Swiss watches & knives

Even a cheap Swatch is going to cost the same there as here. And you won't save due to exchange rate...USD and CHF are nearly even (you would actually pay a tiny bit more). I used to have a coworker who travelled extensively in India and the Philippines on business...others would always ask her to pick-up cheap crap at markets, but I think it was more like pirated DVDs and stuff like that, where there were significant differences in price (even if technically illegal). There really aren't going to be retail price differences on stuff like expensive watches in Geneva compared to New York.

A key consideration might be the VAT rebate. I've never compared the price of a Rolex between Europe and the US, but if the VAT refund would provide a significant discount, I can understand why people might want to buy a luxury item on vacation. By extension, many members of the US military stationed in Germany buy luxury cars that they probably couldn't otherwise afford if they had to pay sales tax. But for a Victornox knife? As I recall, you can buy them at stores like CVS for under $30.

People just seem to get excited when I travel. If I paid attention to all their wants, I would need several trunks! I loved the Rolex I tried on, but I did it knowing full well that I would think it obscene to spend that much on a watch, when I could have several vacations instead!

pirated DVDs and stuff like that, where there were significant differences in price (even if technically illegal) technically? What technically? They are illegal if pirated, counterfeit or black market. No question. No technically. And if caught taking them into the USA they could be arrested and jailed for not insignificant terms.

Pirate - a person who illicitly uses or appropriates someone else's literary, artistic, or other work. In other words, a criminal.

All too funny when I spot an item we bought or considered buying in Europe only to find it cheaper at COSTCO or equal.

Jesus, Nigel! Don't you have anything better to do? I'll see if I can track down that former co-worker from several years ago and share your enlightening and insightful comments. I'm sure she had no idea. While I'm at it, perhaps I should send a message out to the Twittersphere, because I'm sure every high school and college kid has no idea that they're engaging in criminal behavior when downloading free shyte from the internet. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't want to end up in prison with Fleece Johnson. BTW, in no way am I advocating anyone engage in illegal (technically illegal or otherwise) behavior. Thanks for the heads-up! Now, are you heading over to other threads to correct folks on using Chunnel or Frankfort improperly?

Must have been the wrong side of the bed for Michael. For a couple of years I considered buying a Tissot watch in Switzerland. But noticed a couple things about the watches. First, there are models available in Switzerland that are not imported to the US. The model I wanted was only available in the US market. Second, even with the VAT deducted there was little savings over the US price. Mostly a product of the weak dollar. If the dollar was stronger you would have more savings. The days of the strong dollar giving you that saving are over. Finally, most high end watches have high end maintenance. For example, to replace the battery on the Tissot requires a special service center that replaces the battery AND the water sealing and re-certify the waterproofness. My local dealer does it as a part of his service package because I purchased it there but it would be a hundred dollars if I had purchased it somewhere else. So the idea of purchasing in Europe is attractive but makes more cents to purchase locally.

The problem this morning is that I ran out of Kickapoo Coffee and had to settle for some of the worst-tasting coffee money can buy...Starbuck's. I'll be better tomorrow. :)