my always rejected kelly and birkin shopping! experience

[dreamdoll]

Sorry to read this. I have been to Avignon store, and they are normally quite nice. In fact, we were invited to their scarf event even though we were not local. Do keep trying, it never hurts to try, and again you'd never know when lady luck might smile...

Also, if you might have to pay thousands before being offered one as you say, then perhaps you might want to consider visiting Japan and paying a slight premium instead.

i went to the firenze shop today and there wasn't any kelly or birkin on the shelves. my husband told me that he saw them got another shipment this morning.

the only time i asked immediately for a kelly was at the avignon store though. other than that, i asked either for a lindy or wallets first.
i don't mind paying for other things like herbag, lindy, wallets, shoes. but the avignon SA specifically said that i have to purchase clothings for several thousand euros first before i can get my kelly or birkin, which i hesitated though..

after going in and out several stores, i assumed that kelly or birkin questions are very sensitive to these SA :wondering

kinda hard for me to have a relationship with a particular SA since i don't live in europe :cry: but definitely will keep a good relation with a particular SA

It may be true that people have been fortunate to walk in and find a bag on the shelf, but there are many more who have been unsuccessful, hence I would say the successful ones are probably the exception rather than the norm. SAs are faced with the same questions all year round, and are so used to hearing it over and over, I would imagine they would just say no, unless you have a relationship with the store or the SAs.

I have not tried to purchase a handbag in Europe, but I have seen many threads of people who have been fortunate to walk in and find a bag on the shelf. I suspect at least part of the problem may be that you are there during the height of the summer tourist season and the SAs are probably bombarded with the same questions all day - do you have a Birkin or Kelly?!? Perhaps if you can go at another time of year or look in another place? I hope that you can find what you are looking for. It sounds as if you are having a wonderful trip from the wonderful places that you are so fortunate to visit!

 

[ufgrad]

Sorry to hear about this! I was very nervous about going to Hermes because I have read horror stories on here. I went in to buy an agenda and there were two SAs, one woman was rude looking and didnt even speak to me or my mom, but the other SA was absolutely wonderful! This was my first time in the store and he showed me agendas and bracelets and took the time to tell me the stories behind the pictures on the bracelets. So, I had settled on the agenda and a bracelet but simply asked about the 30 birkin they had on display. I also asked how I could go about getting a wait list. He asked what I was looking for and told me that he would see what he had. He brought out a birkin still in the plastic wrap and was so gracious about it... told me if I wanted it I could have it, but he completely understood if I wasn't ready. I ended up getting the birkin and NOT getting the other accessories (for now ). He even gave me a hug good-bye! I will be his customer for life!! Keep trying, I think it truly is about luck!!

 

[Hermesaholic]

while this may not be the case you have to remember that the sales people get overwhelmed. every day customers walk in and ask for birkins and kellys. over and over. I have seen in 100's of times. they want nothing else....the SA's are bonused on everything BUT birkins and kellys. rudeness and such should not be acceptable but I do think people need to keep in mind the situation. they often dont like to sell coveted bags to "transients" because they would rather offer them to regular or repeat customers.

 

[yqian]

tt's really nice of the SA. Which store did u visit?

Sorry to hear about this! I was very nervous about going to Hermes because I have read horror stories on here. I went in to buy an agenda and there were two SAs, one woman was rude looking and didnt even speak to me or my mom, but the other SA was absolutely wonderful! This was my first time in the store and he showed me agendas and bracelets and took the time to tell me the stories behind the pictures on the bracelets. So, I had settled on the agenda and a bracelet but simply asked about the 30 birkin they had on display. I also asked how I could go about getting a wait list. He asked what I was looking for and told me that he would see what he had. He brought out a birkin still in the plastic wrap and was so gracious about it... told me if I wanted it I could have it, but he completely understood if I wasn't ready. I ended up getting the birkin and NOT getting the other accessories (for now ). He even gave me a hug good-bye! I will be his customer for life!! Keep trying, I think it truly is about luck!!

 

[ufgrad]

tt's really nice of the SA. Which store did u visit?

Palm Beach

 

[EdinaChu]

A birkin in Palm Beach US costs more than $10k if you include the sales tax, a birkin in Europe costs $6,800 (after detax).... That is why the SA in the US are more accommodating, and that is why a Birkin is so much more difficult to find in boutique in Europe.

Which is why I wonder why is it such a big deal if you have to spend 2000 on clothing to get a birkin, it will still be cheaper than getting a birkin in the us or Asia. A missed opportunity I think.

 

[Luvbolide]

I didn't say anything about whether more are successful or unsuccessful. There are numerous threads of people who were lucky enough to find something when walking in, including a couple of references to such luck in the past couple of weeks. The fact is well known that it is difficult to get a Birkin or Kelly as a walk-in, but it is also not impossible. I live in a city with many tourists - there are more of them in the summer. I see many people walk in, march up to the first SA and ask for a Birkin. I have never seen anyone succeed with that method. I have seen people get Birkins after they have talked to an SA and looked at several things, maybe purchased them as well, I'm not sure. This is certainly not common, nor does it happen more often than not, but it does/can happen. Clearly marching in and asking only one question is not a key to success (though it does kind of amuse me to watch people try it.)





