🛍️ Shopping at Schiphol Airport

❓ Quick Questions about Shopping at Schiphol

• 💸 Do I really save at duty-free? Not always. You'll find good deals on chocolates and liquors, but for electronics, fashion, and perfumes, prices are often the same or even higher than in the city.
• 🔄 If I have a connection, can I buy liquids? Yes, but it is crucial that you insist the cashier puts your purchase in a sealed security bag (STEB) with the receipt inside. If they don't, it will be confiscated at your next security check.
• 🔌 I forgot my adapter, should I buy it here? Only in an emergency. A travel adapter that costs €5 in the city is sold for €15 at the airport's electronics stores.
• 🛡️ How is the warranty on electronics? Awful. The stores do not accept returns. If a product fails, they will require you to mail it to a warehouse, a long and impractical process for a tourist.

⚠️ Critical Points: A Guide to Shopping Without Regrets

1. The Old Perfume Scam

🗣️ User Experience: This is one of the most serious warnings. Duty-free shops have been accused of selling "on-sale" perfumes that are actually from production batches made 4, 5, or even 9 years ago. The scent and longevity of such an old perfume are compromised.

Strategy: Before buying a perfume, use a website like "CheckFresh" on your phone to verify the batch code printed on the box. If it's more than 2-3 years old, don't buy it.

2. The Electronics Warranty Deception

🗣️ User Experience: You buy headphones, they fail after two days, and on your return flight, you try to return them. The staff will tell you they can't accept returns and that you must mail the product to a central warehouse, which is impossible for a traveler.

Strategy: Test any electronic product immediately after purchase, in the store if possible. If it doesn't work, demand an exchange on the spot. Be wary if they try to sell you "compatible" cables or accessories from unknown brands; they are often poor quality.

3. The Golden Rule for Connecting Flights: The Sealed Bag

🗣️ User Experience: It's a devastating mistake. You buy a bottle of expensive liquor or perfume, and the cashier, in a hurry or out of ignorance, puts it in a regular bag. When you arrive at your next connecting airport (e.g., Madrid, London, Dubai), security will force you to throw it away.

Strategy: When paying, state clearly: "I have a connecting flight, I need the sealed security bag." It's your responsibility to demand it. Do not leave the counter without it.