Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...

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#751
vernis-lover said:
You don't have a choice. You pay the store in Euros (if they are a Euro country, we're not for example). When you receive your credit card statement then your CC provider will have made the conversion to dollars. It will likely be a few dollars more than any online conversion you look up due to exchange rate fluctuations and processing fees when buying in another currency but there will still be quite a saving.

VAT is included in the price as advertised.

As for your refund, allow a few weeks although I'm not sure how you're going to get the refund if you're not the one in Germany?
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If you pay by creditcard, you will be able to choose if you wish to pay by your own currency or the currency in the country you're in.
 
#752
Sunna said:
If you pay by creditcard, you will be able to choose if you wish to pay by your own currency or the currency in the country you're in.
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No one has ever asked me and I've travelled all over the world. I have always paid in the currency of the country I was in.

And how does that work at a till checkout? Tills aren't set up to accept every currency of the world (I just checked with Mum as she worked in a shop when she retired and they only accepted payment in pounds sterling).
 
#753
vernis-lover said:
No one has ever asked me and I've travelled all over the world. I have always paid in the currency of the country I was in.



And how does that work at a till checkout? Tills aren't set up to accept every currency of the world (I just checked with Mum as she worked in a shop when she retired and they only accepted payment in pounds sterling).
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I don't know if it is possible everywhere, but I have paid by creditcard both in Greece, England, Germany and in Holland, using the local currency. When paying by creditcard, I had a choice between Norwegian kroner and the local currency on the machine before I entered my personal pin. The machine also told me the exchange rate before I made my choice. I always choose the local currency,because thats what my bank recommends.

I know that here in Norway, some of the bigger shops accepts cash payment in Dollar and Euro, even though we use Norwegian kroner.
 
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#754
Sunna said:
I don't know if it is possible everywhere, but I paid by creditcard both in Greece, England, Germany and in Holland, using the lovsl currency. When paying,I had a choice between Norwegian kroner and the local currency on the machine.I always choose the local currency,because thats what my bank recommends.
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I've been to both Greece and Germany (the latter several times) and have never been asked about which currency I would like to pay in, either before or after the Euro was introduced.
 
#755
vernis-lover said:
I've been to both Greece and Germany (the latter several times) and have never been asked about which currency I would like to pay in, either before or after the Euro was introduced.
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My last trip abroad was to Amsterdam in January. I paid by card in both Lois Vuitton and in Chanel, and both places the cardmachine gave me the choice between paying in Euro or Norwegian kroner. I have a debitcard with a chip, and have to put my card into the machine and enter my personal pin everytime I make a purchase, don´t know how it works if you have a different card.
 
#757
vernis-lover said:
You don't have a choice. You pay the store in Euros (if they are a Euro country, we're not for example). When you receive your credit card statement then your CC provider will have made the conversion to dollars. It will likely be a few dollars more than any online conversion you look up due to exchange rate fluctuations and processing fees when buying in another currency but there will still be quite a saving.

VAT is included in the price as advertised.

As for your refund, allow a few weeks although I'm not sure how you're going to get the refund if you're not the one in Germany?
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My friend is kind enough to charge the bag on his CC and once the bill comes in I am to reimburse whatever the cost is.
 
#759
I have purchased several times at LV in Paris, and if I purchase with my credit card they ask if I want Euros or US dollars. I have been told by several people to pick the Euros option. Also, don't forget to bring your passport while your purchasing, LV will need it to fill in all the VAT Tax paperwork. Make sure you go over the paperwork and everything is correctly filled out, otherwise if anything is incorrect or missing you might not get your tax refund. I have had it refunded as quick as 2 weeks and as long as 4 weeks.
 
#760
gjab26 said:
I have purchased several times at LV in Paris, and if I purchase with my credit card they ask if I want Euros or US dollars. I have been told by several people to pick the Euros option. Also, don't forget to bring your passport while your purchasing, LV will need it to fill in all the VAT Tax paperwork. Make sure you go over the paperwork and everything is correctly filled out, otherwise if anything is incorrect or missing you might not get your tax refund. I have had it refunded as quick as 2 weeks and as long as 4 weeks.
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Thanks for the information and I will be sure to tell my friend to bring his passport and have the paperwork filled out correctly would hate to have the tax not refunded due to some missing info on paperwork. Im super excited about getting this Lockit MM and for an awesome price savings!
 
#761
yakuzabear said:
thanks for the info. you mentioned i should ask to be billed in euros when the purchase is made. does it make a difference if I say charge it in US Dollars? Or will the credit card company automatically change it from Euros to US Dollars since dollars is my home currency?
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Yes, if you pay in US dollars you will have to pay the high exchange rate that the company they use charges. I always pay in local currency since my Chase CC doesn't charge me any international exchange rate fees.

vernis-lover said:
You don't have a choice. You pay the store in Euros (if they are a Euro country, we're not for example). When you receive your credit card statement then your CC provider will have made the conversion to dollars. It will likely be a few dollars more than any online conversion you look up due to exchange rate fluctuations and processing fees when buying in another currency but there will still be quite a saving.

VAT is included in the price as advertised.

As for your refund, allow a few weeks although I'm not sure how you're going to get the refund if you're not the one in Germany?
Click to expand...

You do have a choice. I've purchased in quite a few countries and have always had the option to pay in local currency or US dollars.
 
#762
honey on boost said:
Yes, if you pay in US dollars you will have to pay the high exchange rate that the company they use charges. I always pay in local currency since my Chase CC doesn't charge me any international exchange rate fees.



You do have a choice. I've purchased in quite a few countries and have always had the option to pay in local currency or US dollars.
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See previous posts!!!!!

I was recounting my own experience - to this day, no one has asked me whether I want to pay in my home currency or any other currency!
 
#763
I travel extensively in Europe, Asia and the Middle East and in major luxury hotels, luxury brands and major tourist spots you can charge in other major currencies other than the local currency. Sometimes it is offered, sometimes it isn't but generally, it is best to pay in the local currency. The reason it is available and offered is because the business itself offers a rate that is beneficial to them not to the customer. It allows them to make more money from their customers that's all.
 
#764
I work for a bank, I'm in the UK we'd always advise clients to choose to pay in the local currency as you get a slightly better exchange rate on your purchaces.
I always pay in dollars when I'm in the U.S. and asked.
 
#765
yakuzabear said:
Thanks for the information and I will be sure to tell my friend to bring his passport and have the paperwork filled out correctly would hate to have the tax not refunded due to some missing info on paperwork. Im super excited about getting this Lockit MM and for an awesome price savings!
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I just did this in Frankfurt Airport. It is very easy there, even though FRA is kind of a confusing airport at times. For carry on bags, just past security line/passport control there is a custom office (get the paperwork from LV stamped there) and Global Blue right next to it. They can give you the cash (in Euros) or credit card. I did the cash. I would allow extra time but in my case I didnt need it. Custom asked if I had the items on me, which I did, but they did not ask to see them.

Also LV in Germany asked if I wanted to pay in Euros or USD. I chose Euros as I dont pay a fee on my credit card.
 
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