How to Buy Gifts and Souvenirs for Others When Traveling Abroad
Sometimes one of the most meaningful things about travel is sharing your trip with the friends and family you missed while away. A thoughtful gift can communicate important aspects of your travel experience to loved ones, as well as the connection you maintained with them while apart. read more
Scams to Avoid When Shopping Egypt
1. Switching the goods. In the process of packing the item you purchased, the merchant substitutes an inferior product. Watch him carefully as he wraps up your treasure. Do not allow yourself to be distracted. read more
Scams to Avoid When Shopping China
Watch out for these scams, which unsuspecting tourists may fall for: Misrepresenting quality goods. Be especially cautious in jewelry stores and antique shops. Precious stones, pearls, and jade may be mere fakes. You need to know what you are doing. The Chinese have been in the reproduction business for over 2,000 years and are thus experts at making copies. You may want to just shop for reproductions! read more
Scams to Avoid When Shopping Brazil
Do not trust merchants with your money unless you have proper assurances they are giving you exactly what you agreed upon. Do not automatically trust strangers whom you may like. Do your homework so you can determine quality and value, as well as be better able to anticipate certain types of scams. Examine the goods carefully, assuming something may or will go wrong. read more
Beware of Possible Scams When Shopping Mexico
Although one hopes this will never happen, you may encounter unscrupulous merchants who take advantage of you. The most frequent scams to watch out for include: Switching the goods. You agree to purchase a particular item, but in the process of packing it, the merchant substitutes an inferior product. Misrepresenting quality goods. Be especially cautious in jewelry and antique shops; the items may not be what the merchant claims. read more
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Rules for Successful Shopping in Mexico
Wherever you shop in Mexico, keep these basic shopping rules in mind.
They may serve you well in identifying the best quality shops and in
avoiding many mistakes frequently reported by visitors to Mexico. Don’t
expect great bargains and good value in Mexico. Expect to encounter lots
of trash in the search for unique treasures.
read more
16 Tips for Savvy Shopping in Beijing and Other Cities
When you are shopping in Beijing, you need to know what you are doing, in order to avoid being ripped off. In Beijing, more than any other city in China, "buyer beware" is an axiom to keep in mind. The 16 tips we offer below were derived from our years of experience visiting and shopping Beijing. Yet, you would be wise to apply them when shopping elsewhere in China, as well. read more
Asia Travel: Shopping Tips
India
has a venerable tradition of colourful arts and crafts which you will
feel like buying the minute you see them.
And that’s the catch: don’t just start buying anything you like until
you have had time to study the market and the range of handicrafts
available to you.
read more
Travel
Tips for Senior Citizens
Do some preliminary shopping research before you leave home. Make a list
of items you most want to buy, especially those that are area
specialties. Make a gift list. Identify whom you need gifts for and how
much you want to spend, then pick up the items along the way. Tuck
plastic or string bags into your carryall or purse when you go shopping.
In many places customers are expected to provide their own bags. Pack an
extra flat fabric bag in the bottom of your suitcase. On your homebound
trip, put all of your purchases in it. It will ease your way through
customs.
read more
Shopping Tips - Italy - Rome
Opening Hours: Shops are generally open from 9 or 9:30 to early afternoon and from 3:30 or 4 to 7 or 7:30 -- or 8 in summer. There's a tendency for shops in central districts to stay open all day, and hours are becoming more flexible throughout the city. Remember that although department stores are open Sundays, many stores are not, though this is changing, too, especially in the city center. With the exception of food stores, most stores also close on Monday morning from September to mid-June and Saturday afternoon from mid-June through August. read more
Beijing Tips - Fake Goods
Fake goods are easy to find in Beijing. Just go to the Xiu Shui Market and you can see many a famous brand name, like Tommy, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Adidas, Reebok, Nike, Rolex, Boliva, Tag Heur, North Face, Jansport, etc. Some of the fakes are obviously just a plain sweat shirt with a Versace logo embroidered across it. Something you know, couldn't possibly have come out of a Versace design house. read more