Over the years i’ e had two arguments with my wife that won’t go away. Both over handbags. First one was when we were dating. We saw a very delicate limited edition from a local brand that was around $500. Cherry blossom pink (?) and gold plated parts. Most delicate but not worth the money IMO. Considering what the spend on my hobbies i was a miserable rat refusing her the purse. Shame on me.
The next one was our first trip to Paris. Had to drag her to Galleries Laffayette. She bitched all the way to the door and then fell in love with a Valentino bag that was the first thing she saw once inside, no kidding. Two steps in and the got striken by lightning.
That little shit costed €1250 and was diminute and tubular. Possibly hand tailored to fit a can of Coke and nothing else. No room for a phone.

It was the first shop we saw, i tell you. She got too upset to enjoy the rest of the visit. We bought some stuff, presents mostly.

But that shitty (useless) bag still haunts me to this day and has become a recurring argument.

Next time i promise i’ll let her have what she wants.

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Mrs. Lee wanted to go to the Galleries Lafayette too, as the LV store on the Champs Elysee had ridiculous lines. But they had the bag she wanted and they gave her the VAT refund paperwork too, so she got that back at the airport. If you're into that kind of stuff, it's usually cheaper to buy in Europe even with their high VAT, but then you get most of that back upon leaving at the airport.

^^^^^ Wife is definitely NOT into that kind of goods. That is why i stepped on it refusing her.

Also it is not advisable tor us Argies to reclaim tax refunds abroad as local government gets wind of it (maybe the use of CC?) and they come after us chickens with over 100% taxes, administrative fees and fantasy whatnots. Mum’s the word, wesuck on it hem VAT. Wife’s a CPA and kearns from her clients mistakes. And boy are they dumb.


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Oh, all this stuff is well over the personal duty free exemption for Americans, but all those luxury brands in tourist areas advertise the VAT refund and their refund locations are pretty conspicuous in the airports too. I would think it'd be easy pickens for US Customs to police this stuff more if they wanted to. I have Global Entry and have never been asked anything upon return home since I got it.

Are high priced items worth it, not really because most of the time there is something cheaper that will function as well or better. I like to watch Youtube videos on how a lot of luxury items are made. If you look at the attention to detail, design, material and HOURS! spent making them you can understand why the prices are high to begin with. Then you add the desire and rarity and brand hype to it and also lots of excess currency chasing exclusive items and you end up where we are today. Although watch prices have been declining lately.