Anne

This summer in Meersburg, Germany <BR> <BR>The dollar was so strong, and there was a little antique shopnext to our hotel, there were fabulous things some priced under $100, such as gorgeous place settings, crystal, Von Furstenburg <BR>flat ware with handpainted handles... <BR>I just thought about it toooo long then her shop was closed and we had to leave town. So mad!!!

Jackie

I'm no way a shopper. I actually hate to shop and avoid it at all costs both when traveling and at home. I occassionally have bought things on trips though....mostly handcrafted jewelry that was one of a kind and small to carry. In China in 1987 though I bought a padded bright blue jacket with muti-colored hand stiched animal figures on it for just a dirt price. Many times on our trip we saw locals in stalls selling similar (usually red ones). I am still sorry I didn't get a red one too and maybe more than just 2. Whenever I have worn this jacket in the past 14 years I get tons of compliments and comments on it. Wish I had another and more to give to friends as presents. But I did buy silk scarves in China....9 of them and have never worn them...they still sit in their packaging to this day.

jill

My motto is buy as long as the cost is reasonable. You may not see it again or have time to buy it some other time. Some flexibility allowed for deliberation for more common souvenirs like magnets, thimbles, and postcards. Even then, I usually buy by the 3rd shop as by this time, the sample and prices are usually quite representative of what is available and I rather spend more time enjoying the place than doing market research.

Jen

Oh yes! <BR> <BR>1. Pottery in Deruta, Italy. I should have never let my husband convince me that I had purchased enough...there were several other pieces that I would have LOVED to have brought home. <BR> <BR>2. A cashmere wrap in Paris. I saw this GORGEOUS wrap 2 trips ago, and on my last trip, the boutique did not carry them any more. I still think about it, esp now that it's cold. <BR> <BR>

snorkelman

My experiences go both ways. In Florence I bought about 5 silk ties for $6-8 each and i wish that I bought more. <BR> <BR>However, in Munich I bought a cookoo clock and found the EXACT same clock back in the USA - and it was cheaper in the USA!

kathryn

Definately yes,last month in Green Bay,I saw a sweet black sweater with'Evil'written across the front of it,& in another store,a beautiful silver watch.I decided that I could probably find the same sweater in Chicago,but I couldn't.The people at the watch store couldn't alter the watch to fit,and I daren't spend all that money,only to get it home & find it couldn't be altered here,so I decided not to buy that either.I am so annoyed with myself now,as I haven't seen anything similar at home,but keep telling myself that they are only possesions and I don't really need them.......do I?

dean

my wife and i have a solution to this problem. we just buy everything we both like. lucky for us we ahve disparate tastes and both of us only like a limited number of things. And we always come back broke but we do have quite a collection of art. <BR> <BR>But seriously, I passed up on a Tony Basile suit in Venice because i was too tired to try it on. It was about $400.00 us and the only suit I have seen like it was over $1500 here in Washington DC.

Richard

Passed on a $600 Reuge music box in Switzerland two years ago and got back to the US and found the same one here for $1300. Just got back two weeks ago from another trip that included Lucerne. Got it this time.

elvira

In Morocco, we saw the blue cloth being dyed that the Berbers wear and said "oh we can get that before we leave" and we didn't. I've worn down the heels on two pairs of shoes kicking myself in the butt. <BR> <BR>Now, I just buy everything and figure out when I get home what to do with it all:

ingrid

Yes, the coral necklaces for about $10.00 - 20.00 on the street market in Venice. Would have made cool presents.

Elizabeth

At Carl Larsson's house in Sweden, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, there was a book for sale in the giftshop which was a book of his pictures of his home and family life, called "At Home," in English. I didn't buy it because of not wanting to carry a biggish book around, and I wish I had it very often. I plan to go back and next time I will get it.

Daphne

On our first trip to London in the 60's saw some beautiful oil paintings of snow scenes of London [and I don't even like snow!]. They weren't even that expensive; I have never forgotten them and would have kept one to this day. Also, I loved the old Gault ceramics of gray Paris townhouses. They now have colors added and are not the same.

Rhonda

Yes, all the time. Too many to post.

J L

My husband and I were at a small art show in Cairns, Australia - there were some incredible pen and ink drawings that were so powerful - we dillied and dallied, though. When I e-mailed them from home to get one as a present for my husband, the show had ended and no one knew how to reach the artist. ARGH!

Bel

Elizabeth, if you don't make it back soon but still want the Larsson book: I got a copy of it from a used bookseller through Amazon.com about a week ago.

Mipps

My grandpa always told us, "When in doubt, buy." We've always followed that advice and never have kicked ourselves when we get home. <BR> <BR>If you still procrastinate, always ask for a business card or a phone number. You can always pick up the phone and order what you passed up.

Gloria

ZZ Top, <BR>We purchased one of those fabulous swords made in Toledo. If you still want one, I have a catalog that shows pictures, history, prices from the store where we purchased our sword. The computer that I use with my scanner is down, but, when it is operational (as I expect to be within a few days), I could send you this via email. Send me an email if interested.

xxx

A chador in Turkey, looked oppressive on me and I use as a dust rag now.

xxx

Ok I just answered the opposite of what you asked. Yes wish I bought a Chanel ring I saw at heathrow airport. I noted to myself all the superfical thoughts you might be thinking but I still wish I had it.

If I Knew...

When I was twelve my family spent fifteen months traveling around Europe (my dad was on sabbatical). At the end of our trip we ended up in Amsterdam before returning to the U.S. <BR> <BR>I had worked all summer before we left for Europe, so that I would have some money to spend on souveniers. By the time we reached Amsterdam (I was now thirteen) all I had left was about twenty dollars. <BR> <BR>One day I was wandering around by myself and I happened to wander in to "The Red-light District". I guess the "ladies" thought it was cute that a young boy was there alone and many of them began calling me over and talking to me. Finally, one of them asked me how old I was and, upon learning, asked me if I was interested in "becoming a man". I knew (even at that age) what was going on and told her I only had twenty dollars. Her response was that since I was "so cute" she would give it to me for ten! I was too nervous and scared but regret it to this day.