Suzy Gershman's Born to Shop Paris - European Travel Books

Paperback - 19 November, 2004 - Frommers
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By: Suzy Gershman
ISBN: 0764556908

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Reviews by readers

A good starting point...

It seems as though Ms. Gershman either read the reviews here, or else the sorry state of the U.S. dollar against the euro was the catalyst for changes in the 10th edition, published in November 2004.

I used the book as one of my shopping resources during a short visit to Paris in May 2005. Of course, Ms. Gershman's picks still are on the pricey (and middle-aged) side, but she seems to have added more information on less expensive shopping options. And in case you don't share Ms. Gershman's taste in clothes, there are also picks from her son Aaron (who seems to be in his late teens or early twenties) and her assistant Jenny (apparently in her twenties or thirties).

She does list pricey hotels, but I don't think she should be considered a source on lodging since she lives part-time in Paris (and she even tells you how to rent her apartment, if you are so inclined).

I somewhat recommend this book because it gives a solid overview of shopping in the city and gives you a good base about the various neighborhoods. Plus, she's brutally honest ... since my shopping time was limited, her comment that Colette is overrated allowed me to skip that store and go somewhere where I can actually afford to buy things. She made me aware of a great place to buy handbags. And most importantly, she demystifies the process of getting d�taxe ... which these days is crucial for Americans!

Normally, I'd have given this book four stars, but I've taken off another star because even though the book was published in November 2004, many things seem to be out of date (a champagne she recommended was nowhere to be found). I had a feeling there would be some problems with the listings, so when I was planning my trip (...)

Things I would have liked:
* Phone numbers for the stores, as well as opening hours.
* More detailed maps

If I were to do my shopping planning again, I'd probably spend an afternoon at Barnes & Noble with this book, reading the first couple of chapters (which include her top picks, as well as Aaron and Jenny's choices), then leafing through the rest of the book and taking down names of stores that interest me. Then, I would supplement my list with two sources that are more appropriate for a woman in her twenties or thirties: Time Out's store listings on their Web site, and the section on Paris shopping in the June 2005 issue of Lucky (which came out just in time for my trip, though I have to advise you that those listings are no cheaper than Ms. Gershman's picks!).

Good information, but lacking on important details

I recently returned from a trip to Paris where I had the opportunity to shop. This book had good information, but is seriously lacking details. Many of the addresses for the stores are wrong. Many times I would search for a store, only to find the address, but the store was not located there.

For one store (Monoprix), she did not give an address but described it as between a cluster of stores and the Hotel de Ville. It was actually a 20 min walk past the Hotel de Ville! We wasted over 40 minutes because she didn't provide accurate information.

She also writes that you are limited to bringing $400 worth of goods out of the country, when the limit is actually $800.

This would be a good book if the editors checked her information to be sure it was factual.

Certainly not the best guide for bargain-shoppers!

"Disappointing" is the best word to apply to this book. I found so little useable advice (and so much that was out-of-date), that I would try to resell my copy of this book via Amazon, if only I would not feel guilty for ripping off a fellow bargain-hunter!
Of the other (non bargain-shopping) advice in this book, I could find lots of places on my own (online on a search engine) to spend "top dollar" in Paris. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is truly "born to shop"! Phooey!

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