A couple months ago, I asked the PurseBlog community whether or not it made sense to purchase a Classic Chanel Flap Bag. You may remember the post, as it caused quite a stir online. Let the record show that I was (and still am) incredibly grateful for all of the feedback. No comment was left unread.
As many of you know, Chanel introduced yet another price increase this past November on many of its timeless classics, including the Flap Bag. When Megs reported it a few months ago, she touched on the outrage and frustration from consumers—including many of our loyal forum members—who can’t quite understand why prices continue to rise so quickly and sharply, and more importantly, why the quality doesn’t match with the price increase. I daydreamed about purchasing a Flap Bag about six months before the increase, but once it jumped about $300 in price, I was disappointed, to say the least.
[sc_ic_ad1]Regardless, as I mentioned in my past post, I saved the amount needed to purchase my first Chanel, even with the increase. Yet I wasn’t sure how I could possibly justify spending that kind of money on a bag. Most of the commenters weren’t sure how I could justify it either… while some encouraged the purchase, a majority we’re adamant on not giving in.
I am excited (and slightly nervous) to report that I did in fact purchase a Flap Bag and I have no regrets. The purchase happened while I was roaming Champs-Elysées. I stumbled upon the flagship Chanel store and had already discussed with my mother that we’d go inside. Neither one of us actually thought I’d purchase the bag (believe it or not, I actually have quite a bit of self-restraint), but here we are.
Surprisingly, my SA was incredibly friendly. I don’t always get treated very well inside designer-caliber stores, partially because I look quite young and in turn probably don’t appear as the kind of shopper to make a purchase. (Their loss!) I tried on multiple Flap Bags, from the Mini to the Large and Maxi. I even checked out the Wallet on a Chain version. After some moments of deliberation and calculation (VAT refund!), I decided it was worth it. Here’s why.
First off, the Classic Flap Bag size works for me. The Mini and Small were too small, and I worried I wouldn’t get enough use out of them. The Large and Maxi were huge and honestly quite heavy. The Classic size just made sense. With that being said, the price in France at the moment is 4,800 Euros, which is just under $5,400. That’s $200 less than in the U.S., where the Classic retails right now for $5,600. That’s also not taking the 12 percent VAT refund into account, which is around $650. In total, that’s $850 off of a Brand. New. Chanel.
[sc_ic_ad2]I understand that it makes absolutely no sense to fly to Paris for the sole purpose of buying a Chanel. (Airfare, hotels, and food will far surpass that $850 discount.) However, if you find yourself in Europe for a different reason, and you’ve been unsure about purchasing a Chanel, I’d recommend considering it.
It’s been almost two weeks since I purchased it, and I can happily report that I have no buyer’s remorse. I’m excited to put it to good use, and I also look forward to the day where I’ll have the honor of passing it down to someone in my family (hopefully a future daughter!). The bag has stood the test of time (it was released in the ’50s!), and so long as I keep it in decent condition, I’m confident it will still be sought after in many, many years – not necessarily as an investment, though vintage Chanel is a real thing, but more so as something that’ll always hold a little bit of myself, even if I’m not around to wear it.
Interested in making an international purchase? Find out where your favorite bag costs the least.
Actually, the classic flap in the US would have also been charged sales tax, which in NYC puts your total over $6000. So you can say you saved over $1000 on your Chanel bag, depending on the state you live in!
Well, actually, you’re supposed to pay both customs duty for your foreign purchases AND a use tax in the state you live in (which is conveniently the same as the sales tax).
So, following the letter of the law, you don’t save that much.
Ahhh but you get to claim your VAT back upon leaving the EU, which runs around 22%. Since Texas use tax is around 7 1/2%, you’ve got a savings right off the bat
You only get anywhere from 11-15% back from EU VAT (all the middlemen have to take their cut of course). And you have to pay customs duty which can be anywhere from 0-9% (depending on how nice the officer is).
So, it’s about a wash, give or take a percent or two.
