Buying Louis Vuitton Handbag

Do not expect huge savings over US prices. The best strategy is to check prices here, as you have done, and then visit the LV shops in PAris and elsewhere.

It is easy to claim the VAT refund; just make sure you get the papers when you purchase the bag(s) and remember that you cannot pack the bag in your checked luggage--you may have to display it at the airport to get the refund.

I do not buy LV so cannot give many details about exact pricing but as I said, do not expect the savings to be very large. Of course you will get the tax refunded, so that will help.



You are allowed $800 worth of goods duty free; after that you may have to pay a small percentage of the cost of your purchases.

And remember the bag has to be "unused" to get the VAT. So don't show up with it thrown over your arm. Have in bag nicely wrapped up like they gave it to you.

............ and please keep in mind if you do NOT purchase an LV bag, you should be able to rent an apartment there for a whole week or two or three

and you can buy a gently used o noe for less money.

malleries.com

Will there be a significant savings over prices in the US?

Significant? Probably not. My experience with luxury goods is that you can sometimes get a deal if exchange rates have shifted and pricing hasn't adjusted, but it is usually a crapshoot and most savings (one way or the other) are relatively small. I would make sure that you know the price in the US before going over.

Where is the best place to buy?

I would find the LV flagship store in Paris and look there.

Will there be duty free shops at CDG?

There is no LV store at CDG.

I heard claiming the VAT refund is difficult.

Not at most major stores. You get a form and receipt and return it to the booth at the airport - the information is usually on the back of the form.

Also read that there is a limit of $800 before I have to pay duty on purchases I bring back.

This is true, but you could always unpack the bag on the plane, fill it up and use it as your purse and it is doubtful anybody would question it. As long as the item is out of its packaging, it is kind of hard for the customs agents to tell that you didn't buy it in the US or previously pay duty.

There will be a very good savings. I've been regularly buying LV, in Paris, since 1980.

Just go on the LV website and go to the U.S. price section and then pick out a bag and add whatever your local tax would be. Then go back on the website and click on, France, and pull up the same bag and get the Euro price and go on www.xe.com to convert Euros to dollars. Then deduct the approximate 12% for detaxe, off of the Euro price, and you will have an approximate price. Happy Travels!

"I heard claiming the VAT refund is difficult."

This is somewhat true in Frankfurt but not in Paris.

bookmarking

OhioBarb: Here's an example. I'll use the Passy bag in Epi leather, as that's the one that I purchased back in 2006, in Paris, at the LV store in the 6th district.

Passy GM/Epi leather: $1,730 on the website. Plus 9.75% sales tax, if bought here in Los Angeles. Total: $1898.67.

Passy GM/Epi leather: 1,130 Euros on the website which equals $1,427.42 exchanged on www.xe.com. Then deduct the 12% detaxe ($171.29) and the total if bought in Paris would be approximately $1,256.13.

Now,of course, this is an "approximate" total as there are currency fluctuations and your sales tax could be lower in Ohio. And as for paying duty on it, then duty is supposed to be paid on $1,427.42, not $1,256.13 although at times duties officers have accepted the minus detaxe amount. If taxed, it could be 10% (or less).

So, even if you have to add that, then it would be an extra $142. So: $1,256.13 + $142.00= $1,507.13. It would still be an approximate savings of $391.54, which is my definition of a very good savings.

As far as declaring items, I declare my items and although I'm usually over the duty-free limit, the customs guys have several times just flagged me through with no duty charge.

Once coming home from Bangkok, I was way over the limit, so I did go to the line where I had to show my items. The guy was great and kept apologizing for taking so long as he had to look up all the different types of items, in his book, to see if they were taxable or not. After a while he just smiled and said, " No charge, welcome Home".

Paying duty can, at times, really depend on what airport one is doing customs in. I'm in L.A. and I've found them to generally to be very nice. The airports that I especially dread are Chicago and Atlanta. Happy Travels!

In 2005, I bought an LV bag in Paris. I still have the receipt and research notes from back then. Souvenirs, I guess).

Back then, the bag cost 530 euros and the US price was $750. With the exzchange rate at the time and getting back the VAT, I saved $168.

The VAT process during my trips to Paris has never been issue (except when I forgot to get the form after leaving a store). Also, I didn't know you weren't supposed to wear the items at the airport. I was using my LV bag and no one seemed to care. Funny to see several women on the plane ride going home, using their brand spankin' new LV bags and avoiding the duty tax.

If by replica you mean a fake, don't buy it. In Europe, fake bags are sometimes confiscated when you enter a country. If you can't afford a LV bag, buy something else. Or is zeodong advertising that site? I wouldn't go anywhere near it.

I would not respond to that second to last post as it looks like an ad to me.

Purchasing a bag on the Champs de Elysee in Paris, is, in my humble opinion, paradise for a Louis Vuitton lover. Others will not understand; but when someone comments on the bag you purchased, how much they love it, it's such a treat to smile wistfully, and say, "I bought it in Paris." It is the ultimate souvenir. I have bought bags around the US on trips (I have a weakness) and it is not the same. Go for it.

great thread!

Goldwynn: I rent an apartment and buy my LV, bags too...like having my cake and eating it,too. My rented apartment is a 10-minute walk from the my preferred LV store in the 6th. LOL! Smiles. Happy Travels!

