Paris trip for Hermes

[papertiger]

Please try to stay on topic. I realise because of the complexity of some of the posts members may veer off but in answer do not 'go there'.

For info and questions on US customs please post on the thread below: post https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/us-customs-discussion-airports-importing.905560/

Detaxing (to US from Europe) https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/best-way-to-detax-after-h-in-europe.178302/

or non-US destinations: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/does-h-store-paris-wants-to-ship.605014/page-3

For questions relating to prices https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/reference-hermes-current-prices.102567/page-357

For traveling with boxes https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...me-hermes-boxes-when-traveling.1044553/page-5



I will leave this reminder as a sticky because tthis is often a thread that new members (or new Hermès lovers) post on - hopefully temporarily.

 

[Gina123]

Hi all, I got so much information from all the helpful people here and I thought it will only be good to share my experience with you. Here's my story...

My DH and I are currently on our honeymoon, travelling around Europe. We flew from Australia to Dubai and visited Athens, Rome, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Manchester and London. We have gone into every hermes in all of the cities and we were declined every time. We tried all different strategies but no success. It has been a very emotionally and soul crushing experience, in all honesty.

Our last hope is in Paris. On Thursday, DH went by himself dressed in a suit and tie (he really put in a lot of effort) with no appointment but was not successful.

Today we queued up at 8am, got an appointment and was served immediately. The SA didn't seem interested to chat with us and we knew our chances were slim and sure enough we got told the usual rejection line... "Sorry we do not have delivery on Saturday. Only expecting a delivery next month". We were absolutely devastated. It sort of ruined our day and we just went for a quiet lunch after that.

I then told DH that I wanted to get at least a Kelly wallet and a belt for him. So we went back to the store at about 2pm. We confirmed the belt and we were passed on to the leather department subsequently. Then we heard there's still appointment available, so we took another appointment for 5pm.

But after 5 mins, we were told an SA can serve us immediately. It's a guy, a very nice guy. We told him it's our honeymoon and my DH wants to fulfil his wedding promise to me by buying me a hermes bag. DH also said the bag is a return for a nice watch I bought for him earlier. All these are true. The SA took down my wish list (Kelly or birkin) and we said we wanted to look at Kelly wallets too.

I found an Epsom sapphire palladium hardware Kelly wallet that I really like. The SA then said he will go and look for the bag while we hang around there. He went for around 10 minutes and came back with a blue agate gold hardware Kelly wallet and asked if we are interested. At this point, we thought our chance of getting a bag was dashed. We said we will stick with the sapphire wallet and then he said he will try his best to get a matching bag (which we already specified on our wish list and the blue sapphire is my favourite colour!).

After 10 minutes, DH saw him walked past from quite a distance away with a big orange box. Our heart stopped and we tried to contain our excitement as we didn't want to be too disappointed again. Then he came with the orange box and told us to follow him.

He brought us into a private room and voila! He brought out a Birkin 30 Epsom blue sapphire with palladium hardware. We were stunned... DH immediately gave the SA a big hug and tears rolled off my eyes. I didn't know I would cry for a bag but after all the effort and the hardship we went through to buy one, I think I was overwhelmed.

It was indeed quite a journey. After going through the experience with DH, the bag means much much more to both of us than just a bag.

Presenting ms birkin in Bleu sapphire

Your DH is wonderful. Congrats on your wedding and B30! [emoji253][emoji177]

 

[tabbi001]

I wanted to share my shopping experience at FSH.

A few friends and I arrived on Saturday at noon and saw no one in either queue. We walked up to a hostess in leather goods who told us there were no appointments for the day. I wasn’t fussed about this. I thanked her, told her I would look at scarves for now and come back on Monday. I also asked whether appointments could be made with a specific SA as my U.S. SA had recommended a few folks. She said of course.

After about 10 minutes of looking at scarves, the same hostess approached me and asked for my information. She said, as luck would have it, they had an appointment in the next 5 minutes. Yay!

We were met by a SA and he was lovely. I didn’t feel rushed at all – we chatted for about 10 minutes and I gave him a wish list of 4 bags. I further explained that my top 2 choices were a Double Sens (in blue and neutral) and a 32 Kelly (in a neutral color). For the Kelly, he asked about leather preferences. I mentioned that I wanted something a bit more casual (more togo leather than epson). He left us with champagne and water and went to check stock.

