Official worldwide thread - Tips/Advice for customs, VAT, etc...
- Thread starter mercx5
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My husband got me a Chanel bag in Brussels, and is claiming the refund through Premier Tax Free in Munich. I've never used Premier Tax Free before, and the forms and everything look quite different than the Global Blue ones. I got to googling and found some horror stories about the Premier Tax Free program- basically people getting gypped out of their refunds. Can anyone shed any light on this?
All of my Chanel purchases in EU, TRS is via Premiere TF, at least in my experience and I’ve never had issues as long as you submit all the documents as per instructions. Refund varies between 1-3 weeks.
Premier Tax is a bit shady (hence those horror stories you read online). Unlike Global Blue which is very fast with the refund and straight forward, I always get my refund back in cash at the airport when it’s Premier Tax instead of waiting for a credit card refund. I don’t wanna risk them not paying me my money back because they claimed that they never received my customs stamped form.
I know most people prefer credit card refunds to avoid having to pay the 3% cash refund but better be safe than sorry.
Thanks ladies! I suggested that he get the tax back in cash at the airport to avoid any drama down the road, but we'll see!
You did the right thing. I used Premier Tax Free and opted for CC as well to avoid the 3% and immediately regretted it. It took almost 6 weeks to get my refund and at least 4/5 weeks after I'd sent it in, my refund was still marked as having not been received. I then proceeded to Google and found those same horror stories. I did eventually get my refund, much later than they promised but after this experience, I will always be opting for cash. 3% of your total refund = ~$30 if you buy a Chanel Classic Flap, if I'm being generous with the VAT. It's worth $30 for peace of mind.
+1
The 3% is totally worth the not having the worry and headache. I always get cash refund with Premier Tax and other smaller refund companies. Global Blue is the only company that processes the credit card refund on the spot and I usually see the refund within 2 days or less on my online statement.
credit card or debit card is good benefits to use for making purchases abroad.
or even to get tax refund back.
no foreign transaction fee.
or even to get tax refund back.
no foreign transaction fee.
What does the refund show up as on your credit card statement? Does it just say Global Blue/premiere etc, or does it also mention the store name?
Eg if I have multiple tax forms from say Chanel, Hermes etc, will I be able to tell which refund I have got, by looking at the statement? Or is it all lumped together as one single refund?
Eg if I have multiple tax forms from say Chanel, Hermes etc, will I be able to tell which refund I have got, by looking at the statement? Or is it all lumped together as one single refund?
Has anyone had an issue with submitting a properly stamped VAT form directly to the retailer for a refund only to have the retailer charge the credit card on file for the VAT again? I bought some items at Longchamp in France over the summer and I am still trying to resolve this issue. I had to get my credit card company involved and still no resolution. The purchase was made in July and the VAT form submitted in August.