So, like, let’s get right to it. Is it *cheaper*? The general consensus, and most of the stuff you read online (and the stuff I just copy-pasted from the internet, let’s be real) says YES. Like, a decent amount cheaper. Think, maybe, $1500-$2000 on average. That’s a down payment on a car, people! Or, you know, a REALLY nice vacation… not just to Paris to buy the dang bag. But hey, killing two birds with one very expensive stone is totally a thing, right?
The VAT refund is the real MVP here. That’s like, free money back in your pocket just for being a tourist. Who doesn’t love free money? I mean, 13% back on a Chanel bag? *Chef’s kiss.* That’s what makes the diff, I think.
Now, here’s the thing that kinda throws a wrench in the whole plan… things change. Pre-2020, apparently, it was a no-brainer. Paris was the Chanel promised land. But then, you know, *gestures vaguely at everything that’s happened since 2020*, prices went up. Plus, exchange rates are like, constantly fluctuating. It’s a mess. So, before you book that plane ticket solely for the sake of Chanel, DO YOUR RESEARCH. Get current pricing info.
Honestly, whether or not it’s “worth it” depends on you. Chanel is like, *Chanel*, you know? It’s a status symbol, a piece of fashion history, a legit investment (maybe? Depends on the bag, the condition, the phase of the moon…). Some people think it’s ridiculous to spend that much on a bag. Other people (me, sometimes) think it’s an *investment in yourself*. LOL.
Also, you need to think about declaring it when you come home, especially if you’re buying more than one. Nobody wants a customs hassle. And, like, lowkey… maybe buy it in Paris for the experience, not just the price tag. Walk into the store, soak up the atmosphere, pretend you’re Audrey Hepburn for an afternoon. That’s worth something too, right?
