I am looking for the best clothing (italian NYC designers), handbag (gucci, etc) hair salon products(kerastase), etc.

Probably not at harbourfront.<BR><BR>Take a cab to Holt Renfrew, on Bloor Street West between Yonge Street and Bay Street, and then work your way through that neighborhood.<BR><BR>There's a Gucci department within Holt's, and the neighborhood has lots of other top stores. I know nothing about hair products, but you'll find the best in the same area. Yorkville Avenue, Cumberland Avenue, Bloor Street.<BR><BR>If you want to save the cab fare, take the streetcar from Harborfront ($2.25 cash) into the subway station, and then take the northbound subway to Museum and walk up a block, or to Youge, and walk west a block. Subway is shaped like a U, so Museum puts you west of Holt's and Yonge puts you east of Holts.<BR><BR>BAK

Brian may claim to know nothing of hair products, but he knows his shopping areas! He has directed you well, and you will have fun in the area immediately adjacent to Bloor and Bay, known as Yorkville esp. for designer clothes and handbags that are creatively spectacular. I wouldn't bother with Harbourfront for what you have described. <BR><BR>If you are in the market for hair products, you would be wise to check out one or two salon suppliers (yes, you can buy retail). Names are not my strong suit but I actually shop at these two: one, I believe, called Discount Salon on the north west corner of Bay and Dundas and the other (much more elegant and pricier) on the south west corner of Front and Church Streets. Good luck!

Bloor Street and Yorkville area are the best for what you're looking for. Holt Renfrew (Holts) does not have a Gucci boutique! Gucci is further west a couple of blocks and is one of their largest North American Stores. On Bloor you'll also find Max Mara, Chanel, Hermes, Escada et al. For Moschino and other Italian designers don't miss Georgio on Bloor, also Boutique Quinto.<BR><BR>For great hair care products and wonderful cosmetics try Pir on Bellair or my favorite - Delineation on Yonge Street north of Eglinton(huge selection including LeClerc, Cargo, Kiehls, Kerastase, Darphin, Decleor and many others).<BR><BR>Have fun.

Gayle,<BR><BR>Thanks so much!!!! This is exactly what I am looking for. How are the prices on the cosmetics and haircare ie Kerastase??

Carrie,<BR>I think the prices on hair care and cosmetic items are about the same once you calculate the exchange rate. One exception would be the Kiehls products which are a fortune here. <BR><BR>Your dollar goes very far here! But for large purchases (like at Gucci for example)make sure you apply to get back the GST (goods and services tax) as that can add up to a significant savings (7%).<BR><BR>Happy shopping.

Gayle,<BR><BR>Thanks again for the info! Can you explain the GST? I am not familiar. I really appreciate all of your help and guidance. I was hoping because of the conversion rate, I would save some $. Do they raise the prices so it really doesnt work out?

And make sure you stop in at Wenches & Rogues (in Yorkville) to stock up on beautiful Canadian designer clothes. Another store worth a special visit is Price Roman (Queen Street West, south side of the street, a few blocks from the Osgoode subway stop at Queen and University). They have gorgeous, unique formal clothes and suits at a fraction of the price you'd pay anywhere else - with quality to match European designers. Check the opening hours - they might not be open on Sundays.

The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is 7 percent, on just about everything. It is combined with an Ontario sales tax of 8 per cent, also on just about everything.<BR><BR>Some food is exempt, some purchases under a certain price.<BR><BR>Cash registers figure this out automatically for you.<BR><BR>Before you leave home, carefully check the prices, including your local taxers, on specific items that interest you, if there are name-brand items. That's the only way to compare Canadian and US prices, because there are no general rules except for a few, including these, which apply to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and maybe to other cities.<BR>Restaurant food is less, taking into account the exchange rate. A $15 pasta dish in Toronto is, more or less, like a $15 pasta dish in Cleveland or Phoenix, but really costs an American only about $10.<BR><BR>Admission to attractions like museums and art galleries in Canada is a bargain for Americans. $10 CDN means only $6.50 to Americans.<BR><BR>CDs work out less in Canada, most of the time, from discount record stores, when you are comparing "regular" discount prices, but not special sales.<BR><BR>Name brand clothes (GAP shirts, say, of Eddie Bauer sweaters) are pretty much the US price plus the exchange rate.<BR><BR>For other things, you need to know specific model numbers and product codes to make really accurate comparisons.<BR><BR>And there's a GST refund program for visitors, so save your receipts and look for brochures on this program in hotel lobbies.<BR><BR>BAK<BR><BR><BR><BR>

As always Brian seems to have jumped in and...said it ALL!!!!!

My husband & I just returned from T.O. and will try to take advantage of the GST (Goods & Services Tax) refund this trip. <BR><BR>--Accomodations and goods qualify.<BR><BR>--Food, car rentals, parking do NOT qualify.<BR><BR>--Keep original receipts.<BR><BR>--Individual receipts must be a minimum of $50CDN and $3.50 GST. This disqualified many of my receipts.<BR><BR>--You can do the refund by mail. There is a $200 CDN $14 GST minimum total for this. The info and paperwork is usually in the hotel lobby or the concierge will give it to you.<BR><BR>--If you go across the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, they will look at your stuff and give you the refund right there. Then you can turn around and spend it in the duty free shop (haha). I don't know if every bridge has this service.<BR><BR>Good Luck!