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dafuture · 3 May 2018, 06:33 AM

I posted a quick question on another thread, but figure it was probably better to post separately.

Over the summer, I'll be in Rome, Capri, and Venice. I'm not necessarily looking for any particular stock, but I was curious if anyone knew of some good ADs to visit in those cities. I know you can get a pretty reasonable discount given the VAT refund, so I'd consider picking something up if I got lucky and stumbled across something I like.

Thanks in advance!

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

I posted a quick question on another thread, but figure it was probably better to post separately.

Over the summer, I'll be in Rome, Capri, and Venice. I'm not necessarily looking for any particular stock, but I was curious if anyone knew of some good ADs to visit in those cities. I know you can get a pretty reasonable discount given the VAT refund, so I'd consider picking something up if I got lucky and stumbled across something I like.

Thanks in advance!

Be really careful about a VAT refund since they limit the time the kiosk is open at the airport and if you can find it. It’s not in their best interest to make it easy for you. I’ve been burned twice and once after the purchase of a watch. Be warned bother!!!

T01 · 3 May 2018, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

Be really careful about a VAT refund since they limit the time the kiosk is open at the airport and if you can find it. It’s not in their best interest to make it easy for you. I’ve been burned twice and once after the purchase of a watch. Be warned bother!!!

Agreed. You must take into account the fees they take as well. It's not all it's cracked up to be.

dafuture · 3 May 2018, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

Be really careful about a VAT refund since they limit the time the kiosk is open at the airport and if you can find it. It’s not in their best interest to make it easy for you. I’ve been burned twice and once after the purchase of a watch. Be warned bother!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by T01

Agreed. You must take into account the fees they take as well. It's not all it's cracked up to be.

Interesting, good to know on both accounts. I'll take a good look at all the associate fees and rules before I buy anything.

Do you have to get a refund in the country you paid for it in before leaving, or can you get it in any EU nation? After leaving Venice, I have a layover in the UK during which the desk will most likely be open.

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

Interesting, good to know on both accounts. I'll take a good look at all the associate fees and rules before I buy anything.

Do you have to get a refund in the country you paid for it in before leaving, or can you get it in any EU nation? After leaving Venice, I have a layover in the UK during which the desk will most likely be open.

You’re screwed if you don’t do it before you leave the country where you purchased the item.

torrente · 3 May 2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

Do you have to get a refund in the country you paid for it in before leaving, or can you get it in any EU nation? After leaving Venice, I have a layover in the UK during which the desk will most likely be open.

I am pretty sure that you need to have in the country where you purchased the piece.
I have not done it with Rolex but Apple has an alternative and not recommended refund method that includes sending the customs stamped invoice plus other documentation via regular mail. Doing that you save the fees of the company that manage the refund but is a bit messy process, to give an idea I needed multiple requests and 3 months to have my Spanish VAT refund for 2 iPhones+accessories. In case that someone missed the refund kiosk may worth checking if you can use this kind of process with the watch.

themast · 3 May 2018, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

You’re screwed if you don’t do it before you leave the country where you purchased the item.

Quote:

Originally Posted by torrente

I am pretty sure that you need to have in the country where you purchased the piece.
I have not done it with Rolex but Apple has an alternative and not recommended refund method that includes sending the customs stamped invoice plus other documentation via regular mail. Doing that you save the fees of the company that manage the refund but is a bit messy process, to give an idea I needed multiple requests and 3 months to have my Spanish VAT refund for 2 iPhones+accessories. In case that someone missed the refund kiosk may worth checking if you can use this kind of process with the watch.

This is not my experience.

I bought my GMT IIc in Capri (nice little AD there, do not expect much stock but always worth a shot) and when I flew out of Italy I was told at the Italian airport to claim the VAT at the last stop before exiting the EU, which for me was Germany.

UK is not EU, you cannot claim VAT there.

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themast

This is not my experience.

I bought my GMT IIc in Capri (nice little AD there, do not expect much stock but always worth a shot) and when I flew out of Italy I was told at the Italian airport to claim the VAT at the last stop before exiting the EU, which for me was Germany.