He came back with 2 boxes and said “one I can show you here, the other I’ll show you in a room.” I started to get super excited! Box 1 contained a Double Sens 45cm in Blue Abyss and Gold. It was perfect! He then led us to a private room and opened box 2 containing . . . a Kelly Retourne 32 cm in Origan/Oregano Veau Evercolor. It was magnificent! I typically don’t go for light color bags, but this was the perfect grey-olive green and shows beautifully on the evercolor leather. I wasn’t as familiar with evercolor, so had to do a quick search on PF. Thanks to all here who have reported on yours!

The price difference between the US and Paris is astounding.
· My bag is $10,600 before tax when purchased in the US. I live in SF, so with tax it’d be $11,527.50.
· In Paris, the bag is €7,350. With current exchange rates (€1 = $1.06), my bag comes in at $7791 USD. That’s a price difference of $3,737, which is further increased by my VAT refund.

I’m delighted by the bag and the sublime shopping experience. I’m also left wondering, why don’t I just visit Paris once or twice a year and buy bags?

Thanks for letting me share!View attachment 3532116

Congratulations on your beautiful bags!

 

[hcrazy8]

Hi all, I got so much information from all the helpful people here and I thought it will only be good to share my experience with you. Here's my story...

My DH and I are currently on our honeymoon, travelling around Europe. We flew from Australia to Dubai and visited Athens, Rome, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Manchester and London. We have gone into every hermes in all of the cities and we were declined every time. We tried all different strategies but no success. It has been a very emotionally and soul crushing experience, in all honesty.

Our last hope is in Paris. On Thursday, DH went by himself dressed in a suit and tie (he really put in a lot of effort) with no appointment but was not successful.

Today we queued up at 8am, got an appointment and was served immediately. The SA didn't seem interested to chat with us and we knew our chances were slim and sure enough we got told the usual rejection line... "Sorry we do not have delivery on Saturday. Only expecting a delivery next month". We were absolutely devastated. It sort of ruined our day and we just went for a quiet lunch after that.

I then told DH that I wanted to get at least a Kelly wallet and a belt for him. So we went back to the store at about 2pm. We confirmed the belt and we were passed on to the leather department subsequently. Then we heard there's still appointment available, so we took another appointment for 5pm.

But after 5 mins, we were told an SA can serve us immediately. It's a guy, a very nice guy. We told him it's our honeymoon and my DH wants to fulfil his wedding promise to me by buying me a hermes bag. DH also said the bag is a return for a nice watch I bought for him earlier. All these are true. The SA took down my wish list (Kelly or birkin) and we said we wanted to look at Kelly wallets too.

I found an Epsom sapphire palladium hardware Kelly wallet that I really like. The SA then said he will go and look for the bag while we hang around there. He went for around 10 minutes and came back with a blue agate gold hardware Kelly wallet and asked if we are interested. At this point, we thought our chance of getting a bag was dashed. We said we will stick with the sapphire wallet and then he said he will try his best to get a matching bag (which we already specified on our wish list and the blue sapphire is my favourite colour!).

After 10 minutes, DH saw him walked past from quite a distance away with a big orange box. Our heart stopped and we tried to contain our excitement as we didn't want to be too disappointed again. Then he came with the orange box and told us to follow him.

He brought us into a private room and voila! He brought out a Birkin 30 Epsom blue sapphire with palladium hardware. We were stunned... DH immediately gave the SA a big hug and tears rolled off my eyes. I didn't know I would cry for a bag but after all the effort and the hardship we went through to buy one, I think I was overwhelmed.

It was indeed quite a journey. After going through the experience with DH, the bag means much much more to both of us than just a bag.

Presenting ms birkin in Bleu sapphire

Congratulations! I believe you are the couple behind my mom & I at the queue. Happy that your perseverance paid off. The 1st of the 40 bags

 

[Elovel]

Congratulations! I believe you are the couple behind my mom & I at the queue. Happy that your perseverance paid off. The 1st of the 40 bags

Hi, great to see you here! Thanks for the company and the tips you shared that morning. It made the time in the queue pass much quicker. How did you go that day?

 

[ka3na20]

As I understand you don't have a phone they will give you a fixed hour. Please correct me if I am wrong

This is correct. FSH has free wifi also that you can use while waiting.

 

[renee_nyc]

I was able to carry on the box I got for my GP 36 back in Sept. (United Flight back to NYC.)

I used the method others described with the largest Longchamp travel bag, however it didn't close so I had to get creative. I didn't care to bring the H paper bag with me so I untied the brown string handles and used them to 'extend' the Longchamp one. Fit perfectly fine into the overhead.

