Watches of Switzerland

[toon10]

Probably a very stupid question but I'm in T5 quite a lot with work and I always pop into Watches of Switzerland for a browse. I'm looking into buying a Speedmaster in the summer and WoS display a "tax free" price.

I'm not familiar on how you qualify to not pay the tax or do they just discount them at the equivalent of the tax so it is paid but you get the watch cheaper? (or are they relaying on you to declare it at the arriving airport?)

A quick search on their site and they have the following in the FAQ section.

04. Can you buy tax free if you fly within the EU?
Yes, we offer tax free equivalent prices to everyone travelling within the EU, excluding Rolex and Tudor.

Can anyone clarify how/why you would get a new watch cheaper than walking into a high street shop?

[Wills2]

I guess it depends on the brands and range they stock in that store, are they simply matching the duty free price (in the form of a % discount) which is the equivalent discount you could expect to get on the high street.

[toon10]

I'm not too sure. This is the watch (although RRP has gone up since I took this.)

They're advertising the actual price and "tax free" price.

[traffman]

i flew down to Heathrow from Edinburgh purely to purchase a Speedmaster first watch on the moon edition. The tag said 3295. And i paid 2795 or thereabouts.

Then came home to discover it can be found online for thereabouts the lesser price.

I purchased an Omega Black dial quartz seamaster years before for my 40th . I paid around 1295 , and that was a decent saving on retail.

So do some research online before you pull the trigger , just to make you are making a decent saving.

[toon10]

I've done a lot of searching and popped into a lot of shops but I've only ever seen this watch cheaper than RRP at WoS and on Dom H's website. Given Dom's reputation on here I'm happy use him but I'm rarely in London (other than T5) so wouldn't be able to do much in person or get the strap altered. I'm happy to pay the "tax free" price in Heathrow but I don't want to do it if I'm supposed to declare it and end up paying the tax anyway (or a fine.)

[Wills2]

If the EU price is tax paid (which it should be) you won't be liable for any tax or fine, it will show the VAT on the receipt.

They state they are offering an equivalent of a tax free price to EU travellers.

I'll be in T5 on Saturday I'll ask them.

[toon10]

Wills2 said:

If the EU price is tax paid (which it should be) you won't be liable for any tax or fine, it will show the VAT on the receipt.

They state they are offering an equivalent of a tax free price to EU travellers.

I'll be in T5 on Saturday I'll ask them.

I hope that's the case. I'd really appreciate the clarification if you're over that way on Saturday. Virtual pint heading your way

[alorotom]

if you dont get any joy, let me know, I pass through T5 every week without fail so let me know and I can certainly ask too

[Wills2]

toon10 said:

Wills2 said:

If the EU price is tax paid (which it should be) you won't be liable for any tax or fine, it will show the VAT on the receipt.

They state they are offering an equivalent of a tax free price to EU travellers.

I'll be in T5 on Saturday I'll ask them.

I hope that's the case. I'd really appreciate the clarification if you're over that way on Saturday. Virtual pint heading your way

Yep flying to LA, I'll ask and report back.

[RevsPerMinute]

TBH I got a cracking deal for a new one from Dom. Delivered to my desk the day after cleared funds. I just popped down to the local high street retailer and got them to size it for a tenner. Jobs a goodun..

[colin81]

Dom has got one now has he not a 2017 model? why not go for that?

[GT03ROB]

I picked up a watch for my son from WoS at T5 earlier this year.

Price was basically RRP less the VAT.

[Shaoxter]

I've bought stuff from WOS, Tiffany etc when flying within the EU and not had any issues with import duties/declarations. As people have stated they're just giving you a 16.67% discount. If you go to Dixons and try and ask for the VAT-free price on an iPhone, they won't do it because the margins on those are much smaller.

[toon10]

Thanks for all the help. I'm in touch with Dom so hopefully I'll have some pictures to display in the wrist check thread soon!