FEMALE: As we head into the winter season, many of you will be travelling out of the country for your annual holidays. And while away, you’re likely going to want to buy some souvenirs or goods to take back with you. There are smart and not-so smart ways of going about this, so I’m going to give you some tips today on how to make good purchases.
One of the issues that people run into when buying items overseas is that they unknowingly purchase knock-offs...uh, products that are fake or not the brand they claim to be. We see this often in parts of Asia and the Middle East, where black markets are flooded with knock-off clothes, bags, watches...you name it, really. It’s hard to avoid in these regions. But there is something you can do. Just ask for a certificate of authenticity. Again, that’s a certificate of authenticity. If a watch really is a Rolex, then the seller will have a piece of paper that proves it. So, simply do not buy expensive brand name items without one of those.
You’ll also run into problems of authenticity with antique items. I hate to say it, but most of the so-called antique or collectors’ items sold in tourist shops are rubbish. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen friends come home with vases they claim were made in Ancient Greece or somewhere similar, only to find a “made in China” engraving hidden out of plain view. It is sometimes difficult to tell with these seemingly old relics, but a thorough inspection of any item can eliminate your chances of being duped.
Right. So, on to quality. I’m here especially talking about clothes. It’s a common mistake to spend a lot of money on a piece of traditional dress that is of lower quality than what a local would actually wear. Tourists are often sold the bottom-end of the barrel. That’s why it’s smart to research in advance. What sort of material is the traditional clothing typically made of? How is it made? By hand? By sewing machine? What does it usually cost?
I’m not trying to scare you. I mean, there are many genuine sellers out there who have nothing but the best intentions for visitors. But you have to be savvy to avoid the crooks. And trust me...there are plenty of them!
Um, let’s say you’ve shopped wisely and have something you want to bring home. At this point, there will be the question of payment. Coming from Australia, we are accustomed to pulling out the old credit card and charging just about everything. Well, that’s not such a good idea overseas for two reasons. First, there is a lot of credit card fraud. It’s simply not secure. Secondly, the seller will have to charge you anywhere between three and five percent more in credit card fees that they must pay to credit card companies. So, use cash if at all possible.
If not, another good payment option is a money order. You can get these at your bank prior to departure, and act sort of like checks. They have to be signed and require identification upon purchase, so are more secure than carrying around buckets of cash.
OK. I also want to cover shipping. People making purchases in large quantities, or of large items such as furniture, require shipping. The choice of shipping methods usually comes down to sea or air. Well, at least for us here in Australia, being completely surrounded by water and all.
The big difference in these shipping methods is price. You will pay exponentially more sending anything by air. Cargo flights are expensive due to gas prices and limited in frequency. By sea is hands-down the more affordable option. The problem is, they take longer. Sometimes weeks longer. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide what’s more valuable to you, time or money. Oh, but don’t forget to buy insurance on any items you ship, just in case they get lost or damaged along the way.
Well, I do hope these tips are helpful to you. I’ve probably scared you a bit, and I’m sorry if that’s the case. There’s no need to fret if you have your wits about you when doing your holiday shopping, and the information you’ve received today should ensure that you do. So, any questions before we end our session?