Van Cleef & Arpels: Current Worldwide Prices

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#1,129
Wanted to get some thoughts on how to save on sales tax. I am thinking of buying a 20 motif YG MOP Vintage Alhambra necklace and I live in the US. Do you think it would be cheaper if:

Option 1: I buy it at the Duty Free in Hawaii on the way to an international trip
Option 2: Buy it either online or at the store then have it shipped out of state to any of my out-of-state friends (can I save on sales tax that way?)
Option 3: Travel to Europe to buy (Maybe in Paris? Is it cheaper in Europe after VAT refunds?) Or maybe travel to Asia (I read somewhere it might be cheaper in Singapore)

Any thoughts on how all of this works with pricing would be greatly appreciated!
 
#1,130
Garciavilla said:
Wanted to get some thoughts on how to save on sales tax. I am thinking of buying a 20 motif YG MOP Vintage Alhambra necklace and I live in the US. Do you think it would be cheaper if:

Option 1: I buy it at the Duty Free in Hawaii on the way to an international trip
Option 2: Buy it either online or at the store then have it shipped out of state to any of my out-of-state friends (can I save on sales tax that way?)
Option 3: Travel to Europe to buy (Maybe in Paris? Is it cheaper in Europe after VAT refunds?) Or maybe travel to Asia (I read somewhere it might be cheaper in Singapore)

Any thoughts on how all of this works with pricing would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Unless you are travelling to any of these exotic places, then your option might be relatively cheaper in the US.

Pricing has been equalized across markets, so the savings (if any) by purchasing abroad might be minimal. You can also save yourself a bit of hassle at the airports abroad to do the VAT/TAX refund if you purchase in the US.
 
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#1,131
HADASSA said:
Unless you are travelling to any of these exotic places, then your option might be relatively cheaper in the US.

Pricing has been equalized across markets, so the savings (if any) by purchasing abroad might be minimal. You can also save yourself a bit of hassle at the airports abroad to do the VAT/TAX refund if you purchase in the US.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much HADASSA, got your private message! Much appreciated! :flowers:
 
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#1,134
HADASSA said:
Unless you are travelling to any of these exotic places, then your option might be relatively cheaper in the US.

Pricing has been equalized across markets, so the savings (if any) by purchasing abroad might be minimal. You can also save yourself a bit of hassle at the airports abroad to do the VAT/TAX refund if you purchase in the US.
Click to expand...

sleepyl0verxgrl said:
So there is not much price different buy VCA in Europe anymore right?
Just like Cartier.
Click to expand...

If you live in the US, I would say it's not worth the hassle to purchase elsewhere, unless the savings are substantial.
 
#1,135
sleepyl0verxgrl said:
So there is not much price different buy VCA in Europe anymore right?
Just like Cartier.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the perlee bracelet with diamond clovers here in France...currently with the US-EUR exchange rate and tax back, the price difference is Aprox $6,500... I believe it’s pretty significant. The 50th anniversary 20 motif necklace with PG and Grey MOP is over $15K+ in savings.
 
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#1,136
Hobbiezm said:
I was looking at the perlee bracelet with diamond clovers here in France...currently with the US-EUR exchange rate and tax back, the price difference is Aprox $6,500... I believe it’s pretty significant. The 50th anniversary 20 motif necklace with PG and Grey MOP is over $15K+ in savings.
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Go for it !!! That is substantial and so worth the hassle [emoji1360]

The GBP and EUR have been depreciating against the US dollar recently.

Just checked the France website - according to my calculations, price is about the same after VAT refund.

Example: €56,100 for the 20-motifs PG Grey MOP Pavé

Multiplied by 1.16 exchange = US$65,076

Less 10% VAT refund in Paris = approx US$58,568.

Savings of approx US$2000

If I have done this calculation incorrectly, can a math whizz chime in???

Perlee Clover is €24,300

Multiplied by 1.16 exchange = US$28,188

Less 10% VAT refund in Paris = approx
US$25,369

Savings of approx US$731

I used a conservative figure of 10% for VAT back - could be around 12% but no where close to either figure you quoted.
 
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#1,137
HADASSA said:
Go for it !!! That is substantial and so worth the hassle [emoji1360]

The GBP and EUR have been depreciating against the US dollar recently.

Just checked the France website - according to my calculations, price is about the same after VAT refund.

Example: €56,100 for the 20-motifs PG Grey MOP Pavé

Multiplied by 1.16 exchange = US$65,076

Less 10% VAT refund in Paris = approx US$58,568.

Savings of approx US$2000

If I have done this calculation incorrectly, can a math whizz chime in???

Perlee Clover is €24,300

Multiplied by 1.16 exchange = US$28,188

Less 10% VAT refund in Paris = approx
US$25,369

Savings of approx US$731

I used a conservative figure of 10% for VAT back - could be around 12% but no where close to either figure you quoted.
Click to expand...

Hi there- VAT refund is different at each price point

I don’t exact but breakdown is something like

10% at 1K
17% at 30K

and the fashion house can fight on behalf of client to get more but 17% is max. For example DH bought a Rolex a year back- he got 16% back at the store even though it was a basic model.

He didn’t have to go through customs ; they did paperwork right then and there and if something was not to check out they would charge him later

At 15% to 17% it’s significant savings

So perlee is USD pre tax - $28,188

Tax at 16% ( what I was offered) $4510

Tax on US of perlee at 8.25% - $2,510
$4510 + $2,510 =$7,020 or there about

Imagine the savings on the Pave pieces 20 motif items [emoji57]

I hesitate on this bc I suspect something else is coming this year ... I don’t think 50th anniversary is done yet ( just my sneaky suspicion)
 
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#1,139
Hobbiezm said:
Hi there- VAT refund is different at each price point

I don’t exact but breakdown is something like

10% at 1K
17% at 30K

and the fashion house can fight on behalf of client to get more but 17% is max. For example DH bought a Rolex a year back- he got 16% back at the store even though it was a basic model.

He didn’t have to go through customs ; they did paperwork right then and there and if something was not to check out they would charge him later

At 15% to 17% it’s significant savings

So perlee is USD pre tax - $28,188

Tax at 16% ( what I was offered) $4510

Tax on US of perlee at 8.25% - $2,510
$4510 + $2,510 =$7,020 or there about

Imagine the savings on the Pave pieces 20 motif items [emoji57]

I hesitate on this bc I suspect something else is coming this year ... I don’t think 50th anniversary is done yet ( just my sneaky suspicion)
Click to expand...

Hobbiezm, I so hope you are right about more things coming for the 50th [emoji1374]

That is so cool now NOT to have to go through the hassle at the airport to get the VAT refunded [emoji1360]

France has been one of the few countries in Europe to be reluctant to give VAT refunds - hence 12% was the most they gave.

For calculation purposes, I did not factor in US SALES TAX.

I hope your hubby got you something really special in Paris for that special delivery in 2 months [emoji6]
 
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#1,140
HADASSA said:
Hobbiezm, I so hope you are right about more things coming for the 50th [emoji1374]

That is so cool now NOT to have to go through the hassle at the airport to get the VAT refunded [emoji1360]

France has been one of the few countries in Europe to be reluctant to give VAT refunds - hence 12% was the most they gave.

For calculation purposes, I did not factor in US SALES TAX.

I hope your hubby got you something really special in Paris for that special delivery in 2 months [emoji6]
Click to expand...

Aw Thankyou [emoji57] yes he’s working on it lol
 
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