I saw that too! Yesterday at 8pm or so... I havent been to H since a long time, didnt need anything and had no idea of this practice so I checked on purseforum. I think its absolutely ridiculous...
Lining up for Hermes - thoughts, rants, raves
- Thread starter mistikat
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Why Hermes allow they do like this?
I guess they must have CCTV, for control and fare to all customer I guess they must do more something.
This is why they stopping having 'openings' for orders in London. Word got round that the list was open for ordered bags and people slept outside the store overnight to secure an order.
First, I'm going to make a disclaimer that I haven't had any experience with the new system (nor do I want to in the future), but reading through the whole thread was quite entertaining.
A very simple solution to the system: Harmonizing prices internationally!
The problem when people return overseas back to China is that there is no way for Chinese customs to determine how much valuable goods people have brought back. They don't even have a document to make people declare how much goods they have purchased. And even if they do make one in the future, people will likely not declare honestly. Given the 1.3B people, custom officers would have to check every single returning person which would make airports chaotic.
Thus there is a significant incentive for Chinese buyers to line up no matter at what hour of the day or night. Not only will they save on VAT, but upon returning back they do not pay any additional taxes or duties, which makes a B/K/C about 50% off retail price, not to mention no need to make a relationship with a SA or have a past history of +++ purchases.
So if Hermes is able to work with custom officers internationally to ensure that any product upon entry into whichever country will be equal price as buying from another country, AND if possible standardize a process for local clients who do make regular purchases, people will no longer feel the need to wait in line at a particular store as all stores will have the same set of practices and prices in the end.
A very simple solution to the system: Harmonizing prices internationally!
The problem when people return overseas back to China is that there is no way for Chinese customs to determine how much valuable goods people have brought back. They don't even have a document to make people declare how much goods they have purchased. And even if they do make one in the future, people will likely not declare honestly. Given the 1.3B people, custom officers would have to check every single returning person which would make airports chaotic.
Thus there is a significant incentive for Chinese buyers to line up no matter at what hour of the day or night. Not only will they save on VAT, but upon returning back they do not pay any additional taxes or duties, which makes a B/K/C about 50% off retail price, not to mention no need to make a relationship with a SA or have a past history of +++ purchases.
So if Hermes is able to work with custom officers internationally to ensure that any product upon entry into whichever country will be equal price as buying from another country, AND if possible standardize a process for local clients who do make regular purchases, people will no longer feel the need to wait in line at a particular store as all stores will have the same set of practices and prices in the end.
good idea, just raise the prices in europe and then they'll get more non-bag sales in their international stores with customers having no choice but to build their profiles back home to get a b/k/c.
lol. this makes no sense. internationally traded goods are priced more or less the same.
what makes luxury goods "cheap" in Europe and expensive in other places like US, Asia, and Australia, are 1) the cost of transporting these goods to these countries and 2) the tariffs imposed by these respective countries to imported products.
I agree with allanrvj. Furthermore, by harmonizing (to increase the European retail price to match International prices), you will hurt the French/European consumers. That's not fair to them too.
OT, but this sounds like Chanel's approach to harmonise the global prices, not sure how that pan out.
Anyway back to topic, I think a more decent approach (for the time being) is to stop selling to walk-ins until they can implement a digital queuing/appointment system.
Perhaps the situation will improve tremendously during winter. Most people can't survive sleeping on the street in the cold.
I honestly don't think that cold will deter these folks. They seem like diehards because as I mentioned in a post 2-3 weeks go, it looks like LA skid row now. Who in their right minds would sleep on the street like this - not trying to be elitist, but I am really shocked. I'm surprised that there are not any "No Loitering" laws in France especially in the area so close to the presidential palace where safety has to be a concern.
They are not diehards. They are people who want to earn a substantial amount money by doing very little, requiring no skill whatsoever.
The lunatics will probably try to start camp fires. Absolute insanity.
Anyone have additional photos? This is seriously so bizarre and intriguing and opposite of anything H would want for its brand...
I have been sharing these pics and info about lining up at FSH with my DH and he has already warned me not to even think about lining up at 4,5am in the morning when we visit Paris end of the year. He refuses to participate in any of this craziness. 
Says that it really disgraces the prestige of the brand Hermes. Guess I'll be only visiting the store to admire it. 
Says that it really disgraces the prestige of the brand Hermes. Guess I'll be only visiting the store to admire it.