You can buy just about anything you can imagine in New York City. " For those who sell; retailers, wholesalers, street hawkers, newsstand clerks, food vendors and all the rest will put you to the test. "Caveat Emptor" as the saying goes and in New York City you are the prey, open season here, one that the unscrupulous are seeking”. You can get “screwed” “rooked” “ripped off”  “taken” “jipped” or “beaten” in a heartbeat. How would you know? How do you find out? As Syms, a clothing retail chain chants, "An educated consumer is our best customer" and you too have got to do your homework or you will find that "The Big Apple" can be rotten or sweet. It's up to you. Here's how to ensure that you're getting your money's worth!

 

Electronics such as video, audio, photo, and similar items make you especially vulnerable, shop around! Independent stores that are located in tourist areas such as Times Square have a reputation for being "tourist traps". Many of my clients have purchased cameras there that sell for approximately 40% less at B & H Photo (34th Street and 9th Avenue or J & R (Park Row near City Hall).

 

Be aware of the old “bait and switch” scam. That’s the oldest method used by the unscrupulous retailers who display cameras, computer and the like in well lit store windows at incredible prices to lure you in. Once you enter and express your interest in a specific item with an unbelievably low price then zero in on the benefits of a similar but better item at a higher price and begin to espouse the flaws or defects of the item in the window. I have spoken to many visitors who have lamented their dismay by purchasing the right item at the wrong price. Don’t be impressed by the “Licensed by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs” sign, with the license on display. This has no more value than the Parent’s Magazine Seal of Approval. It’s worthless junk and provides no “currency” whatsoever. If you have a problem, sure, run down to 42 Broadway and complain to a DCA employee! Whether they’re awake, have a pulse or their eyes are opened or shut your stuck. Fill out some forms and get on the plane back home, minus the $750 that you paid, paid for a $250 camera. Adios amigo!

 

Souvenirs, that's another story that requires a little common sense before you plunge. Canal Street is the best place to buy "I Love NY" T Shirts, touristy items, knock off bags and sunglasses, etc. Try bartering with them, you usually can save money. Do everything you can to appear and speak like a New Yorker. If they perceive that you are a tourist, then you have less chance of cutting a deal. “They see you coming!” I've seen this in action and my intervention resulted in big savings. They know you know when you're a New Yorker, they get it right most of the time. Practice saying "cauffee" and "becauuze"! Tawk, the tawk!

 

Don’t go to Canal Street to buy “knock-offs” of Fendi, Louis Vuitton bags, Chanel, Gucci, Fendi or Hermes. The NYPD has their hands in the pockets of these companies who are determined to “protect” their brands. Who could blame them? They’re the biggest scam artists on the planet in the opinion of some, but not this author. At $1,000 and up for a Gucci briefcase Gucci has labored and invested for decades to create a mystic, that creates prestige and value for those who pine the brand. For those who’d rather buy the “knock-off” for fifty bucks it’s a deal that can’t be beat.

 

Only they know that it’s not the real McCoy unless they divulge. If you are sucked into a basement, sequestered room behind a store or even a van parked on a side street by a vendor, usually Chinese, to buy “knock-offs” you are taking a big risk! I know of an experience when several tourists were arrested by the police for purchasing such products, spent the night in jail and have a whole bunch of trouble.  Canal Street, sure, go for the bargains, but be careful, you’re taking a chance!!

 

Macy's is an excellent place to make a purchase. The quality is good, the selection is huge and the World's Largest Store built its reputation of good value and prices. If you get screwed there you're deaf, dumb and blind; stay in your room! Try to “catch” Saks, 49-50th Streets on 5th Avenue when they are “on sale”. The staff is predatory, they’re paid strictly on commissions, but if you seek you "may" find!

 

If you have tons of money, don't like money or just love to get rid of it, than Madison Avenue, New York's Rodeo Drive is the place for you! Although the prestige brands are there, and the quality is right up there, so are the prices. So, if paying top prices is not a factor, than fatten your wallets and you'll go home a lot lighter. Fifth Avenue has the same effect.