Not when you take into account that the price incl VAT was less than the pre-tax price in the US. Take Marina Rinaldi… a Puglisi capsule collection dress is $1600 plus tax in the US. The same dress is Euro 1,100 incl VAT. That once you convert to USD at 1.12 $/€ and factor in a 7.5% sales tax, it comes out to a $500 savings without even claiming any VAT back. I have always declared everything at customs and have only had to pay once when I was a non-resident and bought a gold & lapis necklace for my mum. The duty was quite a small amount. Maybe $50.
It’s not 100% certain that you HAVE to pay duty, even if you declare it. A lot of border guards just wave you through once you declare. It totally depends on how they feel that day, whether they feel generous or want to collect more tax. If you’re lucky, you don’t to pay duty and you actually are saving that much.
Does that apply to LAX or San Francisco International?
That is intresting because everyone I’ve talked to have said that they had to pay at LAX. I think global entry might have given you some benefit along with the actual border guards mood. I’m going to look into global entry a bit more. Thank you for replying though, I gained a lot of valuable information. ?
I bought an Hermes bag in Cologne and declared it at Boston Logan. The border patrol thanked me for actually reporting it and I only had to pay $20 since he combined me and my travel companions’s declaration allowance.
Wow, that’s great!! ? Thank you!
Very true!
Came here to say the same thing. I saved about $1200 when I purchased a Jumbo in Europe last year.
Congrats! I love mine. Enjoy your bag!
Congrats! Make no apologies! Enjoy your bag which will hold lovely memories of your trip with your Mother, too!
At the end of the day, if you love the bag & don’t regret getting it, then the bag is worth it to you 🙂
Congrats!
Your happiness is all that ultimately matters. Congrats babes.
Did you declare the bag to US customs when you re-entered the country?
It’s not anyone’s business to even ask such a question.
Haha – yes it is everyone’s business because if not declared properly, it’s tax fraud. And, as I’m certain you know, tax fraud impacts everyone.
Some border guards just wave you through once you declare it, it’s not a sure thing to pay tax every time you buy something overseas.
“Once you declare” is key!
Not mad here…just jealous and planning the day where I say I’m a proud owner of a Chanel bag.
You will get there…same way im crazy saving for a birkin right now
Just stepping into a Chanel boutique is an experience that you will not encounter anywhere else. I’ve been and purchased from Soho, NY Chanel boutique to The House of Chanel in Paris, without leaving behind a picture at the famous staircase! Definitely, no disappointment at ALL! Is elegance in every piece you see and buy! Not to mention, that is an investment! ?? And yes, you save money when you shop in Europe!
Yay congratulations! Enjoy your purchase! I also got my first Chanel on Friday – an iridescent white WOC!
Congratulations ??
Thanks for the info. How would you get the tax refund in paris? Im going this coming summer. And planning to purchase a chanel bag as well. Im looking forward to that.
Some of my friend tole me that there’s a tax refund. But how does it w
ork?
Hand over your passport and tell the store that you are a foreigner and will be getting the tax refund. Big stores such as Galeries Lafayette have their own tax refund counters and can already process your refund on the spot (can be given back to you as cash or reversed through your credit card). Otherwise, all of this is done in the airport. Just look for the tax refund counter. Note that it is better to do the refund in the airport before checking in your luggage as you may be asked to present the item you purchased.
your actual passport is not required, a photo or copy of it will be accepted by most stores. I don’t recommend walking around Paris (or any foreign city while sightseeing) with your actual passport, as pickpockets and thieves do operate in the city, especially in touristy areas. I’ve heard stories of people losing passports because bags got pickpocketed or stolen.
Agreed! Also, Chanel told me “not to wear the bag to customs since I would not be able to receive the tax refund”. I appreciated knowing since it was my first trip to Paris. Also, when you purchase show your passport to the S.A. who will complete paperwork that you present to customs in the airport. It takes 3-4 weeks to receive a check in the mail, but well worth the wait.
Oh yes, forgot to mention the essential part which is the paperwork they will be giving you and which you will present to the refund counter!
People always talk about the savings due to VAT refund, but no one ever mentions that you will be liable to pay duties on the purchase when returning home. I understand that some will try to bring their purchases back without claiming them at the border, but it would be helpful if it was noted in articles like this that your savings of VAT will likely be offset by duties applied by your country of residence.
