Well I just crawled from hiding under the rock - I had no idea we could get bags from Japan like this. And I was there in Oct and wasted my opportunity! Oh well... good luck everyone!
H good avail in Japan only - Help/Recommendations
- Thread starter Chrisy
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I'm in Japan for holiday at the moment and have been to countless Hermes stores in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka looking for a Kelly 28 or Constance mini/24. I've had absolutely no luck in Tokyo and was offered a Retourne Kelly 28 Feu in Evercolor leather in Osaka which I unfortunately had to pass as the colour is too bright for me =(. Either they really don't have stock in Tokyo or they do but don't want to show me because I do not speak Japanese. I guess my search continues...
I'm in Japan for holiday at the moment and have been to countless Hermes stores in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka looking for a Kelly 28 or Constance mini/24. I've had absolutely no luck in Tokyo and was offered a Retourne Kelly 28 Feu in Evercolor leather in Osaka which I unfortunately had to pass as the colour is too bright for me =(. Either they really don't have stock in Tokyo or they do but don't want to show me because I do not speak Japanese. I guess my search continues...
I go to Japan at least twice a year and notice the service has deteriorated in the past decade. I can't be bothered asking for bags as I can get them in my home store. I always receive excellent service in other dept but the bag staffs are getting more and more weird. I was in Ginza store yesterday and only asked if they had any bag charms. I was given a number tag after I politely asked the question 3 times but was unattended for like 15 mins... they looked at me weirdly as I was browsing while waiting but no one wanted to help me. I ended up giving the tag back to the girl. When I was leaving, my SA on the ground floor asked me: so no bags? I was like I was only asking for a charm and no one wanted to help me, let it be then! I personally will not try there.. I don't like pleasing or begging to spend my money. I prefer my SA texting or calling me when things I want are in.
I visited the Ginza the first time over a week ago around 10:45am and waited in line for the store to open, as soon as we walked in those looking for bags were handed a number each before taking the lift up to L4. There an SA called out each number to be served and when my number was called no SA was available, so the SA who was calling out numbers asked me what I was looking for, told me none available and I headed downstairs to buy some bracelets instead.
This is my first trip to Japan so I have no previous experience to compare with besides what I have read on purseforum. I do agree though that the staff from bag department at Ginza store seemed quite cold while the ones from scarf/accessories level were much more friendly. I dropped by this afternoon in a last attempt before leaving tomorrow to find my first Kelly but the store only received a Constance 24 croc (beautiful it was) and a B35 croc. 3 out of the four times I visited Ginza store this trip I was told only B or C croc available. I wonder if they do receive non-exotics but reserve them for VIP/Jap customers only?
I too visit Japan at least twice each year in the past few years, but have only started playing the H game for two years so I can't comment on whether there's a deterioration on the service from SAs in Japan...but on your experience at Ginza H, I'd like to add that this particular store indeed adopts a unique queueing system for their 4/F leather goods department - even more stringent than that at FSH Paris - in order the ensure that all customers are served in an orderly manner (and I'm sure those of us who've visited Japan before know how orderly the Japanese are when it comes to queuing lol). It doesn't matter what a customer is looking for - be it a bag or charm or SLG, and regardless of it being displayed or not - so long as a customer needs a SA to assist him/her but no SA is available at the time, they'll just mark down the customer's name on a log sheet and give the customer a number tag to put him/her on the queue. The upside of this system is that it ensures that all customers are assisted on a first-come-first-serve basis and no one can jump the queue; while the downside is that some customers might have to wait longer when their questions could be answered in less than 3 minutes. But IMHO, I think this system at Ginza H makes the queuing process much more pleasant as one doesn't need to walk around the area and compete with other customers to find an available SA for assistance (which was the case when I visited Osaka Umeda Hankyu H on a Saturday afternoon which made the leather department looked absolutely chaotic and not H at all!). Perhaps next time if you visit Ginza H again, try to ask them how many customers are in front of you when they hand you the number tag so that you can get an estimate on how long you need to wait?
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Thanks for sharing! I only went in as I walked pass the store at around 5pm and I wasn't even looking for bags! I didn't even ask to see any bag! I think they were really mean. Back in 2003 or 2004(?) we could just walk in at 4 or 5 pm and still see Kelly and Birkin on display, although prices are like 20% higher than say Hong Kong..