I think I'm gonna put the box in the checked luggage and put the Kelly in a longchamp bag like everybody suggests here (in fact my husband had the same suggestion, although he doesn't browse purseforum lol). The box won't fit in a carry on for sure.

I'm almost 5'4". In fact I think K35 is a little too big on me but my husband said it looks just fine. Well I guess it's all about personal preference.

Good luck!

 

[LV.NYC]

Hi all, I got so much information from all the helpful people here and I thought it will only be good to share my experience with you. Here's my story...

My DH and I are currently on our honeymoon, travelling around Europe. We flew from Australia to Dubai and visited Athens, Rome, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Manchester and London. We have gone into every hermes in all of the cities and we were declined every time. We tried all different strategies but no success. It has been a very emotionally and soul crushing experience, in all honesty.

Our last hope is in Paris. On Thursday, DH went by himself dressed in a suit and tie (he really put in a lot of effort) with no appointment but was not successful.

Today we queued up at 8am, got an appointment and was served immediately. The SA didn't seem interested to chat with us and we knew our chances were slim and sure enough we got told the usual rejection line... "Sorry we do not have delivery on Saturday. Only expecting a delivery next month". We were absolutely devastated. It sort of ruined our day and we just went for a quiet lunch after that.

I then told DH that I wanted to get at least a Kelly wallet and a belt for him. So we went back to the store at about 2pm. We confirmed the belt and we were passed on to the leather department subsequently. Then we heard there's still appointment available, so we took another appointment for 5pm.

But after 5 mins, we were told an SA can serve us immediately. It's a guy, a very nice guy. We told him it's our honeymoon and my DH wants to fulfil his wedding promise to me by buying me a hermes bag. DH also said the bag is a return for a nice watch I bought for him earlier. All these are true. The SA took down my wish list (Kelly or birkin) and we said we wanted to look at Kelly wallets too.

I found an Epsom sapphire palladium hardware Kelly wallet that I really like. The SA then said he will go and look for the bag while we hang around there. He went for around 10 minutes and came back with a blue agate gold hardware Kelly wallet and asked if we are interested. At this point, we thought our chance of getting a bag was dashed. We said we will stick with the sapphire wallet and then he said he will try his best to get a matching bag (which we already specified on our wish list and the blue sapphire is my favourite colour!).

After 10 minutes, DH saw him walked past from quite a distance away with a big orange box. Our heart stopped and we tried to contain our excitement as we didn't want to be too disappointed again. Then he came with the orange box and told us to follow him.

He brought us into a private room and voila! He brought out a Birkin 30 Epsom blue sapphire with palladium hardware. We were stunned... DH immediately gave the SA a big hug and tears rolled off my eyes. I didn't know I would cry for a bag but after all the effort and the hardship we went through to buy one, I think I was overwhelmed.

It was indeed quite a journey. After going through the experience with DH, the bag means much much more to both of us than just a bag.

Presenting ms birkin in Bleu sapphire

how awfully sentimental, I love stories like this! Thank you for sharing, now this bag is truly an heirloom piece to be passed down for generations. And the blue sapphire is gorgeous! This is an awesome bag purchase experience...you truly go the entire story behind a first hermes purchase!!! congrats on your happily ever after!

 

[chkpfbeliever]

Hi all, I got so much information from all the helpful people here and I thought it will only be good to share my experience with you. Here's my story...

My DH and I are currently on our honeymoon, travelling around Europe. We flew from Australia to Dubai and visited Athens, Rome, Florence, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Manchester and London. We have gone into every hermes in all of the cities and we were declined every time. We tried all different strategies but no success. It has been a very emotionally and soul crushing experience, in all honesty.

Our last hope is in Paris. On Thursday, DH went by himself dressed in a suit and tie (he really put in a lot of effort) with no appointment but was not successful.

Today we queued up at 8am, got an appointment and was served immediately. The SA didn't seem interested to chat with us and we knew our chances were slim and sure enough we got told the usual rejection line... "Sorry we do not have delivery on Saturday. Only expecting a delivery next month". We were absolutely devastated. It sort of ruined our day and we just went for a quiet lunch after that.

I then told DH that I wanted to get at least a Kelly wallet and a belt for him. So we went back to the store at about 2pm. We confirmed the belt and we were passed on to the leather department subsequently. Then we heard there's still appointment available, so we took another appointment for 5pm.

But after 5 mins, we were told an SA can serve us immediately. It's a guy, a very nice guy. We told him it's our honeymoon and my DH wants to fulfil his wedding promise to me by buying me a hermes bag. DH also said the bag is a return for a nice watch I bought for him earlier. All these are true. The SA took down my wish list (Kelly or birkin) and we said we wanted to look at Kelly wallets too.

