Duty-free

[justapax]

In the 80s and 90s, when I was flying every few days, I accumulated quite a selection of exotic spirits and liqueurs, I could make you just about every cocktail you could ask for. I particularly remember an AirBaltic flight out of Riga where vodka worked our as US$ 1.75 a litre.

These days, I walk straight past the shops as it seems duty-free is no cheaper than duty-paid outside the aeroport. The last major purchase I made was a Psion Sreries 7 computer (I still have it) because flying to Brussels, having a slap-up lunch, and flying back was cheaper than paying the VAT.

Do you still shop at aeroports?

[BonnieLass]

I preferred to do duty free shopping on cruise ships...better choice and often cheaper than at airports

[ZFT]

Never. Cheaper to buy in local shops.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by BonnieLass

I preferred to do duty free shopping on cruise ships...better choice and often cheaper than at airports

Cruise ships burn heavy marine oil, about the most polluting fuel known. Planes frugally burn JET-A1. Take the plane instead and don't bother with the duty-free.

[Saintsman]

I've found the small offering on board is much cheaper than the airports, but if its what you want, it makes sense to pre-order for collection on your journey home, especially if you want your full entitlement of spirits.

[justapax]

When I was flying several times a week, I used to buy 200 cigarettes on the return trip even though I don't smoke. These were greeted with cries of joy by my friends, work colleagues and associates. I was very popular. Then one of my 'customers' got lung cancer and died. I stopped buying cigarettes after that.

[Mr Mac]

I tend to buy if anything odd bottles of Gin usually as they are export strength rather than distilled down as those obtained in UK Supermarket’s, but generally not the mainstream ones.
Also occasional cigars but I was over in Panama earlier this year and took the opportunity to fly up to Havana over a weekend to fish and stocked up so to speak with cigars and I probably only smoke 6 per year so my stash may last quite sometime.

But to answer your question generally no unless someone wants something in particular like perfume/ cologne etc. However it’s a good job others do, otherwise a lot of regional airports would have some budgeting issues.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[justapax]

A bit off-topic, but still related to goods on board.

My twins really like the freebie personal care kits you get on Emirates, I always ask for the female pack, one on the outward journey and one on the journey back equals two kits, one for each twin. They don't really need the rejuvenating lotions, they're only 13, but they love the freebie perfumes. Emirates flight attendants tend to be scented like a twin, which suggests to me that some of the first class kits get diverted to aircrew personal use.

[Lantern10]

My routine in airport duty free is hands firmly in pockets, eyes straight ahead and do not slow down. Especially in BKK.

[togsdragracing]

"A fraction of high street prices!"

Yep, five quarters.

[BonnieLass]

Originally Posted by Justapax1

Cruise ships burn heavy marine oil, about the most polluting fuel known. Planes frugally burn JET-A1. Take the plane instead and don't bother with the duty-free.

A fair percentage of cruise ships are LNG thesedays

[Mr Mac]

Justapax1
Funnily enough one of our clients made the same comment about our staff in a meeting in September and yes they had all recently flown EK Business. The client asked if it was our corporate sent 🙂

Cheers
Mr Mac

[PAXboy]

I pretty much gave up on D.F. certainly at my local, LHR. Evidently, the fees charged by HAL (or whatever they call themsevles these days) are so high that the prices they need to charge are no longer good. Not to mention they only want to sell the maximum size of all products.

Last time through LHR, I pre-ordered some items. The main item I wanted they only reported as out of stock at the point of confirming the purchase. On departure, finding he pick-up point was difficult. We walked past it twice as it had no clear signpost.

Having been told it was pay on collection, I thought that they would swap a bag for payment. They opened the sealed plastic bag, scanned everything and then put them into a new plastic bag ...!!!

I shan't play that game again.

[longer ron]

Last time I bought some DF was on the ferry back from S Ireland in 2021 - 1 litre of very nice whiskey for a very good price
I haven't bought any Airport DF for many years - for the afore mentioned reasons.

[USER0005]

DF is by and large a rip off, always has been, always will be. The one exception is tobacco which Mrs ATN still uses. Given UK excise duties they are a bargain against UK retail prices.

The DFS at Eurotunnel, Cocquelles is chock full of crappy Australian, American etc UK branded industrially vinified "alcoholic Ribena" retailing at £1 or so below Tesco prices, so more expensive than said supermarket when they have their 25% off offer running. Little French wine other than big brands like Calvet.

We generally get through the DFS labyrynth as quickly as possible, but plenty of people get drawn in.

[DButler]

"We generally get through the DFS labyrynth as quickly as possible"

I think that DFS labyrinth was invented by the Irish - certainly the first place I ever saw it was at Dublin an age ago - and of course it was quickly taken up by everyone else. Still not as bad as IKEA tho'...............

[USER0005]

Originally Posted by DButler

"We generally get through the DFS labyrynth as quickly as possible"

I think that DFS labyrinth was invented by the Irish - certainly the first place I ever saw it was at Dublin an age ago - and of course it was quickly taken up by everyone else. Still not as bad as IKEA tho'...............

Another retailer I can't abide! Thank the Lord for click and collect.

[Krystal n chips]

Never bothered with DF in my travels, apart from the paid holidays in Germany resulting in my late Mum developing a taste for Bacardi Gold.

However, one memorable observation at Harwich and a member of the Army who wasn't that astute when it came to packing a holdall.....the bottle shaped bulges sort of gave the game away....last seen with that "uh !" look as HM Customs were opening it for him.

Talking of which, Felixstowe's "not so brightest" decided we were importing a glider from Germany ( representing RAFG in the Inter Services annual liver destruction competition, with some gliding at times) and, despite all the relevant paperwork, one decided we were importing the glider/ duty to be paid etc. It had been a rough crossing from Zeebrugge so not in the best of temperaments....hence a few Mancunian sentiments were offered as to his intellect / family lineage and personality. These appeared to upset the sensitive soul and, yep, "slight operational delay" leaving F'stowe as the car was searched (sentiments still be kindly offered) and, amazingly, nothing was found !.

All I can say, is, a ASK18 and trailer can carry a lot of DF. ...bonehead didn't think to search the glider.

[Kiltrash]

In our case we get anything that could be classed as Duty Free in the UK from the local shops wherever we are in the World and bring back well wrapped in our hold luggage ... Always a lot cheaper than UK prices ... Especially when we return from a cruise. So far ' touch wood' never had a breakage..

[justapax]

Originally Posted by Kiltrash

So far ' touch wood' never had a breakage..

You've been lucky. As far as I can tell. Heathrow baggage handlers treat a 'Fragile' label not as an instruction but as a challenge.