I'm heading off to San Francisco for a work trip end of this week and staying for 3 weeks. This is the first time I've been to the USA since we moved to Australia 3 years ago and I'm wondering with the strong dollar can anyone suggest what over there is considerably cheaper than here, that I can bring back?

I'm thinking clothes mainly but any other suggestions would be good.

Cheers,

electronics? be aware of ur $900 tax free limit though.

So get a $900 tablet and start downloading SW while there

We always stock up on clothes, perfumes and things like that as they are so much less expensive.

Do NOT buy your duty free booze in aus. Buy it in walmart for $8 a bottle, same stuff is as high as $40 duty free here.

Clothes, up to 80% cheaper on brand stuff. Outlet malls on outskirts of main cities, the one at Palm springs is worth tripping over for. Teens head to toe, jeans, shoes, hoodies, t shirts, surf shorts, the entire lot, with change out of $200 each.

Leather goods, Leather 'RM williams style' weekend bag, $130, saw one here similar but smaller, it was $670.

Glasses, dental work. Seriously next time we are there kid is getting dental implant for about 15% of the aussie price.

Hotels, family suites, including internet, parking, breakfast cost us no more than $120 a night, even in SF, mostly 4 star, and a couple of 5 star gems.

Gas, about 75c litre last december.

Public transport, we take it in most cities, it rarely cost more than $2 a ride.

You have to ride the trams in SF, been there in fog and sun and always fantastic ride, hangin off the side if brave.

guns

Don't forget the cheap ammo. Without ammo a gun is just a short club.

True

Guns are truly one of the best things about America

Surely the first question would be "what do you need?"

That's what I was going to say. Nothing's a "bargain" unless it's something you were looking to buy anyway.

:_)

I looked in one of RM Williams's stores recently to see the price of a pair of boots. They were $400. After we stopped laughing we stopped to consider that the identical pair of boots I was wearing cost us $70 in the UK. I can only presume RM Williams sews pure gold into the soles.

Apart from healthcare, utilities bills and property taxes, I can't think of anything that would be cheaper in Australia, so whatever you buy will be a bargain.

And mind the voltage.

I saw some desert boots (remember them from the 80's?) in a shop a couple of days ago and thought 'they'll be nice for my trip the UK next week' Not priced in the window so nipped in - $229 WTF? Next week onwards I'll be literally filling my boots!

I thought people in QLD wore no shoes in public places 'cos they were bogans. They probably just can't afford shoes...