Israeli Shoppers Discover Zara Price Discrepancies and Workarounds
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Zara's new 14.90 shekel delivery fee for Israeli online orders has prompted shoppers to seek cheaper alternatives. Israelis can now purchase Zara items significantly cheaper by using a Greek shipping address via services like ShipTanbul, with savings reaching over 400 shekels on some items. Additional costs include Greek domestic shipping and international forwarding fees, though discounts and VAT refunds are available. This workaround allows access to items not available locally, especially during sales.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Zara introduced a 14.90 shekel delivery fee for online orders in Israel.
- Zara items are considerably cheaper in European stores compared to Israel.
- Using a Greek shipping address via ShipTanbul allows Israelis to buy Zara items at lower prices.
- Savings can exceed 400 shekels on premium items like cashmere cardigans.
- Additional costs include Greek domestic and international shipping fees.
- A promo code KAPARA offers a 10% discount on international shipping.
Zara has introduced a 14.90 shekel delivery fee for online orders in Israel, a change that has disappointed local consumers. Previously, orders over 199 shekels were delivered free of charge. This new fee exacerbates an existing issue: Zara items are significantly cheaper in European stores, with some price differences reaching substantial levels. An investigation by Ynet revealed a method for Israelis to legally circumvent these higher prices. While Spain is traditionally the most affordable country for Zara online shopping, Greece has emerged as a more practical logistics hub for Israelis. By using a forwarding service like ShipTanbul, shoppers can obtain a personal Greek address for their Zara orders, which are then shipped to Israel. For example, a women's plaid blouse (article 8040/621/093) costs 239 shekels in Israel but only 35.95 euros (approximately 125 shekels) in Greece, a saving of over 113 shekels. A children's set (article 4174/550/415) is 89.90 shekels in Israel versus 55 shekels in Europe. The most significant price gap is seen in premium items, such as a men's cashmere cardigan (article 2893/359/724), priced at 859 shekels in Israel and 129 euros (around 450 shekels) in Greece, a difference exceeding 400 shekels even after accounting for additional costs. A sequined top (article 1323/110/628) is 259 shekels in Israel compared to 139 shekels in Greece, and a 90ml Violet Blossom perfume costs 79.90 shekels in Israel versus 45 shekels in Europe.
Shoppers must consider ancillary expenses. Domestic delivery within Greece costs 2.95 euros (about 10 shekels), and ShipTanbul's international shipping starts at 62 shekels, depending on the package weight. Delivery to a pickup point is approximately $20, with home courier delivery around $26 (about 80 shekels). A promotional code, KAPARA, offers a 10% discount on international shipping, and there is also an option to reclaim local European VAT. The process involves registering with ShipTanbul to get a Greek address, then changing the Zara app's region to Greece. The intermediary's address is used for the purchase, along with the customer's email and an Israeli phone number for SMS confirmations. The service highlights that this method is particularly beneficial during global sales, allowing access to exclusive sizes and models not available in Israel.
