Buy UK or Thailand ?

[___MIKE___]

jshell said:

bazza. said:

Some people don't like the idea of buying a watch which the tax duty hasn't been paid on I've seen it
Happen a few times on TZ with guys pulling out of deals after they find its a grey import

At any point you could be asked for proof you paid import tax on it

And how exactly would you prove it? Customs only give a CC receipt. They don't give a signed certificate saying 'This watch has had import duty paid'!

Anyone refusing an overseas sourced watch is a little dim to be honest...

TZ has a few duty-justice-warriors who seem jealous that others are getting decent deals elsewhere.

Agreed and the nonsense about the green and red channel, if you're that bothered then send the box home at the post office.

[nikaiyo2]

TheGuru said:

Siam Paragon (department store and the individual shops) definitely one of the better places, many brands you will be able to get 20-25% immediately. Then around 7% tax refund at the airport.

I was there this afternoon, REALLY expensive Tudor Heritage Chrono was 163000 bhat, so £500 more than UK list price, so best will in the world I might have negotiated down to UK prices... Can't see any point that.
In the Gaysorn they had some stunning Corum bubbles again UK prices or a bit over!

[david hockney]

Provenance is key- if spending several grand on a watch it's understandable to favour a U.K. watch/box/papers
rather than paperwork for a watch from a shopping Mall in Thailand

[Speed 3]

Looks like the consensus is buy UK, at the airport to save the VAT if I pick the Moonwatch. Got a day at Bluewater next Friday so will have a good mooch at new/used in the 3 dealers there and try to make my mind up. Then got a ski weekend in Italy before Thailand so could buy from LGW or later at LHR where I know you can reserve what you want if they stock it.

Thanks all !

[yetra]

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

[Speed 3]

yetra said:

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

No you don't, UK airport "duty free" prices are ex-VAT at purchase wherever you are going internationally, no need to claim back anything. Up until a couple of years ago you could even fly UK domestically and save it because they didn't distinguish flight numbers, I bought my wife a Rolex VAT-free legitimately from T5 on an LHR-EDI-LHR day trip in 2013, that UK loophole now closed off I believe.
.

[nikaiyo2]

Speed 3 said:

Looks like the consensus is buy UK, at the airport to save the VAT if I pick the Moonwatch. Got a day at Bluewater next Friday so will have a good mooch at new/used in the 3 dealers there and try to make my mind up. Then got a ski weekend in Italy before Thailand so could buy from LGW or later at LHR where I know you can reserve what you want if they stock it.

Thanks all !

I would imagine mentioning that you are flying soon and will leave to see what they are offering at LHR would get you 20% off in Goldsmiths etc.

[___MIKE___]

david hockney said:

Provenance is key- if spending several grand on a watch it's understandable to favour a U.K. watch/box/papers
rather than paperwork for a watch from a shopping Mall in Thailand

You realise the malls in Thailand are just the same as the malls in the U.K. So I do not see how it is understandable at all?

[yetra]

Speed 3 said:

yetra said:

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

No you don't, UK airport "duty free" prices are ex-VAT at purchase wherever you are going internationally, no need to claim back anything. Up until a couple of years ago you could even fly UK domestically and save it because they didn't distinguish flight numbers, I bought my wife a Rolex VAT-free legitimately from T5 on an LHR-EDI-LHR day trip in 2013, that UK loophole now closed off I believe.
.

Not sure when you last flew but duty free for EU residents for flights within EU doesn't exist any more. If you fly within EU you won't be able to purchase VAT free. This has been the case for at least 7 years now. If you leave EU you will get it VAT free (or with a discount equal VAT so you don't have to claim) but technically you have to pay VAT once you're back.

[Speed 3]

yetra said:

Speed 3 said:

yetra said:

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

No you don't, UK airport "duty free" prices are ex-VAT at purchase wherever you are going internationally, no need to claim back anything. Up until a couple of years ago you could even fly UK domestically and save it because they didn't distinguish flight numbers, I bought my wife a Rolex VAT-free legitimately from T5 on an LHR-EDI-LHR day trip in 2013, that UK loophole now closed off I believe.
.

Not sure when you last flew but duty free for EU residents for flights within EU doesn't exist any more. If you fly within EU you won't be able to purchase VAT free. This has been the case for at least 7 years now. If you leave EU you will get it VAT free (or with a discount equal VAT so you don't have to claim) but technically you have to pay VAT once you're back.

As I said, I bought that Rolex in 2013 and that was what I was advised to do by the reseller on a prior trip through LHR before I made the specific buy trip as agreed with them. In all the flights I have made through LHR/LGW I have regularly purchased items at 20% off (standard tagging on clothes for example). The guidance here is less than understandable:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise-...

Upon return you are guided to blue, green or red according to where you have come from. I've never been stopped in any of the dozens of arrivals at blue or green. Whether they are discounting or VAT-free I don't really care, if they're jeopardising their status by giving incorrect advice that's their risk. I don't think the authorities are that fussed TBH.

[Speed 3]

Well in the end I bought the bullet and ordered a new Speedmaster from Dom H for the same price as airport. Had a bit of a debate about getting a 1967 Pre-Moon but as I want it as a near-daily and with the variability of originality being a minefield he advised buying new. Picking it up in January just before the birthday, he's honouring current price even if Omega have put them up by collection time.

Still also loving the look of the Zenith El Primero, maybe for my 60th !

[audidoody]

I bought a Sub from Watchfinder with paperwork that showed it was originally purchased from a Rolex AD in Bangkok. I've had entire days go by when people don't notice where it originally came from.

[WelshChris]

Speed 3 said:

Well in the end I bought the bullet and ordered a new Speedmaster from Dom H for the same price as airport. Had a bit of a debate about getting a 1967 Pre-Moon but as I want it as a near-daily and with the variability of originality being a minefield he advised buying new. Picking it up in January just before the birthday, he's honouring current price even if Omega have put them up by collection time.

Still also loving the look of the Zenith El Primero, maybe for my 60th !

When you go to see Dom, go in a van - the Speedy box is massive

Seriously though - He got mine for me, fantastic watch, and such a nice bloke too. Sometimes I wonder about all these threads where people are trying to shave a few bob off the price, flying across Europe, dealing with hassle from iffy dealers etc.etc. - Just ring Dom, he can sort out most of what you need and you won't feel robbed.