Shops look elegant but most of them are in most big cities in the US as well.

At least for mens wear, it's the same stuff you can get in the department stores in the US, except for being about 35% less before sales.

Maybe there are some luxury goods you can't find unless you're in NY or Beverly Hills. But otherwise, are there some products which are never sold here?

Or any bargains? That seems less likely given the VAT.

Things like cognac, champagne and cheese also don't seem to be any cheaper. True, there are probably greater varieties available over there.

So why buy over there and lug it here, possibly deal with Customs?

Mostly I agree with you. But I do like to buy new jeans and nice dressy pants in Zurich at Jelmoli. For some reason, their brands run longer (and I need a tall size) which means I have several pairs from which to choose! )( I often buy more than one pair) In the US, I'm lucky to find ONE pair that fits me just right.

I do almost all of my shopping in Europe.

I almost never buy clothes in Europe, because I can get them much cheaper here in the US (thanks to sales, clearance, and outlet stores). But I do buy accessories if they are unique/handmade.

However, I do enjoy buying something unique in Europe, things I can't (easily) get here in the US.

Some examples I've bought are:
Marquetry framed mirror in Granada
Handmade ceramic vase in Cordoba
Hand-painted pottery in Seville
Orange Club biscuits in UK
Handmade ceramic garlic holder in Bamberg, Germany
Glass wall clock in Brussels

I find that many household items that are sold in the US, are ubiquitously Made in China, unless one is willing to pay $$$ to purchase European-made goods at specialty import shops.

Maybe everyone else here has more money than I do, but i never shop in Europe. I can barely afford to travel there, i certainly can't afford nice clothes or "luxury goods".

Unless I find something really unique yet still affordable I do not shop in Europe. I see no point in buying things just for the sake of buying things. I always get funny looks when I return to the US because I have little to nothing to claim on my customs form.

I like to window shop. I always bring home some little thing that is inexpensive and speaks of the place we are visiting. I don't buy elegant clothing or furnishings in my own country, so it is doubtful that I'll ever buy them in Europe.

But a little bit of shopping and window shopping in between sightseeing is a lot of fun.

Two years ago, just before going to France, I bought some new 501 Levis on sale for $21.99
Two weeks later, in a shop window in Burgundy, I saw them for sale.



84 euro

But they do have nice wine.

I shop! I love antiques so I'm always on the lookout for a special piece. I never leave the Nice antique market with an empty bag. I also have bought a few unique sweaters that I have not seen at home. And I have bought several LV handbags and other accessories that are available in the US, but they are less expensive in France. I consider them as my souvenirs. Although I must confess, I have a collection of Eiffel Tours in various sizes displayed in my bedroom.

I don't enjoy shopping at home and I sure don't want to spend time doing it on vacation! The only shopping we do is at antique shows, and we are doing less and less of that because I'm paring down these days.

The examples yk brought up are valid, stuff made by local artisans which probably aren't exported widely.

My point is, why would Americans be excited about these shopping districts with high-end boutiques?

Prada, Furla, LV, etc. can all be purchased anywhere in the world and probably in the US for less price or at least less hassle (no Customs to deal with, no worries about packing).

Last year, I looked at prices for shipping wines back to the US from Montalcino shops. Prices didn't seem that different from what I recall in the US. But the topper was that it was at least 90 Euro shipping back to the US.

And if you spend a couple of hundred to ship a case of wine back, what would happen in Customs anyways?

tomboy,

It also works the other way around. I bought some unusual jeans at C&A for 39 euros and a season later saw similar ones here for $199.

Other things I can't get in the US include good sunscreen, Poulain dark chocolate, and Repetto shoes.

Furla is MUCH cheaper in Florence than in the US.

Is that at the outlet stores?

And what do you declare when you return?

It was a regular store. The item was way under the limit of what has to be declared.

I can't buy much now but I still like to window shop, particularly home goods, fabrics and food items. I don't dare look at handbags and scarves.

Even in my heyday, I always declared everything--when the franc was 10 to the dollar, your duty free allowance bought quite a bit. And back in "those days", Customs worked with you to tax first the items with the least amount of duty(maybe they still do).

I also learned virtually all paper products and books are duty free--two of my weaknesses. And, I shipped things when postage was so much less than it is now.

The duty on wine used to be about 18 cents a bottle over the two bottle limit, so it wasn't painful to bring back half a case. Now, with the carry on restrictions, it really isn't worth it.

Not everyone lives in a large U.S. city endowed with stores carrying high-end European labels. Yes, I can order limited selections online, but that means at least $20 in round trip shipping and handling charges just to look at an item.

I found that Mefisto shoes and Longchamp bags are less expensive in France than in the U.S., so I bought one of each, shoes and a bag.

I also love Italian and French ceramics, and Provencal fabrics.

Anna

I can't imagine going to a glorious city like Rome or Paris or Munich or...any wonderful European city and spending my time shopping.

When I lived in Germany, I tried shopping for dresses. At first I couldn't find anything that fit, but I finally found two that fit me nicely. Turned out they both had New York labels.

I have narrow shoulders, and German styles seemed to be for women who had broader shoulders and a larger bust.

Shoes were also a problem. My feet are extremely narrow. The only shoes I found that fit were Bally shoes, and they cost an arm and a leg even then.

Does anyone else have problems finding clothes that fit in Europe?

Germans like to fly to New York for shopping. They buy jeans, clothes, electronics.

Cherries from my neighbour's tree taste better.