Sotheby's Auction Help (Time Sensitive) Please :)

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#16
peonies13 said:
I feel so validated!!! Thank you @allanrvj!!! This is exactly what I was worried about. What did the member do about her H bag that smelled? Do you know how it worked out? I inquired about the date stamp (since there was an inconsistency in the listing) and about odors since I've had that issue with vintage purchase in the past. Because I never heard back I wasn't willing to take the risk since strong odors can trigger my allergies.
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I left a comment on her thread because I suggested putting packets of activated carbon in her bag, and I wanted to know if it worked, but she never replied, and I cannot find the thread now.
 
#17
allanrvj said:
I left a comment on her thread because I suggested putting packets of activated carbon in her bag, and I wanted to know if it worked, but she never replied, and I cannot find the thread now.
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I tried that with a bag that had a strong perfume odor... for me it never worked and I ended up returning :( In my industry, it's common for stylists to use vodka (nothing special, just low end stuff) to get smells out of clothes and fabric. Can help for vintage purchases that have musty, perfume, body odor smells etc. Anyway, that's a key trick, but obviously nonstarter with leather, but just putting that out there for anyone who needs it!
 
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#18
peonies13 said:
@_gelato_ it was a dream bag for me... an HAC32 smooth barenia GHW... beautiful!

I feel so validated!!! Thank you @allanrvj!!! This is exactly what I was worried about. What did the member do about her H bag that smelled? Do you know how it worked out? I inquired about the date stamp (since there was an inconsistency in the listing) and about odors since I've had that issue with vintage purchase in the past. Because I never heard back I wasn't willing to take the risk since strong odors can trigger my allergies.

Oh this sounds so much easier than I thought @CTLover... maybe I will not be hesitant to purchase there and go home! Is the on-plane declaration form you're talking about for inbound USA customs (i.e separate from getting the VAT refunded, yes)?
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Yes. You process the VAT refund at the airport before you leave the EU, and you fill out the form for US customs on the outbound plane back to the US and then hand it in when you go through customs. I know of someone who had items confiscated because they didn't declare, so I pretty much declare everything of value. As I mentioned above, despite bringing home items from Chanel, Burberry, Hermès, Cartier etc through the years, and declaring them, I've only ever been pulled over to pay the taxes once. I've always wondered if I'd be sent a bill later on, but that's never happened either. I don't know what other people's experiences have been, and actually would love to know if its the same for others as well.
 
#19
peonies13 said:
Oh this sounds so much easier than I thought @CTLover... maybe I will not be hesitant to purchase there and go home! Is the on-plane declaration form you're talking about for inbound USA customs (i.e separate from getting the VAT refunded, yes)?
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CTLover said:
Yes. You process the VAT refund at the airport before you leave the EU, and you fill out the form for US customs on the outbound plane back to the US and then hand it in when you go through customs. I know of someone who had items confiscated because they didn't declare, so I pretty much declare everything of value. As I mentioned above, despite bringing home items from Chanel, Burberry, Hermès, Cartier etc through the years, and declaring them, I've only ever been pulled over to pay the taxes once. I've always wondered if I'd be sent a bill later on, but that's never happened either. I don't know what other people's experiences have been, and actually would love to know if its the same for others as well.
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If you have Global Entry, you don't fill out a customs form at all, and are expected to declare purchases to the CBP officer at the kiosks.
Maybe, for overseas shopping, it's thus better not to have, or not to use, GE, but that discussion could and should go to this extensive thread.
 
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#20
QuelleFromage said:
If you have Global Entry, you don't fill out a customs form at all, and are expected to declare purchases to the CBP officer at the kiosks.
Maybe, for overseas shopping, it's thus better not to have, or not to use, GE, but that discussion could and should go to this extensive thread.
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No, never went through the process to use GE, maybe its a good idea that I don't bother. They're so busy trying to process as many people of possible through customs, maybe its a good thing.
 
#21
allanrvj said:
I left a comment on her thread because I suggested putting packets of activated carbon in her bag, and I wanted to know if it worked, but she never replied, and I cannot find the thread now.
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Sorry, that was me. Apologies for not responding. I’m fairly irregular on this forum. Yes, I bought a toile and barenia Bolide at auction that reeked of cigarette smoke. Awful. I tried absolutely everything. Even left it outside (covered area) for weeks. Eventually it faded though. The one thing that actually helped a lot was lavender sachets, believe it or not. I still have one in there. So it took absolutely forever (years!), but I seriously love this bag and now use it regularly. In fact, I’m in Paris now and the SA was just commenting on what a beautiful, chic bag it is.

But the lesson is definitely buyer beware of odors when buying from auction!!
 
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#22
California Dreaming said:
Sorry, that was me. Apologies for not responding. I’m fairly irregular on this forum. Yes, I bought a toile and barenia Bolide at auction that reeked of cigarette smoke. Awful. I tried absolutely everything. Even left it outside (covered area) for weeks. Eventually it faded though. The one thing that actually helped a lot was lavender sachets, believe it or not. I still have one in there. So it took absolutely forever (years!), but I seriously love this bag and now use it regularly. In fact, I’m in Paris now and the SA was just commenting on what a beautiful, chic bag it is.

But the lesson is definitely buyer beware of odors when buying from auction!!
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Interesting story and tip. Your bag sounds amazing!!
 
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