gigglepots

Thanks Budzilla - you are a girl after my own heart! I don't know much that can beat shopping and chocolate. I like your idea about doing Serendipity during the day we hit Bloomingdale's/Bergdorf. And then maybe as GoTravel suggested, do a long lunch instead at Central Park before SATC tour on Labour Day.

Since you seem to know a thing or two about shopping, maybe i can tell you our shopping itinerary? Any other comments welcome naturally!

WEDNESDAY
- Arriving late afternoon meaning we'll probably just relax, but we hope to maybe hit the Barney's Warehouse sale!!

THURSDAY (before Labour Day)
-Century 21 (we're obssessed enough to be there at 7:45am open!)
-work our way up North from there into SoHo/Nolita

FRIDAY
-Fifth Ave/57th Street

SATURDAY
-Woodbury Commons

Keep in mind we'll be hitting the village on Sunday, and Tribeca after our walk over the bridge on Tuesday. and we have Wednesday the week after for a free day to maybe go back to Soho/Nolita or anywhere else if need be.

Hmm, why does it seem like suddenly we don't have enough shopping days in our itinerary???

budzilla

Am assuming that you are mostly doing clothes/accessories/shoe shopping. So here's another tome of comments. The city is slow in August, which is why I think more people haven't chimed in with shopping suggestions.

I haven't been to the Barneys sale in several years so can't give you much info on that front. I guess I never really found that much for myself there and I gave up. Definitely check it out, though, cause others come back with great bargains.

Century 21 - Getting there at 7:45 is NOT obsession, it's PRACTICALITY. Absolutely get up early and be there when they open. The dressing room lines are usually awful, just awful, and the designer clothes selling floor is a mess, except really early in the am. Communal dingy dressing rooms, so dress to undress: slip-on shoes, easy on&off clothes. Do the clothes shopping first, then go down to the basement (sheets, towels, home goods) then around the corner to the shoes, where even in the middle of the day, the crowds are tolerable. Of course, all this may be moot if the city is totally dead that week but even if the locals aren't around, the tourists will be.

There is another discount shoe place called "Anbar" on either Duane or Reade Street, which is a few blocks north of Century 21. It's not a visitor stop, in fact a lot of the locals don't know about it. I hope it's still there I haven't been in a year or so. So on your walk uptown, stop by there too. Not much decent to eat near Century 21, so walk up to Tribeca. A couple of places to consider for coffee and simple lunch or sweets: Kitchenette on West Broadway; Bubbys on Hudson Street;or Bouley (not the restaurant proper, but the little sit-down place with sandwiches and snacks)(might be closed that week, so double check)

The downtown thing - Soho, Nolita, Village, can easily take the whole day. Keep in mind that a lot of the Nolita shops might open later and keep later hours. Might want to call a few places you plan to hit to get a feeling for how late you can shop. Tons of places for sweets and eats.

Does the bus to Woodbury run on Fridays? If so, I would swap your Friday and Saturday itinerary, the reason being that Woodbury is a zoo on the weekends, and Fifth Avenue/57th Streets won't be too bad on SAturday because so many of the locals are away.

FYI, Fifth Avenue in midtown is mostly large chain stores (H&M, Banana Republic, etc.) so if you are looking for that, start in the mid 40s (Streets). If you're looking for higher end, start at 50th Street at Saks (Teuscher, Richart or Maison du Chocolate chocolates all in the immediate vicinity), walk up to Bendel's, Felissimo, Takashimaya, then Bergdorf's.

More info:
Check these web sites for info on current sample sales. If I don't have the web address correct, just google:
www.dailycandy.com
www.manhattanusersguide.com
www.nymetro.com (this is the website for New York Magazine, which lists sample sales each week)

There is also a site
www.menupages.com
that lists menus from a lot of different NYC restaurants. Not all participate, but it's another information resource.

One more thing: There are a couple of other discount stores that you *might* want to check out but only if you have extra time or are passing by: Daffy's (several locations), TJMaxx, Loehmann's. DAffy;s doesn't always have name brand goods, but sometimes you can find decent clothing bargains there. TJMaxx is better in the suburbs than in the city, but their linen/sheet prices are often lower than Century 21 . Loehmann's, if you're passing by, is worth a walk-around, but not a special trip.

Any more questions??

gigglepots

I wonder if it means I have a problem when reading all about the shopping brought a sweet happy tear to my eye, Budzilla! hehe. I now have to save even more money for shopping!!!

Yes, we're not much for the chain stores, just H&M, so most likely we'll hit that but head straight to the 50's. A few of those stops will mostly be for "sightseeing" - I don't really expect to drop any money at Bergdorf's - maybe the cheapest pair of socks they have! j/k

We're actually catching a ride to Woodbury Commons on Sat so unfortunately we won't be able to change the itinerary.

Thanks for the sample sale links! The only one I have been looking at is topbutton.com and I haven't seen anything around those dates yet. I will have to check again the week before we go.

We will DEFINITELY check out Anbar!!! Where should we head after that? Straight into SoHo? I believe there is a section in Tribeca with unique shops but the street fails me now (my shopping "notes" are at home).

We'll have a full day on Thursday beginning with Century 21 - and the entire day for Tribeca/SoHo/Nolita - and then Sunday will be entirely for the village. But perhaps we need to do more SoHo/Nolita on Friday, because I think we would buy more stuff there than places like Sak's and Tiffany's (!). We really want to just swing by and breathe in this renowned area.

