Can tourists buy Rolex? What about Tax refund?

[Rolex Sniper]

Hello Everyone,

I am going to travel to switzerland for tourism, if lucky, I am planning to buy Rolex from there, the question is: Will they sell Rolex to tourists? If I buy one, will they fill a VAT refund form to get a tax refund at the airport?

Appreciate your help

[OG1982]

Welcome to the forum.

[V25V]

lol, not gonna happen. They could sell. But 99% chance, they won't. They will have plenty for you to see, nothing to buy however. Enjoy your trip, forget buying a Rolex, AP, PP, etc.

[jimcameron]

Will you be returning to Mars? If so, no tax refund.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

It’s ironic that you’re unlikely to find what you are looking for in the motherland

[HubbleNox]

Space tax

[77T]

Yes an AD would normally assist with VAT refund if…

You’re shopping at one that offers tax-free shopping.

And they have what you want.

Unfortunately, that has a very low probability of success.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Rolex Sniper

Hello Everyone,

I am going to travel to switzerland for tourism, if lucky, I am planning to buy Rolex from there, the question is: Will they sell Rolex to tourists? If I buy one, will they fill a VAT refund form to get a tax refund at the airport?

Appreciate your help

Not if you are a little green man

[amh]

I predict they will say: "No Rolex for you, go back to your country and buy there."

[Guppydriver]

Don't be fooled by these socially impotent yahoos.

It's all about your approach and your charm.

I can honestly see you picking up a SS Daytona and a BLRO while there, maybe even one of those Emoji Day Dates. Seriously. Not only will you get your VAT back, but if you play your cards right you may be able to persuade them into a small 5-10% discount off retail.

[Calatrava r]

Your best bet is to shop locally by finding an AD in your area and visiting them regularly. If your prepared to make a five to six-figure bundle for a watch, you can probably buy anywhere in the world as a walk in.

[TheRtHonA]

My colleague went last summer and managed to buy a datejust. They assist you with the tax refund questionnaire but it might involve getting a physical stamp as you leave the country or scanning a code on a global blue device. The AD you buy from will help you.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Don't be fooled by these socially impotent yahoos.

It's all about your approach and your charm.

I can honestly see you picking up a SS Daytona and a BLRO while there, maybe even one of those Emoji Day Dates. Seriously. Not only will you get your VAT back, but if you play your cards right you may be able to persuade them into a small 5-10% discount off retail.

Yeah change your attitude OP! ADs can smell desperation a mile away!

[Rolex Sniper]

Really appreciate your responses, they really helpful.

[Rolex Sniper]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Don't be fooled by these socially impotent yahoos.

It's all about your approach and your charm.

I can honestly see you picking up a SS Daytona and a BLRO while there, maybe even one of those Emoji Day Dates. Seriously. Not only will you get your VAT back, but if you play your cards right you may be able to persuade them into a small 5-10% discount off retail.

approach and charm, can you recommend certain skills?

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by Rolex Sniper

approach and charm, can you recommend certain skills?

Try complimenting the sales associate on their knowledge of the brand and etiquette.

I got a Daytona by saying something like “wow I learned a lot today, thanks for indulging me”. And other things that made them feel
Important.

[Wee-Willie]

When we were vacationing in Interlaken Switzerland, my wife bought me an Air King & the dealer filled out the form to get back the VAT to drop off at the airport....BUT...this was in 1999.

[Rolex Sniper]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Try complimenting the sales associate on their knowledge of the brand and etiquette.

I got a Daytona by saying something like “wow I learned a lot today, thanks for indulging me”. And other things that made them feel
Important.

I got it, praise them as much

[Rolex Sniper]

Originally Posted by Wee-Willie

When we were vacationing in Interlaken Switzerland, my wife bought me an Air King & the dealer filled out the form to get back the VAT to drop off at the airport....BUT...this was in 1999.

that was very old, now Rolex became more complicated

[nocaps]

i posted this on the forum last september based on my actual experience.

recently, i stopped by several authorized dealers in lucerne and zurich, and
was politely told that they sold to locals, and those with purchase history
were bumped up the list. no surprise here. here's the twist. one saleslady
in a high volume store was particularly helpful. i was told that they had
new watches delivered to them several times a week, and most were
spoken for. however, those that were not presold were available for
sale to non-locals, and to come back the following day at opening time.
i was offered two 36mm datejusts, one had the new mint green dial and
the other had the new blue dial. i declined both because i was looking for
the 41mm version. she suggested that i come back in two days, at which
time i was offered a 40mm white gold day-date with a black dial and
diamond indices. again i declined, as i already have a white gold
president. although i didn't get anything on my wish list, i'm putting
this out there in case it somehow helps other members.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by Rolex Sniper

approach and charm, can you recommend certain skills?

I feel bad now...

I was being facetious my friend.

Enjoy Switzerland, it's a beautiful country.

[jimcarver]

No chance of getting one from an AD from what I saw a few months ago. But of course you could buy one, what makes you think you couldn't?

If by some miracle you did find one then yes, I believe you could claim the tax back, but only if new, not used / from a reseller.

[Rolex Sniper]

I believe I can find many, because logically speaking where those Rolex watches are gone? don't say the AD's are just keeping them at boutiques for show !!

[Rolex Sniper]

Originally Posted by nocaps

i posted this on the forum last september based on my actual experience.

recently, i stopped by several authorized dealers in lucerne and zurich, and
was politely told that they sold to locals, and those with purchase history
were bumped up the list. no surprise here. here's the twist. one saleslady
in a high volume store was particularly helpful. i was told that they had
new watches delivered to them several times a week, and most were
spoken for. however, those that were not presold were available for
sale to non-locals, and to come back the following day at opening time.
i was offered two 36mm datejusts, one had the new mint green dial and
the other had the new blue dial. i declined both because i was looking for
the 41mm version. she suggested that i come back in two days, at which
time i was offered a 40mm white gold day-date with a black dial and
diamond indices. again i declined, as i already have a white gold
president. although i didn't get anything on my wish list, i'm putting
this out there in case it somehow helps other members.

The policy of selling certain product for locals is totally awful, the customers will buy by their own money, Those policies are just to protect greedy traders.