IST Duty Free Shopping worth it
Jan 27, 2024, 7:01 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,342
IST Duty Free Shopping worth it
Hi All
will have a few hours to kill next weekend at IST and with Valentine's Day coming, I am wondering if its worth to give European designer brands a visit?
I read online that they label the prices in EUR but charge in Turkish Lira with a very bad exchange rate (UK based so the fact that isn't ultimately a EUR payment won't bother me as I'll pay conversion anyway; however I wouldn't like to pay a Lira price which is much higher than what is stated in EUR).
I am wondering if anyone has experience with LVMH and Co - is it ultimately worth it?
Thanks
Daniel
will have a few hours to kill next weekend at IST and with Valentine's Day coming, I am wondering if its worth to give European designer brands a visit?
I read online that they label the prices in EUR but charge in Turkish Lira with a very bad exchange rate (UK based so the fact that isn't ultimately a EUR payment won't bother me as I'll pay conversion anyway; however I wouldn't like to pay a Lira price which is much higher than what is stated in EUR).
I am wondering if anyone has experience with LVMH and Co - is it ultimately worth it?
Thanks
Daniel
Jan 29, 2024, 8:52 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,222
Hi All
will have a few hours to kill next weekend at IST and with Valentine's Day coming, I am wondering if its worth to give European designer brands a visit?
I read online that they label the prices in EUR but charge in Turkish Lira with a very bad exchange rate (UK based so the fact that isn't ultimately a EUR payment won't bother me as I'll pay conversion anyway; however I wouldn't like to pay a Lira price which is much higher than what is stated in EUR).
I am wondering if anyone has experience with LVMH and Co - is it ultimately worth it?
Thanks
Daniel
will have a few hours to kill next weekend at IST and with Valentine's Day coming, I am wondering if its worth to give European designer brands a visit?
I read online that they label the prices in EUR but charge in Turkish Lira with a very bad exchange rate (UK based so the fact that isn't ultimately a EUR payment won't bother me as I'll pay conversion anyway; however I wouldn't like to pay a Lira price which is much higher than what is stated in EUR).
I am wondering if anyone has experience with LVMH and Co - is it ultimately worth it?
Thanks
Daniel
Jan 29, 2024, 8:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,567
My experience with duty-free stores is that independent of any currency conversion fees unless you live in a country where booze and "smoke" are particularly expensive, you'll find that they're generally much more expensive than "normal-tax" stores in that same country. This is particularly true for items such as electronics and clothing. Two reasons for this: 1) people often don't pay attention and buy stuff at the airport (possibly a collective, fake memory of what used to be true 50 and more years ago) and 2) the exorbitant prices airports throughout the world charge for renting the space!
Feb 6, 2024, 8:08 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Unfortunately, IST duty free prices are oriented towards people from the Gulf or those people who don't care about the list pricing.
While alcohol and tobacco could be cheaper than downtown Istanbul due to taxes, you would be better buying designer brands elsewhere if you are price conscious.
While alcohol and tobacco could be cheaper than downtown Istanbul due to taxes, you would be better buying designer brands elsewhere if you are price conscious.