Hi Cartier fam, I'm travelling to Paris and I'd like to purchase the clash bracelet. Since I'm a visitor I can get the VAT back, but does anyone know if there's additional discounts or any loyalty programs that give cashback? I know Printemps does a 5% discount but I'm not sure if they have Cartier. Thank you in advance.
Cartier shopping in Paris
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Hi there! Good luck shopping in Paris. I met a really nice SA there if you needed her contact details. Regarding additional discount or cashback, I can't comment on it as I've only been a visitor in France but places like Printemps and Galleries Lafayette will ought to have them.
However, tax back % is better when purchased from Flagship store rather than a mall like Galleries Lafayette. keep in mind it'll still not be the full amount rather a 12% only, not the full 20% VAT.
Feel free to correct me anyone. Also, Try to reserve the item in advance to avoid disappointment as we are approaching Christmas season and popular products may be scarce.
Thanks and good luck.
However, tax back % is better when purchased from Flagship store rather than a mall like Galleries Lafayette. keep in mind it'll still not be the full amount rather a 12% only, not the full 20% VAT.
Feel free to correct me anyone. Also, Try to reserve the item in advance to avoid disappointment as we are approaching Christmas season and popular products may be scarce.
Thanks and good luck.
Hi! I am going to Paris too! I checked the prices of Cartier in euros and converted to USD, and took 12% off for VAT. From the looks of it, the potential savings is a couple hundred dollars? For example, I looked at the medium love and it’s 6600 euros (6926.77 USD per google). Then with 12% VAT back makes it come to around $6095. Retail price for the medium love is $6100 before tax. So if I purchased this bracelet in Paris I would potentially save my state tax. Am I doing this correctly? Please let me know if my numbers are off somewhere!
Also, I’ve always been under the impression that I would save a lot more if purchased in France. I was a bit surprised to see higher prices listed in euros. Makes me a bit hesitant to purchase items because I’ve read horror stories of people not getting their VAT return for whatever reason.
Any opinion would greatly be appreciated!
Also, I’ve always been under the impression that I would save a lot more if purchased in France. I was a bit surprised to see higher prices listed in euros. Makes me a bit hesitant to purchase items because I’ve read horror stories of people not getting their VAT return for whatever reason.
Any opinion would greatly be appreciated!
Don’t forget that you’ll have to declare your purchase at customs upon returning to the US and pay tax on goods above $800 (or $1600 if traveling with a spouse).
That's because USD is at all time high at the moment. It's a similar thing with UK where GBP is falling and where I thought I would save a lot if I shopped during my travel in UAE, I was mistaken. since their currency is pegged to USD and USD is getting stronger, the saving isn't as substantial as I thought it would be. Note, Cartier and other luxury brands monitor things fluctuations on a regular basis as explained to me by an SA and hence sometimes we see price increases in certain countries and not others. That's why prices in UK and Europe aren't competitive at the moment; they are quite high.
Hey everyone, I just got back from Paris so I'm here to do an update. I got the regular JUC.
It's correct that France prices are similar to US prices after the VAT refund, so imo it's not really worth it to shop in France unless you live in a state with high sales tax (which I do). Additionally, unless you get it at the airport duty free, there's a possibility you don't get the VAT refund. I've heard horror stories about the store not filling out the VAT refund correctly and long lines at the airport to get the VAT refund.
Individual stores get a higher VAT back than department stores. 12% vs 10.8%. I really enjoyed the Rue de la Paix store. That's probably my favorite Cartier store in Paris, and I highly recommend it. Their service is excellent and the store has many beautiful high jewelry pieces to admire. I also went to the Galleries Lafayette store and their service was not as good plus the lines were very long.
Is it still worth it to get Cartier in Paris? I'd say yes, because its a piece I've been wanting that reminds me of my first trip to Paris. The savings are not that great though but better than nothing.
It's correct that France prices are similar to US prices after the VAT refund, so imo it's not really worth it to shop in France unless you live in a state with high sales tax (which I do). Additionally, unless you get it at the airport duty free, there's a possibility you don't get the VAT refund. I've heard horror stories about the store not filling out the VAT refund correctly and long lines at the airport to get the VAT refund.
Individual stores get a higher VAT back than department stores. 12% vs 10.8%. I really enjoyed the Rue de la Paix store. That's probably my favorite Cartier store in Paris, and I highly recommend it. Their service is excellent and the store has many beautiful high jewelry pieces to admire. I also went to the Galleries Lafayette store and their service was not as good plus the lines were very long.
Is it still worth it to get Cartier in Paris? I'd say yes, because its a piece I've been wanting that reminds me of my first trip to Paris. The savings are not that great though but better than nothing.
Yes, the Rue de la Paix store is very nice, not like the horrible one at Place Vendôme. Personally, I admire Cappucines as it is not crowded at all and the service is excellent and personal. Hardly any tourists are there which proviced the authentic Paris experience. Still, they speak English if needed.
I also like the ones in the department stores but they lack the know-how, have a limited selection and I do not really feel like being at Cartier.
I also like the ones in the department stores but they lack the know-how, have a limited selection and I do not really feel like being at Cartier.
Hi, glad to stumbled on this topic as I was searching for which Cartier boutique to visit on my upcoming travel to Paris. Thanks for the update, if you do happen to have a SA contact for RUE De la Paix please 🙏 pm as I would like to reserve a Clash bracelet in YG, thanks in advance & I'm sure you are loving your JUC🙃
Hi, I'm glad you found my post helpful. The clash bracelet is so gorgeous and it's my next wishlist item! I don't have a contact, unfortunately. I think it was obvious that I was a tourist so no one bothered to give me a business card. 😅
Oh hahaha no worries then🤣 perhaps I should just book appt online. Yep, Clash bracelet has been on my Wish list for a few years & now it's available in Yellow Gold👏 Thank you for the reply I appreciate it💛
Despite Paris being full of people Cartier stores were shockingly empty - e.g. Cappucines or Rue de la Paix. Not a good sign business wise. Same for Hermès, no line at the Saint-Honoré store. Could just walk in .... didn't happen to me for years.
Hello everyone! I'm from Germany, and the medium Love bracelet costs €6,500 here, including 19% VAT. However, as far as I know, you can shop here tax-free if you're from the US—you can get the VAT refund at the airport, right? That would make it a better deal than buying it in France... but a 5 hrs drive from Paris 🙈
We were there in Paris last month. There really wasn’t any lines at any of the stores we went to.. I know off topic but goyard who is usually reputed to have a two hr long line had only one person in front of us. We didn’t even wait 5 minutes. VCA was also empty… it was a Thursday
Since you mentioned here other stores, were there any items available at any of the boutiques? (Cartier, VCA, Goyard, etc.). Thank you
At Cartier same as usual but at Hermès I've never seen that inventory. At one table they had 3 Birkins to chose from, on another 2 and so on.