Lining up for Hermes - thoughts, rants, raves

[EmileH]

So you think Hermes encourages the line as a way to enhance its brand image? I think that's a stretch.

The reports of physical violence are real. I'm not imagining them. I was told by reputable people in Paris and the same was reported by members on tpf that week. It is the nature of this forum that people with no direct knowledge feel they know more than they do. And I hope you aren't minimizing the fact that my friend was physically attacked. She was. And that should never be minimized.

I have shared all the knowledge that I can. I will end my discussion by saying that I hope Hermes finds a good solution and I am confident that they will.

 

[allanrvj]

I also agree that the line and line sitters are probably enhancing the brand's image, even for a bit. They don't have to hype anything (like what LV did with Supreme); it comes to them for free. Bad publicity is still publicity.

 

[mistikat]

I think my posts are plain and self explanatory But of course you are free to read into them with your own assumptions and biases. And I will reiterate that if Hermes felt this was bad for business they would take action. Maybe it hasn't gotten to a point where they feel that's necessary.

 

[Megs]

I think my posts are plain and self explanatory But of course you are free to read into them with your own assumptions and biases. And I will reiterate that if Hermes felt this was bad for business they would take action. Maybe it hasn't gotten to a point where they feel that's necessary.

That's what I would guess. They are a large enough corporation, that if they wanted this to stop, they'd change the system. They have the power to make it end by changing how they allow shoppers in, and they aren't changing it.

I honestly am confused as to how it baffles anyone that this would happen? I mean, if I were in Paris and was hoping to get a bag and not spend half a day waiting in front of a store hoping for it, I wouldn't be opposed to having someone wait on line for me.

Do I like when people save spots etc? No. I know for some Black Friday sales you get a number - and it's good for one person. That would help being cut by multiple people at least...

 

[suziez]

I don't understand how the city allows people to sleep and sit on the street at all hours. Wouldn't it just be easier for the city to not allow anyone outside the stores until maybe an hour before? Am I being too simplistic?

 

[Coco.lover]

I doubt the situation will change. Hermes rather have the line outside their store than inside. My sa told me in May when I asked about the situation that whatever happens outside it's not Hermes' responsibility, so if you want to get there at 2 am go for it, it's not their problem until you get inside the store.

 

[Luvbolide]

I am surprised that more if the adjacent businesses aren't raising a huge fuss. At night the area looks more like a homeless encampment that a luxury shopping area. Once people start eating and sleeping in the line, things get worse. Pardon me if this sounds tacky, but how are people taking care of bodily functions - trooping in and out of nearby hotels?!? (Just referring to overnight campers here!)

Someone spoke of hanging out and waiting in nearby cafés - how is it fair to have their regular customers unable to get a table to eat because the cafe is full of groups of people nursing coffee for hours while they trade off standing in line.

Personally I have a hard time believing that any publicity is better than none. H is a well established luxury brand who trades on the luxury lifestyle. To have their global mothership trashed up is not a good luck.

And when are those security people with guns across going to say that all the hanging out, loitering, camping out, etc is posing a security for the US and British Embassies and all those folks need to move the heck off.

Just my thoughts...

 

[Mininana]

I can tell you that people are afraid to go. I have spoken to at least 5-6 friends who love Hermes and wanted to go to the store but were frightened to go because of this mess. I had to reassure them if they went later in the day they would be fine. So yes, people are afraid to go. I have direct experience with this.

I'm afraid to go.
I'm going to Paris twice this year and scared to go. Appalled as well. So going to sevres instead!

 

[EmileH]

That's what I would guess. They are a large enough corporation, that if they wanted this to stop, they'd change the system. They have the power to make it end by changing how they allow shoppers in, and they aren't changing it.

I honestly am confused as to how it baffles anyone that this would happen? I mean, if I were in Paris and was hoping to get a bag and not spend half a day waiting in front of a store hoping for it, I wouldn't be opposed to having someone wait on line for me.

Do I like when people save spots etc? No. I know for some Black Friday sales you get a number - and it's good for one person. That would help being cut by multiple people at least...

My impression from speaking with staff there is that they did not expect things to get so out of hand. They are concerned about it. I think they will do something about it, but as I said it's approaching the French summer vacations so I doubt it will happen immediately. Nothing at Hermes happens quickly.

 

[Megs]

My impression from speaking with staff there is that they did not expect things to get so out of hand. They are concerned about it. I think they will do something about it, but as I said it's approaching the French summer vacations so I doubt it will happen immediately. Nothing at Hermes happens quickly.

Haha, what exactly did they think would happen? I mean that doesn't even make sense to me... a massive corporation that understands people will spend well over retail for their bags, spend money on random home wares to get a bag, starts a line system and people begin to have luck getting a bag they want. So people line up earlier, and earlier, until it becomes the day before.

I mean, do they ever turn on the TV and see black Friday? Any trendy food shop in NYC? Theatre tickets? New coveted shoe drops? I mean even movie tickets!

 

[EmileH]

Fortunately for the people of France I don't think they are aware of this craziness. All I can tell you is what has been conveyed to me.

 

[missD]

Saw this somewhere ...
They are camping outside
I can't believe this is hermes

Omg this is horrible!

 

[Nahreen]

This group of line sitters do not seem like the professional line sitters that someone said could be hired in NY.

With professional I refer to having a registered company, webpage etc.

This just seems like a random group of people that have seen this as a lucrative business opportunity. There is nothing professional with starting fights, shouting, selling one spot multiple people etc.

 

[EmileH]

Haha, what exactly did they think would happen? I mean that doesn't even make sense to me... a massive corporation that understands people will spend well over retail for their bags, spend money on random home wares to get a bag, starts a line system and people begin to have luck getting a bag they want. So people line up earlier, and earlier, until it becomes the day before.

I mean, do they ever turn on the TV and see black Friday? Any trendy food shop in NYC? Theatre tickets? New coveted shoe drops? I mean even movie tickets!

I think you misunderstand. The line is not new and people didn't just begin to have luck. The line was there for quite some time. It grew over the past few years fueled by increasing demand and the declining euro. The only thing new was that it was moved out of the store with appointments given later in the day. They thought this would solve the problem of overcrowding the store. They needed to make a change to alleviate that problem. They didn't think the line would continue to grow despite making the process even more onerous. This is an improvement over the old system, but clearly new issues have arisen and need to be addressed. I don't think it's an attempt to get publicity.

 

[CEC.LV4eva]

Are we arguing that this situation should continue? I don't see the benefit of it to anyone except the resellers and line sitters who are profiting. It's bad for the company's image, bad for existing customers, bad for people who genuinely want to buy a bag for themselves. It's a public safety nightmare and a nuisance to the other merchants on the block. Hermes should decide what is in it's best interest: come up with a better system and invest the resources, stop selling to walk ins or whatever. But it's ludicrous to think this should go on as is.

Thank you for coming from an altruistic and safety perspective. In addition, it decreases accessibility to those who have disabilities in such a crowded area. We don't think about the vulnerable sectors, but it would certainly deter some of these people from coming to FSH as well. Even for me, thanks but no thanks! I'm not going anywhere near major shopping parts of Paris now purely because I have an idea of what are some of the backgrounds of these folks (think about the high chances of robbery too after coming out of the store!). There is so much more to this city than just shopping!

Anyhow, there is no right or wrong, but there are opportunists who do see this line-sitting business as something legit, which is fine. The difference between other brands/products and Hermes is that line sitters for other companies are there for a special one time event, eg. iPhone release. Hermes' line sitters are there daily, or at least part time, so I hope they're paying their income taxes