UK is not EU, you cannot claim VAT there.

You were fortunate that Germany would refund the VAX. You're right about UK as well and that was my experience of trying to get a refund for an Italian purchase.

torrente · 3 May 2018, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

Do you have to get a refund in the country you paid for it in before leaving, or can you get it in any EU nation? After leaving Venice, I have a layover in the UK during which the desk will most likely be open.

You are right, it seems that you can get the refund at any GlobalBlue point, extracted from GlobalBlue FAQ:
“Where can I obtain my refund?
You can receive your refund in the way that’s most convenient. We can pay in cash, refund directly to your credit card, make a direct bank transfer, or send you a bank cheque. You can choose to receive an Immediate Refund, either to your credit card or in cash at the airport of departure, or collect your refund later in one of the 200 international Global Blue Refund Points. If you want the refund on your credit card, or a bank cheque sent to your home address, please fill in your contact details on your Tax Refund Cheque and mail it to the Global Blue address on your Tax Refund Cheque, using the designated envelope”

Ungucpho · 3 May 2018, 08:44 AM

If you're in the area, i picked up my SubC at the following dealer. you can call ahead to get an idea of the stock, but be ready to speak italian. I had an employee at a cell phone store call and speak to them for me, since i can't speak fluent italian. I received a 10% discount, plus 15% vat refund, so it was worth the time for me

RICCI
Piazza A.Saffi 49
47100 Forlì
Forlì
Italy

Tel: +39 0543 24026

dmash · 3 May 2018, 09:03 AM

Good Lord this thread is riddled with misinformation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

You’re screwed if you don’t do it before you leave the country where you purchased the item.

Blatantly wrong. You claim in the last country before you fly back. Otherwise you can buy an item for your European friend, claim the VAT back, hand back to your friend, then fly home days later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by themast

This is not my experience.

I bought my GMT IIc in Capri (nice little AD there, do not expect much stock but always worth a shot) and when I flew out of Italy I was told at the Italian airport to claim the VAT at the last stop before exiting the EU, which for me was Germany.

UK is not EU, you cannot claim VAT there.

Lol really? UK isn’t in EU? Would you mind also clarifying for everybody what that Brexit vote was about?

themast · 3 May 2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmash

Lol really? UK isn’t in EU? Would you mind also clarifying for everybody what that Brexit vote was about?

So you agree with me that the UK is not EU?

dmash · 3 May 2018, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themast

So you agree with me that the UK is not EU?

UK is in the EU (has been for decades) and will remain so for some time, especially regarding trade. You can’t be serious?

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmash

Good Lord this thread is riddled with misinformation.

Hey, you asked and I gave you my input. What I stated happened to me when I bought a watch in Italy; albeit is was ~8 years ago. Notice I said "beware".

Let us know how you make out.

dmash · 3 May 2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir2thor

Hey, you asked and I gave you my input. What I stated happened to me when I bought a watch in Italy; albeit is was ~8 years ago. Notice I said "beware".

Let us know how you make out.

I didn’t ask.....I’m clarifying for the OP so he has some factual knowledge for his upcoming trip.

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmash

I didn’t ask.....I’m clarifying for the OP so he has some factual knowledge for his upcoming trip.

Fair enough... still curious how he makes out so let us know.

dafuture · 3 May 2018, 11:39 PM

I appreciate the info that was thrown out here. The UK is definitely in the EU for the moment, according to the EU themselves:

https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries_en

Outside of that, I'm going to check out the exact rules on VAT. I'm not expecting there to be much stock, but I just want to be prepared in case I get lucky. I know the Milgauss isn't too hard to find...

I'll definitely post an update after my trip about what I see/find. I'll be returning on July 4th, so most likely sometime that day or the next.

mjolnir2thor · 3 May 2018, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

I appreciate the info that was thrown out here. The UK is definitely in the EU for the moment, according to the EU themselves:

https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries_en

Outside of that, I'm going to check out the exact rules on VAT. I'm not expecting there to be much stock, but I just want to be prepared in case I get lucky. I know the Milgauss isn't too hard to find...

