VCA ~ Van Cleef Arpels Discussion thread!
- Thread starter Swanky
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If you purchase over the duty-free allowance, and you declare your purchases, you most likely will owe duty on the purchases. The amount of duty assessed seems variable depending on the airport and the agent, as evidenced by the reports from members here.
Whether one declares or not is a personal choice, but the penalties if one doesn't declare and is caught are severe. One of my VCA SA's told me that she had several clients who had been caught by US Customs when they entered and didn't declare VCA purchases. I didn't ask how much they bought, but I did ask how whether her clients knew how they were caught. They speculated that because the VAT process in Paris is digitized now with Pablo, that the information was transmitted to the US.
There has been speculation by tpf members over the past couple of years that the Pablo VAT information is transmitted to US Customs, but I don't think anyone here really knows. And of course there are many people who purchase over the duty-free allowance and don't declare and don't get caught. For me it isn't worth the risk, so I do always declare.
VCA is one of the companies that strives to equalize prices across the world, like Chanel. Over the years I have looked at purchasing a couple of items (e.g. the pave butterfly earrings ), but at the time there wasn't a big savings even with the VAT refund because of the US duty and current exchange rate. I am sure there are others here who have had different experiences, I am only know about what has happened to me.
Agree 100% with the bolded part! I have ALWAYS declared all of my purchases. The benefit? Customs very often is appreciative of the honesty and has on occasion ignored my declarations and waived me through without me having to pay a cent. This has been my experience with Hermes (not VCA since I haven't purchased anything overseas....yet). Even if paying duties upon entering the US, I've found the vat refund exceeds the duty (or estimated US sales tax you'd have to pay if purchasing in the US) making it worth it to purchase overseas. If the prices are equalized for exchange rate differences this savings would be minimized. I usually keep my stuff in a spreadsheet to see which is the better option (picky, I know...).
I do the same thing. For my current wish list items, I keep a spreadsheet that reflects the current usd and euro prices and I take into account sales tax, current vat back rates (Chanel vs Hermès etc), customs duties and the current exchange rate. I don’t have a credit card fee on foreign transactions so I don’t have to add that to my spreadsheet but I do round up on the exchange rate as I feel that is needed. The one factor that I don’t take into consideration is the difference in potential exchange rates and fees when I get my H vat back on my credit card vs time of purchase exchange rate, I seem to be on the less favorable end of exchange rates by the time the refund arrives, but at least I get it back (that’s what I tell myself) On my spreadsheet I also convert the final savings or dissavings to a % as well as $ so I know if it’s ‘worth it to me’ to purchase in the US or Paris. So I am with you in the picky camp!
In general what are your current findings? Any savings on Hermes and VCA. I just bought 2 VCA pieces here in the US. I figured the savings $ to Euro. I always seem to get way less VAT than I expect and I am not going to Europe this summer so I just decided to go for it. However, curious to know your findings as your data seems extremely complete
(at least more so than my justification to buy now---something is seriously wrong with me I literally can justify anything! Lol)In general what are your current findings? Any savings on Hermes and VCA. I just bought 2 VCA pieces here in the US. I figured the savings $ to Euro. I always seem to get way less VAT than I expect and I am not going to Europe this summer so I just decided to go for it. However, curious to know your findings as your data seems extremely complete
I am the same way with the justification game that I play with myself. [emoji6]. Exchange rates have been interesting this year but seemed to have at least settled around the 1.17 range lately, but that can be a big factor. VCA, in general, buying in the US seems to be better in that the price is about the same but then don’t have to worry about how high the customs duty is or worry about traveling back with the new item. Hermès, in general, leather goods, shoes, textiles, and tableware there is savings in Paris. But scarves and twillies etc. US net price is really close to Paris net price. Jewelry can vary so here I’d look at the particular piece on the wish list but it seems quite close in net prices with Paris having a slightly better offer. Hope that helps.
Hi all, looking for some advice please? I am looking to add what will probably be my last bracelet/bangle and am considering the vintage Alhambra 5 motif YG MOP. I wear a small love in YG so may stack it with this or wear on the other wrist. Since I already have a VA YG MOP pendant I thought the bracelet might be a good addition. My question is to those of you who have this bracelet already-how careful do you have to be with it? I know that MOP is delicate and I’m used to being careful with my pendant, but since the bracelet will be more ‘exposed’ to the elements I wondered if those of you who have it find yourselves having to take extra special care when wearing it? I don’t want something I’ll have to baby too much so if so this one might not be the right choice for me, thought I’d ask the experts here before I narrow down my choices! Thanks all!
In general what are your current findings? Any savings on Hermes and VCA. I just bought 2 VCA pieces here in the US. I figured the savings $ to Euro. I always seem to get way less VAT than I expect and I am not going to Europe this summer so I just decided to go for it. However, curious to know your findings as your data seems extremely complete
Based on my analysis of what I've purchased, my savings on Hermes Birkins/Kellys (the only thing I tracked so far) has been from lowest of 17% savings to the highest of 37%, accounting for everything (exchange rate, actual VAT refund, any duties, US retail price and what I would pay in sales tax if purchased in the US). Yes, you read that right. I saved 37.8%, just over $8K, on a 30cm Ostrich Birkin by buying it in Germany. Most definitely worth it IMO!!!
Edit: that particular purchase was 2 years ago. I guess I hit a sweet spot before prices were adjusted for exchange rate. I remember the SA telling me the price and me running it through my calculations and my eyes nearly popped out of my head!!!
Agreed with you WingNut- obviously I’d suspect those that are affording these types of pieces declare but some will want to get away. I’ve been fortunate even with customs forms filled - for someone reason most I’ve paid is 3% and the officer said Thankyou for being honest. My last trip overseas I saved over 4K + on Perlee bracelet - I love that you use a spreadsheet- for those of us financial folks on we feel a sense of calm in being in control. [emoji6] 2 years back when the Euro was at 1.06 Rate - savings were outstanding.
I found Switzerland to be also the most worthwhile with savings. The higher the item the more tax back- highest was 7.5% I believe offered to me in Geneva for 20K and over
White mother of pearl will be a lovely compliment to your pendant.
If you wish for a more durable option I would suggest the all yg, the pave (gorgeous!), or onyx.
Thank you for taking the time to answer, the MOP is so pretty it’s definitely tempting me but I shall check out the other choices you mentioned too before I decide!
We're slipping this year, in terms of trying to worm that information out of the SAs! It was July 25th last year when @lisawhit managed to break her SA! Come on peeps, time to get out those thumbscrews!!
Hi, I have the exact combo of the necklace and bracelet in MOP. I started with the bracelet (I want to say at least 7 years ago?!) and the SA was shocked when she saw how old mine was, it was in such good condition. Basically if you don't shower with it and take care of it, it will last a long time. I just needed to get the prongs tightened but the stone itself was fine.
How I take care of mine:
--Don't get perfume or any chemicals on it.
--Minimize the amount of water that gets on it.
--I take it off when I get home.
--Minimize daily wear/ rotate bracelets.
Hope this helps! I think you'll be fine if you're just careful. [emoji4]
I'm waiting patiently. If I had to guess, it would be blue agate.