Paris trip for Hermes

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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.
 
Part ll...

11/19/16 (Sat) – I knew this day would be our last attempt because Sundays are closed, my hubby had enough of this waiting/chase game, and Monday was our last full day to enjoy Paris as we are leaving early Tuesday. My DH and I agreed to get in line earlier hoping to get help right away and hopefully to request our SA with better stock. DH was sweet enough to line up for me by 8:30am while I get ready. He was 5th one in line at the side door because again the front door has slightly more people. By 10:30am, couple more people joined the line in front of us. They let in about 5 people at a time and then it was our turn to enter. Right before we were about to enter, a group of older women walked up and pretending to ask the security at the door a question, I believe one or two of the group were trying to squeeze through but I quickly saw what they were trying to do and managed to get through the door before they successfully pushed themselves in. Same routine, this time the line for appt was half shorter but still about 10-15 people in front of me. We got the appt time of noon and we requested our SA from the day before. The appt rep called my SA on their phone and said we were there to see him. The rep told us to wait as he was helping another customer (it was unclear to wait for my SA or the appt time). We stayed inside the store in case our SA was able to see us sooner. He finally came down around 11:50am and brought us upstairs. We sat us at one of the more public tables, he offered us drinks, small talked and asked to remind him my wishist. He took off and came back about 15 mins or so, he asked us to follow him to the room he took us in yesterday and said he had pulled all the tricks like a joker to find us this. I was hopeful but still unsure what to expect…upon entering the room I saw one regular sized box, a small box, with a smaller rectangular box, and some wallets. He said it was really hard and this was the only bag that was available. He presented a B25, Capucine (blood orange – red orange), Swift, GHW. Before my trip I told myself if it is not the spec on my wishlist then forget it because it was THE HG bag and even it is substantially cheaper in Europe it was still a lot of $ to be spent. My initial reaction was a bit of disappointment because once again the only thing on my criteria was the GHW, red and orange colors were not on my radar. However, DH seemed to like the color a lot and said it was really pretty on me. I then think of my colorful wardrobe that I could still somehow make this color work for me. Also, if color doesn’t match to just rock it anyways because it is a pretty color for all seasons. I am still unsure of the swift leather but I know this was the only time I would be offered a B. It is also unlikely we’ll be in Paris again soon.

The SA then showed me a Rodeo PM in Rose Azalee which was in the smaller rectangular box and told me it was the last Rodeo he has. He said the store only get a few a week and was able to grab it for me. He placed it on the B for me to look at. It was such a strange thing, but I’ve always love the Rodeo, when he placed it on the bag, it was a game changer for me. Does that happen to you? Anyways, I started to embracing the idea of having this color bag as my HG and told my SA I would take the B25 and Rodeo. I declined the Furbi liner bag and the wallets. I tried to ask for the other bag charms and twillies but didn’t find any suitable for the bag. I later found a pair of twillies at the Hermes George V store to match my bag.

I feel very fortunate to be offered three bags, especially after reading a lot of you didn’t get offered anything that same weekend I was there. What do you think about my decision? Do you think I made the right choice re the color/size/leather type as The HG Bag? Capucine def pictured more red but it is more orange in person, especially in natural lighting.
View attachment 3535539
View attachment 3535540

Btw, I declared the purchases at custom upon returning to US through Atlanta airport and had paid $337 USD custom duty fee for the bag.

Congrats!! I must say, capucine is not one that I would pick, but with the rodeo and twilly added, it changed the whole look! That exact thing happened to me where I didnt like the black clemence B30 with phw i bought because it was too boring and blah, but when i found the perfect twilly (orange boucles) it changed the game!! I now love it! So I get what you mean. It will be so fun for you changing the look of this bag with all the charms and twillies H has to offer.
 
Part ll...

11/19/16 (Sat) – I knew this day would be our last attempt because Sundays are closed, my hubby had enough of this waiting/chase game, and Monday......

Congratulations, dianaetc! Love how you dressed up that B! I managed to take home a swift B25 in vermillion during my last trip and I love the size! I declined the rodeo the very first time I was at FSH, but you're making me rethink it!
 
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Part ll...

