my always rejected kelly and birkin shopping! experience

[anilin3]

i did. i went to padova shop and varese shop and they didn't have birkins or kellys.
the padova shop is where i got my lindy but no birkin or kellys
the varese shop got 3 kelly 35 cm on display but they told me they're reserved for customers

If I might also suggest, next time also try to go to a small Hermes boutique and especially not the one around the tourist spot. Bigger shop = more orders from customers. Try smaller shops and not busy ones, sometimes they are much more pleasant to deal with (and they might have a Birkin or two available straight away too if you're not fussy with choices)

 

[poptarts]

anilin3 – I’m sorry to hear about you unpleasant experience. Truth be told, the service at the FSH store is hit or miss for me; but I only shop there when I'm on vacation in Paris so it doesn't really bother me.

I don’t think there’s a sure fire way to get a Birkin/Kelly (unless you have a good long-term relationship with a SA, even then it's not guaranteed but it does help the process a little). All you can do is politely inquire about the bag, if the store has any available and you’re working with a nice SA (who doesn’t believe in the whole you-have-to-buy-other-stuff-before-I-sell-you-a-Birkin. Luckily I haven't ran into those type of SAs, but I've see customers being treated that way at a few H stores), then your chance of getting one is fairly good. Otherwise, there’s no need to resort to any “tricks”. If you don’t get one, don’t be discouraged, try a different store or at a different time. If you believe you’re always being “rejected” then honestly I’d take my money elsewhere. If I have a genuine intention of purchasing something that cost thousands of dollars then I would like to be at least be treated with respect (given I treat them the same).

I hope you get your dream Birkin/Kelly soon.

 

[anilin3]

well i don't go to paris that often. i suppose i really wanted those bags so bad and was shocked with their attitude. it's just that bad overall. i supposed i put my hope too high since my friends told me their pleasant experiences at FSH were nicce and i thought "oh that means i could score a bag or two from them"

i've started building my relationship with SA from rome and padova stores. would always keep in contact with them. at least they treated me nicely though.
but yes, i was hoping that they could at least treat customers nicely considering we want to purchase thousands of dollars worth of a bag. well there's always be a first time for me. and weren't pleasant ones

but thank you for your input. i really appreciate it

anilin3 – I’m sorry to hear about you unpleasant experience. Truth be told, the service at the FSH store is hit or miss for me; but I only shop there when I'm on vacation in Paris so it doesn't really bother me.

I don’t think there’s a sure fire way to get a Birkin/Kelly (unless you have a good long-term relationship with a SA, even then it's not guaranteed but it does help the process a little). All you can do is politely inquire about the bag, if the store has any available and you’re working with a nice SA (who doesn’t believe in the whole you-have-to-buy-other-stuff-before-I-sell-you-a-Birkin. Luckily I haven't ran into those type of SAs, but I've see customers being treated that way at a few H stores), then your chance of getting one is fairly good. Otherwise, there’s no need to resort to any “tricks”. If you don’t get one, don’t be discouraged, try a different store or at a different time. If you believe you’re always being “rejected” then honestly I’d take my money elsewhere. If I have a genuine intention of purchasing something that cost thousands of dollars then I would like to be at least be treated with respect (given I treat them the same).

I hope you get your dream Birkin/Kelly soon.

 

[lala28]

 

[louch]

anilin3 - sorry to hear your ongoing troubles. Great to hear you are building a relationship with the SA's in Italy - I think that sounds like the way to go and your Birkin will hopefully be with you sooner than you think!! Remember to ask the H PurseFairy to help you out !!

 

[restricter]

Do you think it helps to walk in wearing several H items? I've noticed that I get a better reception at Madison Ave. if I am carrying an H bag and wearing a scarf or bracelet.

You can also try chatting up the SA by commenting that you've heard amazing things about fall/winter and were excited by the images from the ad campaign you found on the Internet. Make some mention how sad you are that JPG is leaving, that this might be his best collection ever, blah blah blah. This might get you further than asking to see items you really don't want.

Interestingly, I walked into Madison Ave and an orange Kelly was just sitting there. They said they had more inventory because people were away. Strange! But I walked out with the Kelly and only the Kelly, unless you count the Handbag High.

Good luck in your hunt.

 

[anilin3]

LOUCH : i'm hoping so. i'm crossing my finger. lol. will definitely ask the H pursefairy for help

anilin3 - sorry to hear your ongoing troubles. Great to hear you are building a relationship with the SA's in Italy - I think that sounds like the way to go and your Birkin will hopefully be with you sooner than you think!! Remember to ask the H PurseFairy to help you out !!

restricter : i walked in carrying my kelly and with a twilly. my friend told me that the SA will be much nicer to you if you're wearing their stuffs.
Never try to talk about other things though with the SA. I'll follow your advice the next time i'm buying my hermes

is it true that the JPG is leavinggg?????? OMG i love that bag. been wanting to have one!

based on what i read in the forum, seems that the SA are much nicer and stocks are easier to find in countries other than europe?? well from my experience only a few SA were nice enough

Do you think it helps to walk in wearing several H items? I've noticed that I get a better reception at Madison Ave. if I am carrying an H bag and wearing a scarf or bracelet.

