Athens

[nightchaser]

Hi,
Any forumers can give me some ideas of whether its good to buy a watch in athens? I was planning switzerland till last min decide to go greece to help their economy

[praha335ci]

Night Chaser, I was in Athens and the Greek Islands in May after travelling extensively through Europe including Switzerland. There are quite a few AD's for Rolex in the Plaka area- 2 of them in the main plaka area. There is a AD called Rolex Hellas and also the one which I would recommend is in Syntagma square. The address is 1 kolokotroni square. It on the corner and quite close to the Plaka.

They will give a little bit of a discount but this is the thing which you have to consider. I noticed the bulk of the rolex models which are available ,are the older models and really older series as well so these watches have been sitting there for quite some time. There isn't an extensive selection as well.

Also the VAT refund rate and the way to obtain it back is kind of complicated compared to the other EU countries. There isnt a global blue refund office where you can just front up and get the cash on your exit from Greece. The airport is also not that well organized in the sense that prior to departure the customs stamping office is kind of not that well noticible and if you're in a hurry and miss it then without the stamp the VAT refund is not permitted.

I would recommend Germany if you want to buy a rolex as currently the best country to buy at the moment . More options and less complications for obtaining the VAT back. Athens is ok for a few days( its kind of dirty almost middle eastern like and crowded) but the Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes are much better for a holiday overall.

[nightchaser]

Night Chaser, I was in Athens and the Greek Islands in May after travelling extensively through Europe including Switzerland. There are quite a few AD's for Rolex in the Plaka area- 2 of them in the main plaka area. There is a AD called Rolex Hellas and also the one which I would recommend is in Syntagma square. The address is 1 kolokotroni square. It on the corner and quite close to the Plaka.

They will give a little bit of a discount but this is the thing which you have to consider. I noticed the bulk of the rolex models which are available ,are the older models and really older series as well so these watches have been sitting there for quite some time. There isn't an extensive selection as well.

Also the VAT refund rate and the way to obtain it back is kind of complicated compared to the other EU countries. There isnt a global blue refund office where you can just front up and get the cash on your exit from Greece. The airport is also not that well organized in the sense that prior to departure the customs stamping office is kind of not that well noticible and if you're in a hurry and miss it then without the stamp the VAT refund is not permitted.

I would recommend Germany if you want to buy a rolex as currently the best country to buy at the moment . More options and less complications for obtaining the VAT back. Athens is ok for a few days( its kind of dirty almost middle eastern like and crowded) but the Greek islands of Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes are much better for a holiday overall.

Back from Athens. The customs was on strike and I could'nt claim my VAT back! Know I have to go back to Europe within 3mths... its alot of money!

[praha335ci]

That is sort of a risk that you have to take when you buy abroad. Actually you should enquire at the Greek embassy about the export validation stamp on your VAT refund cheque.You will need to show your passport, airline tickets ,watch, VAT refund cheque, original invoice. That is all that is needed in order to have the VAT refund processed.It will then take approx 7 weeks for Global Blue to process it and another 5 -6 weeks for the cheque to be returned and cleared into local funds.Send the VAT refund cheque and original invoice via registered mail to be on the safe side.
All the best.

[nightchaser]

That is sort of a risk that you have to take when you buy abroad. Actually you should enquire at the Greek embassy about the export validation stamp on your VAT refund cheque.You will need to show your passport, airline tickets ,watch, VAT refund cheque, original invoice. That is all that is needed in order to have the VAT refund processed.It will then take approx 7 weeks for Global Blue to process it and another 5 -6 weeks for the cheque to be returned and cleared into local funds.Send the VAT refund cheque and original invoice via registered mail to be on the safe side.
All the best.

Can you advice me on what to do? I do not have the validation stamp because the Customs were on strike. I have called the Greece Consulate and they have not been helpful; basically they claim its not their problem now since this is processed by Global Blue. I am so sad, lost 2k now because I did not claim VAT

[praha335ci]

Night chaser, For the VAT refund to be processed by Global Blue it needs to have export validation stamping from a EU country. Usually its the last country but any EU country is fine for the processing. Since the Greek consulate is un accomodating- It might just be the clerks there on a small minded self created power trip, you could go in person and insist on asking to have a meeting with an executive officer . If that still doesn't work , you could try the German embassy and ask them for a stamp or any of the other EU countries that are willing to accomodate.