Lining up for Hermes - thoughts, rants, raves
- Thread starter mistikat
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@Coconuts40 I think the Paris thread gives people the wrong idea about the makeup of the people in the line. I have been there multiple times. It was hard to explain to my friend until she came with me once, but if you see that line you will realize that these are not regular Hermes customers for the most part. There are exceptions of course. And I feel very sorry for the loyal Hermes customers like you who have trouble obtaining bags at home or who want a souvenir from Paris from their favorite brand. But in general, as long as you are willing to make a few purchases in the store, as most Hermes devotees would surely want to do, while not a given, I think your odds of be offered a bag are much better than standing in the line. And if nothing else you will have purchased some hard to find items at a bit if a savings.
I stood in line for my first bag in Paris (second bag overall) because it was difficult to obtain bags at my home store, too, but that was a few years ago when the line was nothing like this. Back then you waited 20 minutes inside and yes there were a lot of regular hermes customers. Most of those customers have given up on the line and can you blame them? What regular hermes customer would go through this?
So I'm not looking down on anyone or making assumptions without evidence. My observations are based on my experience. I'm not a VIP by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just a loyal customer and I have enjoyed my shopping experience at FSH. Having been there I'm sharing my perspective.
There are a fair number of people on the threads who have never been there and have no direct experience making assumptions that are frankly off base.
I stood in line for my first bag in Paris (second bag overall) because it was difficult to obtain bags at my home store, too, but that was a few years ago when the line was nothing like this. Back then you waited 20 minutes inside and yes there were a lot of regular hermes customers. Most of those customers have given up on the line and can you blame them? What regular hermes customer would go through this?
So I'm not looking down on anyone or making assumptions without evidence. My observations are based on my experience. I'm not a VIP by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just a loyal customer and I have enjoyed my shopping experience at FSH. Having been there I'm sharing my perspective.
There are a fair number of people on the threads who have never been there and have no direct experience making assumptions that are frankly off base.
Maybe my perspective is different as I have dealt mostly with resellers in purchasing most of my Birkins. I don't feel lining up is disloyal to the brand, neither is paying a reseller. The issue I see is the line cutters and the spot sellers.
However, that isn't a FSH problem. The lines outside are a choice. A choice to take a gamble and see if you can score a bag. The lines are a people problem. One that, barring a severe policy change at FSH, isn't going to change.
However, that isn't a FSH problem. The lines outside are a choice. A choice to take a gamble and see if you can score a bag. The lines are a people problem. One that, barring a severe policy change at FSH, isn't going to change.
I'm sorry but this far too simplistic a view, there are many types of clients in-between VIP and a loyal H regular. Most of the line is made up of people hunting for a B or K and they would be happy to never buy anything but those bags from H and be done with it. That's not a loyal client and that's why H tries pretty hard to keep the bags from that customer. It's H's choice whom they reserve bags for. Bags go to a lucky few daily but most go to people who have been buying around the world for a while and cherish their items. I also think H looks at the motivation for why one wants the bag.
I don't know anything about your home store but in my store it really has little to do with what you buy, how much you spend but everything to do with how you conduct yourself. If they like you, you get offers. Clients that are demanding, "follow up" all the time, remind their SA how much they've spent etc don't get bags as easily. And sometimes they just don't have what you want, plain and simple.
I don't remember anyone saying that lining up is disloyal. The issue is that most of the people in the line are one timers only looking for a birkin or Kelly and many of them intending to sell it. There's nothing inherently wrong with that but they are the one's ruining it for the loyal hermes customers.
I misunderstood an earlier post, which is why I made that statement in an attempt to soothe potentially ruffled feathers.
With all due respect, and I do mean this without any attempt of insult or anything of the sort, profit is the name of the game. While I would rather sell my organs before selling my lovely babies, some don't view it that way.
Furthermore, does buying from a reseller make the buyer disloyal to the brand if they're finding exactly what they want and cherish it?
Absolutely. It's a legitimate choice to buy from a reseller. Probably a much smarter choice than standing in the line. But we all have to acknowledge that by purchasing from them we are at least in some small way making it more difficult for others to obtain their bags directly from the store.
You make a very valid and true point. The H Gods make us crazy don't they?
They sure do. Been there for sure. I'm just lucky that my timing was before this whole crazy situation started.
Well said.
In addition, among people who line up, yes, there are resellers, but there are definitely people like me, who are NOT one timers at all. I have been collecting H scarves for 17 years, and I have bought tons of scarves/shawls, a good amount of bracelets, china and Petith H etc., you name it. I queued at FSH last year when the old system was still in place, and in January again, this year. Although I didn't get any offer last year, I did run into a super nice SA in January, and got my K. She told me I could look for her next time, but she only works on Saturdays, as she's studying for her master degree during weekdays. My girlfriend got her dream K, too, in January (her first H bag). She's like me having been a long time H customer mostly with scarves and cashmere shawls. But she didn't get any contact info. from her then SA. We are talking about going to Paris again next January, and we will have to queue up again, both as long time loyal H customers.
By the way, my friend lives 2.5 hours driving distance from the closest H boutique. There is no way for her to visit the boutique often and try to establish a relationship over there for a B or K.
This is why I personally find judging the people in the line as mostly one timers is little condescending.
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Which is why I keep qualifying my statements to say that I am not speaking in absolutes. I'm certain not everyone is but a large percentage of the people in line are one timers or resellers. If you want to line up that's your choice. If everyone stopped being so indignant and started listening to one another they would hear our advice: if you are a regular, shop for what you want and then ask for a bag.its my belief that your chances of getting a bag in this way are at least as good if not better than by standing in line and you will certainly have a better experience. If you don't want to benefit from my experience and advice, ignore it. And please don't anyone tell me that so and so got a bag without buying anything or so and so bought things and didn't get a bag. There are no guarantees. Or absolutes. Try not to be so black and white. It won't serve you well in dealing with Hermes.
I've been following this thread and the Pairs shopping one closely. If my memory serves me right, I think I have been seen this statement on more than a couple of occasions. I just want to point out that I don't think that's a fair statement, also based on my own experiences.
People from all over the world come to Paris and line up at FSH, yes, for a B or K or other bags. Many of them are not necessarily one timers. They just simply can't get what they want from their home stores for various reasons. My friend, being one, lives far away from the boutique, which does not help establish a long term relationship. She orders her scarves/shawls online or asks me to purchase for her. Her chances to get a B or K from the home store is slim to none.
Oh well. Everyone makes their own choices. For those who choose to subject themselves to the line, best of luck to you.
I have read so many stories that one lined up for several times or even several trips and was not successful or was offered choices which weren't on their wish-list but they bought it anyway because they just wanted to buy something, or they thought they could sell it later. I can't speak for anybody else but If I couldn't get bags from my home store, I would just buy from resellers. I don't have to queue for hours and hours and may endanger myself in the process, and I can get exactly what I want instantly. How much money would have been spent on getting the flights, hotel and expenses to then be rejected? I couldn't and wouldn't go through that! If I am on vacation in Paris, I want to see the city!
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