Travel // Emails & Tweets // Smart Duty Free Shopping
Did it ever come to your mind that prices of an item in duty free shops from one airport to another airport are not the same? If you ever did then you are next step to becoming a wise duty free spender? Well, test yourself if you’ve ever been this “wise” by asking yourself this question: Are the tag price of the items in Brisbane Airport duty free shop (replace here with the duty free shop of your choice) cheaper compared to duty free shops in Hong Kong International Airport (again you can replace here another duty free shop of your choice)?” This is all you need to know in order to weigh yourself and voila! Well, I don’t think of myself a “wise duty free spender” at the moment but I believe I am closer to becoming one because I just asked myself that question. If you haven’t asked yourself yet, then, do it now before falling into a pit where you pay higher price for the same item when you can have it for less.
During the past years I always buy items at the duty free shop because I believe everything at the duty free shop costs me less. Well that is true because items there are tax free. But I overlook that I can even save for more if I learned these few tricks ahead. Anyway, my head just hit something that makes me realize these things.
First, get yourself acquainted with the country where you plan to do your duty free shopping. For instance, the cost of living in Tahiti is very high so consider sealing off your wallet before you plunge into purchasing your favorite perfume while you are in Tahiti. Japan? Well, I’ve been there twice but I did not remember spending a single penny for any duty free items there because obviously I will be paying high as well. But if you have stop over either in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia or in the US, then unseal your wallet…LOL…because prices of duty free items in these places are relatively low. I’ve been into these places several times except in the US. But my colleagues who have stopped over in any US states can prove how charming the prices there. But don’t forget to consider certain restrictions imposed from country to country or else the items you buy will end up at the collecting bin.
Second, take note of the prices of your frequently bought items which you purchased from a particular country and compare it with the duty free prices of another country; let’s say at the airport duty free shop. Once you’re done, keep the record in your laptop or whatever storing device you may have and save it for your future trips. In this way you already have the reference about which country most likely you can avail lower price for the same item.
Third, consider buying in-flight duty free shop items only if you missed to purchase a particular item or let’s say your wife’s favorite perfume (…LOL…) while you are still at the airport. Despite the fact that in-flight sales may have the same or slightly higher price compared to the airport duty free shop prices, the selections are obviously very limited. I am sure you don’t want to regret in the end when you find out that there are more available to choose from at the airport. So don’t do this unless necessary.
Fourth, consider that a particular item is much cheaper from one country than the other. Cigarettes and liquor for instance. One ream of Marlboro Lights (or whatever brand) in Hong Kong International Airport is cheaper compared to the price tagged at the duty free shop in the Philippines. Or your favorite Jack Daniel’s, Black Label (whatever…) might be cheaper in Changi International Airport in Singapore compared to Hong Kong or in the Philippines.
For the iPod buffs, well better bought this stuff at the airport duty free shops because you can have it for less. I bought mine at a shopping mall in Brisbane but when I checked the price at the duty free shop inside Brisbane’s airport, I found out the price is close to 15 to 20 Australian dollars less. Obviously, duty free shops are tax free shops – no doubt about that…LOL… I am inviting anyone to share your duty free shop experience here. Anyone who has something to share regarding duty free prices, please drop me a line at the comment box.
