PuddleHopper

Well I am happy to report that I got 5 pieces this week in Germany after which I proceeded to check them in at the airport, promptly forgetting that I shouldn't have done that as customs wants to "inspect" the items to get your documents stamped. So I missed out on about $500 in VAT refunds as the zoll agents said "nein" to my receipts since the bags weren't present. Learn from my mistake

Henrik C

The add-a-bag feature is very useful. At leas to me.
I have a large check-in (84L) and whenever I have additional pieces of luggage with me, like a duffle bag, I hang it from the add-a-bag. If I've overloaded the duffle I can get some instability when rolling on four wheel, but that's easily mitigated by pulling it behind me. Works wonders getting to/from check-in/luggage belt to your mode of transportation.

Other than cost-cutting and a sleeker design I can't see why they removed it. Wasn't like it added any significant bulk or any other disadvantages, so it didn't really negatively affect non-users, but it was a great feature for those of us who have use for it.

luxefarer

Personally the best discount on Rimowa (as a US citizen) = Long layovers in FRA. Portugal Stopover or Shopping when in Paris. (no tax,VAT)

luxefarer

Few pay attention to this, but it's true, I love the quality of the original Rimowa luggages, etc...as LMVH does to all it acquires, more marketing, but product often lowers a bit in quality.

Visconti

Ok, been getting the itch to pick up a Rimowa, even though I'd have to work around the no front pocket thing with European airports' bottles in bags and electronics out fetish. How's the telescope handle? I've been using Delseys (just like the classic front pocket) and go through about one every 12 - 16 months, because the telescope handle eventually gets kind'a sticky; oh, and wheels aren't as smooth.

Not sure if I'm just too rough, but I seem to keep wearing them down quickly. Would the Rimowa classic last longer? I mean, if the same thing happens, it'd be silly to spend this kind of money for something disposable where I'm replacing every other year.

Dave510

The wheels are very good. The handles are fine. If it fails, you've got lifetime warranty. Handles are probably the hardest to deny for manufacturer warranty, since they're retracted even if you check them, and not prone to airline damage.

ayee007

anyone have any idea how much the original cabin is going for in munich these days? in the US, the website is showing $1,430 - wanting to get an idea of what the discount would be. thanks!

Visconti

That sounds about right, about $1,500. Given the exchange rate situation, I'm looking into buying it perhaps in Japan or somewhere in the EU, and getting the taxes refunded. It's a small enough amount, though still over $800, where US customs will very likely waive the duty on it.

sapguy

Since Rimowa has gotten rid of most their authorized resellers to sell almost exclusively through their own stores, there is no longer any discount to be had!

This is true even in the few department stores that carry it in countries or cities which do not have Rimowa’s own stores (like the Hyundai Department store in Seoul), so good luck with obtaining any discount anywhere.

So about the only way to save money with buying Rimowa these days is to leverage the very strong dollar (at THIS MOMENT) against the Euro and the Yen, as well as getting the VAT refunded since the case will be taken back to the USA. Let’s do some math:

1. The Original Cabin in Germany or France is 1,180 euros or $1,250 at the current exchange rate
2. The same case in the US is $1,430 PLUS your local sales taxes, and in Los Angeles where I am, it’s 9.5% so that’s $135 for a total purchase of $1,565
3. So even if you don’t even bother with the VAT refund, you are ALREADY saving $315 thanks to the current strong dollar by buying the Rimowa Original Cabin in Paris or Munich or Frankfurt or Berlin!
4. I believe that Rimowa is Paris uses Global Blue to handle the VAT refund and their fees are quite hefty so you can count on getting about 12% back (and not the full 20%) which make the deal a bit sweeter.as you get back 141 euros or about $148 - total savings from buying France & Germany with VAT refund and strong dollar = $463, which is NOT A BAD DEAL at all!
5. The Rimowa Original Cabin costs �211,200 In Japan, or about $1,420 so more or less the same as the local US price but without the local sales taxes. And as I understand it, the VAT refund in Japan is only 8% so it’s a lot less interesting, unless you find a tax free deal at a duty free shop in Narita or Haneda or Kansai?
6. I bought a Rimowa Hybrid 37L at the duty free shop at Bangkok airport and was able to save about $290 if I had bought that same case at my local Rimowa store in Beverly Hills

All that said, there is the issue of STOCK AVAILABILITY, and if you read up thread, me and others have had challenges in getting the cases that we want. So happy hunting and tell us what savings you are able to score and where at

sapguy

I own both pre and post-LVMH Rimowa pieces and have not noticed any quality drop off!

But I much prefer the Lifetime Warranty of the post-LVMH pieces!

sapguy

You should read my post #918 up thread.

Rimowa is not the most durable luggage as that distinction belongs to Pelican.

People buy Rimowa because the chic and stylishness factor, in addition to the durability which is better than most other brands

flyerfirsts

the real trick is find an independent who will ship to you to get the full vat refund.

Does anybody know how fpm is as far as quality?

Visconti

I'm gonna be in Paris & Tokyo several times in Q4. Anyone with a recommendation of where I can pick one up? Paris or Tokyo would be fine, though Paris would likely be easier.

sapguy

It all depends on which piece(s) you are looking for. I was after the Original Cabin Plus 49L in black and had problems finding it in Paris and Tokyo - found it in Bangkok and Seoul but ended up buying it at my Rimowa �home store� in Beverly Hills (they shipped it to my other residence in Philadelphia where they do not have a store, so I saved the 9.5% California sales taxes).

For Paris, I believe that there are no more authorized resellers so you will need to buy from one of Rimowa�s own stores, not 100% sure. May be Galerie Lafayette still has them? In any event, the Rimowa stores in Paris are very low on stock (in 2022) and have almost nothing to sell that it�s sad! You may be better luck with the Cabin 37L size in Original (aluminum) or Hybrid (polycarbonate). The bigger Check-In size cases may also be more available.

For Tokyo, the Rimowa store at Omotesando Hills appears to be well stocked but that was during the pre-COVID time, so YMMV.

Rimowa luggage is selling very well worldwide, despite the absurdly high prices!

luxefarer

Ah, LVMH's talent for acquiring brands seems to follow a predictable script: they trade in their the brand's former glory for a shiny new coat of marketing gloss and price tags that practically sing "luxury." Quite the performance, but surely does not replace the quality and craftsmanship Rimowa had prior to 2018, sorry to say.... as I also own post merger Rimowa.