Sticker Shock

Sticker shock is one thing that you have to get over almost immediately here. The first couple of days we were here I kept converting everything into US dollars and the results were not pretty. If it weren't for the weak dollar, things like food might be pretty close to the same price (although the quality here is sooo much better...more on that in another post!) Outside of food though, most everything else is much more expensive than in the US. On top of that, there is a 21% VAT tax (value added tax) on all non-essential goods. Think of it as a sales tax on everything except food. Furniture and household goods especially seem to be expensive and we have been trying to buy as much secondhand as possible (except beds...gross!) to not only save upfront, but also save the 21% VAT tax.

One thing that we need desperately that we cannot buy secondhand is window coverings. When we moved in the curtains in the house were so disgusting. I swear they had been with the house it's entire 60 year life and never been cleaned. I tore them down immediately, but have yet to find a cost-effective solution. Now you may be wondering what my idea of cost-effective is? I'll tell you what it is NOT.

I went into a store today that does custom-made window coverings. I had been in there once before and decided (after checking LOTS of other options) that it was my only real choice if I wanted blackout shades for the bedrooms, as we have nothing on the windows now. You pick out the particular fabric you want and it is priced per meter squared. Then you choose the style and lining, and they are custom made. I decided to just do simple curtains, and I knew they were going to be expensive (I was thinking about 90€ per set - or $135 - based on my calculations of the window dimensions and estimated price per meter of fabric) but was prepared to pay, knowing that we needed curtains and, like I said, this seemed to be my best option. I ended up picking cheaper fabric than I thought I would (only 9€ a meter) and when the sales person finished filling out my order form, my total was 450€ ($675)! 450€?!?!? For 2 windows?! I was sure there was some mistake - I had asked for the navy fabric, not the 18 karat gold fabric. But no mistake, that was the cost. And so, like any reasonable person, I left the store empty handed and incredulous that ANYONE would pay that much for 4 curtain panels. So, there you have it - if you ever come visit Europe, don't buy curtains. Next time you are in Linens N Things give it a big squeeze for me - I'm sure missing it right now.