Tulips and Ekscrunchy: I'm confused. What posts are you referring to? What looks like an ad and who mentioned buying a fake? Happy Travels!

I was going to mention the shop in the 6th! I prefer it over the one on the Champs. The one on the Champs is usually full of tourists (no problem there, as I am one) who are not intending on buying, but just having a look around. To actually buy something, I've found better service with less hassle in the 6th.

Guenmai -- I covet your Passy. Please tell me it's not Cassis or I'll be absolutely green!

They removed the post I was referring to.

I would advise people to check prices before leaving home. Savings, if any, will vary from year to year and from country to country. I did quite a bit of research about an Hermes watch. The HIGHEST prices I found were at the Hermes store in Paris. (The lowest, by hundreds of dollars, was at the duty-free Hermes shop at Incheon airport in Seoul; Hermes in NYC was in the middle)

Guenmai-

I also have a Passy, mine is in black Epi leather. Not sure if it's the GM - I have the big one. I love it, though I don't get to use it as much as I'd like.

The rolled handles are not as comfortable as I'd like on my shoulder, but otherwise I find it a perfect bag for me.

As for buying LV in Paris, I agree that the OP should become familiar with the US prices before she goes, so she'll be able to make an accurate comparison, taking into effect the exchange rate, duty, tax, etc.

I can't wait to buy the Vernis Alma bag in the amaretto color! (darkest brown)

OK, LV mavens, I need your help. My SO's mother just cleaned out closets and gave us some gorgeous things. One is a LV tote supposedly. But I can't find any marking on it that would indicate it's authentic. How does one tell if it's authentic LV?

I'm not parsimonious by any means, but I just don't get why anyone would spend $800 to $1,500 on a purse! Those of you who do, what's the attraction? I looked at JillDavis' "Vernis Alma" and really cannot understand why anyone would spend that much money on it. Please explain (and I am not being snarky, just perplexed.)

"How does one tell if it's authentic LV?"

Go to an LV store and ask them.

Of course, each to her own, but I agree with Suze. I can easily afford to spend several thousand dollars on a purse, but can't imagine actually doing it. Those Scottish genes? I will say that cigalechanta's site for slightly used items ( www.malleries.com) was intriguing.

If my friends were to comment on my designer handbag ( which is not likely) and I replied that I had bought it in Paris, they'd think I was even more shallow and pretenious than I already am. But if makes someone happy what's my opinion worth? Rein du tout.

Wait. I don't know about anyone else here but I don't automatically offer the "I bought it in Paris" remark unless asked where I purchased the item. (but I do enjoy saying it)

-Roberta

Here is how you can tell if a LV is fake:

1) If the little LV's are cut off anywhere, it is considered "fake".

2)The color of the original LV's seem to be lighter than the fakes. It gets a little obvious sometimes. Some of the fake sellers make it real dark.

3) There should ALWAYS be a serial number. If not, it is totally fake.

4) Louis Vuitton bags NEVER go on sale. If you ever bought it on sale, it's fake.

5) The print needs to match. Check the pattern on one side. Now, check on the other. If the pattern matches, it's real. If not, it is fake.

6) Also, the interior of a bag and the feel of the leather is a dead giveaway.

7) You can check the bag online and see if it matches exactly.

SuzChicago - That is a really good question. Why spend so much on a bag? Well, I guess I feel like it is my one splurge. I cut back on other things. I don't need expensive shoes or clothes. Of course, my style in clothes and shoes is very classy, however I don't feel the urge to spend $400 on a pair of shoes or $200 on a shirt. However, for some reason, a spell comes over me when shopping for purses. My husband actually is proud of me on some things that I am frugal on - I always search for the best deals on hotels, planes, everything - you name it! We have the money to spend on whatever vacations we want to take, however it my mentality that why spend full price if all I have to do is a little research to save a lot of money. However, with purses I just can't explain it??? There is something about walking out that door with a staple purse that just screams style and sophistication. It is not even about flaunting anything. It is more a statement about my personal style.

Ok St Cirq,
http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/how_to_tell_if_your_louis_vuitton_is_fake/

Another way to tell if it is a fake:

If it is one with the LV logo all over the purse, the real ones never have a hem split the logo. They make sure that every logo is whole and the hem goes through the space.

Good tip Jill. I saw a really good fake yesterday. It looked good, smelled good and had appropriate tags (including serial number) Don't you think they can fake that too...

However, I was pretty sure that person who sells shampoo to the salons in town didn't have a LV franchise.

Some of the fakes are so good that even if you know what to look for you cannot tell the difference. I don't believe that some of the people in the LV stores can tell either. The only way to make sure is to buy it in an authorized store.

There is no logical explanation. It is an emotional thing. Somewhere along the line, you make a decision that there is some particular indulgence that appeals to YOU. It isn't about anyone else, but along the line, I came to grips with the fact that one bag that meets my every everyday needs, and is also indulgent, was actually cheaper than the sum total of all the other bags I kept buying. Seriously, how many inexpensive impluse purchases do you buy in a year? Yes, one has to be careful, when you say, "I bought it in Paris", as it quickly can make ones stomach turn in a huge way. Period. But, if the people you actually choose to say that too, know YOUR story, they just smile. Silly, yes. We all have flaws. Some are just publicly displayed with LV. Humbly or pretentiously, depending on the lady.

