Travelers’ Needs - San Francisco and Northern California - page 224

SHOPPING IN SAN FRANCISCO

Shopping in San Francisco is much more
than simply making a purchase, it's an
experience that allows a glimpse into the
city's culture. An enormous range of goods is
available here, from the practical to the
eccentric, and you can take your time in
choosing because browsers are generally

welcome, particularly in the city's many small
specialty shops and boutiques. If you want
convenience, the shopping centers, malls,
and department stores are excellent. For
those in search of local color, each
neighborhood shopping district has a
charm and personality of its own.

Shopping Tours
If you want to be guided to the
best shops, you may want to go
on a special tour. These are
organized by companies such
as Glamour Girl Shopping Tours
or Shopper Stopper Shopping
Tours. A guide takes you from
shop to shop and usually
knows where to find just the
right things.
Useful numbers Glamour Girl
Shopping Tours Te l [phone].
∑ glamourgirlshoppingtours.com ;
Shopper Stopper Shopping Tours
Te l [phone].

exchange policies. Shops
cannot charge a fee to those
using credit cards, but you may
get a discount for cash. If you
have a problem that shop
management cannot solve, the
Consumer Protection Unit or
the California Department of
Consumer Affairs may help.
Useful numbers Consumer
Protection Unit Te l 551-9575.
California Department of Consumer
Affairs Te l [phone].

Sales
End-of-the-month, holiday, and
pre-season sales are common
in many stores. Keep an eye out
for advertisements in local
newspapers where these are
announced, especially mid-
week and Sundays. Shop
early for the best bargains,
and beware of
“Going out of
business” signs -
these can be left up
for years. Some are
legitimate sales; just
ask at nearby shops.

Malls and Shopping
Centers
In contrast with a great many
suburban shopping malls,
those of San Francisco have
character, and one or two

Emporio Armani (see p239)

When to Shop
Most shops in San Francisco
open at 10am and stay open
until 8pm, Monday to Saturday.
Many malls and department
stores also remain open until
later in the evening and on
Sundays. Stores are quietest in
the mornings, but can be hectic
at lunchtime (noon-2pm),
on Saturdays, and during sales
and holidays.

Taxes
A sales tax of 8.5
percent is added to
all purchases made
in San Francisco.
Note that this is
not refundable to
overseas visitors,
unlike the European
Value Added Tax
(VAT ), but you are
exempt if your
purchases are
forwarded to any
destination outside
California. Foreign
visitors may have to
pay duty at customs
on arrival home.

How to Pay
Major credit cards are accepted
at most shops, although there
will often be a minimum
purchase price. Traveler's
checks must be accompanied
by identification, and foreign
checks or foreign currency
are rarely taken. Some smaller
shops will allow only cash
purchases.

Consumer Rights
and Services
Keep your receipts as proof of
purchase. Each shop sets and
displays its own return and Flags and pagoda at the Japan Center