So many credit cards, so little time.It’s not just the prices, it’s the staggering choice. Remember, we've arranged for a free gift for NYCard holders at that most New York of stores, Bloomingdales. Also note that our Lower East Side Walking Tour includes some first-rate cutting-edge designer shopping.

Note that as of June 2003 sales tax at the rate of 8.625% is added to ticketed prices for everything. The exception for clothing and footwear under $110 has been eliminated for the next year, at least.

Uunless a shop’s posted policy indicates otherwise, you have the right to a full refund if you return the item unused with the receipt within 20 days from the date of purchase.

If you feel you’ve been cheated, immediately call the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tel: 212-487-4444. They are the good guys.

Here's a sampling of the popular, the high quality, or simply the essentially American. And a few of the haunts of really in-the-know locals.

Beauty, Clothing/Vintage Clothing, Department Stores, Shoes, Sporting Goods and Clothing

Antiques, Books, Cameras, Computers/Electronics, Music

Edibles, Flowers, Household, Pharmacies, Wine/Liquor

Gifts/Gizmos/Souvenirs, Jewelry, Leather/Luggage, Special Interest

Antiques

You’re either an expert and know what to look for in the New York market, or you’re in it for fun. If you fall into the second category, instead of hauling home a modern piece of extruded tat, forage with the locals early Saturday mornings at the outdoor flea markets on 7th Avenue between W.25th and W.27th Streets. Persistence will throw up some essential piece of beaded or Bakelite Americana.

Chelsea Antiques Building
110 W.25th St. (betw. 6th and 7th Aves.)
Tel: 212-929-0909

If you’re overwhelmed by the volume of dealers here, describe your Holy Grail to the customer request service and the buyers will watch for it and call.

Irreplaceable Artifacts
14 2nd Ave. (at Houston St.)
Tel: 212-777-2900

Get a piece of New York. Actual architectural bits and bobs, from door handles to pediments.

Israel Sack
730 5th Ave. (betw. 56th and 57th Sts.)
Tel: 212-399-6562

Early American furniture, 1780 and older.

Lillian Nassau
220 E.57th St. (betw. 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Tel: 212-759-6062

Lamps and glassware. Art Nouveau, especially original Tiffany.

Manhattan Arts & Antiques Center
1050 2nd Ave. (betw. E.55th and E.56th Sts.)
Tel: 212-355-4400

A zillion shops of interest under one roof.

Old Print Shop
150 Lexington Ave. (betw. E.29th and E.30th Sts.)
Tel: 212-683-3950

Original Americana up to the 1950’s: prints, maps and books.

Susan Parrish Antiques
390 Bleecker St. (betw. Perry and W.11th Sts.)
Tel: 212-645-5020

American quilts from the 1800’s to 1940.

Books

Argosy Bookstore
116 E.59th St. (betw. Lexington and Park Aves.)
Tel: 212-753-4455

Incredible, affordable selection of antique maps of New York and everywhere else. Also hard-to-find books, especially history books.

J.N. Bartfield
30 W.57th St., 3rd Fl. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
Tel: 212-245-8890

Rare books, fine bindings, sets.

Strand Book Store
828 Broadway (at E.12th St.)
Tel: 212-473-1489

“Eight miles,” they say, of new, almost-new and rare books.
Three Lives, 154 W.10th St. (at Waverly Pl.) Tel: 212-741-2069. Attentive, encyclopaedic staff, charming ambience, intelligent selection: in short, everything a bookstore should be. There's also a branch on Fulton Street (at the corner of Gold St.) near South Street Seaport.

Urban Center Books
457 Madison Ave. (betw. E.50th and E.51st Sts.), New York, NY 10022
Tel: 212-935-3595

A delightful specialist bookstore run by the venerable Municipal Art Society. Its subject is architecture and everything related to it.

Cameras

Olden Camera & Lens
1265 Broadway (at W.32nd St.), 2nd Floor
Tel: 212-725-1234

There’s new and used everything for purchase, rental or trade. They’ve been around since the 1930’s so they don’t mind if you take your time and browse. Repairs and appraisals too.

Tamarkin NY
670 Broadway #501 (betw. Great Jones and Bond Sts.)
Tel: 212-677-8665

Everything Leica, new and used. Given the high cost of this aristocrat of camersas, the prices can’t be beaten.

Computers and Electronics

J & R, 31
Park Row (betw. Ann and Beekman Sts.)
Tel: 212-238-9100

Facing City Hall, this New York, family-run institution is generally regarded as having the best selection, at the best prices, of computers, software, plasma screens, printers, copiers, telephones and the cases and cords that go with them. Yet another good reason to visit Downtown.

$10 off any purchase over $100 when you show your NYCard

Music

Academy Records & CDs
12 W.18th St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
Tel: 212-242-3000

An outstanding, but somewhat pell-mell, selection of used classical music. Next door is their good used book store.

Footlight Records
113 E.12th St. (betw. 3rd and 4th Aves.)
Tel: 212-533-1572

For new and used Broadway cast recordings, cabaret and nostalgia music of all kinds.

Gigwear
591 Broadway (betw. Houston and Prince St.)
Tel: 212-941-5900

Rock ‘n roll memorabilia, from record covers to autographed guitars.

Jazz Record Center
236 W.26th St., Room 804 (betw. 7th and 8th Aves.)
Tel: 212-675-4480

This is the jazz collector’s heaven. New and used CD’s, LP’s, videos, books, back issues of magazines.

Jerry Ohlinger’s Music Material Store
242 W.14th St. (betw. 7th and 8th Aves.)
Tel: 212-989-0869

Photos, magazines, postcards, posters.

Mandolin Brothers
629 Forest Avenue Staten Island
Tel: 718-981-8585

Take S40 Bus from Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Acoustic instruments, high end, new and used.

Tower Records
692 Broadway (at E.4th St.)
Tel: 212-505-1500

Mega emporium for all manner of discs and videos.