Thanks, Jill and Mimi. I have to inspect this bag very carefully. On the one hand, SO's 92-year-old mother has impeccable taste and ran in impressive social circles; on the other hand, she spent a lot of time in Beijing and Singapore and Bangcoxk, where presumably opportunities for
"bagging" fakes were rife.

To answer the question about why designer bags appeal, they don't for me. I'm more interested in a beautiful briefcase, as I run a business and am always running around to meetings. I would never pay more than $100 for a hand bag, but I certainly understand those who do. I'm a shoe hog and though I don't pay retail for much of anything, will collect shoes like crazy.


What I absolutely do not understand is the thrill of telling someone "I bought it in Paris." To me, that is gauche to the extreme, or some deeply disturbing need to impress. It's bad enough that you need someone to walk up to you and comment on your bag, but way worse to feel compelled to say where you bought it (particularly if it was on the Champs Elysées, the hell-hole of tourist Paris. Honestly, that creeps me out. Something wrong with the self-worth there.

To anyone who wants to go to Paris and buy a great bag, I salute you. Not my thing, but I have my own addictions, so I totally understand.

Why do some women pay $130 for a pair of panties? Because they want them and they can. Not many people will ask about them or even know you are wearing them. So, I don't believe it's always a bragging thing.

Yes, I agree it is tacky to go around bragging that you bought it in Paris. If someone asks, of course you tell them at that point. However, common sense etiquette is just that simple and understated elegance is always better than over the top flamboyant. It is always the people that brag that probably can't afford the purse in the first place.

StCirq - you should get an LV briefcase!

French bag, French trip, French souvenir, friendly encouragement.
As you age, hopefully you gain wisdom and judge less
Will kindly offer the definition of wistful...
adj wistful [ˈwistful]
thoughtful and rather sad, (as if) longing for something with little hope

I'm sorry to say that I am addicted to handbags as well. I'm convinced it's an illness. Every time I buy a new one, I promise my husband it's the last one (it is for that year). When my husband and I were in Paris in 2002 for our 10th anniversary, we did some shopping at the LV store in the 6th. I wound up buying 3 purses -- 2 for myself and one for my step-daughter who was watching our kids for the week. I also wanted a pair of boots, but they didn't carry any shoes in my size -- 41 (I wound up buying a different pair at the LV store in Tyson's Corner, VA when I got home). On that trip I also bought 2 Lancel bags and one Furla bag that were on sale at Galeries Lafayette.

The problem with all my bags (which also includes my latest purchase - a Cartier Marcello bag -- and bags by Henry Beguelin, Michael Kors, Burberry, Botkier and Bally) is that I never have time to switch bags when I want to. Usually I am in a rush to get out of the house and use whichever bag I've been using. I owned a Chloe bag for one day, but my husband convinced me to return it and buy a Henry Beguelin bag instead. Good decision. But I still like my LV bags, including my LV tote/shopping bag that I bought in 1982 for $250.

Thank goodness I have one dear friend who shares my handbag addiction and understands me completely.

BKP: My LV Passy bag is that great RED colored one, but the RED that LV used to do. What I call apple RED. I love RED handbags.

Now Passy is done in a darker RED. When I bought that bag, just hours after I had arrived into Paris, I was told that it was a new model and had just arrived into the LV boutique the day before which is why it was in the window being displayed.

As I like shoulder straps with my handbags, I bought a shoulder strap for it,too. But, as the bag was so new, the LV store in the 6th, didn't have one. I will not go to the LV store on Champs Elysees unless I absolutely have to...way too crowded and far too many lookie-loos. I go to the one in my neighborhood, the 6th, get my salesperson all to myself for as long as I want, and have a glass of champagne or other beverage.

So, I bought the bag, and then hopped the metro to the Champs Elysees boutique to see if they had a shoulder strap. The salesperson disappeared for quite some time and then came back announcing that he had found one in an office somewhere and that it was probably a sample one. So, I bought the only one that could be found in Paris. I LOVE that bag and will probably have it for life.

The day that I bought that bag, I hadn't planned to buy a LV bag. I had just arrived into Paris and was on my way to the Cafe Flore to have my traditional, arrival day, Kir Royale (Kir and champagne). But, to get to the Flore, I have to walk past LV. So, I peeped at the window and there was that one bag on display. I think it came in 2 sizes then. I have the smaller sized one, which actually is quite large compared to the size handbags that I usually carry. Happy Travels!

Guenmai -- sounds like Fate -- you were meant to have that bag!

I bought the Red Epi St. Tropez in 2005. I love it and get lots of compliments on it. I believe it has since been discontinued. I don't know if it's the older apple red or the newer darker red though. I've been our of the bag game for a couple years. I love a beautiful purse, but it's harder to justify the price of one since we had our son! I will always be an admirer though . . . and when we finally stop paying tuition I'll jump back in with two feet!

SuzChicago: As to why one would spend so much on a handbag. Well, I look at it like this...why do people spend $40,000-$50,000 on luxury cars when they can get a great car for $25,000? I'm from L.A. area, land of luxury cars. My 2008 car, bought brand new, was less than $22,000. So, I'm not into cars, but am into handbags.

