I had my first luxury shopping experience at the first Chanel store in Paris! 31 Rue Cambon, is the oldest Chanel store in the world! For starters let’s say that this was the first time that I bought myself something from a luxury designer store.
Many say that the best Chanel stores are in Paris, and I believe it! How could it not be? After all, it’s where Coco Chanel first established the luxury brand.
“Chanel is cheaper in Paris”
Chanel is cheaper in Paris as products are most likely cheaper where they originate. Many luxury brands are actually cheaper in Paris. According to Petite in Paris, “Brands that are created in Europe are cheaper because when these luxury goods are shipped all over the world there is an import tax, duty tax and transportation cost associated with it.”
You also receive a TAX REFUND on luxury goods in Paris! Petite in Paris details all the info below!
“The great news is that if you spend over 175.01 Euros you’re entitled to the tax refund process in Paris. The tax refund includes luxury goods! Most of the time the sales associate will automatically fill your paperwork but in case they don’t make sure you ask! You are only eligible for the VAT tax refund process in Paris if you are a non-european citizen and are not part of the EU. Here is a quick breakdown of the the qualifications:
- Spend more than 175.01 Euros in the same store, the same day
- Cannot be a member of the EU (European Union)
- Must be older than 15
- Must not be in France longer than 6 months
- Make sure you have your passport with you the time of the purchase
When you are processing the tax refund paperwork you have the ability to get the VAT tax back immediately in cash or you can have it added back to your credit card which can take up to 3 months. If you want cash back immediately you receive 10.8% of your purchases back as long as you depart from the EU within 21 days. If you decide to wait and have it refunded on your credit card you will receive 12% cash back. If you decide to add the tax refund back to your credit card, sometimes I can be processed very quickly such as 2 weeks and other times (especially during the busy season) it can take up to 3 months.”
A lot of people wonder if you can buy a Chanel handbag online? If you want to buy a new Chanel bag directly from Chanel then the answer is no, you have to go into the store. According to Fashion for Lunch, “The Chanel website is not shoppable. You can view the seasonal collection online and most of the classics, you can even see prices (which you couldn’t a few years ago) but you can’t buy your Chanel on the Chanel website. So if you want to buy a Chanel handbag direct from Chanel you will have to go into one of their stores.” The fact that you have to shop Chanel in-store made it more exhilarating and special for me!
My First Luxury Shopping Experience
Okay, let’s get back to my first in-store luxury shopping experience. I walked in and was immediately greeted and asked if I wanted to speak to a sales specialist. I noticed security guards at all the entrances and rooms. I said yes, and someone different came to help me, dressed head to toe in Chanel. I told her I was looking for a card holder. Everyone spoke English.
She brought me to a section on the counter where there were two seats. She also brought us two glasses of champaign! She put on black gloves and pulled out a tray of all the options. We discussed the difference back and forth and she gave me advice on the materials and durability. I was so excited I couldn’t sit down!
I finally picked the one I wanted, the classic card holder grained calfskin & gold-toned metal in black. She escorted me to a different room where I sat down in an office where we filled out paperwork. Yes, there’s paperwork. They registered me with my purchase and explained the VAT tax refund process. In the end I ended up saving around $100 USD for my classic card holder.
Chanel has great customer service and actually gives you the tax refund right there and then on your credit card. They do not charge for the tax when you make the purchase so you don’t have to wait for your refund!
After all that was done my same sales specialist met me in the store, walked me to the exit and handed me my Chanel purchase in a beautiful bag! I walked out of the store feeling on cloud nine! Chanel is a legend in my eyes, and being in that store was like being in a museum, but I could actually shop what was inside. I felt like I took home a piece of art.
Thanks Paris for my first luxury shopping experience! I will never forget it! To read more about my first time in Paris ready my post “First Time in Paris for my Birthday”.
Photos by Leslie Moncada
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