aconcannon Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi everybody, I started a post very similar to this a few months back but I didn't get a lot of response. We're going to be sending our shipping in a couple of weeks and are really keen to hear what other Brits are, either glad they stocked up on, or wish they had stocked up on when they left the UK. We're planning on stocking up on toiletries and cosmetics and have been advised to send a supply of new bedding as it's expensive to buy once in Australia. Somebody also mentioned sending a stock of gravy as the stuff bought in Australia doesn't taste the same. Is there anything else from home that people miss whether it be food or just general items that you'd advise us to make sure we send in our shipping or to send a supply of? Please help! Thanks very much :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emu Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi, I can't think of exact items now but here there are no one stop shops the same way we had Argos for example. So sometimes those little things are hard to find. I would not send food items you risk of getting stuck and delaying your shipping and paying fines or fumigation fees (these even can apply to wood items). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconcannon Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks @emu. Yes I remember when we had our gap year in Australia in 2008 it was really hard to just pop out and buy little bits and bobs, same with toiletries as well as I never came across a Boots or Superdrug type of store. If you can think of any items that cost you a lot more in Australia, or that you just wish you could buy and you can't then do let me know :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emu Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 They have Priceland and Chemist Warehouse, just google them, but I do miss Boots, never thought I would but the range is so much better. Books are very expensive I normally order it online from the UK on Book depository. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi everybody, I started a post very similar to this a few months back but I didn't get a lot of response. We're going to be sending our shipping in a couple of weeks and are really keen to hear what other Brits are, either glad they stocked up on, or wish they had stocked up on when they left the UK. We're planning on stocking up on toiletries and cosmetics and have been advised to send a supply of new bedding as it's expensive to buy once in Australia. Somebody also mentioned sending a stock of gravy as the stuff bought in Australia doesn't taste the same. Is there anything else from home that people miss whether it be food or just general items that you'd advise us to make sure we send in our shipping or to send a supply of? Please help! Thanks very much :-) I didn't stock up on anything and don't wish I had either. Toiletries are available in Australia, there is no need to stock up, you will find many products are the same and maybe you need to swap a few brands, but you need to adjust sooner or later. Same comments on gravy stock! Bedding comes for a range of budgets, same as in UK. Sizing is a touch different so if you are bringing beds you might want to bring some spare sets, although we had no particular problems buying in Australia. The only items I can think of recommending are those which we found ourselves purchasing on trips back, this was good quality, mans business suits, business shoes, business shirts. These things can be pricey or limited in choice in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntersmummy Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hiya!! The shipping company we went with (PSS) said you best not ship aerosols...deodorant, polish, that kinda stuff as they would get rid of it anyways for some silly reason......??? Best Of Luck! Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chloe Emerson Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I didn't bring anything extra and don't find many things that are much more expensive then the uk. Bedding is not expensive just depends where you buy it from. Food you get used to not having the same brands but most are just as good. The only thing I miss and cannot find is angel delight lol Edited June 2, 2015 by Chloe Emerson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmjg Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Whatever you stock up on will run out eventually and you will have to adapt anyway. After 6 years, the only thing the yorkie OH still insists on sourcing is Bisto gravy. And it can be found in Sweet Success. Everything has a substitute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srg73 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Do not buy anything you would not normally use. We bought over shampoo etc etc and yes the same brand, same price etc over here. If something is very cheap in UK then stock up otherwise as mentioned simply make your way over with an open mind and find alternatives. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 I didn't bother stocking up either. Can find Bisto in lots of Coles and Woolies in the Pom section - alongside Marmite, Penguins, Iron Bru, Helmans, Paxo and so on.... As others have said, you're going to have to get used to unfamiliar brands sooner or later, so mights as well embrace the change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I wish I'd brought huge quantities of Yorkshire Tea, since the supermarkets sell an inferior version over here (same box, but the bags are on a stupid string and it doesn't taste great. It's packed in the United Emirates). Treats From Home and the like import the proper Stuff but charge over 3 x the price you'd pay in the UK. I think a different brand of tea has been the only thing I've been unable to adapt to. I've tried to find a substitute but nothing else will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elzawelza Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Really glad you mentioned that about Yorkshire Tea...my bf loves it and pretty much won't drink any other tea (typical northener lol) so we'll definitely be stocking up on it xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 I've taken to buying 1kg bags on ebay. Still expensive, but cheaper than buying it from the British speciality shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToowoombaBlue Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 No point stocking up on any foods or cosmetics, just open your mind to a new way of life. I wish I could have stocked up on NHS services, you won't realise how much you will miss it until you can no longer access it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 (edited) if you have a particular item of clothing you like, buy multiples of it! My favourite jeans have just worn through and they are no longer available on the website I got them from, so really wish I'd purchased more of them. I haven't done much clothes shopping yet, but there's a pretty big mark up on stuff that's usually fairly cheap/basic in the UK. And if you need suits or shirts for work, get a load of them too. M&S deliver for free (over £30) I think, but you have to pay the return postage if the items don't fit. Food wise, there seems to be substitutes for most things, although I've avoided eating chocolate so far - out of taste and health reasons! Edited June 7, 2015 by vickyplum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinkla Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 To be honest, if you buy anything in the quantities you have in mind, you could just buy it online and have it sent. You can get most things in Australia anyway. I wish I had packed my stepladder as they cost an arm and a leg here. I also resent the cost of bedding here (bizarrely called Manchester) but there's no point in stocking up in Britain as bed sizes are different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToowoombaBlue Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 My wife has suggested that bras are very difficult to replace, she recommends stocking up on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 ... I also resent the cost of bedding here (bizarrely called Manchester) ... Is it because industrial Manchester was built on cotton? That's my assumption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BacktoDemocracy Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 (edited) I know it's simple and annoying but the thing we couldn't get were boots' bite and sting because you will collect insect bites, much better than anything in oz and pepto bismal for stomach upsets , bed linen and towels are expensive but need to be unwrapped to avoid duty, clothes are expensive, basics like business shirts, short sleeve if going north, are worth considering. Edited June 8, 2015 by BacktoDemocracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strick Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 I haven't found the Yorkshire Tea sold in the supermarkets here to be of inferior quality to the British variety. It still makes a really strong brew, in my opinion. I haven't been to the UK for a while, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the strings had started appearing there too! I generally don't order anything from the UK or miss very much at all - except the cheaper price of a pint. Having said that, I'm having trouble tracking down a regular towelling bathrobe which is not really expensive, or with short little arms or both. I am considering ordering one in from M and S and taking advantage of the free shipping. Many of the threads on this forum that moan about the expensive prices in Australia are rapidly becoming out of date as we hit the two dollars to the pound mark once again. Things are certainly about 25% 'cheaper' now than they were in 2012 when I emigrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi from Manchester Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Being the saddo that I am, I did ask Taylor's of Harrogate about the Yorkshire Tea issue and they stated that Yorkshire Tea made in UAE and sold here is blended for Australian water (won't the water quality differ throughout Australia though? They alter the blend to suit hard and soft water areas in the UK), and is 'only marginally different' from that sold in the UK, and also that Australian consumers prefer the string. However, I maintain that it tastes quite different! There's no accounting for taste, I suppose. Good point re: the cost of things. I ordered a few items from the UK M&S website recently and they arrived in 3 days! Maybe they hold a load of stock over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aconcannon Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Does anybody know the situation with paying tax on goods being shipped? I'm stocking up on my usual cosmetics which I know will cost a lot more in Australia but I'm not sure whether to put these in my shipping or my suitcase? I'm looking at sending about 6 of each item I.e. Foundation, mascara etc. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.