Shopping in Seoul?
- Thread starter cmln
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I did not shop in Cartier but I bought other brands.
You will be issued a slip to scan at the airport.
You may have to show your item at the counter inside the airport opposite the tax refund counter then proceed to get your refund.
Refund rate is about 7%.
Never did tax free here in Seoul. But you will face long queues infront of the Cartier stores and often dont manage to get in. Rather go to the not so popular malls. When you are there at 10:30 when they open there is a good chance that you can enter first or second. No clue about inventory though as I usually go and ask for a specific item which they sometimes have and sometimes have to order.
Was in Seoul a month back. Didn’t go into Cartier but I recall that there were no lines to enter and most shops seemed to be rather empty so I wouldn’t worry about queues. Like I said, I didn’t shop at Cartier but the other brands I shopped at had really good inventory compared to my local boutiques and compared to Japan as well so you may be able to secure the items you’re looking for. Tax refund is around 7% (that takes into account the admin and processing fee done by global blue. Assuming they use global blue for tax refunds). The SA will guide you through the tax refund process so it’s actually very hassle free. Also you can ask them what the tax refund rate is and factor in about a 1% deduction for global blue fees just to be safe (:
They are no visible lines as they have those check in points where you register and you come back when they text you. But that can take more than 4 hours (I had that several times) and if you are unlucky you won´t get in anymore at all the same day. Plus the shops are usually empty as they only let 1 person per SA waltk into the shop. But might also be that you have been in the malls/ shops with less crowds that want to get in.
I was at Apgujeong Rodeo Galleria. Did not see queues for any shops. Did have to wait for 10min at Chaumet as the SA was serving a customer. No queue for LV and Dior, we were able to go in straightaway. In fact was very empty the whole of Apgujeong Rodeo.
I also went to Hyundai near the Starfield library. Didn't see any crowd or queues at any of the luxury boutiques too but I did not walk into any of the boutiques so cannot confirm if the virtual queues were on.
I also went to Hyundai near the Starfield library. Didn't see any crowd or queues at any of the luxury boutiques too but I did not walk into any of the boutiques so cannot confirm if the virtual queues were on.
@pinkdewy @spice_01 @lovepoppy thank you for the responses! I finally found a youtube video explaining the tax process and it seems quite complex. She mentioned that there is a limit of $800 tax free for each tourist, so technically if you buy something for $1000 then you should be paying taxes for the remaining $200 and report it otherwise global entry can be revoked, etc. Does anyone really do this?
Um no.. never heard of it. I received an email from Global Blue and just clicked in to confirm some details.
I had a whole list of random purchases to claim and 1 purchase of abt 300k krw, 1 purchase of 1500k krw and 1 bigger jewellery purchase. Strangely Global Blue managed to link to the CC that I did not use to make the purchase for the 300k and 1500k purchase. My random purchase and the jewellery tax refunds were paid in cash. No idea how they decide to refund via CC or cash.
I live in Seoul that is why I don´t do tax free here.
Apgujeong is also my go to when I want to avoid waiting long times. I live close to Shinsegae at express bus terminal and there it is a nightmare to get in. At least what I experienced.Wanted to share that I went to the Cartier in the Hyundai Department Store (Trade Center) and had a fabulous experience!
We went at opening and were able to walk right in and the SA who helped us was lovely. She gifted us this box of chocolate potato chips and I wish I knew how good they were while still in Seoul because I would've bought more!
They had mostly everything I wanted to see in store including items that you have to get on indefinite waitlists for in the US (actually my local store had told me they stopped waitlists and you had to pay a deposit to buy the item to see it and refund if you didn't want it). Items that weren't available in the store were transferred over for us to see within days.
We went at opening and were able to walk right in and the SA who helped us was lovely. She gifted us this box of chocolate potato chips and I wish I knew how good they were while still in Seoul because I would've bought more!
They had mostly everything I wanted to see in store including items that you have to get on indefinite waitlists for in the US (actually my local store had told me they stopped waitlists and you had to pay a deposit to buy the item to see it and refund if you didn't want it). Items that weren't available in the store were transferred over for us to see within days.
I’ve never tasted chocolate covered potato chips! That is so interesting. I’m starting to think Cartier and other luxury design houses in Asia treat their customers way better than in the U.S. I was looking at blessvch’s instagram account, and my jaw dropped. The most I received was treats and occasional flowers, but she has the full shebang as far as customer treatment with limo rides and photo shoots.Wanted to share that I went to the Cartier in the Hyundai Department Store (Trade Center) and had a fabulous experience!
We went at opening and were able to walk right in and the SA who helped us was lovely. She gifted us this box of chocolate potato chips and I wish I knew how good they were while still in Seoul because I would've bought more!
They had mostly everything I wanted to see in store including items that you have to get on indefinite waitlists for in the US (actually my local store had told me they stopped waitlists and you had to pay a deposit to buy the item to see it and refund if you didn't want it). Items that weren't available in the store were transferred over for us to see within days.
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Seriously?! There is a waitlist for some Cartier items in the U.S., and they want a full deposit? Never heard of this except for some VCA items.
I was looking for the JUC pave in my size - none were in US. They brought in from Canada for me in exchange for a cool 40% deposit (that was nearly $20,000 USD). It was refundable if I didn't want it, but I was a bit irritated by the concept. For a longer wait, it's basically an interest free loan. I know it doesn't cost them very much in transport ultimately - I would not have been offended by an ask of say 10%, but 40% seemed outrageous.
And yes, while I like my SA, Cartier's service in the US is not what it was - from the flagship to the e-boutique it isn't as special an experience as it used to be. I would love to see what it's like in Asia sometime. And I am going to find those chocolate potato chips!
