We got to the airport last Saturday with plenty of time to spare (which is more than I can say about this morning's return trip...but more on that later). I don't think I have ever truly given a good sense of how much Koreans like to shop. On previous visits to the airport I was amazed at how packed the duty free stores were and more so, they had a duty free pick up counter.
Apparently, you can shop duty free online now. Know any friends going on an international trip? Shop online and have them pick up your items at the airport. This is definitely the thing to do as the pick up section of the store was packed.
They had each person's items bagged and labeled on two stories of conveyor belts. Attendants on the top floor just dropped stuff down to the people below. Each item was in about four different bags and then after you picked up your purchases, they had to be checked and then re-bagged in another two bags. Seems like one of the middlemen could have been cut.
Then, if you didn't get your fill at the airport stores you can buy stuff mid-flight. I wonder if the stewardesses (sorry, flight attendants) get commission from the sales. They were hawking that stuff pretty viciously.
Unfortunately, I didn't need any cigarettes, cosmetics or liquor so I refrained from purchasing.
What have you bought duty free? Ever purchased anything from those SkyMall magazines?
3 comments:
Glad you had a great trip & made it home safe. Anxious to hear your story.
"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance & to turn around 3 times before lying down."
Robert Benchley
"If you pick up a starving dog & make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog & a man."
Mark Twain
hehe~I bought lots of cosmetics(for me & mom & friends) & sunglasses & perfume...so many~
Especially cosmetics are cheaper than any other places in korea.^__^ Aekyung
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