Regarding whether they keep bags for VIP I think they do of course, like other h stores.. I was there on Tuesday and after purchasing something on the ground floor went to have a look on level 4 and saw someone looking at a croc b, she was also looking at an etoupe b in non exotic leather. It was around 11:30 so definitely not those in early morning lines... an SA came to me with a writing pad in his hand asking if I were looking for anything, I know he could have written down my name on the list and if the others would not buy the Birkin I would be on the list... I said no thanks as I have a booking at kanesaka.. that's way more important [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
I too visit Japan at least twice each year in the past few years, but have only started playing the H game for two years so I can't comment on whether there's a deterioration on the service from SAs in Japan...but on your experience at Ginza H, I'd like to add that this particular store indeed adopts a unique queueing system for their 4/F leather goods department - even more stringent than that at FSH Paris - in order the ensure that all customers are served in an orderly manner (and I'm sure those of us who've visited Japan before know how orderly the Japanese are when it comes to queuing lol). It doesn't matter what a customer is looking for - be it a bag or charm or SLG, and regardless of it being displayed or not - so long as a customer needs a SA to assist him/her but no SA is available at the time, they'll just mark down the customer's name on a log sheet and give the customer a number tag to put him/her on the queue. The upside of this system is that it ensures that all customers are assisted on a first-come-first-serve basis and no one can jump the queue; while the downside is that some customers might have to wait longer when their questions could be answered in less than 3 minutes. But IMHO, I think this system at Ginza H makes the queuing process much more pleasant as one doesn't need to walk around the area and compete with other customers to find an available SA for assistance (which was the case when I visited Osaka Umeda Hankyu H on a Saturday afternoon which made the leather department looked absolutely chaotic and not H at all!). Perhaps next time if you visit Ginza H again, try to ask them how many customers are in front of you when they hand you the number tag so that you can get an estimate on how long you need to wait?
The reason I mentioned it was a bad experience was because they only gave me the tag and didn't mark down my name. Also while I was supposedly waiting in line, customers who just walked up from the stairs were immediately assisted [emoji35]
Anyway I have shopped in Ginza before... a lot and I have a feeling that their service is so much worse than before [emoji26][emoji26]. I like the store near Shinsaibashi in Osaka much much more. Sometimes it's the simple how can I help you from an SA that get me spending in a store... on non leather items I meant of course
Awww that's really awful!! Totally understand how you felt - if I were you I would ask them why and if they don't come up with a reasonable explanation I probably would make a scene haha
Hmm maybe because everybody's been looking for popular items like B/K/C/rodeos in Japan? Japan probably has best chance of scoring sth nice/popular as a walkin with minimal spending apart from Paris...the hordes of tourists asking for bags everyday (sometimes impolitely with no manners at all?!) probably cause the SAs to behave less politely.
Oh I never manage to score anything from Midosuji H
...based on my experience in the past two years, the SAs there are relatively cool and distant compared to those at Namba Taka / Umeda Hankyu
I'm still on the search of a SA that "connects" with me in the Kansai area...
I go to Japan twice a year too and too noted the service deterioration at Ginza H. Last December was the worst. I went at about 1+. I was looking around so when asked what I was looking for, I asked if they had a B. The SA sighed very loudly and in good English told me "I am sure there is none but I shall check if that makes you happy". I told there is no need to and left.
I went to Hermes Midosuji once last trip and the SA who assisted me was very nice. I asked whether she had any B or K and she said she will check. She returned and guided me to the back counter area where it was more private and showed me a B25 in Sauge (Box leather it was I think). While I was there, I also saw another SA holding a box with B in dustbag away to wrap for another customer.
Awww that's really awful!! Totally understand how you felt - if I were you I would ask them why and if they don't come up with a reasonable explanation I probably would make a scene haha
Hmm maybe because everybody's been looking for popular items like B/K/C/rodeos in Japan? Japan probably has best chance of scoring sth nice/popular as a walkin with minimal spending apart from Paris...the hordes of tourists asking for bags everyday (sometimes impolitely with no manners at all?!) probably cause the SAs to behave less politely.
Oh I never manage to score anything from Midosuji H
Awww that's really awful!! Totally understand how you felt - if I were you I would ask them why and if they don't come up with a reasonable explanation I probably would make a scene haha
Hmm maybe because everybody's been looking for popular items like B/K/C/rodeos in Japan? Japan probably has best chance of scoring sth nice/popular as a walkin with minimal spending apart from Paris...the hordes of tourists asking for bags everyday (sometimes impolitely with no manners at all?!) probably cause the SAs to behave less politely.
Oh I never manage to score anything from Midosuji H
Nothing on display and SA was cold and just gave me a number chip when I asked whether they have rodeos. A quick no would have been much easier for both me and herself [emoji26][emoji19]