Why do my "guy" friends spend thousands of dollars on whatever new electronic, techy, devise that comes out and then when something new comes out end up with pretty worthless, out of date, previously-bought devises.

Why do people pay thousands of dollars for a TV? My 13-inch(?), pedestal flatscreen, was $300., four years ago, and I nearly had a heart attack as every TV I had bought up to then was no more than $150.00. So, I don't understand the problem one has with buying a designer handbag.

Plus, as for designer handbags and everything else I own, I take great care of my things and after many years of use, many of my items are still in mint condition. So, if I want to sell them, I get back either top dollar or more than I originally paid for them. An example of this is the first Chanel handbag that I bought in the mid 80s, at the Paris boutique on the rue Cambon. I kept that handbag for a good decade or more, until I outgrew it and needed something larger, and then I sold it to a private party for about double of what I had originally paid. Now, had I bought an everyday handbag, and kept it over a decade, would it have been worth nearly double and a decade plus later? No, it would have been either given away to a friend or at the Salvation Army.

While I was in Paris, month before last, I had three designer handbags at www.fashionphile.com where they were on the selling market. They were 3 bags that I just don't use, so why keep them? Sometimes one buys something and thinks it will work out, but it doesn't.

When I got home, there was already a check, in my mailbox, for one of them that had been sold and then I was cut a check, while at the boutique, for the other two that had been sold while I was away in Paris for 8 days. I came home to a substantial amount of money for the resale of those 3 handbags. That money, in turn, was applied to the 3 new handbags I had just bought in Paris.

So, I say that if one gets a joy out of gorgeous handbags, then go for it. LIfe is way to short to stress out over it. One of my friends has a house full of expensive paintings, and thinks it's crazy to buy designer handbags? Well, for one, I'd rather "wear/carry" my art on my shoulder/in my hand" than have it hanging on a wall, and two, it's MUCH easier for me to resale a designer handbag than it is for the friend to resell the paintings. Happy Travels!

As for Allibi123's comment of, "I bought it in Paris"., I personally didn't take it as meaning that she would be trying to "brag" to her friends, but took it as a tongue-in-cheek kind of humorous comment. Nothing with any deep,psychological undertones.

As for me and buying handbags, I only mention where I bought them if someone asks, as I have a lot of close friends who are also into handbags. And since I do come home with many handbags, bought in Paris, and that some that can't be found here, then friends are curious as to where I found something that they haven't seen. And as most of them know that I'm off to Paris once or twice annually they will, before I leave home, comment to call them when I get back so that they can see what "finds" I have come up with. They are also travelers. Happy Travels!

Correction" "resell", not "resale". LOL! Happy Travels!

Guenmai, how many handbags do you own??

Oh, Melen, you went to an elite prep school. Throw out that tacky Louis Vuitton tote bag.

I see someone like you with a Pierre Deux Provencal-print bag.

Thin

I think StCirq should get an LV briefcase!

I must confess I don't "get" LV or any other clothing or accessory that carries someone else's initials. Plus, I could never bring myself to spend that kind of money on a bag (I'd rather spend it on food, or shoes). I already have a very attractive DKNY black leather briefcase, at least it's attractive to me, so I don't need another. And I don't see anything on the LV tote that would indicate it's real, so phooey. Anyone want a fake one?

Thin, I'm afraid provençal prints don't work for me in a bag, either. They remind me of diaper bags.I have one that someone gave me, and it's got all my unsorted photos in it. I actually like pretty classic bags. My clothing - not so classic - so I have to keep the accessories toned down.

"It's bad enough that you need someone to walk up to you and comment on your bag, but way worse to feel compelled to say where you bought it (particularly if it was on the Champs Elysées, the hell-hole of tourist Paris. Honestly, that creeps me out. Something wrong with the self-worth there."

Wow, I'd call that a very radical intepretation of the text. I didn't see any need to brag in the OP's post, but I did see a LOT of holier-than-toi snark in your remarks. I take it we will never again hear a peep from you about how much you enjoy your glass house in the Dordogne.

It's interesting to me that women who don't buy LV are interested in reading a thread about it, and yes, yes, yes...throwing stones with holier-than-thou snark, and/or offering psychological diagnoses! I like you MLF.
Back to the OP, sometimes you get lucky. My last bag I bought, here we go, in Paris in June, then went to Italy and somehow missed the VAT counter flying out of Rome. I used the bag here in New Orleans during the summer, then returned to Italy in August, using it again. This time, I found the VAT counter, handed over the paperwork, and explained what happened. They shook their head, smiled, and processed it. I think she loved LV too.

Did I read that the VAT refund process has been made easier/quicker in the past few months? (Not that it was all that difficult before.)

I'm still not understanding why even an addiction to handbags makes one want to buy a $1,000+ handbag. I like shoes -- really do -- but have NEVER purchased shoes at that price. Except for Guenmai's rationale (who has her addiction paid for in recycling of these babies) what makes a $1,000 with LV letters so special? Could a $250 handbag with no letters be as good? Do you collect handbags that aren't designer handbags?

For the record:
We have no flatscreen TV.
We have 2 cars -- one is a 2009 Altima and the other a 1993 Honda Civic.