Here's the thing - we decided to do the crazy shopping days right at the beginning because of the Tax Free Week you guys are having - do you suppose we should maybe save Fifth Ave/57th Street for the week after because it's more high end? We want fairly affordable fashions, edging into good name brands (less Gap, more Diesel / less fancy, more local trendy but affordable) but bloomingdale's IS part of that area.....

I think New York City is really welcoming us because I just found out they have extended the New York Restaurant Week too til Sept 5th! Yay!

Budzilla, you have been a HUGE help. You have provided more tips than I could have ever expected (though I know Fodorites never disappoints). I cannot say thank you enough. We'll think of you when we (hopefully) lug tons of clothes/shoes/accessories home with us!!

KikiLee

Just FYI, there is a Diesel store right accross the street from Bloomingdale's on Lex. There's also an H&M across the street from Bloomie's on 3rd. Be sure to include the frozen yogurt from Bloomie's (available in the cafe in the basement - I prefer the plain with raspberry sauce and honey) on your tour of sweets.

Have never been, but from what I have heard, I would skip the SATC tour as well. Better just to go to the places and live the life, right? Let me know if you need suggestions.

Have fun!!

budzilla

Just one more thing which I hope will help/warn others, too. TopButton CHARGES for their listings. I was annoyed when I found out and I personally don't like a policy that excludes so many of the local manufacturers and designers who just can't afford to advertise like that. The other listings services are editorial. Also, TimeOut has sample sale listings, too. Check not just the latest week, but the past several weeks' worth of listings. I think the tax-free only applies to purchases less than $110 (someone chime in here if I'm wrong), so yes, it will be less valuable a discount in Bergdorf's and the more expensive stores.

gigglepots

Yes, that is correct - tax free applies to all clothing and shoes less than U$110.00. I guess I'll still have to pay tax on those Manolos! haha

gigglepots

Is the SATC tour really not worth going on? I just thought for U$35, they will take us everywhere and we wouldn't have to have the hassle of figuring out how to get to these places on our own? (i.e. Aidan's furniture store, Carrie's stoop, etc)

budzilla

I think we New Yorkers are rather jaded about tours. I know I am. That said, they are time savers if you want to get the most general feel for somewhere or if you are interested in something specific. If you two really want to do the SATC tour, go for it. It will be fun, you will get to see the city; to find all those sites on your own will take way more time and effort, and you have plenty of other days to explore. So enjoy it and consider it the one really kitschy touristy thing you'll do. By the way, where are you coming from? Somewhere in the UK?

gigglepots

We are both actually from Canada (Vancouver). I wish we were from the UK! - We did a trip two yrs ago to London and Paris and fell in love with them. We have no doubt this will ring true as well for New York!

bigguy350

I always wondered why there's such a big line in front of Serendipity. When I want overpriced touristy food I go to the Carnegie Deli on 7th ave. It hurts but how can you say no to a sandwich the size of your head? For a regular nice dinner I'd check out Serafina, on 61st st I believe. Great Italian. There are a few good quizzes on getting around NYC here (subways & such):

www.plentysmart.com

budzilla

Yet more comments re: shopping. The September issue of Lucky Magazine (that bastion of capitalistic excess!)has a good overview of the New York shopping neighborhoods and some interesting shops. If you can pick up a copy, it might be useful.

Also, and you might already know this, major stores give a one-day discount if you open a charge account that day. I was reminded of this when I saw the Barneys Warehouse Sale ad. I don't want to advocate debt acquisition, but if you're bargain hunting and you don't have store charge cards, why not fill out the applications and get the 10% or whatever off (off your entire purchase, regardless of whether you're buying sale or regular priced merchandise). If you'll be too tempted to make future use of the cards, just get the account for the day, make a vow to rip up the permanent charge card when it's mailed to you, and make a note on your calendar to cancel after around a year (when you cancel a credit card here in the states, it actually negatively affects your credit rating). Don't know if that's true in Canada.

Be sure to ask when you get to Woodbury Common about daily deals, too. Sometimes there are additional discounts if you purchase a certain amount (I always keep these things in mind if I'm shopping with friends - sometimes we can pool our purchases to get better deals)

gigglepots

While I have been guilty of signing up for a few retail credit cards myself for that mere purpose, I have since found that it is best not to tempt yourself. In Canada, they really do take a look at your historical record of signing up for such cards and even if you do cancel them afterwards, like Budzilla said, it can indeed negatively affect your rating. When your credit history is reviewed, they don't just look at existing debt, but everything that you've ever gotten your grubby shopaholic hands on. Er, so let's just say I've already got a few under my belt so I've barred myself from doing this!

Good call on the daily deals at Woodbury ...

Since this thread has so obviously turned onto the subject of shopping (hey, it IS the majority of our itinerary! ;b) - is Filene's Basement a hit and miss? is it worth going???

budzilla

Definitely hit or miss. Don't go out of your way for Filene's. If you pass by one, sure go in, but it's not a destination. The better merchandise seems to now go to other discount chains and to stores' own outlets.

cindymal

I strongly agree with the above posts.As a new Yorker we alway avoid times Square but I undrstand it is a must see for visitors.If ou have the time drie through at night.The lights are amazing.It sounds like yo are going to have a great time

Bokhara

Hi, I'm on my first (but definitely not last!) visit to NY and am having a ball. Bloomingdales give a discount card (30 days)and Macys (1day) - both 11%. Just produce your drivers licence or other ID to establish your Visitor status. Don't need Passport. If you buy a New York City Pass, you get 15% at Bloomingdales (1 day). The City Pass costs $53 & covers entry to the Guggenheim, MoMA, Empire State, American Museum of Natural History,Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, a Circle Line sightseeing cruise. It's valid for 9 days from first day of use. Does NOT cover the Met.