A shopping paradise… but not really! Find out in this post which products are no longer worth buying in the United States now that the dollar is soaring!
The first time I put together a shopping list for a trip to the United States, I didn't need to do much research. The dollar exchange rate was excellent, several brands were not sold in the country, and it was worth buying practically anything. all out there.
Unfortunately, this is no longer the reality. With the rise of the dollar, with the exchange rate reaching more than R$5, not all products are worth buying in the USA anymore.
To my surprise, not even in categories like electronics are you exempt from doing research. This is because what used to be practically half the price in states, now it is almost the same price as in Brazil, and here you can even pay in installments.
Therefore, if you are going to travel to destinations like New York, Orlando, Miami or Los Angeles, you need to do a lot of research when creating your shopping list, so as not to fall into traps or pay more for some items.
To help you with this, here are some products that are not worth buying in the United States with the high dollar:
- What electronic products are not worth buying in the United States?
- Which accessories and clothing brands are not worth buying in the USA?
- What luxury brands are not worth buying in the United States?
- What sports items are not worth buying in the US?
- What products are not worth buying at Duty Free in the United States?
- And what is worth buying in the USA?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Products That Are Not Worth Buying in the US
What electronic products are not worth buying in the United States?
Apart from Apple products, for any electronic product you need to do the math to see if it is still worth buying abroad. Some examples that are NOT worth it, apart from promotions, are:
- Sony WH-100XM5 Headphones ($398 / R$2500 in the US vs R$2500 in Brazil)
- Samsung S6 Tablet ($274 / R$1750 in the US vs R$1900 in Brazil)
- JBL Speakers Charge 5 ($179 / R$1140 in the US vs R$920 in Brazil)
- GoPro Camera ($469 / R$2800 in the US vs R$3000 in Brazil)
- Kindle ($109 / R$692 in the US vs R$599 in Brazil)
Which accessories and clothing brands are not worth buying in the USA?
Many brands that also sell in Brazil are cheaper in the country, or the price difference is so small compared to the US that it is not worth buying them outright. Some examples:
- Levi's Jeans Model ($98 / R$615 in the US vs R$549 in Brazil)
- Ray-Ban Aviator 3025 ($220 / R$1388 in the US vs R$690 in Brazil)
- Vans Old Skool ($70 / R$445 in the US vs R$379 in Brazil)
- Kipling Backpack ($109 / R$690 in the US vs R$859 in Brazil)
What luxury brands are not worth buying in the United States?
Classic models from some more traditional brands are not worth buying in the US, as the prices are very similar to those in the Brazilian market. Some examples:
- Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM ($2030 / R$12.800 in the US vs R$11.100 in Brazil)
- YSL 5 to 7 L ($3100 / R$19.600 in the US vs R$20.110 in Brazil)
- Bottega Veneta Jodie S ($3500 / R$22.250 in the US vs R$19.590 in Brazil)
What sports items are not worth buying in the US?
Buying sportswear and accessories in the United States requires paying attention to prices and promotions. At the outlet, you can find excellent deals on older models. In stores, current models cost almost the same price as in Brazil. Examples:
- Adidas Samba ($100 / R$630 in the US vs R$759 in Brazil)
- Adidas Own the Run Leggings ($65 / R$410 in the US vs R$399 in Brazil)
- New Balance 550 ($109 / R$680 in the US vs R$799 in Brazil)
Likewise, supplements also need to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether it is worth purchasing in the US. In the past, for example, Whey Protein from Optimum Nutrition It was much cheaper abroad, and today the price is practically the same (R$206 in the US vs. R$235 in Brazil, for the 900g package). The difference makes it not worth wasting space in your suitcase with this purchase.
What products are not worth buying at Duty Free in the United States?
The only reason to buy products at Duty Free is if you are leaving and forgot something on your shopping list. As a general rule, Duty Free prices are higher than those in stores in the United States, with few promotions. It is not worth buying anything at Duty Free if you still have other opportunities to shop!
And what is worth buying in the USA?
Some of these items are:
- Apple Products
- Makeup that doesn't sell in Brazil
- Hair Products
- Skincare like The Ordinary and Drunk Elephant
- Branded accessories like Michael Kors and Kate Spade
- Toys like Lego and Funko Pop
- Baby layette
Again, it's always a good idea to do the math and look for promotions in both countries, as prices change constantly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Products That Are Not Worth Buying in the US
What product categories are not worth buying in the United States?
Designer sunglasses, Vans sneakers, latest sneaker releases, workout clothes from famous brands (Nike, Adidas etc.), some luxury brands, Whey Protein and Duty Free products.
What products are generally worth buying in the US?
iPhones, Apple products in general, cosmetics, vitamins, branded clothing (The North Face, Guess, etc.), accessories (Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors), sneakers and workout clothes at outlets, Funko POP and baby clothes.
Is it more advantageous to buy electronics in the USA?
The advantage when buying electronics is concentrated in Apple products. For other brands, you need to do the math, because whether it is advantageous or not depends on each product and possible promotions.