 

Buying books on the street is a bargain deal. The best street book sales are on Broadway, on the westside of the street, from 72nd Street up past Fair Way toward 80th Street, on Broadway. Some vendors sell hard cover best sellers for a lot less than Barnes & Noble and Borders. No tax too! Hey, after you read the book what’s it worth to you? Depends who you are! I have books I’ve read and they’re worth as much as the ones I’ve read. They’re better than friends: they’re there when you want their company and don’t bother you when you don’t want them. They wait and you’re in complete control. You can visit them over and over again and they won’t say a word. Besides, when did you ever get a friend for a discount who never tells you what they really think of you?

 

Watches: Take 57th Street and subtract 10. That equals 47th Street and the discounts are huge, but if you buy used be careful. Get the documents, match up the serial number on the watch and compare it with the documents. You could save 30-40% on a slightly used watch compared with the retail price for new. Nu?!

 

Diamond Jewelry: The Gemological Institute has a system that grades similar types of diamonds, weight, color, clarity and table (depth). If you are seeking a specific size and type of diamond then go to 47th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue and visit a number of vendors, bargain with them because the first price is not the last price and there’s a big difference. It’s the culture. You just could ask, “Give me your last price first!” They’ll know exactly what you’re talking about, but they won’t let you know that they do. Let them know that you're shopping around and leave. If you go back let them know that you are ready to buy but you you're still somewhat apart. They'll come down, be patient. If you come back they will assume that you’ve shopped around and coming back is a sure sign that you haven’t found anything better and that you are very interested in their merchandise.

 

Best advice; never reveal that you're anxious to buy. Never accept the first price in an establishment that can cut the price. Never make your buying decision in the first store you enter if you are buying an expensive item. If they don't have a reputation that you can trust, and if it seems too good to be true, than it is and get the hell out of there.  Most often, if a buyer gets screwed it's just as much their fault as the vendors. “It takes two to tango”.

 

 

 

“Look both ways!” and “Don’t cross the street “in the middle of the block, in the middle, in the middle in the middle of the block”!” a sing song commercial that blanketed the airwaves for years, years ago. Those commercials were made for us to be aware of cars and that ain’t nothin’ compared with the danger of those bicycle messengers who plague the streets of New York City!

 

“Walk” and “Don’t Walk” symbol signs won’t help you. Looking before you cross, in the direction of the oncoming traffic won’t help you. Praying won’t help you and body armor, that won’t help you either. What will?

 

Your only defense from bicycles, especially messengers, is to look both ways and get back on the sidewalk, where there are far less bicycles. Bike messengers aren’t your only potential danger but they are the most aggressive as they are compensated by the number of “runs” they do and the distance per “run” based zones Therefore, they are always in a hurry. They routinely disobey the traffic laws; run through red lights, pedal in any direction they please and many use “road” bikes that no brakes! They stop by not peddling and putting pressure on the back pedal which slowly brings the bike to a stop. They speed through throngs of pedestrians crossing intersections with little or no regard for the safety of those in their path. They weave in between people crossing the street anticipating where they’ll be when they arrive in approximately one-tenth of a second seldom providing any warning. Some, who are more considerate, yuck yuck, shout or whistle a warning that is seldom heard above the street noise barely missing numerous people who glance at them or shout at them in the process. Occasionally, they’ll turn around and confront you angrily imposing themselves in a threatening way. You just don’t know who you are dealing with. It’s best just to keep your mouth shut.

 

Being hit, head on, by a bicycle carrying a man weighing close to two hundred pounds, or more, together with the weight of the bike moving at high speed, is potentially a life threatening experience There’s plenty of evidence for that. On average 300 people are hit by bicycles in New York City each year and fatalities are a reality annually. Many of the injuries are extremely serious; kneecaps removed by bicycle pedals, fractures, concussions, heart attacks and organ damage.

 

Bicycle messengers run their own marathons whereby they map out an itinerary of various runs and compete for prestige among themselves and race through the streets challenging themselves demonstrating who among them is the fastest messenger and who is the most reckless and dangerous.

 

When you cross a street in New York City make it a habit of looking both ways, always. Stand aside, let them go by, don’t take any chances; and don’t think that because you’re on the sidewalk that your safety is assured because many bikers use the sidewalks all the time, especially food delivery messengers, the streets are often just to crowed and narrow for them.

 

Truthfully, bike messengers are the greatest and most ubiquitous danger in the City, for those who are “out and about”. Please keep this in mind when you take a hike look out for the bike, both ways and always!

 

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