Hi:
We're a group of 7 (3 Moms + 4 teens)who will be in NYC in July for 4 days. Which is better for knock off deals and general good shopping between The Century 21 Mall or Canal St?

Century 21 isn't a mall -- it is a large store which sells AUTHENTIC designer clothing at discount prices as well as household items (bedding, dishware, etc.) . Canal St. "offers" cheap knock-offs.

I've never been to Canal Street but went to Century 21 last week for the first time and loved it! As the previous poster mentioned, it has authentic designer clothing at discount prices. It's a huge store. My advice would be not to go at lunch time! It's very busy then. I really loved it and would love to go back.

Why not do both? They aren't that far apart--a 5 minute subway ride on the R/W from right outside Century21 to the Canal stop, or a similarly short ride by cab. I'd say go to Century first and then head up to Canal Street and wander around until you work up an appetite, and head into Chinatown for lunch.

Please don't buy the knock offs on Canal Street. Spend your money on legitimate goods. Not only does it steal from the designers, in some cases it has been proven to fund terrorism.

Century 21 is fantastic but you need patience. The best time to go is early in the morning on a weekday. Avoid Saturdays at all costs. Plan on spending several hours there and you have to dig. Horrible customer service but worth it.

For easier inexpensive shopping, check out H&M. Teens love the place. Think of uber trendy at cheap prices. Huge store, Old Navy prices. Karl Lagerfield just took over as chief designer.

Karl would be upset, GoT... Lagerfeld. ;-)

Klose butt no bannana uh Mitchell? LOL

I know my designers just can't spell damnit!

That's ok... I can't spell Proenza Schuller (is that it?)...

Your teens will really enjoy Canal Street (the best blocks are between Mulberry & Broadway). You'll find plenty of fun fake/bootleg merchandise, from handbags to watches to DVDs to sunglasses. Be sure to bargain -- you should get $20 sunglasses for no more than $12, for example.

Century 21 is a big, crowded department store, a nightmare on weekends. But one can find solid bargains.

Enjoy!

H&M is a great for teens! (My nieces loved it!) Century 21 for clothes. Canal for sunglasses, purses and watches. As stated before, both are a must and easily doable. Word of advice from living there...anything sold on the street is absolutely a knock-off so pay accordingly. Also, not to be an alarmist, having taken many friends and family down to Canal Street to by knock-off watches, be careful amount "flashing" your money. On weekends with the crowds, you will be bumped and pushed against. Your money can easily be lifted from your front pockets.

Thanks to all for your advice! This really helps in planning this exciting trip even tho it isn't till July.

Canal Street money funds terrorism? That's such a tired and beaten down argument. And Karl LagerFELD (not LagerFIELD) certainly didn't isn't chief designer at H&M. He participated in a single, small series for H&M that had little to do with his typical couture clothing. Lots of exaggerating here.

GoTravel, if you're so worried about knockoffs and resultant global terror, then why are your recommending H&M? Do you think a place like H&M which sells $9 hoodies and $19 pants is paying the workers who make the clothing a living wage? Do you think because H&M is American, the workers are happy and love "the civilized world"? I'm not sure workers getting pennies each day from an American company is somehow more comforting than Chinese-funded knockoffs are.

Sorry, but it's just a bit hypocritical. I'd say relax and have a cup of coffee, but you probably don't drink coffee, since it funds Columbian drug lords and genocidal African leaders.

It's a tired and beaten down argument huh?

http://www.thehoya.com/guide/110504/guide19.cfm

"The IACC is the largest organization dealing exclusively with issues involving IP counterfeiting and piracy. The organization has approximately 130 members representing a cross-section of industries, including the automotive, electrical, entertainment, software, apparel, luxury goods, tobacco, personal care, pharmaceutical and office product sectors. The total annual revenues of IACC members exceed US$650 Billion."

http://wwwc.house.gov/international_...08/tra0716.htm

"In a nutshell, counterfeiting supports drug running, finances terrorism and facilitates money laundering, say the experts. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1577212.stm

http://www.aftermarket.org/Informati...terfeiting.pdf

I also did an extensive search on Snopes.com to see if it was just urban myth that conterfeit merchandise supports terrorism. No dice.

I also tried to find information anywhere where it shows that conterfeits are not linked to terrorism.

The one article I found with a small blurb had to retract the statement that bootleg dvds do not support terrorism because the house sub committee had evidence proving bootleg dvds do support terrorism.

The one big thing you are forgetting is that the conterfeits are illegal.

By the way gumbo, Michelle already corrected my typo.

gumbo's also mistaken in the facts - H&M is NOT an American store. Perhaps gumbo is a terrorist.

Please don't jaywalk when your're in NYC. It's illegal. Ha Ha!

Enjoy Chinatown's "knock-offs" and don't be concerned with the alarmist garbage you read on internet forums.

Gekko, how long where you in the full body cast last time you jaywalked across Park Avenue?