I spend my money on:
1) Dining out (my 10-year old daughter and I can easily spend $120 on a girls night out dinner once a month -- or more.)
2) Home improvement projects.
3) Live in Chicago and I'm cold from Oct. through April, so even my "casual" winter coat has a fur lining (joined by 3 other coats of varying styles, pelts, and price points.)

Rationale:
1) Gluttony (but only on food that is really good.)
2) HGTV addict
3) Can't stand the cold so the fur is worth the price.

So, why the $1,000+ handbag?

Not all Louis Vuitton bags and luggage has the LV logo.

I have a Damier Bastille bag that I bought 10 years ago at the LV store in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. No LV's on this bag.

I have a LV steamer trunk, three Blisten (?) suitcases, and two Keepall 55's that I inherited from my grandmother. My steamer trunk was made in 1935 and it is still in excellent condition.

Louis Vuitton does last and it is waterproof. I have seen my luggage sit out on the tarmac of JFK in pouring-down rain and none of my clothing inside the luggage got damp.

Thin

I like the checkered patterned LV. and good buys at Malleries.
But my dream bag, I'll never own, is the Celine
crossbody chocolate brown of the latest collection.
Very simple with a unique brass closure,
but at $3500, I'd rather be in Paris.

SuzChicago, the answer is very simple. And also complex. I would have to ask, have you ever dreamed of ANY material possession or ANY travel experience that was beyond your reach at the moment.....and then had a chance at a later date to have it? It's that simple. Some people are fortunate to have instant gratification and others wait (self imposed, perhaps, smile). If you can't identify with basic desire, then understanding indulgence is beyond comprehension. We can agree it is, perhaps, senseless.

Why should one have to rationalize any purchase? 'I want it' is really enough justification. Whether you buy an LV bag (or Mercedes or 60" flat-screen or...) is between you and your pocketbook (and lender, if it comes to that).

I agree with Travelgourmet. Why should anyone have to rationalize any purchase? I sure don't.

And as Thin said, all LV doesn't have initials all over it. I personally buy Epi when it comes to handbags. I had the initials decades ago, but I do have 2 bisten suitcases and 2 carryall bags, which I've had since the 80s, and they have held up brilliantly.

And SuzChicago as to whether I have non designer bags, of course I do. My favorite, non, high end, designer places to shop for regular bags are T.J.Maxx, where I've shopped for probably a decade and a half, and Nordsrom Rack. I shop at a variety of places like today when I found the $725. DVF, Hayworth tote bag, that I had had on my list for some months, as a possibility, but got it for $223.20, as I would have never paid $725.00 for it. But, what I paid for it was a decent price as far as I'm concerned. And it will come in quite handy. And, if I ever flip it, in the future, I'll most likely get all of my money back.

I have different bags for different uses. And I have bags spanning back to the 80s. I didn't buy the collection of them over night. It's sort of like with shoes...one doesn't wear the same kind of shoes for every occasion or with every clothing outfit. And also like with shoes, one might get tired of them after some years and get rid of them and move on to something new. No different with handbags or clothing.

As for whether a $250. handbag is not as good as a $1,000 one, well of course it can be. It's not about that, it's about how one looks at handbags. And for me, it's about what catches my eye. One day it might be a Tiganello at T.J.Maxx and another day, it might be a Chloe. Seems simple to me.

As to you stating that you're not "understanding it", well, I'm not understanding what it is that you're not understanding. People have different likes and dislikes and limits as to what they will spend money on and how much they will spend on certain items that they like. It seems very basic to me...whether it is a $40,000-$50,000 car, a TV that costs thousands, or whatever else people have chosen to spend their money on. Happy Travels!

Correction: "Keepalls" , not, "Carryalls". Happy Travels!

SuzChicago: After just re-reading your post, I see that you're fine with easily spending $140.00 or more on a girl's night out for dinner, maybe once a month or more. Well, although that's not my cup of tea, I have no difficulty understanding that that's how you splurge. Happy Travels!

Cigalchanta: As to how many handbags I own, off the top of my head, I don't remember. But, they are all in plastic containers and I keep a journal in which they are all listed and also what numbered container that they are in. That way, if I need to find one fast, I just go to the journal, scan for the bag, and then go to the numbered container that the bag is in. Plus, by being so organized I don't repeat myself.

I know folks who are so disorganized that they continue to buy the same things over and over again whether it be shoes, handbags, clothes, or whatever...because due to all of their disorder and clutter, they are clueless to what they "really" own. That's absolutely "not" me. Organization saves money and a heck of a lot of time. Happy Travels!

I have two questions. Neither is intended to be snarky or mean:

1. Is the brown and gold LV with the initials all over it considered to be chic in some parts of the world?

2. For people with huge handbag collections: Don't you find it a pain to move your stuff from one bag to another every time you change handbags? Do you change handbags every day?

allib123 summed it up quite perfect.

I also am not a fan of the LV monogram collection. The Damier and Vernis is more my style - more subtle and elegant looking.

Ekscrunchy - The brown and gold LV collection (called Monogram) is the first collection that came out by LV. I don't think it is a matter of what part of the world you are in, but rather the individual's style. To me, the LV is so common and also the most replica handbags are made from this collection (even though I have seen replica's from Damier.) However, on some pieces I like how the Monogram looks. The luggage in Monogram looks amazing.

