Enjoyed the Q&A and for being straight forward about everything especially what you pay for an item and how the appointments were secured. I hate when people beat around the bush and you are always upfront which is why I subscribe to your channel. And you don't pretend to be someone that you are not.
Thank you for answering the Australian duties question, I've been wondering about it for a long time. Other Australian youtubers would not answer the question, so I appreciate your openness and honesty! FYI you have to have owned and used the goods for 12months for it to be exempt so you can't tell them you've been using it for a week while overseas or anything like that. You're right in that it would be very hard to prove given that you didn't bring any boxes or receipts with you. So glad to hear that you and Dayle had a wonderful time and made me laugh to imagine you explaining your power off mode to Dayle.
Thank you. Yes, it’s all about how hard customs want to work to prove what you have. Then the pay off of duties against their time proving it. Mostly they have bigger properties.
@@livingluxwithmeredithJust a heads-up. You may want to check with a lawyer to know if Customs have the burden of proof when it comes to whether you have bought the items out of the country, or if the burden lies with you. When it comes to taxes, if you’re claiming you don’t have to pay it, the burden of proof may be on you. I am a lawyer in Canada. Our Customs sound very similar to what you are describing for Australia and I always bring receipts to prove that the bags I am taking out of the country belong to me just in case they want to charge me duties on them when I return. Also, Customs have connections in other countries, even if they can’t see if you got VAT back. They can tell by serial numbers on the items (and possibly date codes) if the item was only meant for sale in a European country or anywhere else. If you get caught lying you’ll be lucky if all they do is charge you with the duties owed and a fine. You will likely be tagged and flagged every time you leave the country and re-enter. I declare EVERYTHING, it’s not worth taking the chance. I’m not familiar with Australian laws, but it’s probably not a bad idea to check.
Enjoyed your video you are very honest and forthright with your information. I am sorry people are so rude about an eye problem. I have never noticed and I watch all of your videos. Thanks for sharing and I am glad you had a great time
Great video. On the topic of customs I wanted to share my experience. I recently got back from a trip from Japan and bought a $2000 bag from Loewe at the Airport in Tokyo tax free. I ticked the box for the customs/tax free question. I was sent to Customers officer's line. When they enquired why I ticked that box, I told them of the bag I purchased, as it was pretty obvious given a big Loewe shopping bag. They asked me how much it was. I said ~$2000. They're response: "Oh that's quite low" and then small talk about how to pronounce the name "Loewe" and I was ushered out. So, no issues, just more time being directed to the officers line, rather than directly to exit.
I've done quite a bit of traveling and the worst customs I've been tgru is in Aruba. Coming and going . It makes me sad that someone would pick on you. Don't let anyone pee on your parade. You're awesome! So is Amelia. I obviously don't know you guys personally, but I can tell you're both good people.
Great video! The best Australian International conversion free card is 28 degrees Mastercard with latitude financial 👍 Have had it for 15 years! The best 🙌
Hi Meredith, thanks for taking your time out with answering all these questions. Wrt the “how are they going to prove it”, do you not think customs/ABF have the authority to ask to look at say, the credit card statement to verify if the items were indeed purchased very recently? Also, if one has made sizeable purchases, I suppose one would carry the invoices back with them. So if the ABF decide to open the luggages and find receipts of the items purchased, then it could get a little messy! This is such a murky topic.
I don’t carry receipts. I don’t keep them. Asking fir credit card statements would be a legal issue. They would need to request them through my lawyer. They can’t demand them as they are outside their jurisdiction.
I agree with you the "customs" issue. It's best to not bring back boxes and to check your items into your luggage as well. I went from US and transited through an Asian country to get to Australia and no one checked. On my return - same thing they did not check. That said, if you do claim taxes on departure from Australia to another country, you need to have the goods in your bag and receipt.
so sorry that your experience was ruined by that crazy Hermes SA. I know how that can hamper the whole memory but you did get an amazing bag and so did Dayle so block that biotch out of your mind hahahahah xoxoxo
Thank you for sharing your experience and all the answers. Commonwealth Bank offers the Ultimate Awards Credit Card, that doesn’t charge you international transaction fees. I got it last year, before I went overseas. I’m sure there are plenty of other banks that offer the same
Love that you are so honest. Still not so sure Paris is connected with US, but since Pablo flags certain purchases maybe there is a trigger of $10,000 or some number. My last trip to Paris from US was 2021. They don’t directly ask anymore when you get stateside, well certain cities are more strict than others and are set up differently. There is suppose to be some unwritten code that we are just suppose to volunteer the info. I have never declared in the 10 plus visits to Paris. But of course only the last 4 visits or so did I actually spend enough money. The real reason I do not declare is because my husband makes my life impossible in that setting. He travels for work and just wants to get home.I have told myself that if in the future I go alone and purchase a bunch of stuff I will volunteer to declare. Anyway love your honesty and your vid’s. Thank you.
