See, I stumbled across this article snippet saying luxury brands in Korea, specifically shouting out Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, *increased* their prices between January and March of this year (2024, in case you’re reading this from the future!). Which, like, immediately throws a wrench in the whole “cheaper in Korea” theory, right? You’d think.
BUT! (There’s always a but, isn’t there?)
I also saw another article mentioning brands being generally cheaper in Korea. Now, it doesn’t *explicitly* mention Hermes, but it’s there right on top with the other luxury brands. So, what gives?
Here’s my take, and honestly, it’s just my gut feeling, okay? Don’t come at me if I’m wrong! I think it’s a case of “it depends.” See, currency fluctuations are a real thing, and sales tax (or VAT, as they call it in some places) can really mess with the price. Plus, sometimes brands have regional pricing strategies. Maybe, *maybe*, before the price hikes mentioned in that first article, Hermes was *slightly* cheaper due to these factors. Like, maybe you could snag a wallet for a few bucks less. But now? Hmm… maybe not so much.
Also, think about it: are we talking sticker price? Or are we talking about the potential to get a refund on the VAT if you’re a tourist? That can make a difference. You gotta do your homework!
And honestly, let’s be real, if you’re buying Hermes, you’re probably not *that* worried about saving a few bucks, are you? It’s more about the experience, the feeling of buying it in a cool place like Korea, and maybe bragging rights? (Just kidding… mostly.)
The other thing is, that first article also mentions Innisfree, Laneige, and Cosrx. Now *those* are Korean brands. And yeah, you’re probably gonna find them cheaper in Korea than, say, in the US or Europe. Makes sense, right? They’re local!
