6 Tips for Shopping While on Holiday
Shopping while on holiday can be an exciting time, but can have some challenges. Language barriers are one of the most common challenges to experience when choosing to shop abroad. Other challenges the savvy shopper may experience include baggage allowance limits, purchase methods such as credit cards or cash, and bartering for a better deal. These challenges may be difficult at first, but with a bit of research and preparation can prove handy for anyone. We know shopping abroad can be exhausting, so we have provided our top six tips for your holiday shopping experience!
1. Pack light
When thinking about going shopping during your trip, baggage allowance limits can be daunting. We recommend packing light, and while for some that means packing very little, try and be a savvy packer instead. Consider what you can wear on the flight, what fits in your carry on bag, and what you really don't need to bring. Being a smarter traveller means you can bring more back from your holiday, and gives you less to worry about when returning home.
2. Add extra luggage
For those who are not savvy packers, adding extra luggage to your trip may prove useful! This gives you the luxury to shop, while not worrying about what will fit in your bag by the end of your trip. Paying for extra baggage in advance of your departure can also help you avoid extra bookings or fees at the end of your holiday, and less to worry about.
3. Take cash, and break up your big notes
When planning to shop on your holiday, taking cash is a great way to track your spending. Before leaving for your holiday make sure to convert your money at the best conversion rates. Avoid leaving it to the last minute as rates can become costly. Another great tip is to break up your bigger notes. Breaking up your big notes, and using smaller notes when going shopping allows you to know what you're spending. Smaller notes are also ideal when bartering, as shop attendants prefer this and you can really barter down to the best price.
4. Prepare to barter
Bartering can be a tricky skill to learn before holiday shopping. When preparing to barter, there are some key tricks of the trade, which will make the process easier for both the buyer and seller. Our top tricks of the trade include:
- Knowing how much you want to spend so you don't spend over your budget
- Knowing your maximum price so you don't become overwhelmed with pricey barterers
- Don't hassle too soon, patience is a virtue
- Be prepared for a conversation before crunching the numbers
- Stand your ground, and take your time. Don't let cash exchange hands too quickly!
- Be polite if the deal isn't for you
- Walk away if the bartering gets out of hand
- Don't take bartering personally if it doesn't work out.
5. Bring a fee-free travel card
Fee-free travel cards are a great method for purchasing items overseas, especially when going shopping. Even though cash is one of the key methods of payment when travelling overseas, it's great to consider using a travel card for any online purchases. Pay no annual fee, currency conversion fees or foreign transaction fees on purchases when travelling with a Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard. With no overseas fees on purchases, you can bag a bargain online without paying more than the price tag. Who wants to pay unwanted fees on their holiday anyway? Click here to view and apply for the Latitude 28° Global Platinum Mastercard.
6. Know a few local words
Language barriers can be a tricky endeavour when travelling overseas. If you're interested in bartering like a local, or just want to learn the local lingo, consider learning the basics to your country's language. Whether it may be as simple as 'hello', 'goodbye' or 'please', learning some local language can help you while you shop. If you really want to immerse yourself in the local culture, consider doing a short local language course to learn the fundamentals. If you are pushed for time, try using a language app before your departure. These are easy to access and download with any smartphone and can come in handy when travelling. Learning a few words also adds to the cultural experience, as being able to interact with locals allows you to be treated like a local.
When choosing to shop on your holiday, remember to do your research so you can better your holiday shopping experience. Try some of our tips to truly shop like a local!