Originally Posted by RichardInSF
In any case, I don't know about duty-free prices in other cities, but they are terrible at SFO. Liquor is cheaper at Beverages and More than at duty-free, and they have a better selection too.
I believe they are targetting Japan-bound customers at the SFO duty free shops.
100% correct. Vodka is always on sale and generally cheaper at Safeway. Scotch is much cheaper at BevMo. In Washington, DC you can find cheaper liquor at Calvert Woodley on Connecticut Ave or BevMo in Virginia.
Duty free in the US is a waste of time and money unless you are buying for overseas consumption and forgot to pick up a bottle on your way to the airport.
However, I would note that we found good prices on Grand Marinier and Cointreau in Italy (non duty free). Still hard to justify lugging bottles around to save a few $. LHR also has good prices on high end scotch.