I'll definitely post an update after my trip about what I see/find. I'll be returning on July 4th, so most likely sometime that day or the next.

Excellent Plan

If you end up buying a timepiece, please let us know how you make out since I travel internationally quiet frequently and would like to know should the situation arise where I find something that I "need to have"

nikesupremedunk · 4 May 2018, 12:37 AM

I was there 2 weeks ago and the AD's had pretty much nothing, as expected. I did see some TT Subs, Explorer 1 & 2 and a Air King but no SS Subs or GMT's and obviously no Daytonas.

I was pretty pissed because the line took so long at the airport that I didn't have time to check out the Duty free AD. I'm hoping they had nothing in stock as well.

Luchi12 · 4 May 2018, 12:44 AM

You claim back the VAT in the last EU country before your flight home. I made a purchase in Italy a few months ago, I was flying back home (outside EU) via London Gatwick so I did the claim at Gatwick, was very easy, they do you over a little though with the fees on the cash refund.

mjolnir2thor · 4 May 2018, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchi12

You claim back the VAT in the last EU country before your flight home. I made a purchase in Italy a few months ago, I was flying back home (outside EU) via London Gatwick so I did the claim at Gatwick, was very easy, they do you over a little though with the fees on the cash refund.

Excellent information... things have improved since I did this dance 8+ years ago. Thanks for posting.

dafuture · 4 May 2018, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luchi12

You claim back the VAT in the last EU country before your flight home. I made a purchase in Italy a few months ago, I was flying back home (outside EU) via London Gatwick so I did the claim at Gatwick, was very easy, they do you over a little though with the fees on the cash refund.

Good to know! I'll be at London Gatwick myself. I'm assuming a 4 hour layover will give me enough time there to get the VAT refund?

Terrakot · 4 May 2018, 04:56 AM

I’m almost sure that you will get tax refund via Global blue. In the Venice airport after passport check you should find Global blue desk and ask for refund or how to proceed if you going to UK

themast · 4 May 2018, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

Good to know! I'll be at London Gatwick myself. I'm assuming a 4 hour layover will give me enough time there to get the VAT refund?

4 hours should be enough.
Obviously you have to make sure that the seller uses Global Blue and you have to check that Global Blue has a point of presence at the airport that is open during your layover. If I remember correctly, I had to also get a stamp from the local custom office and this added some time also because for whatever reason I had to go through security again in order to get the stamp and then proceed to Global Blue (this was 5 years ago in Germany). At the time, I think it was more convenient to get the refund on the credit card compared to getting cash back.

Torque Time · 4 May 2018, 05:20 AM

There are several ADs in Rome...google can help w locations.

AD in Venice is on St Marcos Square. When Facing the church, it is on the left side of the square under the covered walk area.

I’d ask the AD about the VAT refund and how to recoup before I leave the store. Many AD can give you great advise about process and save the runaround.

Happy shopping!

dmash · 4 May 2018, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torque Time

There are several ADs in Rome...google can help w locations.

AD in Venice is on St Marcos Square. When Facing the church, it is on the left side of the square under the covered walk area.

I’d ask the AD about the VAT refund and how to recoup before I leave the store. Many AD can give you great advise about process and save the runaround.

Happy shopping!

Some AD in Italy will even handle your VAT refund for you on your credit card

Terrakot · 4 May 2018, 05:44 AM

Usually pretty good stock at De Pascalis at Via Veneto and Hausmann at Via Babuino in Rome

Lns888 · 4 May 2018, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafuture

I posted a quick question on another thread, but figure it was probably better to post separately.

Over the summer, I'll be in Rome, Capri, and Venice. I'm not necessarily looking for any particular stock, but I was curious if anyone knew of some good ADs to visit in those cities. I know you can get a pretty reasonable discount given the VAT refund, so I'd consider picking something up if I got lucky and stumbled across something I like.