Hello, as you were answering the questions. I am wondering do you have a video unboxing the LV Duck behind. I don't recall, if you do. Can you link the video below? Please! It would be nice to see the LV Duck inside again. Thanks
What a fabulous trip, full of wonderful experiences! Paris is really a dream. I was there last year for the first time, and I am DYING to return!! The LV house visit: truly a dream come true for such a long term passionate LV fan and collector as you. As for the Paris Hermes experience, I just don't get it: customers spend tens of thousands of dollars and are often times treated so poorly. It's like the Fendi fox order experience where you just said "no" because of the pressure and huffy attitude. Honestly, the gall of some of the Houses is beyond me (and why people are willing to put up with anything other than red carpet experiences for those prices).
A part of it is social media, a bigger part is human nature, people want something hard to get, same as Rolex, there is now a waiting list for Datejust, before I can walk in and get one at 25% discount! The same thing happens elsewhere, including restaurants, concerts, the list goes on!
Great Q&A❤️ I feel the exact way when it comes to taking luxury bags when I travel. I just do😅 I’ve never felt unsafe or worried, be that NYC, San Francisco, Paris, London, even Rome…. I think Europe gets a bad wrap when it comes to safety and pickpockets.
This was a great Q & A lovely Meredith. You must have been exhausted by the end of it with so many questions but then it shows just how many people love watching you. 😁 It saddens me again when you speak of your experience with Hermes. Even though you did get your stunningly gorgeous Birkin and other purchases that still doesn't make up for the way you were treated. I wish it had been a fun, amazing and a very happy memorable time for you there. It was obviously memorable but for not the right reasons. I am just so happy for you that you had Dayle there to support you because I know if it was me and I was alone and treated like that I would just want to walk out and I would have felt very disheartened. I must ask, you say you didn't have receipts on you, do you get the stores to email them through to you ? I am sure you would want copies in case of any concerns with any of your items. I have never been overseas so it is very interesting to me hearing about how you bring everything back. Thank you for this wonderful video. Much love. Jenni. XX 💕
Thanks Jenni. All my purchases get recorded on my profile so if anything ever goes wrong I could easily get access to copies of receipts. I hope you’re feeling well! Xx
@@livingluxwithmeredith Thank you Meredith. Like the saying goes 'slow and steady wins the race' and that is me at the moment but I will get there. Nothing keeps this old duck down. I am so hoping to get into the LV pop up shop in the city before it closes on the 28th of December. 🤞XX😁
I dont have the budget for first class travel but that much luggage would stress me out. Not criticising your choices though. First time my husband suggested carry on only i panicked & i do struggle to fit everything into a carry on case & tote bag but its so much easier. We usually get to the airport very early (we're a long way from most airports) & i can go straight through security without worrying about check in. I've only travelled carry on within Europe though.
Do you need your receipts when claiming VAT? Do you bin them at the airport? You mentioned you needed to look for the Hermes receipt, do you get them emailed or hide elsewhere. Could I keep a box in my check in or would they check that too 😢
I threw my receipts out once all my paperwork was processed and accepted for VAT. My Hermes receipt did make it home with me by accident. It was rolling around on my handbag from that day.
Well, I find that so refreshing that you’re that honest most people would lie and say, of course I declare it and they’re such liars. You’d have to be an idiot in my opinion to declare it when you just gave all of those valid reasons why you really don’t need to.
I sold a puppy in Florida to a Canadian. I wrote a receipt for a purchase price. Customs in Canada actually phoned me to question the price! Another puppy buyer hid her contract in her shoe crossing the border driving back into Canada. 😂 Maybe Hermes vIp experience was because you had high expectations or desires and felt uncomfortable with CA.
FABULOUS 🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷🙌🏻🩷…..ps I’m so sorry people have made fun of your eyes here on RU-vid, you are a beautiful lady🩷….as a former educator before I became a designer, I shared with all of my students….. kindness always wins! Thank you for a wonderful video, our QUEEN of luxuries 🫶
