Bagaholicboy Muses #442 – Chanel Enforces One Bag Per Passport Rule
Having heard of this rule since way back in 2011, it came as no surprise when I found out it was being enforced for real. Yes, Chanel is now enforcing the one-bag-per-passport rule, the latest groan coming from a friend in Paris who was stopped from buying another Chanel bag at Rue Cambon yesterday when she had already bought one the day before at Chanel Galeries Lafayette.
To make matters ‘worse’, one is only allowed to buy another Chanel bag after 60 days within Europe, which technically rules out most of the countries we already head to for work or play. Apparently only a Chanel-Europe-exclusive ruling, and while I can understand most of the lamenting that happened on Facebook, it’s not really a bad thing.
Plagued with cash-rich tourists from the country that shall not be named, they plonk down wads of dollars and then purchase almost everything in plain sight, like moneyed locusts. And if you’re anything like me, the sight of empty, bare shelves is a tear-jerking spectacle, especially after the trauma of a post 12-hour flight jetlag. The other reason is probably to stop resellers from getting in-between the brand and the customer, ending up making decent profits marking up bags they bought in Europe and then reselling them in Asia; in the long run doing nothing positive for the brand’s carefully cultivated image.
Both of which are vulgar. Which calls to mind something Coco Chanel once said. ’I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it.’
Vulgarity comes in different shapes and sizes, but is often found clutching coloured printouts with serial numbers in tow. In other words, I’m with Chanel on this one. Yearly price increments, on the other hand? Not so much.
Image: Chanel
That is one lonely Classic Flap up there. Sniffle.
I am actually extremely pleased to hear this, not so much targeting the overseas clients that come in and take over the shelves more about the resellers. While I appreciate the occasional online reseller, I would must rather purchase from the official store.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my online shopping too! But I think there’s an experience that is irreplaceable about a first hand purchase at an actual Chanel store, seeing your purchase get wrapped up in the sleek black box and ahh, I’ll always remember my first Chanel purchase! I think being able to buy in bulk has taken something genuine and magical away from Chanel, it’s about time some exclusivity is brought back into such an iconic label!
Thank you for the post and update!
Hello BB, one way to get around this is not to ask for the VAT back!
Interesting. Could you provide more information of this? Don’t they ask for your passport which they then keep a record of?
Yes, if we don’t request tax refund then you are not considered as tourist and treated as local buyer so no need to present the passport. Am I right? Still cheaper if we don’t take the tax refund.
You’ll need to present your passport so long as you’re making a purchase, so unless you have two, I’m not sure how it would work.
You can choose not to claim VAT, but the sale still needs to be pegged to an identity if you know what I mean.
The best way is probably to shop with a local, and pay using cash, sans VAT rebate, of course.
i was absolutely was happy to know this bag policy when i was last in Paris, and for the accessories, the SA was really sweet and sought approval from the store manager for me to buy more accessories when he saw me tearing my hair out deciding which piece not to pick! Ah… the French… can be nice can be tough. (FB)
It is not only one bag per passport. The last time I was in Italy last year March, it was already enforced one wallet, one brooch, one belt, etc. per passport.
Strange, when I was in Paris with a friend mid of last year, this was not enforced on us. Perhaps it applies only to the 2.55?
this applies not only to bags but also wallets. 1 item per design per passport for every 2 months. you can however purchase a total of 4 wallets but not of the same design.
I’m sorry i have to say my piece. Those Mainlanders they’re so crude I was told by my SA GL Haussmann she was appalled they have no manners with whom or whatsoever, they want attention immediately they don’t care whether you’re there first.
I totally agree with you, Love! If possible, they’d even wanna buy up the whole boutique. Drives me mad whenever I see them!
This bag policy applies across Europe… if you already bought 1 in Paris and heading to Italy the next… you can’t buy as the record is linked.
However, I think it’s fine if you are not claiming VAT as I bought 2 bags in the same boutique. I just told the SA I’m a Singaporean staying in France and I didn’t show my passport at all… even without the tax rebate it is already much cheaper. So depends how many you want to get I guess.
Hmm BB I don’t think it is restricted to one piece period one passport. I was there in October 2011 and I bought a 2.55 and a Mademoiselle. So I think it is only restricted to one classic bag, one non-classic and 2 pairs of earrings per passport.
I hope things didn’t change lately, if it did then that sucks.
Officially, it’s one bag per passport (classic or not does not matter), along with 4 of everything else in different designs (wallets, shoes, accessories).
This is according to my French SA, but I do think sometimes they will make exceptions. Sometimes.
Hello there, on the topic of Chanel, I just got my Jumbo Classic Flap (Lambskin with gold hardware) in Paris at 31 Rue Cambon in October 2012.
I will be travelling back to London/Paris in September this year and was wondering which OTHER bag should I get from Chanel? I have always thought I’d just have 1 Chanel… but am now considering getting one other ‘day bag’ from Chanel for work. Any suggestions?
How about a 2.55? Or a Mademoiselle? Or a Boy perhaps? If you want something larger that’s a tote you could have a look at the GST (Grand Shopping Tote).
Hello BB, just wondering if you know what the current price is in Italy for the Classic Flap in medium? Thanks!
Hi there, I just got back from Italy 2 days ago and they are indeed very strict with this 1 bag per passport and 4 other items (different designs) rule.
However, I was told by several SAs that I will be able to get another bag if I go to Paris or London… Not sure how much truth there is in this as we only covered the 4 main cities in Italy…
I’m thinking Paris, no, London, yes.
Is that true? Can buy 1 in London and 1 in Paris? Because Im going London first then Paris.
Well, technically the UK isn’t part of the EU, right?
Hi. I’m in Paris right now and was shopping at Galeries Lafayette today. Chanel has also enforced a maximum of 4 accessories per passport rule so I bought 2 earrings and 2 necklaces only. And FYI, Céline also has a one bag per 6-months ruling. I bought a Mini today, my sister bought me a Nano 2 months ago, so I could still buy it.
It’s a good move by Chanel. Cheers!
Hi, just to share. My sis managed to buy a Chanel Classic Flap and a seasonal bag… however very sad… beside tagging to the policy of one passport, Chanel also sees if you are travelling in groups (she and her hubby) and only allowed one of them to buy but not both of them…
That makes sense, since it is easier to put both transactions in one receipt, and easier when it comes to claiming VAT too. Technically there were two of them, and thus, allowed to buy 2 bags.