Where is the best place to go H shopping Paris or Italy?

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barbie444

barbie444

O.G.
Nov 1, 2009
1,789
20
#1
I am going in March to Rome and Paris and Hopefully by then I will have enough $$ to buy my Lindy 30 and Birkin 35. I have been working non stop for the past 7 months. My mom is against me getting such an expensive bag this young (I am 18). Where would it be better for me to get my H from Italy or Paris? Price wise? VAT wise? and stock wise? Thanks :p
 
#4
from what i read on here is that stores in italy are less than willing to sell birkins to tourists unless you have an established relationship with a salesperson. paris would be your best bet for selection and birkins are displayed if you go in during the right time of day. paris gives a 10% vat refund but i am not sure about italy. rome has one store on via conditti and i believe paris has 2 or 3. good luck!
 
#5
Prices are the same I think.
If there is a difference pricewise it is so slight that I wouldn't even take it into account, especially since it is not so easy to find a H items in the exact combination that you may want.
For this reason I would jump on the bag you want, if you happen to find it in either of these two countries.

For what's regarding your purchasing such expensive bags... you worked for it, it is your money.
If you don't have any other everyday serious needs such as food, house or instruction, I don't see why you shouldn't treat yourself with these gifts after all your hard work.
That said, maybe saving a part of your earnings would make your mother happy? Maybe it could avoid future conflicts, and in that case it would maybe be a good compromise. Don't know... just wondering...
 
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#8
Definitely Paris. Stockwise, Paris has a wider stock than Italy, if they have shipment arrived. But at the end it all depends on your luck. We've all heard TPFers scoring nothing at FSH Paris when the stock is low.

Good luck !
 
#9
Vat refund is for non EU residents. make sure you qualify as a non EU resident even if you are a citizen. And even if you can't claim the vat, it's still way cheaper than buying it in the US.
 
#10
Everlong said:
Paris! Many had bad luck shopping in Italy for Birkins since they only sell to locals.
Click to expand...

I am sorry but based on my experience I think that this is not really accurate.

Just like any other shop, when taking orders they will obviously be more prone to reserve coveted items to loyal and returning customers, and these are obviously more likely to be locals. Just the same happens to shops in the US, in Asia, in Russia, or anywhere else in the world.
But if you happen to step in when they have items in stock you will be able purchase them just like in any other Hermès boutique. As simple as that.

Apart from that, they will obviously have a tendency to answering NO if somebody steps in and asks for a Birkin, probably because it happens approx 50 times a day, and the people asking for that are not typical H customers but typical Asian resellers with "I am going to resell it for a lot more" written on their face. Same rules as for other H shops apply to Italy.
 
#13
trama turgo said:
I am sorry but based on my experience I think that this is not really accurate.

Just like any other shop, when taking orders they will obviously be more prone to reserve coveted items to loyal and returning customers, and these are obviously more likely to be locals. Just the same happens to shops in the US, in Asia, in Russia, or anywhere else in the world.
But if you happen to step in when they have items in stock you will be able purchase them just like in any other Hermès boutique. As simple as that.

Apart from that, they will obviously have a tendency to answering NO if somebody steps in and asks for a Birkin, probably because it happens approx 50 times a day, and the people asking for that are not typical H customers but typical Asian resellers with "I am going to resell it for a lot more" written on their face. Same rules as for other H shops apply to Italy.
Click to expand...

Here are some threads that will help you if planning to purchase in Rome:

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/h-frustration-in-italy-207487.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/hermes-in-rome-611587.html
 
#14
pyrexia said:
If you have Italian citizenship, I don't think you will be able to claim back VAT. VAT is only meant for tourists and non-residents.
Click to expand...
VAT has nothing to do with citizenship but whether you can prove you currently live outside of "Europe". If you have an address outside of the EU and depart from x point in Europe, you can claim VAT back.
Usually custom agents (the ones who are going to stamp your documents), do not really ask/check ...BUT it's always best to have card from consulate ("imatriculation" is usually free at the Consulate you reside...), or have a non EU address on your Italian passport, or a green card , US visa, US passport. By the way, since I see you have both passports. Best to show your Italian passport when you arrive to avoid non EU lines, and do the reverse on the way back of course. Showing your Italian passport is the way to go in Italy - very smart ... this way you won't look like a tourist :)
Hope this helps. xxooxxxooox
 
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