Guide : Buying Rolex in Europe

[pegasi]

Not true. Based on my experience, u will encounter more hassle dealing with cash refunds, not to mention as much as 5% difference between cash and credit card.

Not sure if you would always get a much better deal from cc refund than from cash refund. What if you had paid for the goods in cash in the first place, say, in Euros? Wouldn't the refund back to your local cc account be eventually converted to SGD which mean you might still lose out owning to bank currency exchange, and more so if the difference is bigger than the service charge you would have paid for cash refund?

[pegasi]

I have done quite a number of VAT refunds via credit card and so far, i have never experienced any issue. There are some things to take note for VAT refunds back into credit card:


1) You may be holding on to a no. of VAT refund forms and when u present them to the VAT refund officer, dont expect him/her to chop and organise them properly into the respective self addressed envelopes. Mark the forms and envelopes so that u dont get them mixed up before sending.

2) For high value items, after the officer has chopped on the form, take a picture of the form to show proof that the VAT form has been endorsed.


Whenever i visit Europe, i usually exit out from Paris. The VAT refund counters for credit cards are the ones with the least hassle. For cash refund, there are counters for refunding back into different currencies and there's always chaos and confusion over there.

Yup those two are very good advices. I did claim via cc once before although I perfer cash, and I remember taking pic of the credit card slips/receipts too other than the stamped form.

It's always good to equip yourselve with knowledge of both modes in case you for some reason has to go with the mode you aren't originally intended to

[sys12345]

Not true. Based on my experience, u will encounter more hassle dealing with cash refunds, not to mention as much as 5% difference between cash and credit card.


I know where u are coming from with regards to refunds back into credit card account. U cant take the refunded $$$ out as cash, giving u only credit dollars in your account. The way to go around this is to refund back into a different card, like a Master/Visa DEBIT card. That way, u can easily withdraw the $$$ from your savings account without incurring the penalty of a smaller refund. In addition, u dont need to carry so much $$$ with u and u are spared from the hassle of exchanging euro -> S$ and incurring an exchange loss in the process.

im thinking like if buy on behalf of friends leh? cash is the easiest way out right?

[sys12345]

I have done quite a number of VAT refunds via credit card and so far, i have never experienced any issue. There are some things to take note for VAT refunds back into credit card:


1) You may be holding on to a no. of VAT refund forms and when u present them to the VAT refund officer, dont expect him/her to chop and organise them properly into their respective self addressed envelopes. Mark the forms and envelopes so that u dont get them mixed up before sending.

2) For high value items, after the officer has chopped on the form, take a picture of the form to show proof that the VAT form has been endorsed.


Whenever i visit Europe, i usually exit out from Paris. The VAT refund counters for credit cards are the ones with the least hassle. For cash refund, there are counters for refunding back into different currencies and there's always chaos and confusion over there.

I think refund by cash or credit card each has its pros & cons.

I read somewhere that the lead time for credit card refund is quite long, and in the case of any discrepancy on the amount (or worse not receiving the refund at all) the hassle to get it rectified could be bigger than queueing. I am not sure how often such mistakes occur but for me I prefer to queue to get the cash refund and settle it there and then, if time permits.

[pegasi]

I might have already mentioned in this thread (too many pages so lazy to check), for credit card refund you still need to get the form stamped by the customs officers at the airport. Quite often the queue for this process is longer than that for the cash refund, as there is only one customs counter but there could be more than one cash refund counter/company (plus some may opt to send the stamped form for cc refund).

There is a genuine risk that if you don't go to the airport early enough you may not even have time to get the goods inspected/form stamped resulting in not being able to claim the refund by cash or cc - please be aware of such risk when you are buying for friend or asking friend to buy for you.

[pegasi]

I think refund by cash or credit card each has its pros & cons.

I read somewhere that the lead time for credit card refund is quite long, and in the case of any discrepancy on the amount (or worse not receiving the refund at all) the hassle to get it rectified could be bigger than queueing. I am not sure how often such mistakes occur but for me I prefer to queue to get the cash refund and settle it there and then, if time permits.

[hwaa]

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?

im thinking like if buy on behalf of friends leh? cash is the easiest way out right?

[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

[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

[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.

[aplover]

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

[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

[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.

[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?

[hwaa]

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