If you are in Germany then you have the opportunity to buy many well-made products.

Rimowa, Fissler, Rösle, and Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik, or WMF.

Classic flight or Salsa Deluxe too heavy ? Yes, they are. There is a reason for that good discount on both products you mention: Weight. Why then limit your choice to those two models ?

Shop around a bit more. You can find very good values on lightweight Salsa, Salsa Ultralite, or Topas cases as a better alternative. I have seen Rimowa cases at FRA at one price, and taking the U-Bahn in town, found the same item at a much better value at Kaufhof. 15 minutes on the airport tram into town resulted in a savings of 47%.

Nearby, the LH Worldshop was offering a 50 % discount on a LH leather Flight coat, lined in sheepskin. Wow ! And it was snowing that afternoon.

Tempting perhaps, but then I thought " Alarm ! I don't really need a Winter coat, and this one looks heavy and a bit stiff. " So I passed on it, rolling my new purchase case behind me. Years later I found out I was right. Someone I met at the JU-AIR ( Junkers 52 ) hanger in Dübendorf had bought one, confirming that it was nice, but heavy and stiff.

The fact is that Flyers in transit do not usually have much time to shop around, and sometimes grab what they can, like Duty Free, with the VAT rebate being the consolation prize. German locals know better value, and have the time and mobility to find them.

Your VAT rebate is applicable to any and all new Rimowa products ( and other products ) you may purchase, when leaving Germany. And it is your hard earned money, right ?