VAT refund

Yes, sometimes they do take longer. You got that first one really fast!

You can check the refund status on the website.
I just returned from Paris also and one of two forms, even though it scanned at the airport, was somehow done incorrectly by the shop and is probably not to be paid.
Unfortunately, it's not a perfect system.

An update.
Hopefully the OP received the refund.
I was mistaken in my thinking that there was only one system.
Just today, I received the second refund as a credit from the retailer to my cc.
Happy shopping!

Can anybody point me to an article discussing the basics of the process? I saw Rick Steves' article about getting a form processed. Where is this form? Should I have them printed and ready whenever I shop? I bought a pair of shoes in Paris (300 €) and tried to discuss the VAT form and the salesman who more or less told me, we don't do that.
Am I out of luck?

Please start a new thread instead of reviving an old one. But in short, yes you are out of luck.

yes, please start a new thread.

yes, you are out of luck. Not all shops participate. They have the forms and give them to you when you go to the administration office, and you then present them and the unused in original packaging articles as you leave the Schengen area, and then you hope.

If the store doesn't participate you don't get a refund. Choice is find another store which does and buy there.

When someone is trying to sell you a E300 item and says 'we don't participate in VAT refunds' that is your clue to walk out of that store and shop somewhere else. Without that form there is no refund; if the store doesn't participate, there is no refund.