
It always worth asking if the store delivers. That way you can continue shopping without having to lug a load of shopping bags around with you.
Tip 7 – Pay On Credit Card
Paying on credit card will offer you a certain amount of protection. However, be sure to inform your bank so that they don’t think that you splurging the cash abroad is something to worry about. The last thing you want them to do is freeze your bank card.
Tip 8 – Transporting Your Purchases Home
You have done the fun bit – shopping! Now you need to get them home without breaking them or losing them. You need to plan ahead and bring an extra suitcase. This is then yours for the filling. Make sure that your suitcase has a lock on it too. You need to wrap any breakables carefully. Taking some bubblewrap with you is a good idea. You can then use this to wrap your precious bits. You should also sandwich your purchases between your clothes as this will help protect them too.
Trip 9 – Check Your Airline’s Baggage Allowance
Ring up your airline and check your baggage allowance. You do not want to find that you have to leave some of your lovely purchases behind because you have gone over your baggage allowance!
Tip 7 – Paying Duty
You will need to check that you understand how much duty you will need to pay on your purchases. Check how much you are allowed to bring back and what you need to declare.
Not Just A Shopping Trip
It is fun going shopping abroad but it shouldn’t just be about the shopping. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to explore the local coffee scene. Sitting back and enjoy a coffee with the locals is a great way of really sampling the local culture. Don’t be afraid to join a big table and get chatting to the person sat next to you. Most people are very friendly and happy to chat. We also need that shot of espresso if we are to continue shopping. We really do want to shop until we drop.
You should also try some of the local food. Go into a restaurant and sample some of the local delicacies. Eat where the locals eat and really enjoy the experience.
Get Insta Worthy
Going on holiday shopping is also great for any fashionista’s Instagram feed. You will find the perfect Instagram shot at the end of every alley way and on the corner of every street. With cool street art, romantic sunsets on the beach, plant-lined walls and trendy coffee shops that make for the perfect flat-lay. Shopping abroad means your Instagram feed will go from drab to fab! Makassar will make you a real mover and shaker in the Instagram world.
Time A Shopping Trip Abroad With A Festival
Time your shopping trip abroad with a music festival. Coachella is becoming so old hat. It has become a festival that is populated by boring supermodels and the fame hungry Kardashians. It’s time to go back to your music festival roots and find a new a festival. Coachella will look positively tame compared to some of the other festivals out there. There is a festival for everyone. Check out the local festivals, let your hair down and go crazy!
Shopping Abroad Is An Adventure
If you are looking for an adventure with some great shopping then a shopping trip abroad is for you. You can pick some real bargains abroad. Shopping abroad will take you out of your comfort zone, it’s not like popping down to the local shopping mall. However, this is what also makes it a valuable experience on a personal level. You are breaking out of the normal routine and you trying something new. This will help you become more confident and these new life experiences will help you in your future life. There is so much to embrace about shopping abroad. You are seeing different parts of the world and experiencing entirely different cultures. Shopping might be tough on the purse strings but it is very good for the soul.
Have you been shopping abroad? Did you enjoy it?
