Shopping in the US: Where to Buy Everything You Need
From furniture to clothes to electronics — where to find the best deals, how returns work, and money-saving tips.
Last updated: March 1, 2026
Shopping in the US is very different from China. There's no Taobao with next-day delivery for everything, but once you know where to go, you can find great deals — especially as a student on a budget.
Where to shop for what
Shopping by Category
IKEA (affordable, self-assembly), Walmart, Target, Facebook Marketplace (used furniture from graduating students — best deals in April-May).
TJ Maxx/Marshalls (brand names at 50-70% off), Old Navy, Uniqlo, H&M for basics. Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) for amazing deals.
Best Buy, Amazon, Apple (student pricing). Micro Center for computer parts. Wait for Black Friday/Prime Day for big savings.
Dollar Tree ($1.25 for basics), Walmart, Target. Don't overbuy on day one — you'll figure out what you actually need.
Never buy new from the campus bookstore. Check: library reserves (free), Chegg/Amazon rentals, older editions, PDF versions, or buy used from upperclassmen.
Online shopping essentials
- Amazon Prime — free student trial for 6 months, then 50% off. Free 2-day shipping, streaming, and more.
- Amazon Warehouse — open-box and returned items at 20-40% off. Usually in perfect condition.
- Facebook Marketplace — the best place for used furniture, bikes, and electronics locally.
- Craigslist — similar to Marketplace but older. Use caution and meet in public places.
- Honey browser extension — automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout.
Returns — the best thing about US shopping
Return policies in the US are incredibly generous compared to China. Most stores allow returns within 30-90 days with receipt, no questions asked.
- Costco — almost unlimited return policy (except electronics: 90 days)
- Amazon — 30 days for most items, free return shipping
- Target/Walmart — 90 days with receipt
- Clothes — keep tags on until you're sure. Most stores accept returns even if worn once.
- Keep all receipts (or use the store's app which saves them digitally)
💡If you buy something and the price drops within 2 weeks, many stores will refund the difference. This is called a 'price adjustment' — just bring your receipt or call customer service.
Saving money
- Student discounts — always ask! Apple, Spotify, Amazon Prime, software, museums, movies, and many stores offer 10-20% off with a .edu email.
- Cash-back apps — Rakuten gives 1-10% back at hundreds of stores. Sign up with your email.
- Buy Nothing groups — Facebook groups where neighbors give away items for free. Search 'Buy Nothing [your city]'.
- Seasonal sales — Black Friday (November), Prime Day (July), back-to-school (August), and end-of-season clearance.
- Price match — Target and Best Buy will match competitors' prices. Just show the lower price on your phone.
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