
Shopping Guide in Europe by Winni
Okay let’s see, where do I start?
I have talked to one of our friend and reader of BRAGMYBAG.com for a couple of weeks now, we were very close in contact as she was busy shopping in Europe for designer bags and accessories.
Unknown by that time, she ended up buying Prada, Chanel and Longhamp bags, she also bought a couple of CC earrings, even a Brooch and many more. Her story in Europe is very extended, so sit back and relax; we’ve also received a lot of clear and bright pictures to share with you.
What you also need to know is that her experience is extremely rich, it will help and guide you whenever its your time to shine and shop until your drop while you travel from Rome to Florence, then eagerly hopping on the train to London and only ending up in Paris where you will be shooting an instagram picture at 31 Rue Cambon.
The cities that Winni visited were Florence, Paris and Munich (perhaps even more). But we all know that Florence is the place to be right? Especially the outlets, we dream of shopping designer bags for cheaper prices. Winni had a great time in Florence, but she also wanted to warn and share her less happy experience with you.
You see, she bought a couple of Le Pliage Neo Tote Bags in 32 cm, the store charged her €170 for each bag. By the way, they are the green and purple totes on the couch, right next to the yellow Prada Tote Bags. In Paris she found that that these bags were actually retailing for €130 and she paid €170 in FLORENCE! The price difference is enormous, but there was no time to go back to the previous store and argue, so she had no choice but to accept. Her first advice is: know the prices before you buy!
Now about the tax refunds – we get a lot of questions about this subject. How much tax-refund can we get?
Well, here’s Winni’s experience:
Italy is 14% tax refund for CHANEL, however you can only get 12.4% tax refund at the outlets in Florence. France is 13.4% tax refund on credit card and 10% for cash. Germany is 12% tax refund.
By now, you might want to know about the prices of these bags. Let’s start from the top left:
The Longchamp Le Pliage Neo Tote Bags in 32 cm, either in green or purple, they are retailing for €130 in Paris.
Now let’s go the yellow Prada tote – Winni got it for €750 at the outlets in Florence, while the boutiques were selling it for €1300 euro’s.
Then on the right you see two Prada Totes in Fuchsia pink, they were priced at €380 euro’s.
This is a Chanel 2.55 Reissue Flap Bag in black, the leather looks very similar to the Chanel CC Crave Flap Bag. Winni found this bag in Paris, it’s the medium size and retailing for 3550 euro’s.
She also spotted the same bag in Munich, Germany. However, Chanel has probably released a new style, as you see on the images, the stitches are very large compared to the original version. They come in either black or purple. The shape, size, mademoiselle closure and even the chains are similar.
Here are two more colors of the Chanel Classic Flap Bags for this season, it’s in grey and gold/yellow, both very shiny. The price is 3550 euro for the medium size.
The Chanel CC earrings in small are priced 160 euro’s, the others are retailing between 190 to 210 euro’s. The large CC brooch is priced at €380.
This is probably one of the most extensive shopping story we’ve covered so far, with so many pictures and prices shared. I want to thank Winni personally for all her effort and contribution. See more at Chanel Bag Prices.
And if you got any questions, you can drop them below.
Mary
Hi there. Do u have the updated price for long champ pliage neo in small? My friend is going to Paris in Oct and I plan on asking her to pick one up for me.
Cynthia
The price for the Longchamp Le Pliage Neo Bag is 140 euro with VAT.
Jia jia
Any prada outlet at Poland city? How much the tax refund?
Tati Shackleton
Hi Winnie. How much is Louis Vuitton break bag?. Thank you
Cynthia
Hi Tati, which one?
Anonymous
hi do you have any idea how is the price for prada small wallet thanks ?
Cynthia
Prada small wallet price: €430
Janet
Hi Winnie,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
1.) I am looking for the Chanel Classic Flap Medium–does the Florence outlet sell this Classic Flap?
2.) If I purchase a Chanel in Paris and fly out to London ( I hold a Canadian Passport with US Green Card), would I be able to claim my VAT once I leave Paris and enter London?
3.) Is the price of Chanel classics same in Rome, Italy and Paris?
Thank you sooo much in advance!
Winnie
1.) I am looking for the Chanel Classic Flap Medium–does the Florence outlet sell this Classic Flap?
No outlets sells the iconic Chanel Classic Flap Bag
2.) If I purchase a Chanel in Paris and fly out to London ( I hold a Canadian Passport with US Green Card), would I be able to claim my VAT once I leave Paris and enter London?
