Chanel Prices in Canada

[loungegirl]

Went to both Holt's Chanel and the Chanel on Bloor today. Not surprisingly, the SAs at both locations did NOT know anything about a price increase. I was at Holt first and decided to get the small flap in black caviar and gold ($2100+tax) but there was only the silver available. The SA checked the computer and came back telling me there was no Gold/small flap available ANYWHERE in Canada including all the Chanel stores. She said I should just get the silver one if I wanted the small or get the medium size if I wanted the gold. I was devastated since I was so set on what I wanted. (The small looked better on me than the medium) Then I dropped by the Chanel store just for the heck of it... and what do I find on display?!! My gold/ small flap!! And actually, they had over 4 small/gold flaps in stock!! The SA took all of them out for me to choose. Even though she didn't know anything about the price increase, she was nice and patient. The NERVE of the other SA to give me such a complete LIE. But I never buy anything I'm not completely satisfied with so I had no problem walking out of the Chanel at Holt. I'm so happy today - I got my 1st Chanel bag!!

[sazy]

congrats! can we see some pics? i might be getting my first chanel tomorrow. not sure which one yet though...a flap or medallion tote.

[Jayne1]

Originally Posted by loungegirl

The NERVE of the other SA to give me such a complete LIE.

Are they lying or just incompetent? Who was helping you at Holts? Was it Carol, the blonde manager or someone else?

I've had some bad experiences at HR as well. They say they will call and never do... but I look at it as they are saving me money, so in the end, I don't really care.

[Jayne1]

Originally Posted by Jazzie

hmmm, I'm wondering: with the CAD $ being where it is in comparison with the USD $, wouldn;'t it be cheaper to be in the US? This is of course if someone was going south.

We have to be very careful now, when going through customs. Everything is computerized and if you're caught with a purchase that you didn't declare, you will be stopped every time, in the future.

[karman]

^ So very true, and if something isn't declared, they have the right to confiscate it too!

[phoebe_0526]

Karman, thank you so much for the phone#.

I had a hard time on phone, when I tried to order earring. It's so hard to understand what's their current stock. Our fellow tpf girl always explain clearer than the SA.

I guess I will phone them again or go to store directly.

Due to Canadian dollar is so strong compare to US dollar. Wouldn't that be cheaper if you girls order from NM and let them to ship it to Canada?!

IMO flap is more classic, but tote bag is definitely more useful.
I personally would choose flap over tote. Since we can always get tote from LV or other designer. though I miss my recent sold chanel tote, but no regret so far.

[loungegirl]

Originally Posted by Jayne1

Are they lying or just incompetent? Who was helping you at Holts? Was it Carol, the blonde manager or someone else?

I don't know her name... didn't ask or noticed if she had a name tag. Yes, she has blond hair. The more outrageous thing was she even asked me to look at her computer (to reassure me that they were all out of stock) but I didn't bother as I had naively trusted her words.

[karman]

Originally Posted by phoebe_0526

Karman, thank you so much for the phone#. I had a hard time on phone, when I tried to order earring. It's so hard to understand what's their current stock. Our fellow tpf girl always explain clearer than the SA. I guess I will phone them again or go to store directly. Due to Canadian dollar is so strong compare to US dollar. Wouldn't that be cheaper if you girls order from NM and let them to ship it to Canada?! IMO flap is more classic, but tote bag is definitely more useful. I personally would choose flap over tote. Since we can always get tote from LV or other designer. though I miss my recent sold chanel tote, but no regret so far.

Of course it would be cheaper to order from the US, but with customs and taxes added on at the border during shipment, the bag could end up costing more than if I were to buy it here in Canada. I don't pay 13%/14% tax like some of the other girls here do, only 6% so there's not as big of a difference if I want to buy Chanel at home.
Anyway, I went to Chanel yesterday and saw some flaps and the GST/Medallion again. Although I really like the flaps too, even the jumbo is much too small for me, because I want a large black bag that can hold my essentials as well as a book or something like that. I've decided to get the GST, and don't mind the gold hardware that is only available in Canada because it looks more classic.

