Making the most of the dollar

[Pulsatingstar]

Im going to New York on Saturday.

Considering the good echange rate, im thinking of buying a few cool things kidding myself that its ok because Im saving money by getting them

Anyone got any ideas on whats a good buy? All I can think of is an I-Pod as I was sort of wanting one anyway, but dont really know much about them.

Lee

[docevi1]

iPod
Digital Camera

Gift Vouchers? I wonder if you can get international gift vouchers???

[Size Nine Elm]

Of course, you've read this?

[off_again]

If you are going to get any expensive stuff (seeing as the limit is about £150 before they get stroppy and want you to pay tax) - make sure you take all labels off, remove any boxes or wrapping. It its an iPod (which lets face it is pretty obvious) try and use it - get some music on it and loose the box. If its clothes, wear them before coming back - that way you can say you took them out with you.....

But if you get busted then just cough up. HMCE has considerable powers of siezure and you might as well just pay up - nicely they take credit cards these days!

[RobDickinson]

Even if you get hit for C&E and VAT its probably still a lot cheaper to do this.

You have 2 choices, pretend you have nothing/its all old goods and slip through or declare.

If they catch you its a criminal offence I think? Also if you dont have receipts to prove how much the goods were they can think of a number, so if stuff is realy cheap make sure you keep the receipt.

[Pulsatingstar]

Im not going to think of defrauding the tax man or anything like that. Just thinking of stuff I could get

Are I-Pod all pretty much the same or do I need to get some sort of spec?

[RobDickinson]

Pulsatingstar said:

Are I-Pod all pretty much the same or do I need to get some sort of spec?

You have :

Mini Ipod - 4gb , small, cute.

Normal Ipod, onto rev4 I think, 20gb/40/60gb.

Picture Ipod - 60gb with colour screen, thicker and heavier , tho you cant load pics direct from cameras/mem cards.

Shouldnt have any problem with using a US one here, tho plug addaptor for mains may be needed(?) and not sure on warrenty situation.

[off_again]

RobDickinson said:

If they catch you its a criminal offence I think? Also if you dont have receipts to prove how much the goods were they can think of a number, so if stuff is realy cheap make sure you keep the receipt.

Maybe a criminal offence, I dont know either. But to be honest they try to catch a few, but they have much bigger fish to fry (same with the IR) so stuffing someone for £50 tax on entry to the country isnt really worth it.

Its the blatantly obvious ones that they get, but even if they do you arent arrested or anything (having been done before!). Just told to pay up and not to do it again.... which I havent of course

[KITT]

If you still want the boxes etc, then simply flatten them and post them to your UK address before you leave It's amazing how guiltly the Green channel feels at Heathrow when your suitcases are full of cheap clothes and goodies

[RobDickinson]

Yeah - doubt you;d get in to much trouble trying to sneak an ipod into the UK, 10 mebee...

[Pulsatingstar]

Yeah I figure ill be ok with an I-pod - id only want one after all. May even have internet in the hotel to get something onto it (nice idea)

Clothes shouldnt be a problem. I hardly own any and its all years old so some of my stuff Id probably just chuck out over there anyway so it will look like mine to begin with. Ill wear half of it on the way home too probably.

[Flat in Fifth]

KITT said:

If you still want the boxes etc, then simply flatten them and post them to your UK address before you leave.

Post your shop and credit card receipts too! Don't tell anyone I told you that.

[Pulsatingstar]

Flat in Fifth said:

KITT said: If you still want the boxes etc, then simply flatten them and post them to your UK address before you leave. Post your shop and credit card receipts too! Don't tell anyone I told you that.

Presumably this is so that if I do get caught, I can latter prove the value and then claim money back if overcharged?

Is there not a chance that the normal post could be picked up and then they would realise what was going on and you could get caught out that way when they have a stack of receipts/boxes

[Flat in Fifth]

Pulsatingstar said:

Flat in Fifth said: KITT said: If you still want the boxes etc, then simply flatten them and post them to your UK address before you leave. Post your shop and credit card receipts too! Don't tell anyone I told you that. Presumably this is so that if I do get caught, I can latter prove the value and then claim money back if overcharged? Is there not a chance that the normal post could be picked up and then they would realise what was going on and you could get caught out that way when they have a stack of receipts/boxes

Well it's a bit difficult to say you bought things on your last trip (say) when you have the receipts etc in your case.
Having said that last time we came back from USA with more than the allowance went through the red channel. Had made a list of what we'd bought, the HM C&E sorted it out including some stuff that was VAT free, the duty etc came to not much and he just waved us through.
" Not looking for folks like you, thanks anyway" he said.

Take your pick.

[Chris_w]

iPods are pretty hard to come by in Manhattan, always seem to be out of stock (well, mini has been last few times I've checked). Last time I flew home I had the kids sat next to me wanting to know if they could buy mine as they'd spent all weekend trying to find one.

Maybe try calling ahead: www.apple.com/retail/soho/week/20050109.html

I quite fancy turning into an international diamond smuggler after friends bought their engagement ring over here and had it valued at over twice what they paid for it when they returned home! Could be a good way of beating this damned exchange rate...