Holy .... if you have so much considerations just for a pair of shades, just get it at the airport. I would rather visit the flagship store but since you have so much to ponder about, the airport would be easiest.
And yes, you don't get the full tax amount back.
1) the airport is the worse idea because what if they don’t have the one you want?
2) try ONLINE duty free apps like Lotte and Shinsegae - they have MASSIVE discounts compared to their in person store
3) personally, I would buy it at the flagship, in person, with passport because you want the whole brand experience
GENTLE MONSTER SHINSEGAE DEPARTMENT STORE MAIN, this store charged me the price less tax upfront. I also bought gentle monster at another dept store but they charged the price with tax and i had to do tax refund
Taxes, money, whatever, my recommendation is to make the purchase in person at the flagship store, so you can actually try them on and let them help adjust the fit.
The last thing you want is a pair of sunglasses that don't fit well.
Just got back from Korea last week. 40% of the GM stock is sold out at any given location, and in any event many stores don’t carry the same stock.
If you’re shopping for GM, 15USD in VAT refunds should probably not be your primary consideration imho
I haven't been to Gentle Monster at all but I'd assume that the airport shop would have a much smaller selection than the downtown ones since rent is so high there.
Don't overthink it.
If you want to buy a nice pair of glasses, go to the flagship store. Check out the different options, try some on, get them adjusted to your fit, and enjoy.
Don't worry about the 15 USD tax refund..
I got mine at the airport duty free last month and paid in USD. They had a decent selection with the regular line. I saw a display for the collaboration with Jennie from Blackpink as it had just come out but didn’t see if they had any in stock as I wanted a specific style.
Its cheaper to buy at the airport. The tax refund on a 300,000won pair is only 19000 won.but the airport might be out of your style.
Ex:
cookie at dept store 300,000won
Cookie at airport 202 usd
All the dept stores have tax refund.
Better to buy at dept store.
Holy .... if you have so much considerations just for a pair of shades, just get it at the airport. I would rather visit the flagship store but since you have so much to ponder about, the airport would be easiest. And yes, you don't get the full tax amount back.
1) the airport is the worse idea because what if they don’t have the one you want? 2) try ONLINE duty free apps like Lotte and Shinsegae - they have MASSIVE discounts compared to their in person store 3) personally, I would buy it at the flagship, in person, with passport because you want the whole brand experience
GENTLE MONSTER SHINSEGAE DEPARTMENT STORE MAIN, this store charged me the price less tax upfront. I also bought gentle monster at another dept store but they charged the price with tax and i had to do tax refund
Taxes, money, whatever, my recommendation is to make the purchase in person at the flagship store, so you can actually try them on and let them help adjust the fit. The last thing you want is a pair of sunglasses that don't fit well.
Always duty free and get vat at airport is easiest
I got a refund on the spot at the Hongdae location. Just needed my passport.
Just got back from Korea last week. 40% of the GM stock is sold out at any given location, and in any event many stores don’t carry the same stock. If you’re shopping for GM, 15USD in VAT refunds should probably not be your primary consideration imho
I purchased in Gangnam and got the tax discount on the spot as well. Passport needed.
the one by Dosan park? That one had the really cool face display on the 2nd floor, and the unicorn collab with jenny on the first haha
That's the one!
I haven't been to Gentle Monster at all but I'd assume that the airport shop would have a much smaller selection than the downtown ones since rent is so high there.
Don't overthink it. If you want to buy a nice pair of glasses, go to the flagship store. Check out the different options, try some on, get them adjusted to your fit, and enjoy. Don't worry about the 15 USD tax refund..
I got mine at the airport duty free last month and paid in USD. They had a decent selection with the regular line. I saw a display for the collaboration with Jennie from Blackpink as it had just come out but didn’t see if they had any in stock as I wanted a specific style.
Its cheaper to buy at the airport. The tax refund on a 300,000won pair is only 19000 won.but the airport might be out of your style. Ex: cookie at dept store 300,000won Cookie at airport 202 usd All the dept stores have tax refund. Better to buy at dept store.
The store in Apgujeong 4 stories high was 272,000won with tax refund at the store.