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#14,326
Aimee3, My last travel had a funny customs story.
Last year when I went to Paris and Europe, I went on a spending spree, handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry (Hermes leather), silks, food stuffs, wine, artwork. I saved receipts and declared everything. So I hand my form to the customs agent, he didn't look at it and says to me. "You spent under $800? in a confirmatory tone. I said, "No, I spent $XX,XXX. He repeated the question again, and I said No, I spent $XX,XXX and showed him the receipts. So, DH and I were directed to another portion of the airport with a large seating area, and lots of kiosks with customs agents. I was directed to give my information/receipts and wait in the seating area. We waited a long time. After 15 minutes, DH is getting antsy; after 20 he's getting furious; after 25 minutes he yells at me loudly saying, if we have to pay a fine that's the last time you buy anything abroad. He also expressed frustration at the wait time.

I (proverbially) kick him in the shins and says if you don't be quiet, you're going to be arrested in a really loud whisper. (It was probably pretty comical.)

I am finally called up to the kiosk. The agent says to me, Mrs. XXXX I've reviewed your receipts. You only spent $1,100. while more than allowed on a single passport, I was with my husband and it was OK.

I am not sure why it happened. But made it through the airport without paying a duty. Perhaps the customs agent took pity on me because of DH's temper tantrum.
 
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#14,327
etoupebirkin said:
Aimee3, My last travel had a funny customs story.
Last year when I went to Paris and Europe, I went on a spending spree, handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry (Hermes leather), silks, food stuffs, wine, artwork. I saved receipts and declared everything. So I hand my form to the customs agent, he didn't look at it and says to me. "You spent under $800? in a confirmatory tone. I said, "No, I spent $XX,XXX. He repeated the question again, and I said No, I spent $XX,XXX and showed him the receipts. So, DH and I were directed to another portion of the airport with a large seating area, and lots of kiosks with customs agents. I was directed to give my information/receipts and wait in the seating area. We waited a long time. After 15 minutes, DH is getting antsy; after 20 he's getting furious; after 25 minutes he yells at me loudly saying, if we have to pay a fine that's the last time you buy anything abroad. He also expressed frustration at the wait time.

I (proverbially) kick him in the shins and says if you don't be quiet, you're going to be arrested in a really loud whisper. (It was probably pretty comical.)

I am finally called up to the kiosk. The agent says to me, Mrs. XXXX I've reviewed your receipts. You only spent $1,100. while more than allowed on a single passport, I was with my husband and it was OK.

I am not sure why it happened. But made it through the airport without paying a duty. Perhaps the customs agent took pity on me because of DH's temper tantrum.
Click to expand...

Believe me, my husband was angry too. He sounds like your husband... no more shopping abroad! Lol! About 7 planes had landed at the same time and hundreds (if not thousands) of people are going thru customs and we were the only people who said we spent over the allowance and the only ones treated badly by one guy AFTER the usual custom area. You were lucky!!!
 
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#14,328
etoupebirkin said:
Aimee3, My last travel had a funny customs story.
Last year when I went to Paris and Europe, I went on a spending spree, handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry (Hermes leather), silks, food stuffs, wine, artwork. I saved receipts and declared everything. So I hand my form to the customs agent, he didn't look at it and says to me. "You spent under $800? in a confirmatory tone. I said, "No, I spent $XX,XXX. He repeated the question again, and I said No, I spent $XX,XXX and showed him the receipts. So, DH and I were directed to another portion of the airport with a large seating area, and lots of kiosks with customs agents. I was directed to give my information/receipts and wait in the seating area. We waited a long time. After 15 minutes, DH is getting antsy; after 20 he's getting furious; after 25 minutes he yells at me loudly saying, if we have to pay a fine that's the last time you buy anything abroad. He also expressed frustration at the wait time.

I (proverbially) kick him in the shins and says if you don't be quiet, you're going to be arrested in a really loud whisper. (It was probably pretty comical.)

I am finally called up to the kiosk. The agent says to me, Mrs. XXXX I've reviewed your receipts. You only spent $1,100. while more than allowed on a single passport, I was with my husband and it was OK.

I am not sure why it happened. But made it through the airport without paying a duty. Perhaps the customs agent took pity on me because of DH's temper tantrum.
Click to expand...

