Why to Avoid Airport Duty Free Shopping
By Nick February 28, 2007
No brainer budget travel tip: Do not participate in “Duty Free Shopping” in airports.
The [not so] amazing deals on liquor and perfume offered in the air or in airports can put a quick dent in any traveler’s wallet. If you’re an impulse buyer, you are the prime target for duty free shops. Don’t feel bad, because there are a lot of impulse buyers out there which support the massive duty free market.
So, a couple reasons why to avoid shopping duty free.
1.The duty free deals are not that good.
Sorry to burst your bubble. They aren’t that great of deals. You do not have to pay tax, but this difference does not automatically make a good deal. The hype around shopping duty free is very powerful, and it can easily get into one’s head. Even though ten cartons of cigarettes may be fairly cheap, chances are you didn’t budget money to spend on them.
2. Your Duty Free Products may be Confiscated
MSNBC recently reported that many European travelers have been required to get rid of their liquor and perfume because airport officials could not tell if they came from secure duty free shops. This, along with the US and Britain’s new dislike of liquids on planes makes dumping out your new scotch fairly likely.
3. Do you really need duty free products?
I estimate that 84% of purchases at duty free airport shops are impulse buys that result from wandering around from boredom. In 89% of these cases, I believe that shoppers do not need these products. I don’t think many people plan to buy some new perfume at the duty-free shop while they are traveling. Unless you already threw away your perfume at a security check point, you have no real need for Gucci’s new offering.
If I successfully saved one traveler from the shopping duty free, my work here is done.
Topics: Budget Travel Tips |
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