I want to share a bit of news for Victoria lovers: The bag is no longer coming with a luggage tag!
Earlier this week, I received a Victoria II 35 bag that I had ordered over the phone from a Hermes boutique in another state (which had to get the bag shipped in from still another boutique). Upon opening the box, I was surprised to see that the luggage tag was missing (and believe me, I looked and looked through all the packaging).
The lock/keys/clochette were included, but no luggage tag. I know that some people don't care about the tag and don't use it. But to me, the tag is an integral part of the design and I wanted to be able to make the choice of wearing it or not. My $4,525 new bag felt incomplete without it. Plus I figured it could become an issue if I ever resold the bag.
So I called the SA, who said she was unfamiliar with the Victoria and first tried to tell me that the bag never came with a luggage tag. After I insisted that, in fact, there should be a tag, she called the originating boutique and phoned me back. Her answer: Victorias no longer come with tags, and all of the boutiques had received a "directive" from Paris several months ago to remove the tags from the older Victorias that they still have in stock.
Frankly I was skeptical about this answer, especially since the Victorias are still depicted on U.S. and international Hermes.com with the tags attached. Perhaps the story was just to cover for an oversight or forgetfulness?
Then coincidentally I noticed this eBay listing for a new "O" stamped (2011) Victoria in Rubis that mentions: "Please note that the newest Victoria II FT bags no longer come with the luggage tag." So apparently it is true. I suspect that this all has something to do with the fact that Hermes is about to release a redesigned Victoria, as we've read about here in the fall podium thread.
The kicker to all of this is that the SA informed me that the originating boutique still had the luggage tag that they had removed from my bag.
But she was uncertain whether she was allowed to give it to me, and said she had to ask permission from the store director. After I badgered them, they ultimately relented. This morning, the FedEx guy delivered my missing tag. 
Such a small thing, I know, but I'm relieved to have it, and I thought I'd tell my little tale in case it can help those considering future purchases...
(The first three pics show the bag with luggage tags on Hermes.com; the last one is from the eBay listing that I mentioned.)
Earlier this week, I received a Victoria II 35 bag that I had ordered over the phone from a Hermes boutique in another state (which had to get the bag shipped in from still another boutique). Upon opening the box, I was surprised to see that the luggage tag was missing (and believe me, I looked and looked through all the packaging).
The lock/keys/clochette were included, but no luggage tag. I know that some people don't care about the tag and don't use it. But to me, the tag is an integral part of the design and I wanted to be able to make the choice of wearing it or not. My $4,525 new bag felt incomplete without it. Plus I figured it could become an issue if I ever resold the bag. So I called the SA, who said she was unfamiliar with the Victoria and first tried to tell me that the bag never came with a luggage tag. After I insisted that, in fact, there should be a tag, she called the originating boutique and phoned me back. Her answer: Victorias no longer come with tags, and all of the boutiques had received a "directive" from Paris several months ago to remove the tags from the older Victorias that they still have in stock.
Frankly I was skeptical about this answer, especially since the Victorias are still depicted on U.S. and international Hermes.com with the tags attached. Perhaps the story was just to cover for an oversight or forgetfulness?
Then coincidentally I noticed this eBay listing for a new "O" stamped (2011) Victoria in Rubis that mentions: "Please note that the newest Victoria II FT bags no longer come with the luggage tag." So apparently it is true. I suspect that this all has something to do with the fact that Hermes is about to release a redesigned Victoria, as we've read about here in the fall podium thread.The kicker to all of this is that the SA informed me that the originating boutique still had the luggage tag that they had removed from my bag.
But she was uncertain whether she was allowed to give it to me, and said she had to ask permission from the store director. After I badgered them, they ultimately relented. This morning, the FedEx guy delivered my missing tag. Such a small thing, I know, but I'm relieved to have it, and I thought I'd tell my little tale in case it can help those considering future purchases...(The first three pics show the bag with luggage tags on Hermes.com; the last one is from the eBay listing that I mentioned.)
Still glad I have it though. For the record, Hermes.com now shows the Victoria II with its clochette but no luggage tag.
I've seen several colours at my local boutique lately, inlcluding Mykonos blue. Just visit the nearest boutique and ask them about it!
