Travel Shopping Savvy

Between must see – must do attractions, few travelers resist the lure of shops, bazaars, and markets. Most shoppers have their favorite shopping venues…outlet malls, trendy boutiques, markets and bazaars. As a former flight attendant, addicted leisure traveler and avid shopper, I spend hours bargaining, bartering, buying, and bantering with sellers at an outdoor markets throughout the world.

Here are some of my favorite tips and tactics to make travel shopping productive and fun.

Research guidebooks and websites and learn about local specialties. Make a list of things you want to buy and a gift list. Study prices so you don’t pay more for items than they cost at home. Use Ebay or enter the item as a search word on Yahoo or Google for price comparisons.

Read Know Before You Go from U.S. Customs at www.customs.gov. I learned the hard way how easy it is to accidentally bring in prohibited items. Returning from Barcelona after a cruise, I spotted a huge strand of fresh garlic in an airport shop. The shopkeeper assured me it was approved for import. I could imagine all the tasty garlic dishes I would prepare. I purchased it, tied it to the outside of my carry-on bag, and declared it on my Customs form. In New York, Customs took one look and ordered us to the Department of Agriculture. For two hours our bags were meticulously searched for other restricted items. I had nightmares of being branded in the annals of Customs as a garlic smuggler. As an experienced traveler, I knew better. My taste buds overruled commonsense. We missed our flight home and my husband never lets me live down the great garlic caper.

If you enjoy shopping in markets and bazaars, learn to bargain with best. Ask. your travel agent, cruise director, or hotel concierge about local bargaining protocol. Print a pocket-sized currency exchange cheatsheet from www.oanda.com. Compare prices at several local shops before buying. Begin bargaining at 50% off the asking price and expect to settle for about 40% off the seller’s original price. Decide what you are willing to pay and walk away if you can’t agree on a reasonable rice.