Aloha Rags vs hgbags?

Minda · Aug 25th, 2008, 11:09 AM

Grateful for some help here. I bought my 1st Bal from Bal NY, and got hit so hard by customs and taxes! Bal NY also charges $70 for international shipping which is $$$.

Understand that Aloha Rags offers free international shipping for purchases over $500, and that cost price is listed on the lower scale so that we are not hit so hard with taxes. Is this the case? What about hgbags? What are the benefits of purchasing from one seller over the other? Which is cheaper for an overseas shipment?

Would appreciate any advice you can offer. TIA.

REREsaurus · Aug 25th, 2008, 01:14 PM

I'm all for AR.

them! They're so sweet and their return policy is excellent. I'm not sure which is better for overseas, but I always think the staff at AR goes above and beyond. They always choose the best bag. And! you get a 3% discount automatically by signing up for their free membership program. My discount is already at 7% (the more you spend, the better the savings).

Plenty of girls here have purchased from and like HGbags too.

mariabdc · Aug 25th, 2008, 01:16 PM

I havent purchased from AR, but i did from hgbags and everything was perfect.

juicy couture jen · Aug 25th, 2008, 02:06 PM

AR is great, I ordered my black first from them, and they were very friendly and answered all my questions. I haven't purchased from hgbags but I have heard she is a wonderful seller.

mmmsc · Aug 25th, 2008, 02:07 PM

I have heard AR will undervalue the bag so you don't have to pay customs duties. Don't think HG Bags will, but don't know that for sure.

mariabdc · Aug 25th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmsc

I have heard AR will undervalue the bag so you don't have to pay customs duties. Don't think HG Bags will, but don't know that for sure.

In my experience, Hgbags has always been happy to declare a lower value... So far i have avoided custom taxes twice (out of two bags purchased from this seller, so it is pretty good).

Balenciaga_Brit · Aug 25th, 2008, 02:57 PM

I order all my new bags from Erica at Hgbags. She is fantastic. She will work with you with leather preference and she always marks my bags down in value. I wouldn't go anywhere else unless she wasn't ordering in a bag I really wanted.

enciell · Aug 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM

AR is really good at customer service. They would lower the value to 1/4 on the custom form, but won't claim it any lower. So you probably need to work out whether the value is still higher than the threshold of your custom duty.

Not sure how low will hgbags be willing to claim as I haven't purchased from her yet.

ladybugfreckle · Aug 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM

I agree, Erica w/hgbags rocks! She consistently has incredible bags and works with you to get what you want.
I have also purchased from Aloha Rag and have their membership card... they ship very quickly and package well... include the box, etc.

I don't think you can go wrong with either!

drati · Aug 25th, 2008, 05:48 PM

Both great to deal with. Hgbags offers lower prices, which is great. Erica also declares as low as you wish (your risk). AR declares down to a 1/4 of the bag's value, so often there is still a little custom to pay.

With AR you have the advantage that you can return a bag and you don't need to pay a deposit. They also have a loyalty scheme, 3% off straight away and more as you purchase more. And free shipping.

I am having some quality issues with a bag bought from AR and they are sorting it out for me, I don't think Erica offers come back like this. AR will also order you spare tassels from Bal if you bought the bag from them.

Would recommend both.

imonpurseblog · Aug 25th, 2008, 06:12 PM

I've bought from hgbags (Erica) and she's been wonderful to deal with. I would highly recommend her. I haven't bought from AR but have heard only good things so far.

ShoeLover · Aug 25th, 2008, 06:18 PM

I just received my 2nd bag from AR and I couldn't be happier!!! They're awesome!!!

vikianderson · Aug 25th, 2008, 08:58 PM

i can't say enough good things about AR ~ i deal with *seiko* & she is fab to work with.

i always feel 'tho that you can't really truly rate a seller until there's a problem & then you soon discover the wheat from the chaf

REREsaurus · Aug 25th, 2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vikianderson

i can't say enough good things about AR ~ i deal with *seiko* & she is fab to work with.

i always feel 'tho that you can't really truly rate a seller until there's a problem & then you soon discover the wheat from the chaf

Seiko is a gem, I AGREE! She was sorting something out for me too with QC (totally not their fault). AND they allow returns.

If I had to choose one, I'd go with AR simple since Seiko is so great and for the return policy.

Jzlyn · Aug 26th, 2008, 03:55 AM

Another vote for AR. Very accomodating and very responsive in terms of answering questions, issues etc.

