Where in the world is the best place to shop.
Feb 4th, 2006, 01:50 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our German relatives always looked great; they live and work near Dusseldorf, Essen and Bremen. I think you will find a lot of well dressed men and women in those parts of Germany. When we lived in central Germany, we went to a lot of private parties and most people there dressed very well. Not flashy, but well.
Feb 4th, 2006, 03:02 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Several have mentioned Hong Kong and I would have to agree, from among the places I've visited. It is shopping on steroids and it occurs at every level from street markets to the world's most well-known designer labels.
Feb 4th, 2006, 06:07 AM
#25
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nowhere. I love sitting in my jammies, drinking java and shopping on the internet. www.bluefly.com and www.zappos.com are awesome. You type in what you're looking for, size, color, and price range and it shows you everything available. SO many more choices than wandering around from store to store. One night I shopped on Zappos for size 8, high heeled black sandals and got 1300 choices. Can't do that at Saks or Nordstrom.
Zappos (all shoes including very high end at the couture section)has free shipping, usually gets shoes to my door in 2 days at no extra charge, has a 365 day return policy and has free return shipping. When you don't like something you just get back on the website, pull up your order, indicate which shoes you are sending back and then print out the shipping label. There are reviews of many of the shoes from previous buyers which alerts you to such things as comfort, durability, and how true to size they are.
Zappos (all shoes including very high end at the couture section)has free shipping, usually gets shoes to my door in 2 days at no extra charge, has a 365 day return policy and has free return shipping. When you don't like something you just get back on the website, pull up your order, indicate which shoes you are sending back and then print out the shipping label. There are reviews of many of the shoes from previous buyers which alerts you to such things as comfort, durability, and how true to size they are.
Feb 4th, 2006, 07:52 AM
#27
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I should really visit Georgia again then!
For online shopping in Europe, www.net-a-porter.com is fabulous.
For online shopping in Europe, www.net-a-porter.com is fabulous.
Feb 4th, 2006, 11:45 AM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wherever I am at the moment.......just bought some Longchamps purses on sale in Paris this week;then got excited about cheap handcream and heavy kleenex in Wiesbaden Germany yesterday!Love going shopping to many cities for many different reasons-it really doesn't have to be for expensive things.Part of the thrill of shopping out of the USA is "the hunt"!!!!
Feb 4th, 2006, 11:47 AM
#30
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of the places I've been to, I totally agree with risab's choices. But I might reorder them:
Paris
New York
Florence
Rome
The absolute worst shopping I've ever seen in my life, in a place that was somewhat touted for the shopping choices, was in Scottsdale, AZ. It made me want to run, screaming. AZ, IMO, is a really awful place to shop. I had heard a lot about the "galleries" in Sedona. If that stuff is art, I'd like to know what they would call the things that hang in NYC galleries. What is passed off as art in Scottsdale and Sedona would get laughed at just about anywhere else. Well, maybe not in Branson, Missouri.
Paris
New York
Florence
Rome
The absolute worst shopping I've ever seen in my life, in a place that was somewhat touted for the shopping choices, was in Scottsdale, AZ. It made me want to run, screaming. AZ, IMO, is a really awful place to shop. I had heard a lot about the "galleries" in Sedona. If that stuff is art, I'd like to know what they would call the things that hang in NYC galleries. What is passed off as art in Scottsdale and Sedona would get laughed at just about anywhere else. Well, maybe not in Branson, Missouri.
Feb 4th, 2006, 05:58 PM
#36
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
as: I agree. I have purchased things for my god daughter's children (as close as I may ever come to grandchildren, alas) in Paris, and found very nice things at good prices.
twins77: the leather shopping in Florence is indeed great. I find purses to be the very best buys. I have found a seller at the Straw Market, or Old Market, or the Porcellino Market (sort of goes by all those names) who has stylish and well made bags that I love for good prices. I hope to buy something from him next month. I wish I could tell you his name, but I can describe him: he is about 5'6", about 55 to 60 years old, a medium to dark complexion, and he usually wears a jacket and tie. However, I haven't been there in the summer, so I couldn't tell you what he wears then. ;-)
In the San Lorenzo market area, you will find tons of copies of designer handbags. Thats not my thing, but they look nice enough. There are also lots of coats and jackets, backpacks, business cases, wallets, change purses, gloves, etc. Prices are good, and you can usually barter a little, especially on big ticket items, but quality isn't consistent from dealer to dealer. Carefully inspect anything you are interested in buying.
There are smaller stores all over town that sell nice leather items in every price range. I bought a nice small purse for 18 E, and found that the inside pocket wasn't sewn shut. But for that price, I just took it to my local shoe repair shop and had it fixed for a few dollars.
The Leather School at Santa Croce: I've only bought a tiny change purse here. The quality is high, the styles are classic rather than stylish or innovative, and everything is lovely. The Leather School is NOT cheap.
twins77: the leather shopping in Florence is indeed great. I find purses to be the very best buys. I have found a seller at the Straw Market, or Old Market, or the Porcellino Market (sort of goes by all those names) who has stylish and well made bags that I love for good prices. I hope to buy something from him next month. I wish I could tell you his name, but I can describe him: he is about 5'6", about 55 to 60 years old, a medium to dark complexion, and he usually wears a jacket and tie. However, I haven't been there in the summer, so I couldn't tell you what he wears then. ;-)
In the San Lorenzo market area, you will find tons of copies of designer handbags. Thats not my thing, but they look nice enough. There are also lots of coats and jackets, backpacks, business cases, wallets, change purses, gloves, etc. Prices are good, and you can usually barter a little, especially on big ticket items, but quality isn't consistent from dealer to dealer. Carefully inspect anything you are interested in buying.
There are smaller stores all over town that sell nice leather items in every price range. I bought a nice small purse for 18 E, and found that the inside pocket wasn't sewn shut. But for that price, I just took it to my local shoe repair shop and had it fixed for a few dollars.
The Leather School at Santa Croce: I've only bought a tiny change purse here. The quality is high, the styles are classic rather than stylish or innovative, and everything is lovely. The Leather School is NOT cheap.
Feb 4th, 2006, 06:21 PM
#37
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought several beautiful purses in Florence that I still adore.
In Portugal we found some amazing gold jewelry. Filigree is their specialty, but more mainstream items were great deals too and so much selection.
In Portugal we found some amazing gold jewelry. Filigree is their specialty, but more mainstream items were great deals too and so much selection.
Feb 4th, 2006, 07:38 PM
#38
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll Have to look for that man in the market!!!! I am not in to the designer fakes either.
I will be there in April. I like different and unusual things you don't see everywhere else.
Any good jewelry stores that are not so so $$$. I have always wanted to go by the Ponte Vecchio. When I was about fifteen years old a friend of mine told me about all of the shops near the bridge and I have always wanted to go there. Is it true or is it not like it used to be years ago.
I will be there in April. I like different and unusual things you don't see everywhere else.
Any good jewelry stores that are not so so $$$. I have always wanted to go by the Ponte Vecchio. When I was about fifteen years old a friend of mine told me about all of the shops near the bridge and I have always wanted to go there. Is it true or is it not like it used to be years ago.
Feb 5th, 2006, 05:15 AM
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Ponte Vecciho is a great place to look for jewelry. The prices are not what they used to be but they are still not bad. The selection is wonderful. Make sure you scan all the shops before making a decision. I found prices fluctuated at each shop.
