My wife bought a purse in Italy that qualified for the partial VAT refund. We went to get the customs stamp at FCO in Rome, then to the yellow booth to get the refund. We decided to get euro, in cash. They took 11.50 euro for the processing fee. We asked if we would get more back if we had them put it on our credit card and the rep said 'no.'

That seems like a lot to pay to get the refund. Did we do it incorrectly? Could we have gotten more if we did it some other way?

<<<By the way, I recall Rick Steves' books saying that he never found it worth the while to go through the process. Personally, even if we get $20 for standing in line for five minutes (which was how long it was) we find it worthwhile. It amazes me that Rick, who is thrifty in general, discourages people from doing this.>>>

I'm surprised at Rick too. Maybe he wrote that a while back when getting the refund was a bit more complicated. Or his refund would be insignificant. Sure, I'd stand in line five minutes for $20.

I don't know if there is another way to do it other than to mail the stamped form back to the shop and get a credit on your credit card. This is what I did two years ago for two purchases in Italy and got the credit on only one. I think the other shop tossed the form in the trash.

So, even though you paid 11.50 euro to get your refund (it does seem high), you're ahead of me. I've heard of other people who have mailed the formss directed and got nothing.

that service fee sounds normal.. i thought it was about 10 euros.

this has been subcontracted to a private agency .. so there are handouts all the way .

I'm still waiting to see if I get mine from my trip in March. Got them stamped at CDG and mailed them right there. Not holding my breath.

Well my faith is restored. Just got a credit on my credit card from the diamond store in Amsterdam where I purchased a necklace. Yippee! Now let's see if Le Bon Marche in Paris gives me theirs.

I never notice if I'm charged a processing fee. I'm always so happy to get credit on my credit card. I have never failed to receive credit, and I have mailed lots of VAT forms.

I've never been charged a processing fee for the refund on my credit card, but as I wrote earlier, I received only one of two on my last purchases. It might be worth paying the processing fee and getting the cash.

Sorry to refresh this posting, but wanted to see if there was an answer to my question previously posted on the forum...

I purchased some items and received the VAT forms/envelope from the store to return once stamped. Being a little frazzled the morning of departure, I accidentally checked the forms in my suitcase. Upon arrival in the US, I pulled them out before I went through customs and asked them to stamp the forms. The customs official advised me that I had to take them to the county I live in to have them stamped. I have never heard such an answer before and was a little stunned. Has anyone experienced this? Is it true you can have a local county office validate? Any feedback on this strange incident would be most helpful as it is a decent amount of money I want to retrieve!

Thanks in advance

You must get your VAT forms stamped by the last country in the EU before your flight out. Then you go to a cashier or just mail the forms in the envelope that was given to you. I usually fly out of Nice and into Zurich so mine are stamped and mailed at the Nice airport. It is certainly worth the 5 minutes to get back $300-$00 USD if you make big purchases such as LV. I have never failed to get credit back on my credit card.

Credit card refund is the best, I think, because you're not charged fees beyond what the cc imposes. But obviously you're subject to rate fluctuations -- which can be for or against you.

Yesterday I chose to do a cash refund at Heathrow. I had them refund the money in dollars, and my quick calculation in my head showed that they pocketed 10-15% of the refund. I got back $34 and was expecting close to $40. Not sure how much of this was due to unfavorable exchange rates or how much was due to a fixed processing fee.

I did it this way because I decided that I wanted cash this time and didn't want to run the chance that I may not get a cc refund.

We fly home from Paris, changing planes in Frankfurt. I am a little concerned as there is not much time in Frankfurt, but I still have to get the form stamped THERE, even if I'm not stepping out of the airport? Can't get it done in Paris?

Reading all your stories, I think I;m beginning to see the wisdom of Rick Steves" comments!

The wife and I used to do those VATS refunds too but it's such a big hassle that we rarely bother anymore. We also can't afford to buy big ticket items any longer because we spend every penny we make just getting there, paying for rooms and dinner and transportation costs.

Tropicalkerry, you get the forms stamped in Paris, BEFORE you check your bags. The officials have the right to demand to see the items to prove they are leaving the country. I've almost never had this happen, but it is possible. You are merely transiting Frankfurt; your city of departure from the EU is Paris.

thank you shellio!

Years ago I filled out a form and dropped it in a designated drop-box at Malpensa airport on my way home. I dont' recall getting anything stamped (but perhaps I did...it was a while ago) but the credit did show up on my Amex stmt.

I've heard that some shops, especially proprietor run shops may give you a lower price if you bargain about not wanting to go thru Tax Refund, which i think does cause the shop extra paperwork

is there any validity in this - if forego Tax Rebate they may lower the price?

<<is there any validity in this - if forego Tax Rebate they may lower the price?>>

I hope someone can answer this. My thought is: Don't shopkeepers have to collect the tax? If so, I don't see how giving a lower price would benefit them.

My experience with a small shop in Paris was that the owner gave me the discount but said that if I didn't mail the forms back, they would have to charge the full tax on my credit card. The paperwork for the shop doesn't seem too complicated. Large department stores have someone in their customer service departments do it and it's pretty quick, just a matter of filling out name, passport # and price paid (maybe home address).

<My thought is: Don't shopkeepers have to collect the tax?>

If they follow protocol but everywhere there are some sales that are not reported.