Shopping tips for LA-LA land

Reuters

TAKE A WALK: Shoppers walk past the Polo Ralph Lauren boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

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Shopping in the United States - particularly Los Angeles - is not so much an activity as a fully fledged sport.

It's easy to divide the amateurs from the Olympians. The amateurs are those who approach shopping in the States like they're buying milk from the corner store - casually and with only spare change.

In LA complexes such as the Beverly Centre, The Grove and Citadel Outlets are like cities unto themselves; miniature streets lined with stores, offering brand names and labels unavailable on our Australian shores.

Santa Monica and Venice are playgrounds full of those precious one-of-a-kind gift stores and vintage boutiques. At least a full day is required to explore Venice's pride and joy - Abbott Kinney Boulevard - only to finish off the day in style with a trip to the gift store at Santa Monica's Museum of Art and a final poke through the racks at 'Wasteland', Santa Monica's creme de la creme of vintage boutiques.

Even for the most seasoned shopaholics, a spending spree in the US of A requires careful planning. Like any athlete, performance is directly related to training and preparation. So, shape up your shopping skills with these survival spending tips:

1. Take an extra suitcase: Whether you pack a smaller case into a larger case like a pair of babushka dolls or you buy a back-up bag the moment you enter the airport, a secondary suitcase is paramount.

Check with your airline what your luggage weight restrictions are because, believe me, you're going to need the extra space.

2. Plan your budget (and then add 20 per cent): With the US dollar the way it is, now is a particularly good time to be planning a trip to the US, especially if your primary purpose is shopping. But remember, the money you take over is relative to the exchange rate.

To save yourself the pain of having to put something back on the rack because you feel the need to be frugal, expect to over-indulge and take a little extra.

3. Cheque, Credit or Cash? It doesn't hurt to make a trip to your bank before you leave to find out the best way of spending your money while overseas.

While credit cards are quick and easy, you can get hit with extra fees by using them outside of Australia. ANZ offers a great alternative with their Travel Card - top it up with a balance of US dollars before you leave and then use it like a credit card or withdraw cash like a debit. (Other banks have similar cards.)

4. Have a plan: Do some research and work out where you want to go so you spend your time and money productively. You can't swing a cat without hitting a shopping complex or 'mall' in the States.

Know your stores, but also know your limit. You don't want to bust out of the starting blocks only to use up all your energy by the first turn.

5. Be prepared to ditch the plan: Okay, so I'll admit sometimes it doesn't hurt to go off track. We all know the rewards that can be reaped from spontaneous shopping or accidentally making a wrong turn.

6. Show some self-control: It's when it comes to the actual purchasing that the true injuries occur. With the difference in prices between products in Australia verses the USA, it can seem like you're getting extreme value for money.

But multiply "Oh, but it was so cheap!'' by 100 purchases and you'll find yourself with a great new wardrobe, but penniless when it comes to paying the taxi driver to take you and your purchases back to the hotel. Think of it like Edward Cullen getting one taste of Bella's blood - it can be a slippery and addictive slope.

7. Have no regrets: But when all is said and done, there's nothing worse than returning home only to regret that one knick-knack or item of clothing you should of, could of, would of bought while you were overseas, but didn't.

There are no prizes for second best in the shopping sprint, so be prepared to give it your all until you cross the final finish line - Duty Free.
   
IF YOU GO

For more information on Los Angeles, Orange County and Palm Springs visit DiscoverLosAngeles.com and visitcalifornia.com.

* The writer was a guest of LA INC, Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and California Travel and Tourism Commission, flying V Australia.

- AAP