2) I don't find moving my stuff from one handbag to another a chore. To me it is part of the fun by going in my closet and deciding which hangbag to choose for the next day. I do not change handbags every day. Every week is so different. It is hard to say how often I change. Perhaps every 2-3 days?? When I go to Europe, I am only going to bring only bag for the whole trip! It will be very difficult, but I don't want to worry about multiple handbags...

To go back to the original question, I am guessing that there could be some savings right now apart from the VAT refund. That's because the Euro is falling. One would think that price tags are usually set at periodic intervals, and at the last time they revised prices, they must have looked at the exchange rate and decided on the Euro and $ prices.

If the price stickers are the same, the falling Euro will make it cheaper to buy in Paris.

Ekscrunchy: No, I don't find it a pain to move things from one handbag to another. Last night when I came home with the new DVF totebag, it took me all of about 30 seconds to move my things from one bag to the next. And I don't necessarily change handbags everyday. It depends on how I feel, where I'm going, and what I'm wearing; probably like people who have big shoe collections. Sometimes I'll use the same handbag for weeks and other times I'll switch up more often. And some weekends I might use two different handbags in a day depending on where I'm going.

As for your other question about monogram LV being chic in some parts of the world, well, for some places that's what's popular over other LV, like Epi, Vernis, Damier, etc...It's sort of like how there was a lot of Tumi luggage sold here, some years ago, because that's what was popular. However, I regularly use Kipling luggage. Some folks here don't know Kipling although it's been around since the 80s. But, I'm in S.E. Asia quite a bit, and I remember when Kipling was very popular and the young ones used to go wild when I was at the airport and almost every time I was going through some S.E. Asian countries, the young airport staff would stop and comment. I've been buying it longer than most of them have been around. It holds up very well. I previously had no idea, that it was so popular in S.E. Asia. A lot of my pieces I got at T.J.Maxx.

Even when the young bellhop, at my apartment building in S.E. Asia, came to pick up my luggage on check out, although he couldn't speak a word of English, when he noticed my suitcases he said, "Kipling, the monkey!". Then his face lit up. So, I removed the monkey key chain from one of the suitcases and gave it to him as one comes with each Kipling article bought. He was so happy. Every time I go back to that building to stay and he sees me, and waves and smiles. So, different cultures can be into different things. And even people from different areas in the U.S. can be into different things.

Yesterday when I walked past the Coach outlet, it was jam packed with people and especially with Asian tourists as there are tour bus trips to the outlet. The two most crowded stores were definitely Burberry and Coach as far as a large number of Asian tourists shopping. Although I'm not into Coach anymore, was in the 70s, a lot of people love it. I remember when it was very popular in Singapore,too. And also in parts of Europe at one time. Happy Travels!

I have seasonal bags
some are for walking the dog that hold keys and plastic bags for his clean up. I also use these crossbody bags for dance parties.
Every day bags for shopping
bags for dining out(mostly clutches
largeer bags for travel.

I thought Paris was one large, gorgeous & sexy purse: stuffed with incredible architecture, glorious gardens, amazing food and wine; people watching, museums and history, storefronts outfitted with chic attire; friendly (yes, I repeat, friendly) locals, eclectic groups of tourists, and a vibrancy that I want to keep captured in my tote to carry home.

Exactly the purse I would buy.

MoneyBurns

Any suggestions for where to have a LV vintage bag refurbished appreciated.

I don't know if they will do bags but they do luggage.
They are very nice, maybe they can refer you to someone
they are R. Cook

http://www.nvo.com/louisvuitton/inventory/

Lots of judgmental-ness here, eh?

I'm not a big handbag person - I have 3 designer handbags I've had for 2 years. Two I bought at Saks Off 5th and I purchased a Tod's bag from an upscale consignment.

They are so nicely made, the leather feels beautiful on my Donald Pliner, and I love when I unzip it and see the rich, magenta lining inside.

I currently pine for no other bags, but don't want to exchange my current ones for 9West ones, either.

We all have our splurges. Who is say which is better - no one. And to do so just sounds horribly catty.

violetduck: If I were you, I'd just contact your local LV store. I have an accordion pleated, at the bottom, briefcase that I bought brand new at the original LV store in Paris around 1982 or 1983 and although it still looks great, the light-colored, natural leather handle has of course darkened. I went into the LV store in the Beverly Center (L.A.) a couple of years ago, and they were great. I was told that whenever I was ready to have the handle replaced to just bring it in. I was also told that it would be around $75.00 to replace it. And that briefcase model isn't even made anymore. I just saw one on www.malleries.com up for sale. That's the first one I've seen in over a decade. Happy Travels!

Refurbishment: Artbag on Madison Ave. in NYC. They are legendary. You can send them your bag Fed Ex.

www.artbag.com

Thin

Thanks for all of the help. I've picked out the one want and will compare prices before we leave. Another question...when looking at the prices on the French LV site, is the VAT already included?

Thanks to all for the refurbishing suggestions. Will check
all of them out.

Jill your tip about the logos is a good one. The lady in front of me at Aldi had a large LV. The handles looked good, but yes the logo was not complete at the seem.

OhioBarbara:The sales tax is included in the European prices. Happy Travels!