I found an Epsom sapphire palladium hardware Kelly wallet that I really like. The SA then said he will go and look for the bag while we hang around there. He went for around 10 minutes and came back with a blue agate gold hardware Kelly wallet and asked if we are interested. At this point, we thought our chance of getting a bag was dashed. We said we will stick with the sapphire wallet and then he said he will try his best to get a matching bag (which we already specified on our wish list and the blue sapphire is my favourite colour!).

After 10 minutes, DH saw him walked past from quite a distance away with a big orange box. Our heart stopped and we tried to contain our excitement as we didn't want to be too disappointed again. Then he came with the orange box and told us to follow him.

He brought us into a private room and voila! He brought out a Birkin 30 Epsom blue sapphire with palladium hardware. We were stunned... DH immediately gave the SA a big hug and tears rolled off my eyes. I didn't know I would cry for a bag but after all the effort and the hardship we went through to buy one, I think I was overwhelmed.

It was indeed quite a journey. After going through the experience with DH, the bag means much much more to both of us than just a bag.

Presenting ms birkin in Bleu sapphire

What a happy ending to your Europe trip ! Such support from your DH. Majority of men don't go for that with a visit to H in every city let alone pay for it. This is truly a beautiful gift to start a new chapter with your significant other. Congrats and enjoy your B in good health.

 

[Elovel]

Thanks for all your kind words ladies. I hope all of you who genuinely adore the brand get your wish come true. Best of luck!

 

[Gina123]

I think I'm gonna put the box in the checked luggage and put the Kelly in a longchamp bag like everybody suggests here (in fact my husband had the same suggestion, although he doesn't browse purseforum lol). The box won't fit in a carry on for sure.

I'm almost 5'4". In fact I think K35 is a little too big on me but my husband said it looks just fine. Well I guess it's all about personal preference.

Good luck!

I ended up, both times, buying a luggage in Paris. My shopping list grew. [emoji12]

I packed empty boxes inside a bigger empty box in checked &carry on. All of the goods in my longchamp bag. [emoji9]


Happy shopping!

 

[Lady_shof]

I missed the queue. My airport transfer Van was lateand he went round and round. The traffic didnt help me to be there early. So I went in at 1230, no appointment, continued to purchase a few accessories and shoes. I was at the shoes department and saw many bags being shown to customers. Just now, I tried my luck at 3pm, and the same SA at the appointment table mentioned no available slot and to try tomorrow. So tomorrow, queue, I will!

PS: At first i thought that we got the same room. Then I realised there is no table with round balls in my room now.

I ended up, both times, buying a luggage in Paris. My shopping list grew.

I packed empty boxes inside a bigger empty box in checked &carry on. All of the goods in my longchamp bag.

Happy shopping!

View attachment 3534151View attachment 3534153

 

[Gina123]

I missed the queue. My airport transfer Van was lateand he went round and round. The traffic didnt help me to be there early. So I went in at 1230, no appointment, continued to purchase a few accessories and shoes. I was at the shoes department and saw many bags being shown to customers. Just now, I tried my luck at 3pm, and the same SA at the appointment table mentioned no available slot and to try tomorrow. So tomorrow, queue, I will! View attachment 3534162

PS: At first i thought that we got the same room. Then I realised there is no table with round balls in my room now.

Lol, I stayed at the same hotel facing the Buddha bar. It's a perfect hotel for FSH.

What's on your wish list? Good luck tomorrow!

 

[koeeeee]

Hi all,

I lined up around 9:30 on 28/11 and got an appointment at 12:30. The people who lined up next to me didn't get offered any bag (as I bumped into them whilst I was waiting for my SA) but I got offered a B30 probably because I had a purchase history.

Hope this helps!

 

[GAMOGIRL]

Hi all,

I lined up around 9:30 on 28/11 and got an appointment at 12:30. The people who lined up next to me didn't get offered any bag (as I bumped into them whilst I was waiting for my SA) but I got offered a B30 probably because I had a purchase history.

Hope this helps!

Congrats! Can you clarify if your purchase history was from your current trip or prior visits?

 

[renet]

Hi all,

I lined up around 9:30 on 28/11 and got an appointment at 12:30. The people who lined up next to me didn't get offered any bag (as I bumped into them whilst I was waiting for my SA) but I got offered a B30 probably because I had a purchase history.

Hope this helps!

Congratulations, koeeeee! Looking forward to your reveal! [emoji6]