Okay, some of you are already going to know this..and I should have. Someone on the Hungary board mentioned that Clinique was very inexpensive there. So, I went to buy a gift for my sister, but the face cream was $US 50, so I thought better of it. Upon leaving Paris on our return, Duty Free had the same cream for about $40 US. So, although I know generally most of the prices are no bargain (except liquor or wine sometimes), I bought the Clinque face cream. Last night, I walked by the Clinque counter in the mall and asked the cost...$20.50....what a dummy I am! Thankfully, I only paid $13 for a huge bottle of Amaretto that I bought on our way to Hungary and drank through our 2 weeks abroad!
(also posted on the France board)
(one of these days I'll get a trip report finished...loved the HUGE Gellert suite and breakfast....mostly sneakers on the Americans and alot of dark colored clothing...pink hasn't hit Budapest!

I found that to be true for some perfums. However, I bought Clarins products in Lyons at half the USA price. Best thing to do is have an idea of prices beforehand or simply get yourself to an Internet connection and check prices.

There is no such thing as a Hungary board or a France board. This ie the Europe board with a search function for words and/or countries.

But to be sure you get your message through perhaps you would like to post your "what a dummy am I" on the Austria board, the Germany board, the Spain board and the boards of all the countries with a border to Hungary and France?

Generally we aren't Duty Free shoppers, but we do stop in the shops to see what's available. Rarely have we found that items also sold in the States cost less then we can get them at home. The only items we have ever purchased are those that cannot be found (aren't sold) at home. A friend did find a particular mascara or brown pencil for $1 more then at home and did buy it - only for the convenience of being at the Duty Free and wouldn't have to find the items once at home. With the exception of cigarettes or wines/liquor, more often then not, Duty Free isn't a bargain.

viennese -- that wasn't nice. It's a common and understandable mistake and didn't deserve your comment.

tmt -- the basic rule is that American products will be more expensive in Europe. Whatever "bargains" remain at dutyfree will be products that have been made in Europe.

Teacher sfowler, thank you for educating me.

>viennese -- that wasn't nice. It's a common and understandable mistake and didn't deserve your comment.<

Ditto

The only thing I've ever found to be a bargain, and a small one at that, is liquor. I've bought my favorite single malt for a bit less than I could get it at home. Even then, I no longer think it's worth the trouble of carrying it on the plane to save $10.

Oh, viennesse, low blow...

As one whose other half carries the marketing vulnerability gene to the point of practically bearing a tattoo blaring "sell to me - I am gullible and will belive your pitch", I have to do some defensive preparation when faced with the inevitable stroll through duty free. What I've learned is that any bargains derive from (quelle surprise!) the absence of duty fees, which tend to be highest on things like liquor and tobacco, maybe some local products. Otherwise - barring the occasional sale - prices are no better and often higher than in the US. Example - a couple months ago we purchased some Izod shirts that were suppposedly on sale at airport duty free in Paris. Back home, we found the same (not similar, the exact same) shorts for $15 less at SFA. Of course sometimes there are items just not available in the US, but otherwise there are not a whole lot of bargains to be had.