OhioBarbara: I forgot to add, in my May 12th post, on the "Passy" example, that actually you would be deducting the $800. duty allowance from the $1427.42 total and thus be taxed on $627.42, not the whole $1427.42 providing that that's all you bought in Paris and have nothing else to declare at U.S. customs. Since I usually have more than one item to declare, I have a more complicated situation. So, actually, the duty tax would be around $62.74 , if taxed at 10%, on that particular bag, not $142.00. So, additional savings. I don't know why I didn't catch that. Smiles. Happy fun shopping. Happy Travels!

"Have fun shopping". Happy Travels!

I am not into LV, but for info about buying in Paris and authenticity questions, the Purse Forum is really good. I used to be really into bags and spend a good bit of time there!

"You are obviously advertising the website, which isn't allowed here, dumbass."

Second post, second plug for whosehandbags.

"Also read that there is a limit of $800 before I have to pay duty on purchases I bring back.

... you could always unpack the bag on the plane, fill it up and use it as your purse and it is doubtful anybody would question it."

Don't do it. If you can afford to pay $1400 for a designer purse, you should expect to pay the duty. Trying to get away with not paying it is downright cheesy -- far worse than saying "I bought it Paris."

I realize that the OP didn't complain about the duty, but I've seen this type of advice on other threads and just don't get it. Just pay what you owe.

"As long as the item is out of its packaging, it is kind of hard for the customs agents to tell that you didn't buy it in the US or previously pay duty."

Don't forget to eat your creditcard slip and the invoice

SV

"5) The print needs to match. Check the pattern on one side. Now, check on the other. If the pattern matches, it's real. If not, it is fake."

O O - you coulnd't be more wrong:

In Bangkok you can order CHEAP fake ones where the signature sign doesn't match. The more expensive ones are MATCHING! So - that's certainly not a criteria!

SV

I haven't read all of this thread, so apologies if someone else has made this point - what about the bags' insides?

one of the reasons I carry a handbag, [and I doubt that I'm alone in this] is that I need it to carry thinga around. and I need to be able to find those things, hence I want to see how the inside is organised before I buy. but hardly any of the bags have any information about that, so the adverts and pictures are useless.

so even if I could/wanted to afford them, they remain unpurchased.

anyone else have this problem?

Yes, annhig, I do so I completely understand your thinking.

And speaking of LV handbags I just read that an Australia woman was fined 1000euro in Italy as she was caught buying a fake LV bag. This happened in the beach area of Jesole outside of Venice. The article said the Italian authorities are attempting to fine buyers in order to discourage people from buying the rip off products so that the immigrant sellers won't have as many sales. No mention if the seller was fined or whatever. I couldn't help but wonder if the Australian woman wondered why she was the only one that got caught and fined, lol.

Coach bags have become a pathetic joke.

And just a reminder that when a new poster comes here to advertise just click on the grey triangle to alert Fodor's and they will remove the advertising post(s) and the person posting the advertisement.

Luisah: I'm one who declares my items. However, a few years ago while coming back from one of my Bangkok trips, I was way over the limit. When the customs guy looked at my custom's form, he raised an eyebrow. I then said to him that I'm one who declares items, but that I'm really tired of many times being the only person standing in the line to pay tax. I then went on to say that I'm sure that off of a plane of over 300 passengers that I'm not the only person, or one of the few, that went over the $800. limit. He then said to me, and this is the honest to goodness truth, "Why did you even declare it all?". He then marked my form and said welcome home, and that was the end of it. I wonder how many of those customs guys, declare everything when they travel? Happy Travels!

"He then marked my form and said welcome home, and that was the end of it. I wonder how many of those customs guys, declare everything when they travel?"

That's interesting. I don't know what the customs guys do but I do know that if they catch you it can be rough. There'll be a fine on top of the duty. I've seen them do spot checks -- pull someone out of the line and go through all their luggage. Remember Jeb Bush's wife getting caught after a Paris trip? Pretty embarassing for her husband, the governor of Florida. Maybe she tried to walk right through customs carrying a new LV purse.

I had a similar experience returning from Paris one year. I don't remember how much I was over, but the customs guy in Atlanta pulled out a book and checked on everything I'd listed and said "no duty on that" a couple of times and I wound up paying something like $15, no big deal.

I know what you mean about being the only one listing everything.

Happy travels back to you!

Luisah: Yes, it's true that one can get spot checked. And as for airports, I've posted many times that it can depend on the airport and that, as far as my airport experience goes, Atlanta and Chicago (O'Hare) are the absolute worst. I try to avoid those two like the plague. More than a few times I have either almost missed my connecting flight due to them taking everything out of my suitcase, inspecting everything, and moving at snails pace, and after honestly declaring one or two items that had pushed me over the $800. limit. Then I've been stuck with the pile of mess to repack and then recheck the luggage and try to get to a connecting flight. I missed a connecting flight a few months ago. Then I was stuck, for nearly 4 hours, in O'Hare before the next flight. And had there not been space left on that flight, I wouldn't have gotten home until the next day since a bad storm hit right after my flight took off and the other planes were grounded. When I got home to the west coast, the flight board read that all flights that had left O'Hare after mine had been cancelled. Happy Travels!

Correction: "...that all flights that had been scheduled to leave O'Hare after mine had been cancelled." Happy Travels!