I still am hoping that my SA was misinformed about the price increase...it's not fair that our prices are increasing Oct 1st and the US's prices are increasing Nov 1st :(

[Jazzie]

Originally Posted by karman

^ So very true, and if something isn't declared, they have the right to confiscate it too!

If you buy it there, and don't declare it, they could also fine you. But there are ways around this!

Yes, someone did say something about computers -- but only if they checked with Chanel. If if they did, have some buy it for you, or use someone elses' name like the BF or family member you're visiting. Another thing is use it. Don't have it in a box like you just bought it. (Thnk of the cigarette carton analogy: If you have a carton of cigarettes unopened, it counts as a "carton of cigarettes" but if you open it and take one out, it's NOT counted as a "carton of cigarettes". Also, don't have the receipt with you when you cross the border (mail it to yourself), that way they can't prove you just bought it.

[javaboo]

I went to the Holts on Friday and that SA there claims she doesn't know anything about the price increase. She was like "Who told you? The purse site place?" I was like..."My friend did. What purse forum place?"

Oh, I saw the PST in gold, Shopping Tote in Gold, a bunch of luxe bags and cambon bags too.

[ceci]

Just wanna tell you all who are planning to shop Chanel at HR. You can either call up or e-mail the personal shopping dept. They are really helpful. Once I called in for classic flaps & check about shipping to other province outside Toronto, the lady even told me she won't charge me shipping too! I was so surprised, although I still have to pay full 14% taxes (not only 6% + shipping as told from Chanel Bloor boutique). Unluckily, they don't have colors other than black and beige in stores, so I ordered from Chanel SF at the end.

This is their list of phone numbers: http://www.holtrenfrew.com/english/s...alservices.php
Even though they may not be familiar with the model, but if you have the style # they will definitely check it up for you!

[Jazzie]

Originally Posted by ceci

Just wanna tell you all who are planning to shop Chanel at HR. You can either call up or e-mail the personal shopping dept. They are really helpful. Once I called in for classic flaps & check about shipping to other province outside Toronto, the lady even told me she won't charge me shipping too! I was so surprised, although I still have to pay full 14% taxes (not only 6% + shipping as told from Chanel Bloor boutique). Unluckily, they don't have colors other than black and beige in stores, so I ordered from Chanel SF at the end. This is their list of phone numbers: http://www.holtrenfrew.com/english/s...alservices.php Even though they may not be familiar with the model, but if you have the style # they will definitely check it up for you!

I have a friend who uses a PS most of the time and she loves it! She said they go out of they're way to get some things done!

OT: Ceci, is there going to be a possible transit strike in NS? Ferry, too? My bro moved to NS on a year contract with Delta Hotels. Luckily, he won't be affected by this, but I'm sure many will be.

[karman]

Originally Posted by javaboo

I went to the Holts on Friday and that SA there claims she doesn't know anything about the price increase. She was like "Who told you? The purse site place?" I was like..."My friend did. What purse forum place?" Oh, I saw the PST in gold, Shopping Tote in Gold, a bunch of luxe bags and cambon bags too.

I wonder why some SAs are so reluctant on telling clients about the price increase. My SA told me straight up there was one on October 1st no problem. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that somehow HR Calgary was misinformed and the increase is actually not until November.

ALTHOUGH I'm still not sure WHY our prices are increasing a month earlier than the US's prices. I guess I will call tomorrow and see what the new price of the GST is. I've debated buying a brand new one online for $1875 US (and with shipping and currency conversion it should work out to be around $1920) but the problem is the seller doesn't accept Paypal, only MO or WU. I definitely will NOT use WU and the MO is a problem. If I want to get a money order from CanadaPost I need to pay by cash or debit (which is impossible, I won't carry around $1900 in cash and my debit is like $500 per day max.) and if I get it from my bank I obviously need to use my bank balance (but I want to use CC) or my bank Visa (which does not have a $1900 limit). So there's a huge problem right there.

Still so unsure of what to do

[javaboo]

Is the GST in silver hard to find in the USA? Its just in Canada that there isn't any in stock right?

[karman]

^ Yeah, they're just not available in Canada. I'm guessing it's not that hard to find a silver HW one in the US. If only there were no customs and taxes!