The best (cheapest) place to buy Longchamp Le Pliage

Why do people are so crazy about Longchamp Le Pliage? Is it because of the design? The brand? The practicality? The prestige? Your choice... But we're not going to talk about that. We would like to go one step further, where to buy it. And another step further, where can you buy it with approximately cheaper. 

Some people might think that if you buy a product from its originating place, you might get it cheaper. Not Paris but UK Airports. Oh yeah!!!! Not to condemn Paris, but because of weak pound sterling now, we might loose some money value due to the currency conversion (£1 = €1.17). You can compare the prices at Longchamp website. The UK airport price is even cheaper than US, Singapore and HK outlets. I had a conversation with the SA and she told me that lot of customers commented the same. And again, it is a tax free price although it's only have 16% instead of 20% VAT - I guess we paid the VAT handling fee.

For example, Travel Bag L (RRP £63) for £53; 15.9% off.

For those travelling via Heathrow Airport, hope these info help;

Heathrow Airport Terminal 1 - There is a Longchamp Flagship Store (the only Longchamp airport flagship store in the UK) situated in the second passenger lounge after the security (turn left). Opening time is 10.00 - 18.30 everyday. The store has full collections and various of La Pliage colours and sizes (90% complete stock). And on top of that, your purchase(s) is wrapped with a special embossed Longchamp white wrapping paper (just like in the boutique) with Longchamp green paper carried bag.

Longchamp Terminal 1

Longchamp Terminal 1 (departure hall)

Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, 4 and 5 - You still can purchase Le Pliage here but at independent store called Rolling Luggage (after the security check). They offer limited stock; 3-4 sizes and 4-5 colours. You don't get the Longchamp green carry bag but just the plastic Rolling Luggage plastic carrier bag. But the price is still the same. You can always ask the SA if they have the size or colour that you fancy in their storeroom.

Also available from Harrods. Packed in Harrods green plastic carrier bag.

* So far, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Manchester Airports are also the same.

Disclaimer: this post is from an old blog in 2012/13. The price might be currently different. Please check with official Longchamp website and deduct 16% from RRP.

Don't throw your coins away, save them...

I didn't knw before... I don't even care and annoyed with this small coins of 1, 2, 5 pence that laying around my house. Too heavy to carry around, too little value to spend it... Boy! I was wrong. I found a solution... COINSTAR.

COINSTAR is a 'service' that change your coin to money that you can spend or donate. The machine is like a vending machine situated in most supermarket like Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrison and Tesco. You just pour your coins  in the machine and it will calculate the amount of it. Then, you can choose weather you would like to have a cash voucher or donate it to charity. Don't worry about euros or other foreign currency, the machine will automatically 'reject' those coins. If you choose cash, a voucher will be printed and you must redeem the cash at the supermarket's Customer Service on the same day. Easy right? Such a no brainier...