Purchased one also but not the classic flap…ive always felt that i cannot leave paris without buying a louis vuitton or a chanel bag
Been my most memorable purchase ever because its also my first chanel and bought in paris
I plan on buying my first Chanel in Paris, but I’m waiting for a reasonable reason to go in the first place.
Prices are the same throughout Europe. Can pick up in other countries or at Airports. In airports you don’t have to bother with the VAT refunds because the refund is already reflected it in the prices. Better still you get the FULL VAT back at airports. If yo buy in town you only get part of it.
Thank you for the advice! ?
Buy it from there. You have Chanel + Hermès. Both you pay less plus tax free. ? Good luck! ?
Which bag you wanna buy? The 2.55 flap bag or the classic. In my opinion go with 2.55 flap bag in the size (255) with ruthenium hardware.
I like the look of the 2.55 flap bag, but the classic is a classic for a reason. ? I’m not sure which of the two I would buy. Thank you! ?
I think you prefer the classic more. Right? Gabrielle she designed the 2.55 flap bag. Karl Legerfeld he designed the classic bag back in the early 80’s. I think in 1984. I hop I’m not mistaken with the information. If I did, please correct me. ? So in my opinion the 2.55 is the it bag from this brand. I love it more than the classic. Both of them are beautiful. You can check pictures & videos, and also you go to the Chanel store & try them on and see. Don’t forget you have diamond quilting & the chevron. You’re welcome. ?
I think that I’d go with the classic in diamond quilting. But, if I had enough of a budget than I’d also buy the 2.55 in chevron. ?
Wonderful! ? In which size? This summer, I’m thinking to buy it in small. Maybe in seasonal color. In other time you buy the 2.55 bag. ? I hope you can find the bags you are looking for and add them in your collection. Good luck, Navjot. ?
Large for the classic. I’m thinking normal for the 2.55. Thank you Lina, Good luck to you as well on expanding your collection!! ???
Wonderful! ? I hope you get them. Thank you. So sweet of you. ??
Congrats!! I LOVE my Chanel classic jumbo. Its the crown jewel of my collection and I feel so happy every time I use it. For that alone, the price is worth it IMO.
Congratulations on your new Chanel!! So happy for you – what an awesome memory you made by purchasing it in Paris!!
Enjoy your new bag! It’s a great experience buying your first Chanel. Hope you have many fabulous outings with it. ?????
I unearthed a small Chanel flap that had been stored inside the dust bag inside its original box. I knew I had it but I always associated it with that time in my life when I was much younger (19) and I was “over it”. Hadn’t been used in probably 15 yrs? But am glad I kept the bag. It still looks great and she’s decades old! I broke it out over the weekend and realized a classic Chanel never goes out of style. PS I bought it at the SF boutique for…ready for it? $530! True story. Enjoy your new Chanel. If the bag brings you happiness then it’s worth every penny. You’ll always be reminded of that happy feeling years from now. Trust me. Money can always be made but those moments of time, those can’t be replicated.
Prices are truly insane now. I’m starting to rebel again the inverted relationship between price and quality.
I had the shopping experience of my life in Spain a few months ago. I was offered a mini Constance in Madrid and a mini Kelly in Barcelona a few days later. We declared when we arrived at JFK because I had orange boxes and all in my carry on. We had to go to an office and they processed the purchases and a bill arrived promptly in the mail. You do not save much if you declare. The fine for being caught for not declaring is worse.
Much easier solution…. Shop at Nordstrom downtown Portland where there is a Chanel Boutique within the store and no sales tax. Better yet, you can use Nordstrom points if you use the Nordstrom credit card.
There is nothing like the feeling of buying new from the shop, especially the flagship. Just the packaging makes the experience special. I love that you hope to pass your bag down to your daughters; I have several of my mother’s bags, including a 1960s Gucci. I don’t have daughters so my nieces are going to have to fight it out for my bags once I’m gone.
I recently went on vacation to Paris, bought Goyard bags and did declare at LAX and I was also waved through.