American Department stores with websites that take international credit cards.

Hi everyone, 

It has been a long time since I posted on this site as I have lived in the UK for six years now and have pretty much adjusted to life here.  I do have one problem though that I have been working on since I have been here and have not solved to my satisfaction.
Let me explain my situation first so you will have a better understanding of my problem.  When I send gifts to my family and friends in the states I always order from an American website so it can be sent directly to them and it saves on the high cost of postage to send stuff from here. I have found very few department stores from there that take international credit cards.  JC Penny's will take them and of course there is always Amazon.com and I usually sent thing from these two places along with a few others like Victoria Secret. So for the most part these places have been sufficient. Well a year ago my first grandson was born and that is where my problem got bigger.  JC Penny's doesn't have a big enough selection of baby clothes to chose from. I want more choice. My son is struggling at the moment as many Americans are and I want to send him clothes for his son.

Now for my question "Does anyone know of department stores in the USA with websites that take international credit cards?"  Most I have found do not.  It would mean so much to me if you could help me out. Also if anyone would like my list of places to shop on American websites I will be glad to post them for you.  Thanks for listening and I hope someone can help me.


Kitty 

I think Amazon.com is your best bet.

Have you tried Babies R Us? If their US site doesn't take UK credit cards, maybe their UK site ships to the US?

Target took mine. I sent a gift card from there for my great nephews bday...

Have you tried Babies R Us? If their US site doesn't take UK credit cards, maybe their UK site ships to the US?

Toys R Us / Babies R Us US & UK opperate as separate entities; they will only deliver in and accept cards registered in said country.   

Walmart accepts international credit cards. 
Gymboree accept international cards, as well as ship internationally.

Mothercare will ship internationally, however I doubt that would be cost-effective for you if you're wanting to buy children's clothes from the US, otherwise you'd be able to buy and ship yourself.

An alternative is if you have a US PayPal account - if websites accept PayPal this is one way to circumvent the US registered CC issue.

Nordstroms does, and will now even ship to the UK.

a friend of mine who lives in UK but doesn't keep a US credit card has had luck making a phone call to the US website service, or to the actual shop in the US and placing orders with a UK card, where a UK card would not have been accepted on-line.  i think businesses these days need customers so it would be worth a try.

Teletabby have you tried the Walmart site. I was afraid they wouldn't because they sometimes there system won't take a international card.

Thanks for all your replies. I will try some of the sites you suggested. I would love to be able to shop at walmart and target if they would take my card. Will give it a try. Thanks again. I really apprecciate it.

Teletabby have you tried the Walmart site. I was afraid they wouldn't because they sometimes there system won't take a international card.

To be honest I can't recall if I have or not.  Its been a few years since I've made any non-US CC purchases as lately its just picture purchases for my grandparents on occasion.

I'd assume there shouldn't be an issue judging by Walmart's Payment Options and their stance on non-US issued CCs.  Unless with thir non-US CCs their only referring to Puerto Rico, Guam etc.     Someone jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. 

Alternatively you could always try paying through PayPal as that is an option I just tried doing this as a test and it will allow me to purchase through this route without issue.  It'll give you the exchange rate of how much the purchase will cost you.  (I do also have a UK-issued CC on file as a method of payment for my UK PayPal Acct, so not sure if this influences the ability to use PayPal UK for purchases.)  Good luck!

Thanks Teletabby. I must have missed the pay pal payment part. Will give it a try.

No probs and good luck with the shopping!   

Nordstroms does, and will now even ship to the UK.

I saw this one day when I went browsing on nordstrom.com and screeched with joy!  Not sure what the shipping rates were, but I have had a long term affair with their shoe dept. and am thrilled I can ship items out here! 

Also, husband has a UK credit card and has had no problem purchasing items at any US store (online or in person).  Though, he had made sure when he signed up for the card that he got MasterCard (as opposed to the Maestro that he had with his debit) so that it'd be acceptable in the US. We've never had problems purchasing items at American dept. stores with a UK card.  Also, I've continually used my Chase Visa card here in the UK and have not been charged any additional rates for any exchange ratios so that's a plus as well (as CitiCards charges $15 minimum..blah).

I saw this one day when I went browsing on nordstrom.com and screeched with joy!  Not sure what the shipping rates were, but I have had a long term affair with their shoe dept. and am thrilled I can ship items out here! 

Also, husband has a UK credit card and has had no problem purchasing items at any US store (online or in person).  Though, he had made sure when he signed up for the card that he got MasterCard (as opposed to the Maestro that he had with his debit) so that it'd be acceptable in the US. We've never had problems purchasing items at American dept. stores with a UK card.  Also, I've continually used my Chase Visa card here in the UK and have not been charged any additional rates for any exchange ratios so that's a plus as well (as CitiCards charges $15 minimum..blah).

A word of warning when purchasing online from US retailers to ship to the UK is you *need* to state that the item is a gift at the time of purchasing otherwise you will pretty much be charged customs duty at your door before the delivery person will hand over your purchase.  DH & I made this mistake the first year I moved over and ordered from VS - I ordered about $100+ worth of clothes and got charged £20+ at the front door to get my order - thankfully I had the cash on hand as I wasn't expecting the delivery nor the charge.   

Saying it's a gift gets you out of customs duy and VAT?
Doug