FSH vs. George V?

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I am there tomorrow week, so your report will be very useful to me, Poshhoney, thank you! :)

Valencia - Thank you for the tip! I have downloaded Google maps to my phone, so we should be able to find it fairly easily... here's hoping!

Ghost55-- I'll try that, then. Excited!

KellyBirkin-- I'll try not to make that mistake! ...I'll try hard. :D
 
I never went to GeorgeV but the few times I went to FSH just before Christmas I thought they were very busy but very efficient and pleasant. I was shopping with my French husband and this might have made a difference. I have heard they are nice when you speak French.
 
I was in both this Saturday - as posted in the "never on a saturday" thread. I found the service in FSH to be really great. They were really busy but the chap who helped me couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. I did speak to him in french but was translating to my friend and he also assisted in helping me out when my translations failed haha.

They however cannot check the stock in the George V branch on the computer.

I also agree I found the service in George V to be much more reserved and in fact frosty initially, despite carrying a huge Hermes bag with my HAC in! They did assist when i asked and bought my scarf there but were never particularly warm or friendly. More functional in there really, but it has to be said that they did give me all the info I asked for.
 
For other people's reference, to answer my own question: I had a wonderful experience in both stores, and I think both are worth visiting for differences in stock.

As PoshHoney pointed out, FSH cannot check the stock in George V, so it is definitely worth checking the shop itself-- I found exactly what I was looking for there, and they did not have what I was after in FSH.

The lady I spoke with in FSH was friendly and helpful, and very knowledgeable, as well. The lady in George V was exactly the same-- polite and friendly, very willing to help. I had some minor credit card issues while there (I had very stupidly forgot to tell my company we were going away, so when they tried to put the charge through the card froze and I had to call them), which was handled very well by my SA, although the guy behind the counter didn't seem to be too impressed with the holdup. While I was speaking with the CC company, mum said that she felt a little pressured as we were the only two people in the shop and she counted no less than ELEVEN sales assistants.


The stock bag-wise is probably a little better in George V than FSH if you are looking for a Birkin, although if it's a Kelly you are after FSH will probably be able to help you out. FSH also has a much larger selection of stock generally, particularly in scarves.

Overall, the stores are quite different in what they have, in my experience, so it's definitely worth going to both to see what you can see. They aren't that far away from one another (I think it is about five metro stops, or under €10 in a taxi, which was how we got there) and when you are asking for the George V stop in your taxi, be sure to include the street number because the taxi drivers do not seem to know anything about where the Hermes stores are. :D
 
just want to update everyone on my experience with both FSH and George V.

At FSH, I was treated just like any other tourists. That is, they are helpful but they will quickly forget you the minute you leave the store (nothing wrong with that!). It is hard to build up a relationship with any SA as there are so many of them for each section, so it is unlikely that you will get the same SA for all your needs, from scarves, ready to wear, jewelry to bags. They will simply hand you off to another SA as you go from section to section. If you are just flying in to get a bag, then you might not care. The stock in FSH is definitely much better for pretty much EVERYTHING compared to George V.

At George V, the feeling is more intimate and less hectic. I was lucky to find a great SA who assisted me with the entire range of H products (maybe she was helpful because the first word out of my mouth was not "birkin", who knows?) From the first visit, I was able to develop some rapport with her. As I travel to Paris quite often, I would like to shop with the same SA who remembers me and can look out for me prior to my arrival. Everyone is more busy at George V as they do not have dedicated wrapping staff so after each customer, the sales must wrap and pack all purchases themselves. The selection in George V is also much smaller but because it has less tourists, you are likely to find more hidden treasures.

Having compared the above, everyone's shopping style is different. I like to browse first alone in preferably empty store and only approach SA when I need help. FSH is ALWAYS crowded and I always feel like I am in a feeding frenzy when I am there which can be quite stressful. George V in comparison is more tranquil and closer to what I like about shopping in a H store.

I don't think personally the SAs are being frosty or rude. I think in general French are not the warm sunny personality like most American salespersons. Also, it is also considered rude to "tailgate" a customer in some countries (I personally hate that!) So, I think we should allow for some variations in customer service.
 
^^ I agree with hanyeu's assessment of both stores.

While FSH definitely has more inventory simply because the store is bigger, I actually prefer George V for the service that I received there. It was less hectic and I could really contemplate my purchase before finally buying.

Plus, I had a really good SA in George V who was very sweet and would look out if what I wanted had come in.
 
Ladies~~ i just heard that the George V store is closed ~~~!!!!

not sure yet if its just a shot while for renovation, wait till my BF came back with the the notice on the door.
 
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