HAha lucky you! I’ve often found that being 100% honest with declarations results in them giving me a pass and a “thank you for your honesty” and no fee.....
 
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#14,329
etoupebirkin said:
After 15 minutes, DH is getting antsy; after 20 he's getting furious; after 25 minutes he yells at me loudly saying, if we have to pay a fine that's the last time you buy anything abroad. He also expressed frustration at the wait time.

I (proverbially) kick him in the shins and says if you don't be quiet, you're going to be arrested in a really loud whisper. (It was probably pretty comical.)
Click to expand...

I also always declare but sometimes , like you shared in your story, they don’t make it easy.

One time after an agent figured out what I owed , he indicated he would have to take me to the cashier to pay. He then proceeded to lead me to a section nearby that was clearly closed. It was roped off and the lights were turned off. There was a cashier’s booth there but again the lights were out and no one was there. The agent said that the cashier was in an administrative meeting, and I would need to wait until the meeting was over. After about 25 minutes the cashier showed up, with no apology and no explanation offered.

When I was leaving that section that was still roped off and the lights still turned off , two security guys spotted me and came after me. Before they let me leave they went to confer with original agent who had escorted me there.
 
#14,330
sbelle said:
I also always declare but sometimes , like you shared in your story, they don’t make it easy.

One time after an agent figured out what I owed , he indicated he would have to take me to the cashier to pay. He then proceeded to lead me to a section nearby that was clearly closed. It was roped off and the lights were turned off. There was a cashier’s booth there but again the lights were out and no one was there. The agent said that the cashier was in an administrative meeting, and I would need to wait until the meeting was over. After about 25 minutes the cashier showed up, with no apology and no explanation offered.

When I was leaving that section that was still roped off and the lights still turned off , two security guys spotted me and came after me. Before they let me leave they went to confer with original agent who had escorted me there.
Click to expand...

Crazy!!!!
 
#14,331
sbelle said:
I also always declare but sometimes , like you shared in your story, they don’t make it easy.

One time after an agent figured out what I owed , he indicated he would have to take me to the cashier to pay. He then proceeded to lead me to a section nearby that was clearly closed. It was roped off and the lights were turned off. There was a cashier’s booth there but again the lights were out and no one was there. The agent said that the cashier was in an administrative meeting, and I would need to wait until the meeting was over. After about 25 minutes the cashier showed up, with no apology and no explanation offered.

When I was leaving that section that was still roped off and the lights still turned off , two security guys spotted me and came after me. Before they let me leave they went to confer with original agent who had escorted me there.
Click to expand...

Goodness. That's awful.
 
#14,332
pigleto972001 said:
I wanted to let y’all know that I inquired about a removable extender for my 10 motif necklace. Apparently vca can do it. Neimans told me I had to send in my necklace to Van Cleef so it’s getting sent in. I asked several times and it is supposed to be removable so we shall see !!

I was told that blue agate could be limited but that the guilloche should be more readily available. The sa said she saw the guilloche and it’s a paler gold color. She was also told that it’s more delicate and if the rays are banged up they may not be able to restore them. Wonder if they could replace the motif though ...
Click to expand...

Please let us know if the extender does come back removal. I was told by VCA NY that removal extenders were not available. TIA
 
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#14,334
Rami00 said:
Wonderful ladies! I need your help :flowers:
As many of you know how head over heels I fell for Noeud ring in Paris. My SA is back from vacation and I was ready to place an order. She suggested if I would only want one btf ring from VCA, I should try the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis before committing. I was very confident until she mentioned to try these rings on too..:frown:
I crossed off lotus because it looked too overwhelming on my hand.
I know it’s a very personal choice but I would really like to hear your thoughts. I have no problems adding dramatic, out of the box piece. If you could only add one, which one …please help, thank you!
Click to expand...
Hi Rami, it is a very personal choice. I think the flying butterfly and Oiseaux de Paradis rings add drama to the finger for sure, but nothing says elegance as much as the Noeud ring. That piece looked amazing on you. Perhaps your SA was just doing her job and trying to upsell you a more pricey piece. I recall (but could be wrong) those two suggested rings to be at higher price points. I liked the flying butterfly but already know in my heart I’d reach for the Noeud more. There’s something so refined about this piece. Enough drama to be a statement piece, interwoven golds to match more jewelry, more wearable without being overwhelming.
 
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