Guide : Buying Rolex in Europe

[sys12345]

The official VAT in Italy is 21%. Getting back only 15.5% means administration fee and additional profits are already factored in. VAT rebate can vary even amongst retailers in the same country. It also depends if u are getting the rebate back as cash or credited back into your credit card account.

Need some advice from gurus here, I'm in Rome now and just went to Bedetti to check out the prices there. Was advice by the SA that I can get back 15.5% vat if the watch I'm getting is more than €8000. Just want to check whether we are entitle for the full 15.5% OR the airport will charge some admin fee and if so roughly what is the actual % I should be getting back? TIA

[bk76]

any idea what is the cost for sub in belgium and holland?

[Otar]

Hi Jasonny

I will be going to FCO and back from MXP as well, but in another 3 weeks time. Appreciate your field report here!

Any luck with the Blue SubC TT and the BLNR?

Hi sys12345,
taking SQ to FCO and bk from MXP. Thanks for your PM, the info really helps a lot! May I ask those that went to Italy lately which city can get a better price for rolex?

[Otar]

think it has gone up to 1.73 the last time i checked. sigh.

miss the days when 1euro was below sgd1.60

[Otar]

Hi Sir

Can you PM me as well? Thanks.

Visit the Rolex boutique in Milan, Pisa Orologeria. Opt for refund back into your card instead of cash. If u spend below 10,000 Eur, your VAT refund will be about 17%. If u spend above that... then u'll be getting back more!

The SubC TT blue, especially with the new sunburst blue dial (like the previous 16613) looks great. Its on my shopping list for the next trip. Let me know if u do end up getting these watches.

Which airline are u taking? If u need a referral, u can PM me.

[praha335ci]

Need some advice from gurus here, I'm in Rome now and just went to Bedetti to check out the prices there. Was advice by the SA that I can get back 15.5% vat if the watch I'm getting is more than €8000. Just want to check whether we are entitle for the full 15.5% OR the airport will charge some admin fee and if so roughly what is the actual % I should be getting back? TIA

Most AD's use Global Blue as their representative. There will also be an conversion rate fee even if you opt to have it via the credit card method. Check out their site to work out your net VAt entitlements: http://www.globalblue.com/

It usually works out to be around 14% net and about and there is also the conversion fee .

[snoop]

Need some advice from gurus here, I'm in Rome now and just went to Bedetti to check out the prices there. Was advice by the SA that I can get back 15.5% vat if the watch I'm getting is more than €8000. Just want to check whether we are entitle for the full 15.5% OR the airport will charge some admin fee and if so roughly what is the actual % I should be getting back? TIA

I just returned from Rome, got a date just from Haussmann and tax refund was only 15% for me.
Btw, be aware that there is a tax refund limit of 1k euro per person across all ur luxury claims at the airport.

[hwaa]

hi sys12345, can pm me as well? heading to italy early december

[Jasonny]

It's only my 2nd day here, will prop get in Milan which is my last stop. Don't feel safe carrying a watch thru out the trip. Already PM u the price.

Hi Jasonny

I will be going to FCO and back from MXP as well, but in another 3 weeks time. Appreciate your field report here!

Any luck with the Blue SubC TT and the BLNR?

[sys12345]

Never heard of such a limit. Which airport are u referring to? I have claimed beyond 1K Euro per pax before.

I just returned from Rome, got a date just from Haussmann and tax refund was only 15% for me.
Btw, be aware that there is a tax refund limit of 1k euro per person across all ur luxury claims at the airport.

[sys12345]

Those asking me where i bought my Rollies from, its Pisa Orologeria in Milan as mentioned in this thread:

http://www.sg-roc.com/threads/111337...geria-in-Milan

[aplover]

is it generally recommended to buy only from the authorised distributors in these countries?

[Otar]

yup, got your PM. continue to post update here! have fun and enjoy your trip.

It's only my 2nd day here, will prop get in Milan which is my last stop. Don't feel safe carrying a watch thru out the trip. Already PM u the price.

[snoop]

Never heard of such a limit. Which airport are u referring to? I have claimed beyond 1K Euro per pax before.

Yup returned to sg from Rome airport, I had total refund of 1k ++ euros in cash,the counter guy refunded me up to 900+, last item had to return via credit card. From personal experience, I tend to opt for cash refund and not CC - had a sh*t experience before

[sys12345]

On the contrary, refund in cash is usually the biggest hassle. Why?

1) U are getting less refund

2) In airports like Paris at T1, the cash refund counter is a nightmare. Its usually a long queue and quite chaotic. The customer service officers are a PIA to deal with.

3) Unless u need Euros or u intend to travel to Europe again, i cant see the need to refund in cash as u'll still have to change the Euros back to Sing dollars, suffering another round of exchange loss. In addition, for larger sums, u'll be carrying lots of cash back. Why expose yourself to such risks?

Yup returned to sg from Rome airport, I had total refund of 1k ++ euros in cash,the counter guy refunded me up to 900+, last item had to return via credit card. From personal experience, I tend to opt for cash refund and not CC - had a sh*t experience before