11/19/16 (Sat) – I knew this day would be our last attempt because Sundays are closed, my hubby had enough of this waiting/chase game, and Monday was our last full day to enjoy Paris as we are leaving early Tuesday. My DH and I agreed to get in line earlier hoping to get help right away and hopefully to request our SA with better stock. DH was sweet enough to line up for me by 8:30am while I get ready. He was 5th one in line at the side door because again the front door has slightly more people. By 10:30am, couple more people joined the line in front of us. They let in about 5 people at a time and then it was our turn to enter. Right before we were about to enter, a group of older women walked up and pretending to ask the security at the door a question, I believe one or two of the group were trying to squeeze through but I quickly saw what they were trying to do and managed to get through the door before they successfully pushed themselves in. Same routine, this time the line for appt was half shorter but still about 10-15 people in front of me. We got the appt time of noon and we requested our SA from the day before. The appt rep called my SA on their phone and said we were there to see him. The rep told us to wait as he was helping another customer (it was unclear to wait for my SA or the appt time). We stayed inside the store in case our SA was able to see us sooner. He finally came down around 11:50am and brought us upstairs. We sat us at one of the more public tables, he offered us drinks, small talked and asked to remind him my wishist. He took off and came back about 15 mins or so, he asked us to follow him to the room he took us in yesterday and said he had pulled all the tricks like a joker to find us this. I was hopeful but still unsure what to expect…upon entering the room I saw one regular sized box, a small box, with a smaller rectangular box, and some wallets. He said it was really hard and this was the only bag that was available. He presented a B25, Capucine (blood orange – red orange), Swift, GHW. Before my trip I told myself if it is not the spec on my wishlist then forget it because it was THE HG bag and even it is substantially cheaper in Europe it was still a lot of $ to be spent. My initial reaction was a bit of disappointment because once again the only thing on my criteria was the GHW, red and orange colors were not on my radar. However, DH seemed to like the color a lot and said it was really pretty on me. I then think of my colorful wardrobe that I could still somehow make this color work for me. Also, if color doesn’t match to just rock it anyways because it is a pretty color for all seasons. I am still unsure of the swift leather but I know this was the only time I would be offered a B. It is also unlikely we’ll be in Paris again soon.

The SA then showed me a Rodeo PM in Rose Azalee which was in the smaller rectangular box and told me it was the last Rodeo he has. He said the store only get a few a week and was able to grab it for me. He placed it on the B for me to look at. It was such a strange thing, but I’ve always love the Rodeo, when he placed it on the bag, it was a game changer for me. Does that happen to you? Anyways, I started to embracing the idea of having this color bag as my HG and told my SA I would take the B25 and Rodeo. I declined the Furbi liner bag and the wallets. I tried to ask for the other bag charms and twillies but didn’t find any suitable for the bag. I later found a pair of twillies at the Hermes George V store to match my bag.

I feel very fortunate to be offered three bags, especially after reading a lot of you didn’t get offered anything that same weekend I was there. What do you think about my decision? Do you think I made the right choice re the color/size/leather type as The HG Bag? Capucine def pictured more red but it is more orange in person, especially in natural lighting.
View attachment 3535539
View attachment 3535540

Btw, I declared the purchases at custom upon returning to US through Atlanta airport and had paid $337 USD custom duty fee for the bag.

Many congrats on your B25 & rodeo!!!
It's a pretty color, enjoy. [emoji4]
 
  • Like
Reactions: dianaetc
Congrats!! I must say, capucine is not one that I would pick, but with the rodeo and twilly added, it changed the whole look! That exact thing happened to me where I didnt like the black clemence B30 with phw i bought because it was too boring and blah, but when i found the perfect twilly (orange boucles) it changed the game!! I now love it! So I get what you mean. It will be so fun for you changing the look of this bag with all the charms and twillies H has to offer.
I feel the same about the color but i guess it was capucine that chose me. I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one re the game changer of the twillies/rodeo. You bag is lovely and any color would look good with it.
 
Congratulations, dianaetc! Love how you dressed up that B! I managed to take home a swift B25 in vermillion during my last trip and I love the size! I declined the rodeo the very first time I was at FSH, but you're making me rethink it!
Thank you! I'm drawn to the blue green so naturally i will pick accessories in those colors, luckily it compliments my bag. I love rodeo for awhile so i knew right away i would get that. If you weren't sure at the time, it is for a reason...maybe you didn't love it. If that is not the case anymore, I'm sure one will surface for you. May I ask how's your B25 swift leather holding up? Has the leather soften or slouch a bit?
 
Thank you! I'm drawn to the blue green so naturally i will pick accessories in those colors, luckily it compliments my bag. I love rodeo for awhile so i knew right away i would get that. If you weren't sure at the time, it is for a reason...maybe you didn't love it. If that is not the case anymore, I'm sure one will surface for you. May I ask how's your B25 swift leather holding up? Has the leather soften or slouch a bit?

I've only had it for less than a month now! I was hesitant with swift too but once I saw it, I couldn't say no. I think my new mentality is a well used bag is a well loved bag!
 
Congrats on your new beautiful bag! [emoji322]

You are right that it is a large savings. But don't forget that you have to declare it and pay import duty so that will be almost the same as your VAT refund. Still a nice savings though.

This is exactly what I have been doing for several years. I have always gone to Paris twice a year for vacation but since I got into Hermes I enjoy making some purchases there. I have been fortunate with bags. One caveat: it is truly luck if they have what you want. You have to be somewhat flexible about what you will accept. If you want something very specific it is difficult. And sometimes there really is just limited stock. This is why I discourage anyone from going to Paris just to try for a bag. But if you are going anyway, why not? It's fun, you save a bit and you will have wonderful memories whenever you carry her.

Enjoy! [emoji898]

A quick update on the duty I paid. I flew into San Francisco, which has recently adopted a new approach. They take the lowest % duty rate (for which you qualify) and apply it to all of your items. I had silk scarves, which have a 1.2% duty (under 6214.10.1000 I think). So that was applied to all my purchases, included my bags. I paid about $200, which is a steal, and more than worth the relief of knowing I did the right thing.
 
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