You can also try chatting up the SA by commenting that you've heard amazing things about fall/winter and were excited by the images from the ad campaign you found on the Internet. Make some mention how sad you are that JPG is leaving, that this might be his best collection ever, blah blah blah. This might get you further than asking to see items you really don't want.

Interestingly, I walked into Madison Ave and an orange Kelly was just sitting there. They said they had more inventory because people were away. Strange! But I walked out with the Kelly and only the Kelly, unless you count the Handbag High.

Good luck in your hunt.

 

[varvara]

anilin, resticter and others:try the H store in Marbella, Spain

 

[JulesB68]

I think some SA's try to invent ever more ingenious ways of dismissing Birkin-hunters! I was in Rome a couple of months ago and was told that they only allow orders/purchases of Birkins to Italian residents and that my home country would be able to order my Birkin for me (yeah, right!) When I came out of the store & told my DH what they'd said, he commented that that would contravene EU laws by discriminating against other EU citizens! I was all ready to walk back in & threaten them with a lawsuit!!

Fortunately decided against making a scene(!), and a few weeks later was on a scarf quest at the London stores, when I got very lucky: despite not having any luck finding the scarves I was interested in at Harrods (they usually have a wonderful selection) I chanced my luck & asked about a BJ Birkin, and was gobsmacked when the SA came back a few minutes later with a humongous orange box. Excited doesn't begin to cover how I felt! They did still try to get me to buy a scarf but I was holding out for a couple of designs in particular, which I later managed to get in the Bond St store.

I think the previous advice given about talking to the SA's about other H stuff & showing that you know what you're talking about really does help.
Good luck with your quest & don't lose faith!

 

[EdinaChu]

Rome is like that.... Unfortunately, store can refuse to sell you a birkin and there is no law against that. Refusing to sell a bag to a non resident is not illegal as EU law on discrimination does not cover residency, just sex, religion, race and disability.

But I am glad thar you did score a birkin in London.

I think some SA's try to invent ever more ingenious ways of dismissing Birkin-hunters! I was in Rome a couple of months ago and was told that they only allow orders/purchases of Birkins to Italian residents and that my home country would be able to order my Birkin for me (yeah, right!) When I came out of the store & told my DH what they'd said, he commented that that would contravene EU laws by discriminating against other EU citizens! I was all ready to walk back in & threaten them with a lawsuit!!

Fortunately decided against making a scene(!), and a few weeks later was on a scarf quest at the London stores, when I got very lucky: despite not having any luck finding the scarves I was interested in at Harrods (they usually have a wonderful selection) I chanced my luck & asked about a BJ Birkin, and was gobsmacked when the SA came back a few minutes later with a humongous orange box. Excited doesn't begin to cover how I felt! They did still try to get me to buy a scarf but I was holding out for a couple of designs in particular, which I later managed to get in the Bond St store.

I think the previous advice given about talking to the SA's about other H stuff & showing that you know what you're talking about really does help.
Good luck with your quest & don't lose faith!

 

[Sarastro]

Rome is like that.... Unfortunately, store can refuse to sell you a birkin and there is no law against that. Refusing to sell a bag to a non resident is not illegal as EU law on discrimination does not cover residency, just sex, religion, race and disability.

But I am glad thar you did score a birkin in London.

It does contravine the rules on the free movement of capital.

 

[sonya]

I hate hearing stories like this. I know there is a lot of demand for birkins/kellies and salespeople are bombarded by requests, but they work in customer service, and they really should be more polite about it.

I wish I could have helped. I was in Paris last weekend and saw a lot of commotion over a birkin they took out from the back, everyone wanted it!

Timing is really important when it comes to acquiring a birkin during a walk in. It is mostly about luck when you don't know any SAs.

Good luck!

 

[npoo]

I very much agree with everyone when said that luck plays a big role in scoring a birkin/kelly via a walk-in. Saw a chocolate birkin on the shelf today and within minutes it was gone.

 

[anilin3]

yep. i think luck really plays a huge role in scoring a birkin or kelly. but still though, i don't mind going back again and again to try my luck in scoring one.. but please do the customer service.
many people including me could be going to FSH for the first time and it is because of our love for their products that we decided to spend thousands. if first impression is already bad, then how do they expect people to come back again ?

or i guess they just don't care about customer service at all considering how their products are selling like peanuts

i really wish Mr. Dumas would read threads like these and try to improve the customer service but then again maybe he's too busy

 

[jellyv]

i really wish Mr. Dumas would read threads like these and try to improve the customer service but then again maybe he's too busy

That may be asking too much. He's making saddles for Saint Peter these days.