Okay, let me get this straight because this is my first time traveling overseas.

When I get to the Zurich airport to come home to the States, I need to get in line to claim my VAT refund. (I will be purchasing an LV bag) Then, I get in line to pay my duty tax? (unless I want to be sneaky. haha.) If my flight is at 10:30, what time should I get to the airport to do all this?

I don't know about Zurich, as it's been a long time since I was last there. But, in Paris, I arrive to the airport at least 3 hours before my flight is scheduled to leave. But, I'm usually traveling in the spring, not in the high summer season when there are tons of people. But, I was also in Paris, last summer 2009 along with spring 2009, and I just added another half hour to airport arrival time as CDG as it is a zoo in the detaxe lines. Happy Travels!

Jill Davis: I just reread your post. Are you asking if you pay your duty tax in Zurich? You pay it in the U.S. at the first airport you land at if you have more than one flight. If you have a non-stop flight, then you pay it when you arrive into your home airport. And if you have to pay it at your first airport and then have a connecting flight, you'd better hurry unless you have a long layover.

And the way it usually works, overseas, is that you stand in line 1 to get the detaxe papers stamped and then in line 2 to get the refund money. Personally, I stand in line 1 and get the detaxe papers stamped and then put the correct stamped paperwork in the envelope and drop it in the mailbox at the airport and then wait for my refund to be credited to me on my credit card. That can take up to two months, although usually less. In 2008, I think it was, it took one week short of two months to get my detaxe refunded. However, it was refunded really fast on this last trip in March/April. Happy Travels!

Cepar: Your LV Passy Epi leather bag is the GM one, I think it's called, as you mentioned that it's the bigger one. I think mine is called the PM one, I guess the "G" is for "Grande" and the "P" is for "Petite". I'm just guessing. Mine was quite a bit less than the GM one and I'm glad that I got it when it first came out in 2006, as the price has really risen now. It's a very popular bag. I bought a detachable shoulder strap, to go with it, so it fits very comfortably on my shoulder. Maybe you should buy one,too. Happy Travels!

"Then, I get in line to pay my duty tax?"

No, you won't owe duty tax to Switzerland. The duty tax is owed to the U.S. government when you exceed the $800 worth of goods you're allowed to bring into the country. You'll fill out a form and sign it on your return flight. You turn it in to customs and pay the duty when you land in the U.S.

If you're traveling with your husband the allowance will be $1600 -- So don't let him shop.

Detaxe Information: As for detaxe, I just opened my stack of mail and noticed that I have received my detaxe credit on one of my credit card statements. I was in Paris March/April.

I bought a new Chloe handbag on April 01st, in Paris, and for 750 Euros/$1,043.48 (exchange rate of 1.39). I flew out of CDG/ Paris on Easter Sunday, April 04th.

As usual, I stood in detaxe line #1 and got what I needed to get stamped/processed as I had more than one detaxe form to process. I then took out the different envelopes and put the forms in the different envelopes and dropped them into the mailbox right across from the detaxe window. I wasn't about to stand in even slower line #2, to get a cash refund.

According to this month's credit card statement, that I just looked at, the detaxe credit was posted to my account on May 25th. It was posted in Pounds Sterling at 81.05 with a credit of $119.59 to my credit card. Different detaxe companies handle the detaxe.

When I was in Paris and Italy in spring 2009, I ended up in Paris last and did my detaxe there. On that trip I thought I'd get cash Euros back instead of mailing in the forms. However, one of the Italian companies that had done my detaxe paperwork, in Venice, was not a company that the detaxe office handled in Paris, so I had to mail that form in and wait for my detaxe to get credited back to my credit card, as I usually do anyway. The other detaxe forms, I got cash Euros back. Since I was a bit lower on leftover Euros than usual, as I was leaving Paris, I wanted to have a larger leftover supply for when I returned in summer. I therefore decided, when I got to CDG, that I'd just try to get cash Euros back instead of mailing in all of the forms. Happy Travels!

Okay, so please tell me if I have this right?

1) Get to Zurich airport early because I have to get in line 1 to get my detaxe form stammped, then get in line 2 to get my refund money back right then and there. Allow 3 hours before flight for all of this.

2)When arriving home to the US, I have to pay duty tax.

Correct, Jill.

Happy shopping!

Oops, forgot. Report back on the shopping/detaxe experience.

Have a great trip!

To clarify if needed, although I had bought my items in Paris and had gotten the detaxe forms stamped in Paris, and of course, flew home from Paris, my detaxe was processed in pounds sterling although I purchased in Euros. Then the credited amount was converted from Pounds Sterling to dollars. Happy Travels!

Your "duty" on anything is a US tax and law, you can't pay it to some foreign country.

That was clarified above in both my and Luisah's posts to Jill. Happy Travels!

Here are my 2 centimes on this--I love an LV bag--have quite a few--but now I buy a perfect replica from source in China at a much reduced price--and it may be possible to tell the diff--but with a magnifying glass--all items mentioned earlier conform, no mismatched logos, or crummy interiors, and they are well-made. Yes, if you had the store check the serial numbers, they would turn out to be false--but I already know it is fake so no need to do that. I can enjoy my bags, the real and the fake, and spend the money on other things. For those who want to buy the original, please do.