Shopping in Florida

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Like the UK's VAT, virtually all items sold in Florida are subject to a 6% sales tax, which must be taken into account when comparing prices, however, unlike the UK, price tickets do NOT include the sales tax, which is added at the till.

Sales tax aside though, generally prices in Florida for most items are substantially less that for similar items in the UK, and as with anything it definitely pays to shop around.

Particularly cheap items include some computer equipment, most leather goods, Jeans, T-Shirts, Sneakers, and clothing in general. Some very real bargains can also be found on video, photographic euqipment, and on consumer electronics, but remember that all purchases made over the personal import allowance are subject to import duty.

A couple of examples from my own experience:

• Levi 501 Jeans sell for under 30USD at the Beltz Levis Outlet on International Drive. Marked as seconds, it is usually impossible to find any flaw.
• T-Shirts can usually be bought at very knock-down prices. If you just want somthing to wear, and aren't bothered about mis-prints, look for roadside stores selling 5 T-Shirts or more for under 10 dollars. If you'd rather buy last-year's stock of Disney branded clothing, the Character Store also in the Beltz mall sells T-Shirts and other items for a fraction of the original Disney price.
• Large Mickey-Mouse soft toys selling for 55USD within The Magic Kingdom on Main Street, also sell for 150USD in the Airport Duty Free store, and 90GBP in the Nottingham Disney Store.
• A named portable computer selling for 1,400 pounds in the UK can usually be bought in Florida for around 1,400 dollars.

Generally expect to find the following:

• Most items are marked at "dollar for pound" prices. ie if smothing in the UK costs 10 pounds, it'll generally cost 10 dollars in Florida.
• Clothing at Outlet Stores - 40%+ cheaper than in the UK.
• Electronics Goods - 15% to 30% Cheaper.
• Computers - 30-50% cheaper.
• Computer Peripherals - 30 - 70% Cheaper.

Directions to the Belz Factory Outlet in Orlando

Take I-4 East from the WDW park area, exit at 30A then turn left at the stop light and go to the end of the street to find the Belz outlet. The last building on the left is the one where the food court, carosuel Character Warehouse and many other stores are located.