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.
 
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 such a successful visit. You got a lovely bag,
 
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.
Beautiful choices. Congratulations!
 
We arrived in Paris in the afternoon on Saturday, and of course no appointments were left at the mothership by the time we got there. It was extremely busy. Oh well, i did spend almost 2 hrs at the store looking around and checking out the scenery. Also got myself a pair of Oran sandal, so excited to find size 34.5, the SAs were so helpful and lovely. Today is the first day we will try our luck, except with jet lag and excitement, I had 3 hrs of sleep last night... My poor hubby has volunteered to go ahead and line up, while I am dragging myself out of bed...

Hopefully my tired look doesn't scare the SA away...
Will report back after the week!

Good luck...fingers crossed!

Ladies I'm the happiest girl in the [emoji289]. Still on [emoji296]️9 as I was able to score my dream bag at FSH!!! More info to follow.
Woo Hoo...please don't keep us in suspense!!!
 
Dear H lovers,
Sorry for a bit out of topic but i need your help.
This April, i was served by a male SA and got offer a Birkin. Then i got his name card. Now i will come back FSH in Jan and would love to visit H Museum. I sent my email to the general email in the name card but got no reply.
As i do not have any connection with my local store, please kindly direct me the way to connect and get permission to visit H Museum. I really appreciate your help.
Thank you and may all the H fairy dust bless on you.
 
Update... No bag delivery today, maybe because we were served so early (at 10:50 am). Interesting that they let some people in from side door and then some from front door, alternating between doors, so even though we were early, we were still 20 in the final line... Also, some people cut in line and some reserve spots for their friends... I still got my soft cashmere scarf in cobalt blue (already have one in gray and love it so much)... And no appointment left when we were leaving around 11:10.

We also went to Serves, no bag either.

Good luck for those hunting! :smile:.

I'm counting my stars since I already got a birkin and a constance at my home store within 9 months apart :smile:. But the thrill of the chase is on!
 
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