It may be true that people have been fortunate to walk in and find a bag on the shelf, but there are many more who have been unsuccessful, hence I would say the successful ones are probably the exception rather than the norm. SAs are faced with the same questions all year round, and are so used to hearing it over and over, I would imagine they would just say no, unless you have a relationship with the store or the SAs.[/QUOTE]

 

[louch]

Put yourself in the shoes of a store manager.... Would you sell a birkin to anyone who asks for one, or do you reserve it for someone who buys loads of other things as well.

The fact that you refused to buy other goods when offered puts you very low on their priority for a birkin IMHO.

As for the treatment at FSH, I think you may have appeared abrupt and rude to them as no one I know at FSH would treat you badly without good reason.

This is pretty harsh - you weren't there and are only interpreting events. People new to the whole Hermes Birkin/Kelly world may not appreciate the etiquette involved and I don't think it's helpful to make judgments like this to new members.

Good luck OP with your search - you'll get there eventually

 

[dreamdoll]

To clarify, I am not infering that you meant more are successful or otherwise. It is just my humble opinion. And I do agree that it is not easy to get a birkin or kelly as a walk-in. Whether it is a well-known fact might not be that apparent to everyone, OP included. Asking for a birkin / kelly as a walk-in happens alot for some stores more than others (not that it matters).

I didn't say anything about whether more are successful or unsuccessful. There are numerous threads of people who were lucky enough to find something when walking in, including a couple of references to such luck in the past couple of weeks. The fact is well known that it is difficult to get a Birkin or Kelly as a walk-in, but it is also not impossible. I live in a city with many tourists - there are more of them in the summer. I see many people walk in, march up to the first SA and ask for a Birkin. I have never seen anyone succeed with that method. I have seen people get Birkins after they have talked to an SA and looked at several things, maybe purchased them as well, I'm not sure. This is certainly not common, nor does it happen more often than not, but it does/can happen. Clearly marching in and asking only one question is not a key to success (though it does kind of amuse me to watch people try it.)



It may be true that people have been fortunate to walk in and find a bag on the shelf, but there are many more who have been unsuccessful, hence I would say the successful ones are probably the exception rather than the norm. SAs are faced with the same questions all year round, and are so used to hearing it over and over, I would imagine they would just say no, unless you have a relationship with the store or the SAs.

[/QUOTE]

 

[EdinaChu]

This is pretty harsh - you weren't there and are only interpreting events. People new to the whole Hermes Birkin/Kelly world may not appreciate the etiquette involved and I don't think it's helpful to make judgments like this to new members.

Good luck OP with your search - you'll get there eventually

You are quite right, and I have been unfairly harsh. I did not mean to say that the op was rude or abrupt, but 'may' have come across as such to the SA to the extent that the SA just simply said "no birkins no Kelly." sometimes in our persistence and eagerness to get a birkin, we forget to smile and be polite.

Of course, I wish the OP all the best in her quest, and hopes that she will return from her holidays with the prized Birkin.

 

[shans44]

Palm Beach

This was the store that sold me my first first birkin as well - so lovely to me and my whole family (including my parents and my 1.5 yo son at the time that was running around the store)!

 

[anilin3]

well... i didn't know whether i was rude or not. it was my first time at FSH. i've heard stories from my friends who just got there and simply asked for either a birkin or a kelly and got one. the SA was nice when i asked for lindys and started to behave rudely when i asked about a kelly.

regardless, i understand they've been bombarded with the same questions every day but please don't take it out on someone just because of that reason?
i mean, the SA at hermes should know better that they will be asked this question every several minutes

You are quite right, and I have been unfairly harsh. I did not mean to say that the op was rude or abrupt, but 'may' have come across as such to the SA to the extent that the SA just simply said "no birkins no Kelly." sometimes in our persistence and eagerness to get a birkin, we forget to smile and be polite.

Of course, I wish the OP all the best in her quest, and hopes that she will return from her holidays with the prized Birkin.

 

[anilin3]

my husband went to the rome store today and they only have lindy 34 in caffe, which he passed. but he already asked the SA to give him a call whenever there's a new shipment arrives.
he told me the SA was nice considering only him (and no woman tagging along) went inside the boutique. is it true SA are nicer to men ?
my guess is probably because whenever men make purchases, they won't resell the items

will keep on trying though to get my dream bag, even though my husband is starting to question me as to why i still even want the bag

 

[anilin3]

This is pretty harsh - you weren't there and are only interpreting events. People new to the whole Hermes Birkin/Kelly world may not appreciate the etiquette involved and I don't think it's helpful to make judgments like this to new members.

Good luck OP with your search - you'll get there eventually

wish me luck!

 

[anilin3]

true true... but to be a regular or repeat customer, someone has to start somewhere, no ?
the SA should give that chance to anyone..u would never know that particular someone could be one of your best customers.. in my opinion though

while this may not be the case you have to remember that the sales people get overwhelmed. every day customers walk in and ask for birkins and kellys. over and over. I have seen in 100's of times. they want nothing else....the SA's are bonused on everything BUT birkins and kellys. rudeness and such should not be acceptable but I do think people need to keep in mind the situation. they often dont like to sell coveted bags to "transients" because they would rather offer them to regular or repeat customers.