May I ask if you know this 4.5% sales tax is refundable to overseas visitors?
I would love to try to purchase few items whilst we are on holiday in Hawaii from Sydney when we are there in Dec
Thank you!
Hermes Hawaii
- Thread starter Julide
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I would love to try to purchase few items whilst we are on holiday in Hawaii from Sydney when we are there in Dec
Thank you!
They do not refund sales tax unfortunately!May I ask if you know this 4.5% sales tax is refundable to overseas visitors?
I would love to try to purchase few items whilst we are on holiday in Hawaii from Sydney when we are there in Dec
Thank you!
May I ask if you know this 4.5% sales tax is refundable to overseas visitors?
I would love to try to purchase few items whilst we are on holiday in Hawaii from Sydney when we are there in Dec
Thank you!
International visitors often ask this because of overseas VAT refunds. The US tax system is different. The sales tax is not a value added tax that the federal gvernment imposes but rather a state based tax so there is really no precedence of it ever being refunded to visitors unfortunately. These days US prices don't seem much cheaper than most countries anyway...if you visit Europe that is the place to save!
Apology to be one of those!
After experiencing Europe VAT, Singapore n Japan GST refunds) I have gotten used to the privilege of not paying tax being a tourist.
US has to be one of the most expensive to buy!
Thank you for enlightening me!
Apology to be one of those!
After experiencing Europe VAT, Singapore n Japan GST refunds) I have gotten used to the privilege of not paying tax being a tourist.
US has to be one of the most expensive to buy!
Thank you for enlightening me!
No apologies necessary! I can totally understand why one would ask...
The US used to be a good place to buy up until a few years ago when the euro/usd rate was 1.4ish and the gbp/usd rate was over 1.6ish. Not to mention that the markups in Asia and Middle East used to be much higher I believe. I don't know about Hermes but Chanel lowered some prices in some countries like China and maybe even Dubai at one point. A visitor from Dubai was telling me last year that she used to look forward to buying high end bags in the US but on her last trip found that the prices in Dubai were very similar if not a little cheaper than the US.
I long for the time when Aussie $ was in par with USD or even higher (2011~)
Yes - I found with chanel globalising its prices worldwide has made even Australia in par with Hong Kong >> one of country with the cheaper prices (if you are a tourist and getting the GST refund).
And that’s a history because Australia has been one of the most expensive country to buy Chanel.
Now Australia is even cheaper than Singapore as you would get 10% refund as opposed to Singapore only 5%.
Definitely Europe is where to save - but with two kids, 27+ hours plane trips is too scary!!
Thank you again for explaining to me!
So best to buy in the state where there is no states tax (Oregon?)
Thank you for enabling
I’m not an US resident so I have no appropriate ID. I was just researching and learnt Oregon is a States without a States tax!
Will keep this in mind for future though
I visited the Waikiki temporary store yesterday. The inventory was excellent for pretty much all items. Tons of bags, small leather goods, shoes, and RTW. The SAs I spoke with said the regular location was planned to be opening in March 2019 and will be three stories tall and will make them a flagship store, "on par with Beverly Hills." The store was fairly busy but every single employee was super warm and helpful.
ETA, the sales tax rate is officially 4.712% for local and state taxes combined. Honolulu also now has a law that stores cannot give you a bag with your purchase unless you pay a 15 cent fee. So if you want a bag be sure to mention it before your SA rings you up otherwise you might need to do a second transaction for 15 cents lol
ETA, the sales tax rate is officially 4.712% for local and state taxes combined. Honolulu also now has a law that stores cannot give you a bag with your purchase unless you pay a 15 cent fee. So if you want a bag be sure to mention it before your SA rings you up otherwise you might need to do a second transaction for 15 cents lol
Just wanted to let you know I bought a beautiful Evelyne PM in rouge casaque last week in Hawaii. I was looking at it, ready to purchase and Lulu my SA offered to get a brand new one still wrapped in plastic from out the back. I had great service and everyone was very friendly. I also bought a Twilly duty free from Hermes at the airport, SA was not so friendly until I mentioned I had bought an Evelyne recently, then she was much nicer.
Thanks for the update and sharing your experience! Did you buy anything? Wondering how the stock of B/K is this time of year as I’m planning a trip for next year. Thank you!
I bought a swimsuit and asked about a size 25 or smaller K or B. I was then offered a Noir PHW Kelly Cut which I played with but ultimately declined as I can’t see me using it much with two toddlers. I went back the next day and got a scarf for a friend and inquired again about bags and the SA said she would call if anything pops up. I’m not expecting her to call though. I saw a few Asian groups of women being offered bags during my visits though I couldn’t see which bags they were. Also, I was dripping in H gear (bag, gold bracelet, ring, shoes, wallet) so they knew I was familiar with the brand.
I also stopped by the Ala Moana store today. It was night and day different from the Waikiki store in that the entire staff was cold. I was wearing all the same H items as I had in the Waikiki store but rather than greeting me or asking if I needed help, they just kind of hovered around me, watching but not engaging me. Finally, I walked up to one SA and asked her if she could check if they had a certain sandal in stock. She didn't have a tablet on her (or if she did, she didn't take it out) and instead went back through a side door to the back room somewhere. A few minutes later she reappeared, told me no they didn't have the sandals, and then just walked away with me standing there lamely. I think I saw a total of two other customers and at least six SAs during my entire time inside the store so it's not even like they were busy. Needless to say, I didn't purchase anything and won't be going back to that location.
Thanks for your reply! Fingers crossed you get a call for something on your wish list. Have a great rest of your trip!