Thanks in advance!

You can either choose to get a refund by cash or back to a credit card 10.8 on cash and 12% back on credit card

matches · 4 May 2018, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themast

So you agree with me that the UK is not EU?

I can confirm that we are most definitely still in the EU.

dmash · 4 May 2018, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matches

I can confirm that we are most definitely still in the EU.

3 May 2018, 06:33 AM	#1
dafuture "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NYC Posts: 1,944	ADs in Italy? I posted a quick question on another thread, but figure it was probably better to post separately. Over the summer, I'll be in Rome, Capri, and Venice. I'm not necessarily looking for any particular stock, but I was curious if anyone knew of some good ADs to visit in those cities. I know you can get a pretty reasonable discount given the VAT refund, so I'd consider picking something up if I got lucky and stumbled across something I like. Thanks in advance! __________________ Current Rolex Submariner 126610LN \|\| Cartier Tank Americaine

3 May 2018, 11:39 PM	#17
dafuture "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: NYC Posts: 1,944	I appreciate the info that was thrown out here. The UK is definitely in the EU for the moment, according to the EU themselves: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries_en Outside of that, I'm going to check out the exact rules on VAT. I'm not expecting there to be much stock, but I just want to be prepared in case I get lucky. I know the Milgauss isn't too hard to find... I'll definitely post an update after my trip about what I see/find. I'll be returning on July 4th, so most likely sometime that day or the next. __________________ Current Rolex Submariner 126610LN \|\| Cartier Tank Americaine

4 May 2018, 12:37 AM	#19
nikesupremedunk "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Real Name: Andrew Location: NYC Posts: 1,227	I was there 2 weeks ago and the AD's had pretty much nothing, as expected. I did see some TT Subs, Explorer 1 & 2 and a Air King but no SS Subs or GMT's and obviously no Daytonas. I was pretty pissed because the line took so long at the airport that I didn't have time to check out the Duty free AD. I'm hoping they had nothing in stock as well. __________________ \| 116234 DJ36 \| 116610LN SubC \| 116520 Daytona \| BlackBay 58 Blue \|

4 May 2018, 04:56 AM	#23
Terrakot "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Italy-Russia Watch: Rolex LVc/BLNR Posts: 670	I’m almost sure that you will get tax refund via Global blue. In the Venice airport after passport check you should find Global blue desk and ask for refund or how to proceed if you going to UK __________________ Ta-dah! "The best things in life aren't things"

4 May 2018, 05:44 AM	#27
Terrakot "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Italy-Russia Watch: Rolex LVc/BLNR Posts: 670	Usually pretty good stock at De Pascalis at Via Veneto and Hausmann at Via Babuino in Rome __________________ Ta-dah! "The best things in life aren't things"

3 May 2018, 08:44 AM	#10
Ungucpho Banned Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Earth Posts: 264	If you're in the area, i picked up my SubC at the following dealer. you can call ahead to get an idea of the stock, but be ready to speak italian. I had an employee at a cell phone store call and speak to them for me, since i can't speak fluent italian. I received a 10% discount, plus 15% vat refund, so it was worth the time for me RICCI Piazza A.Saffi 49 47100 Forlì Forlì Italy Tel: +39 0543 24026

4 May 2018, 12:44 AM	#20
Luchi12 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Bermuda Posts: 104	You claim back the VAT in the last EU country before your flight home. I made a purchase in Italy a few months ago, I was flying back home (outside EU) via London Gatwick so I did the claim at Gatwick, was very easy, they do you over a little though with the fees on the cash refund.

4 May 2018, 05:20 AM	#25
Torque Time "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Real Name: Archie Location: Washington, DC Watch: TT DJ 1601 Posts: 359	There are several ADs in Rome...google can help w locations. AD in Venice is on St Marcos Square. When Facing the church, it is on the left side of the square under the covered walk area. I’d ask the AD about the VAT refund and how to recoup before I leave the store. Many AD can give you great advise about process and save the runaround. Happy shopping!

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