DH Going to Bangkok - I see a shopping opportunity!!!

[LitigatorChick]

DH is heading to Bangkok. My GF in Dubai says that there is lots of shopping in Bangkok airport, and good deals on LV, etc. I figure I need a new bag as a present for looking after the little man for 2 weeks on my own while DH is gone. SO....

2 things. Is GF right, or am I getting my hopes up? Second, DH will need very very specific directions on what to buy, so what should I tell him to get? HELP!

 

[monarch64]

Well..what do you WANT?

I''m not familiar with overseas airports such as Bangkok and what exactly that LV store would have to offer...give me a few choices and I''ll gladly help you narrow it down, hee hee.

 

[surfgirl]

Well, if you live in the US, duty free LV in BKK is not a "deal" in any way (it''s my second home so I know exactly what''s in the airport, and in fact the old airport had better duty free for some weird reason). In fact, nothing is a deal in duty free anywhere in the world if you live in the US, even counting in local taxes. Sadly, I have to say your GF is wrong. I''m not sure your GF in Dubai is American or what but while Dubai boasts the largest duty free shopping centers in the world, again, you''re not getting a deal on designer anything.

BKK is a wonderful shopping place, but you really have to be there in person to see what you love. I dont recommend buying gems there though as too many people get shafted, even experts know now to go shopping without a kit to verify what gems they''re really getting...They have wonderful silks, terrific traditional things...but not bargain designer LV...unless you''re looking for knock offs in which case they''re on every street corner along Silom Road.

 

[Independent Gal]

I agree with Surf. Duty free is almost never less expensive than shops outside of airports, with the exception of, occasionally, hard liquor and tobacco in countries that tax those heavily. I''m not sure what the baht is doing compared to the Canadian $ either, and that''s worth checking. You''ll probably get a better deal going to the US, given the USD.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 2/16/2008 7:19:51 AM
Author: Independent Gal
I agree with Surf. Duty free is almost never less expensive than shops outside of airports, with the exception of, occasionally, hard liquor and tobacco in countries that tax those heavily. I''m not sure what the baht is doing compared to the Canadian $ either, and that''s worth checking. You''ll probably get a better deal going to the US, given the USD.

I think we''re calling it the peso now...

 

[LitigatorChick]

My GF and I are both Canadians - does that matter? Hmmm, I wonder what she was talking about then???

 

[surfgirl]

Well I dont know about that one...when you fly through the US, do the duty free prices seem cheaper than in Canada? I wouldn''t think so but I really dont know.

 

[Independent Gal]

Duty free prices are definitely not cheaper in the US. But, the price of goods generally is still cheaper in the US than in Canada, because they were priced differentially back when the Canadian dollar was about 70 cents US. Plus, US taxes are usually lower. So, e.g., the same LG bag that was priced at $2K CDN was priced at US$1400 back when the currencies were at variance, and many shops haven''t alterred their pricing strucutre, I''d guess. I noticed in a bookshop recently that the CDN prices on books are still way higher, even though the currencies are on par.

So, that''s why I suggested shopping in the US might be lucrative for a Canadian at the moment.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

LC, I have no advice about buying in Bangkok but girl, for two weeks you better pick out something fabulous! You will have earned it!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Hmmm. I emailed my GF and she insisted that there were great deals to be had. I will send DH off, and see if/what he comes back with.