Yes, you can claim tax-refund on your last stop. London is your last stop, so if you fly from London to Canada, you can apply for tax-refund on Heathrow airport (or other airports in the UK). You will get the VAT back from the country you purchase the product, in this case, Paris. Don’t forget to ask the SA at the Chanel boutique for the special tax-refund documents to apply.
3.) Is the price of Chanel classics same in Rome, Italy and Paris?
Yes it is. The latest prices are available here: http://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices
Lilian
Hi i will be in paris and then taking an eurostar into london. If i buy longchamp tote bag in paris can i still get vat refund from paris since i dont go tp paris airport?
Where is cheaper to get Longchamp tote bag in Paris or London?
Thanks.
Cynthia
Hi Lillian, if you buy in Paris, you can get tax-refund back in London airport. Or other places where they do tax-refund. The percentage of refund will be based on France, since you bought the bag in Paris. I think Paris is cheaper.
Elizabeth
Hi. Any idea how much is the chanel classic earrings? Will be heading to florence and paris. Where woule it be better to get it from?
Cynthia
Hi Elizabeth, they’re priced around 300 – 400 euro. But the Classic has many sizes, this is the normal size, the bigger size (with larger CC) are a bit more expensive.
tra
hi,
i’m planing on buying the mini (small) cc earings in germany. do u know how much they are now?
Cynthia
they’re now priced around 300 – 400 euro, depending on the embellishment. Some has pearls in it.
Jasmine
Hi there. I’m looking to get a pair of small Chanel classic ear rings. I’m heading to London-Amsterdam-Brussels-Rome. Any idea where should I get it? Also, do you happen to have the price on London or Rome? That will be very helpful. (:
Cynthia
Its should be cheaper in Amsterdam, Brussels and Rome. If you really want to get it for the lowest price, try at Rome because tax-refunds is higher. And here are the prices for the Chanel Spring Summer 2016 Collection: https://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-spring-summer-2016-earrings-collection/
Christrab
I purchased some bags at the Longchamp store in Paris in August but really should have bought more – prices were so much less than the US! I will be traveling to Poland in August and there is a store there. Will the prices be comparable to the prices in Paris for Longchamp? Thanks.
Alex
Hi Christrab, we do not have info about Poland, but the country do not use euro and you can get tax back.
Melissa
Hi, I will travelling to florence 2 weeks later. Can i check where did you buy the longchamp buy from? As in which part of florence? Thanks for your help.
charlene
hi alex! if im going italy first then to paris and do the VAT refund in paris before i return to my home country, the italy purchases will be given italy’s vat refund % while paris purchases will be given paris’s vat refund % correct??
also, does florence has any chanel boutiques? I am looking to buying chanel mainly and also other brands from outlet stores. looks like people are saying florence is the best for outlet shopping!
I am going to europe in Dec, but couldnt decide on the cities and countries to go. definitely going paris for the best Chanel shopping experience! but for italy, not sure to go with florence or milan or both!
i am thinking of barcelona as well, is the shopping that great?
thanks!
Alex
Hi Charlene,
1. the italy purchases will be given italy’s vat refund % while paris purchases will be given paris’s vat refund % correct?
This is correct, you get the tax-refund from the boutique you purchase the goods. So if you buy it in Italy, you will get the Italy VAT-refund.
2. Does florence has any chanel boutiques?
Yes its true about designer brands in Florence and there is a Chanel boutique in Florence.
3. Barcelona is not well stock, because they have one boutique (or two) and there are a lots of demand and tourist. Best is in Paris or Italy.
Keep us updated!
Susan
Hello! The large CC crystal studs shown here: http://www.bragmybag.com/file/2014/07/Chanel-Earrings.jpg
How much are they? I’ve been eyeing a pair and am going to London/Spain/Paris next month!
Thank you!!
Cynthia
They are now around 230 euro
Anonymous
Hi may I know which month did she visit the Florence Prada outlet? Thanks 🙂
Karla
Hi, my mom will be traveling to Rome, Italy and Barcelona, Spain next month. We both want to get the Longchamp Neo. Are the prices the same in both countries? Where would you recommend she get the bags at?
