I was wondering how the prices for the name brand purses that we can get in America compare to those in Paris? Are they the same price? Less? More?

Brands like LV, Coach, etc

Well, at the current exchange rate it would be highly unlikely you could find any of those in Paris for less than you could find them on sale in the USA.

And why Coach? They are made in China , at least some of them are and they are of USA origin

Last September I bought two LV handbags at the LV Boutique in Nice. I paid $632. each after VAT credit. They were priced at 550€ each. In the US the same handbag is $860. see louisvuitton.com-E-shopping--Style: Popincourt Haut

Scat, back then the euro was better,I picked up Longchamp totes for friends who asked but now it would not be worthwhile.

Brand new large Longchamps totes are going on ebay for 120.00. I know this, because I was just in CDG last month looking at the same totes, but they were more expensive.

Myself, just bought two Prada purses, bringing my total to 4. But I WANT Lancel-and I missed my opportunity in March at CDG to get a really cute Lancel purse on sale. I'm looking forward to finding one I like-somewhere. Lancel is my new favorite style handbag-love them!

My wife agrees with cigalechanta, she wouldn't buy Coach on a bet. She has her LVs and Longchamps, etc....

However, during our last trip to Paris, my wife picked up a very attractive handbag. Certainly not cheap.

The one we found was a French brand, not available in the U.S. Lots of compliments later, she's still very happy she bought the handbag.

You might look for something you can't find in the U.S.

She's not just a shoe maven, she's a clothes and accessories maven also.

With a weaker dollar, you probably won't find any bargains in Paris, but you will find a greater selection. Unless you live in a big city with a full size branch of LV, etc., the range of French purse models is usually fairly limited. In addition to the well known brands like LV, Lancel, Longchamp, check out other makes like Lamarthe, Coccinelle, Le Tanneur, etc.
The big department stores offer tourists 10% discount cards and that, coupled with your VAT refund, may help in making the price more competitive. But be aware that the 10% off cards don't apply to all brands...I was shopping in Printemps with a friend and her discount card was not accepted for Lamarthe purchases.
But even if you don't save any money, the memory of buying that favorite bag in Paris has its own value.

Here is another Paris shopping question:

I am considering an Hermes watch (Cape Cod double tour, probably the men's) A discounter on 47th street here in New York tells me she can get it for about 30 percent less than NY retail. I would imagine that this will beat the price in Hermes Paris...any opinions on this?

ekscrunchy..
I, too, was looking at the Hermes watch. Try looking on ebay. I've bought several high end watches on this site and have been very satisfied. However, do your research before you take the plunge.

I'm almost certain that no one except the Hermés stores and certain Department stores like Bloomingdales are allowed to carry their products. Too many fakes on Ebay. Next time I pass the Hermés here, I'll ask if that is true. A friend bought a Chanel suit and she was stiffed!

Almost ALL european made bags, etc are less expensive in France, I have done comparison with LV , Hermes, Gucci, YSL, Dior, and have picked up all these on trips.
As you probably know most of these brands are rarely discounted in the US, and if they are, they are for a model you probably wouldn't wnt anyway!
Mosr bags also are avialable in Europe prior to the US introduction/

I would never, ever buy anything like a designer watch or handbag on eBay. Far too many fakes. In New York, Michael Fina also carries Hermes watches.


http://www.michaelcfina.com/ic/mcfin...y/watches.html


I saw the women's Double Tour Cape Cod for $1400. in the Hermes shop in the Seoul airport but did not kow the US or France price...

I am going to check NYC retail on the watch and report back here next week...I would love to know what they cost in Paris.

I am sure that is true about the desirable handbags being less costly in Europe than here in the US, as Intex says above.

I notice the OP asked about Coach.

Coach will cost more and have a smaller selection. For Coach discounts hit your local outlet mall, not Paris. American brands are NOT a bargin (or even a good deal in Paris)

Longchamp and LV are definitely cheaper in Paris. US prices would be adjusted eventually. The LV queue can be very long and they limit each customer to 2 items per day. You'll find that many tourists from China buy up big to sell back home. Yes, the genuine thing is popular and it's cheaper in Paris. In fact if you hang around the Champs Elysees area you'll be approached by a Chinese national who will give you the cash to buy LV bags. When I was there last the staff was questioning a young Chinese guy before me as he had already bought quite a few bags and it was his third visit. He said he had many female relatives!

Thank you, Cilla. Those bags are HUGE in China. The top hotels are filled with LV, Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, etc etc boutiques but the prices there are even higher than in the US! But of course there are millions of fakes sold there, too; the nylon and leather Longchamps bags were available for about $2 USD!

And you also save the tax if you buy in Paris, no small savings on that amount.

Just to report back as promised:

At Hermes, Manhattan:

Gent's Cape Cod Double Tour watch with leather band..$1800. (for alligator band add about $400)