Aug 25th, 2008, 11:09 AM	#1
Minda Member	Aloha Rags vs hgbags? Grateful for some help here. I bought my 1st Bal from Bal NY, and got hit so hard by customs and taxes! Bal NY also charges $70 for international shipping which is $$$. Understand that Aloha Rags offers free international shipping for purchases over $500, and that cost price is listed on the lower scale so that we are not hit so hard with taxes. Is this the case? What about hgbags? What are the benefits of purchasing from one seller over the other? Which is cheaper for an overseas shipment? Would appreciate any advice you can offer. TIA.

Aug 25th, 2008, 01:16 PM	#3
mariabdc Member Location: Spain	I havent purchased from AR, but i did from hgbags and everything was perfect. __________________ Updated collection pics on pag 10! .... http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...ml#post7547595 TOTALLYB A N N E DTILLMARCH I believe in handbag fate-some bags are just meant to be! (c) DaisyRockRosie

Aug 25th, 2008, 02:06 PM	#4
juicy couture jen Sale Hunter Location: Massachusetts, USA	AR is great, I ordered my black first from them, and they were very friendly and answered all my questions. I haven't purchased from hgbags but I have heard she is a wonderful seller. __________________

Aug 25th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#7
Balenciaga_Brit Member Location: Scotland	I order all my new bags from Erica at Hgbags. She is fantastic. She will work with you with leather preference and she always marks my bags down in value. I wouldn't go anywhere else unless she wasn't ordering in a bag I really wanted. __________________ Wishlist: Magenta and Indigo Mini Classique's, 03 Caramel First or Weekender

Aug 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#9
ladybugfreckle one is never enough	I agree, Erica w/hgbags rocks! She consistently has incredible bags and works with you to get what you want. I have also purchased from Aloha Rag and have their membership card... they ship very quickly and package well... include the box, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with either! __________________

Aug 25th, 2008, 01:14 PM	#2
REREsaurus Walk like a boss. Location: Tracking treasue down, inevitably.	I'm all for AR. them! They're so sweet and their return policy is excellent. I'm not sure which is better for overseas, but I always think the staff at AR goes above and beyond. They always choose the best bag. And! you get a 3% discount automatically by signing up for their free membership program. My discount is already at 7% (the more you spend, the better the savings). Plenty of girls here have purchased from and like HGbags too.

Aug 25th, 2008, 02:07 PM	#5
mmmsc Delta Dog Location: Mississippi USA	I have heard AR will undervalue the bag so you don't have to pay customs duties. Don't think HG Bags will, but don't know that for sure.

Aug 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM	#8
enciell Member Location: magic land	AR is really good at customer service. They would lower the value to 1/4 on the custom form, but won't claim it any lower. So you probably need to work out whether the value is still higher than the threshold of your custom duty. Not sure how low will hgbags be willing to claim as I haven't purchased from her yet.

Aug 25th, 2008, 05:48 PM	#10
drati Member	Both great to deal with. Hgbags offers lower prices, which is great. Erica also declares as low as you wish (your risk). AR declares down to a 1/4 of the bag's value, so often there is still a little custom to pay. With AR you have the advantage that you can return a bag and you don't need to pay a deposit. They also have a loyalty scheme, 3% off straight away and more as you purchase more. And free shipping. I am having some quality issues with a bag bought from AR and they are sorting it out for me, I don't think Erica offers come back like this. AR will also order you spare tassels from Bal if you bought the bag from them. Would recommend both.

Aug 25th, 2008, 06:12 PM	#11
imonpurseblog Member	I've bought from hgbags (Erica) and she's been wonderful to deal with. I would highly recommend her. I haven't bought from AR but have heard only good things so far.

Aug 25th, 2008, 06:18 PM	#12
ShoeLover Member	I just received my 2nd bag from AR and I couldn't be happier!!! They're awesome!!!

Aug 25th, 2008, 08:58 PM	#13
vikianderson client difficile	i can't say enough good things about AR ~ i deal with seiko & she is fab to work with. i always feel 'tho that you can't really truly rate a seller until there's a problem & then you soon discover the wheat from the chaf

Aug 26th, 2008, 03:55 AM	#15
Jzlyn gaining pace	Another vote for AR. Very accomodating and very responsive in terms of answering questions, issues etc. __________________ But one still can hope 1. Yellow Delic - 39 or 39.5 2. Blue Suede Delic - 39 or 39.5 3. Red Joli Noeud Dorcet - 39 All about life's little indulgences