Shopping

Shopping conventions are different in every country and city. Below is some basic information for those who are new to Albuquerque.


Tender Types

Debit cards, credit cards, and cash are most commonly used for purchases. Bargaining is customary at garage sales, yard sales, and flea markets, when buying from a private individual, and for very expensive items such as cars. Otherwise, prices are fixed.

  • Cash: Accepted for most transactions; never send cash through the mail.
  • Checks: Checks are rarely used in stores and in most cases you have to open a store account to use a check.
  • EFT: This means using your ATM card to pay for purchases and it is allowed in supermarkets and some other businesses. You will need to enter your 4-digit PIN. Do not let anyone see your PIN and do not keep your PIN written down anywhere near your card.
  • Debit Card: You must have money in your account for the purchase. The money will usually be withdrawn within one or two days.
  • Credit Card: Charges will be on your next monthly bill.

Returns

Items can almost always be returned with a receipt, sometimes even when used or damaged. You will usually be asked why you are returning the item. If you do not have a receipt, you may still be able to return the item for in-store credit.

Sales Tax

Most states and cities in the US charge an extra amount for certain items you purchase. The amount varies by state and city as well as the items subject to tax. Currently, in Albuquerque, a 7.88% tax is charged for all items purchased except food and prescription drugs.

 

August 7th – August 9th is New Mexico Sales Tax Holiday! Some retailers will participate by not offering tax on certain items for the Annual Back to School Holiday. Check with retailers before purchasing.

Tips

Most students live on a very tight budget. Below are some tips for saving money:

  • Buy at discount stores, second-hand stores or garage/yard sales: Discount stores like Kmart, Target and Walmart sell goods cheaply and can be found all over Albuquerque. Second-hand/thrift stores sell used goods for charity and often have items that are in good condition. Garage/yard sales are sales of clothing, furniture, books, toys, etc. by private citizens on their property. They take place most weekends and are advertised in local newspapers or by signs on the street corner; quality of items varies. Albuquerque also hosts a flea market (open-air market with used items) every Saturday and Sunday on the State Fairgrounds on Central Ave, between San Pedro and Louisiana.
  • Buy during sales and use coupons: Sales are advertised and coupons are provided in newspapers or are delivered to your mailbox. Many sales occur around holidays.
  • Buy off-season: Think ahead and buy your clothes for next year at the end of the previous season. In other words, winter clothes are cheapest during holiday sales at the beginning of March. Summer clothes are cheapest at the end of July or early August.
  • Buy generic brands: Most stores offer a brand name item and a cheaper “generic” or store-brand equivalent (e.g., Tylenol vs generic acetaminophen). The generic items are often the same as the brand-name item for much less.
  • Don’t buy at convenience stores: Convenience stores whether on or off-campus sell mostly junk food and basic necessity items at inflated prices. If you want to save money, try to avoid convenience stores.
  • Check listserves and internet options: International students and scholars who are leaving Albuquerque often post items for sale on the GEO listserve. You may also want to check Craigslist or other internet sites for larger items such as cars.

Local Stores

Grocery Stores

 

 

 

 

 

La Montañita Co-op

3500 Central Ave SE

(505) 265-4631

Website

8:00am – 8:00pm

Grocery Store

 

Smith’s Food & Drug

(near UNM)

320 Yale Blvd

(505) 266-0201

Website

8:00am - 10:00pm

Grocery Store

 

Smith’s Food & Drug

(near Nob Hill)

3701 Constitution

(505) 256-9423

Website

8:00am - 12:00 am

Grocery Store

Pharmacy

 

Sprouts Farmers Market

5112 Lomas Blvd NE

(505) 268-5127

Website

7:00am – 8:00pm

Grocery Store

 

Whole Foods Market

2103 Carlisle Blvd NE

(505) 260-1366

Website

8:00am – 8:00pm

Sunday 9:00am – 6:00pm

Grocery Store

International/Ethnic Grocery Stores

 

 

 

 

 

999 Seafood Supermarket

5315 Gibson Blvd

(505) 268-2422

Website

8:00am – 8:00pm

Asian specialty food and produce store.

 

Ariana Halal Market & Caffe

1401 San Mateo Blvd NE

(505) 255-1325

10:00am – 7:00pm

Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Middle Eastern, Bakery/Sweets, Specialty Food Store

 

Café Istanbul

1415 Wyoming NE

(505) 294-9900

Website

9:30am – 8:00pm

Sunday: 11:00am – 6:00pm

Mediterranean Groceries and Deli

 

El Super use to be Pro Ranch Market

4201 Central Ave

(505) 544-2919

 

 

 

Talin Market World Food Fare

88 Louisiana Blvd SE

(505) 268-0206

Website

9:00am – 6:00pm

New Mexico's largest international foods market

Pharmacy & Healthcare

 

 

 

 

 

UNM Student Health and Counseling Center

Located on Main Campus

(505) 277-3136

Website

Monday – Thursday 8:00am – 5:30pm

Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm

On-campus Pharmacy

 

 

Walgreens (near UNM)

2950 Central Ave SE

(505) 262-1745

Website

9:00 am – 9:00pm

Pharmacy

 

Walgreens (near Nob Hill)

3501 Lomas Blvd NE

(505) 255-8908

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Pharmacy

Superstores

 

 

 

 

 

Target

2120 Louisiana Blvd NE

(505) 200-3234

Website

Monday – Saturday

8:00am – 9:00pm

Grocery

Pharmacy

Clothing

Household Items

Furniture

 

Walmart Supercenter

301 San Mateo Blvd SE

(505) 268-6611

Website

7:00am – 8:30pm

Grocery

Pharmacy

Clothing

Household Items

Furniture

Discount Stores

 

 

 

 

 

Family Dollar

1400 Gibson Blvd SE

(505) 539-1203

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Grocery

Household Items

Healthcare

 

Dollar Tree

5555 Zuni Rd SE #21

(505) 415-7894

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Everything is $1

Grocery

Household Items

Healthcare

Secondhand Stores

 

 

 

 

 

The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center

4501 Silver Ave SE

(505) 254-1778

Website

Monday – Saturday

9:00am – 5:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

 

Savers

2620 Carlisle Blvd NE

(505)888-0116

Website

Monday – Sunday

9:00am – 9:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

 

Thrift Town

3900 Menaul Blvd NE

(505) 872-0647

Website

Monday – Saturday

9:00am – 9:00pm

Sunday

10:00am – 7:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

Department Stores

 

 

 

 

 

ABQ Uptown

2200 Louisiana Blvd NE

(505) 792-1929

Website

Hours vary by store

Multiple stores and places to eat in one location

 

Coronado Center Shopping Mall

6600 Menaul Blvd NE

(505) 881-2700

Website

Hours vary by store

Multiple stores and places to eat in one location

 

Ross Dress for Less

4201 Central Ave NW

(505) 831-0334

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

 

Ross Dress for Less

5001 Montgomery Blvd NE

(505) 831-0334

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

 

T.J. Maxx

2100 Louisiana Blvd NE

(505) 830-9499

Website

9:00am – 9:00pm

Household Items

Furniture

Clothing

 

Winrock Town Center

2100 Louisiana Blvd NE #51

(505) 883-6132

Website

Hours vary by store

Multiple stores and places to eat in one location