Alex
Hi Karla,
Generally it should be the same, but as Winni has mentioned, the prices can differ because the distributors/resellers want to make an extra profit. I do not think it depends on the country. If you know the right price, you can talk to the SA: http://www.bragmybag.com/longchamp-le-pliage-neo-bag/
The price is actually 128 euro’s
Ginny
Hi,
Thanks Winni for sharing your shopping experience in Europe.
If the tax refund for Chanel bags in Italy is the highest, should we buy it from Italy and make Italy the last destination so that we can claim the 14% tax refund? Or can we just buy it from Italy but claim back the tax later if our last stop is Paris?
Thanks much 🙂
Anonymous
Hi winni..can u pls give me the model of the prada yellow tote..thanks
Lily
Love this site… Learn to know which bags I actually would like to add in my wishlist… Very informative…
Thanks a bunch
Alex
Np, do keep us updated about your purchase.
KiKi
Hi Alex
I would like to know the update price for the C C logo Chanel earrings in small size and medium size in Europe, my friend is going there next week. Thanks
Alex
Hi Kiki, it depends on the size. the small ones are retailing for €220 euro right now. The larger ones are retailing for €350 euro. Please check: http://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-little-pearl-earrings/
Lily
Thanks for the information.
I’m travelling to Barcelona-Nice-Monaco-Paris this coming September…
Wondering which one is cheaper…Barcelona or Paris?
Thanks a lot…
Alex
Paris tax-refund is around 11 to 13 percent, but the retail prices are the same.
Feline
Cools. Thanks Alex for the quick info 🙂
Alex
Hi Feline, keep us updated
Feline
Hey readers,
Any idea if where to get the cheapest price for chanel classic flap either Paris pr Italy?
Even though Italy return highest tax refund but the price for bags could be cheaper in Paris….
Cheers,
Feline
Alex
Hi Feline, prices of Chanel bags are the same in every country within the European Union, with exception United Kingdom.
sammy
Hey i live in Spain (Marbella) and i want to buy Chanel Reissue, Lady dior and Dior Soft Compartmentalised Shopping Bag. i was wondering where i can get them cheaper because i dont know if i have a tax refund because i am french.
Thank you
Bisou xx
Alex
Hi Sammy, you are from Spain, you can’t get tax-refund in Europe because Spain (or France) is a part of the European Union. You could try in Heathrow Airport, Chanel at the tax-free area, I am not sure whether they have Dior, but they do carry Chanel bags. But for the Chanel Reissue, they do not sell at Heathrow airport because its an iconic. Another way is to buy in US, some states do not carry sales-tax.
sammy
Thank you Alex:(
Alex
Your welcome, keep us updated.
Akriti
I am travelling to France and Italy in December around Christmas and I really want to get myself either a Chanel or a Dior … Where do you suggest I buy it from??
Alex
If you want it cheaper, Italy will give you 14 percent tax-refund, which is the highest. But do you have in mind which bag you want?
Akriti
I don’t have anything specific in mind but I like to go in for the classics. And is it true that Italy gives you the best deal in Chanel in the world??
Alex
Hi Akriti,
Here are the classics for Chanel: bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices
Here are the classics for Dior: http://www.bragmybag.com/dior-bags-new-prices/
You can also find the leather guides, which explains every details about the leathers, you can find them in our top menu, in the fashion section > Leather Guides.
Italy gives you 14 tax-refund back, while France is 13% as you can read from Winni’s story.
Lily
Could you please share what is the tax return for Barcelona?
Thanks…
Anonymous
My Fren said is 14%. But less choices
Hime
**Le Pliage Neo Tote Bags –correction
Anonymous
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VIA DELLA NINA 7/R
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Hime
Hi!
Could you please please tell me the shop address in Paris that sold yellow Prada Tote at price €130?
Thanks
Winni
I bought it at Galeries Lafayette. U can get it at ground floor n 4th floor. But the color is lesser compared with boutique store.
Bianca
Thank you for sharing your shopping experience with all Winni! Loved seeing and reading about all your amazing purchases!
Anonymous
How many Chanel bag you can buy per passport ?
Alex
Have you read this? http://bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices/
Anonymous
Can u pls give me the model of the prada yellow tote. Thanks
Danielle
Can u pls give me the model of the prada yellow tote. Thanks
tina
Hi Winnie,
Love your bargain! Very lucky indeed
Im going in July for a big shop, i hope to score lots and lots too! I will take lots of photos and come back here to share! Fingers crossed
Anonymous
The longchamp was selling a €130, not the Prada tote