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.
 
Hi everyone,

apologies for the late update from my last post but here it is!

I arrived in Paris on Tuesday morning and prior to that I had already requested for an appointment the day before, unfortunately I was not granted one. Upon checking into my hotel around 11:30am, I immediately signed up online again for the next day (Wednesday), and went straight to FSH anyway to survey the store in addition to buying smaller goodies on my wishlist.

As soon as I entered FSH I beelined to the SLG area where I was greeted by a very sweet SA who was eager to help. We picked out a few items - Calvi in rose azalee epsom, Bastia in Souris / rose Jaipur lining in Sikkim leather, compact bearn wallet in rose lipstick chèvre, she then took me to the fashion jewelry / scarf area where we picked out 2 brides de gala love twillies, and a clic H bracelet in rose gold and black for my friend.

When she asked me if I was looking for anything else, I proceeded to trying my luck and asked her if I could fit in a bag appointment, she was extremely courteous and initiated the request on my behalf with the concierge, and was told for me to return around 3pm (it was approx. 1:30pm at the time of the request).

3pm came around and I checked in with the concierge, who graciously requested me to stand by. At this time there were already 8-10 customers with existing appointments waiting to be seen. I was greeted by a new SA at approx. 3:30pm. We sat down to discuss my hopes and wishes - K25 / K28 / B25 / B30 / C18 /C24 , in black, navy, blue, pink, gray, taupe, tan. She was very involved in the conversation, we discussed what I already had in my collection, and was delighted to hear that I was offered an SO back in October at my NYC store. We also ranked importance between shape, size, leather, hardware, in case she had to improvise if she was not able to secure the exact matches on the list. Finally she asked if I was open to non B/K/C bags and I gave her an honest answer that I was really here hoping to purchase B/K/C only. She nodded with a smile and went off.

It was the most excrutiating 15-20 min wait ever! My SA returned with 1 large orange box and 2 smaller boxes (!), and asked me to follow her to the fine jewelry department where we could unbox in peace.

As she was opening the large orange box, she apologized that the stock was going extremely fast and unfortunately she was not able to secure any K or C (my first 2 priorities), but was able to show me a B30. My heart sank as the bag revealed itself - it was Sauge in clemence with gold hardware. She explained that this was the most neutral color she could find, and perhaps it would be a nice color to compliment my light colored denim (which was what I was wearing that day). I tried my best to play along, trying it on in front of the mirror, but it just really didn't do it for me. I proceeded to try my luck AGAIN and asked, would there be anything in pink tones, since that was also on my wishlist. She was very gracious and looked on her iPhone - Ah! there is a magnolia, please allow me to run over before anyone secures it!

5 minutes later, she returned with another big orange box with a huge smile, and there she was, miss B30 in Magnolia, in clemence leather with palladium hardware. That was IT. She opened the other small boxes - a mm size rodeo in bleu saphir with rose pourpre and jaune d'or, which was very cute on the magnolia. The other small box contained a foubis liner which I declined.

I'd say I was extremely lucky to be granted a same day appointment along with managing to purchase a B/K/C bag in a color that I love, on my 1st day in Paris! I was thankful to be able to relax and enjoy Paris for the rest of my trip.

By the way, Tuesday evening rolled around and I was again declined an appt for Wednesday, which would have been a huge bummer...

Without further ado, below please be introduced to Mlle. Magnolia!

View attachment 4006339

She’s so gorgeous! You’re so lucky to be granted an appointment same day given what others said that they couldn’t get appointment on last Tuesday! I guess a good SA is the key!
 
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Hello everyone!

I'm an Hermes newbie. I have loved Chanel handbags for many years but I'm finally outgrowing Chanel. Anyway, it was our anniversary last week so hubby said I could get any handbag I wanted. So we went into our local Hermes store thinking we could just buy a Birkin just like that. We quickly learned that was not a standard method of acquiring a Birkin. Lol. So I just bought a different bag that they had in stock that I liked.

Now I'm playing catch up reading all the posts and I must admit I'm not fond of the "building relationships" method nor do I like the idea of having to wait years to get my bag! So I'm thinking I might have a better chance of getting my bag sooner in Paris? Now all I have to do is convince DH why we suddenly HAVE to go visit Paris!
 
You can try the reseller route if you don’t see anything else for you in this brand.. Paris “walk -in” chances ( with an appointment, of course) are better than most stores but it’s not guaranteed.the possibility of going home without your desired birkin is real.something to keep in mind
 
Hello everyone!

I'm an Hermes newbie. I have loved Chanel handbags for many years but I'm finally outgrowing Chanel. Anyway, it was our anniversary last week so hubby said I could get any handbag I wanted. So we went into our local Hermes store thinking we could just buy a Birkin just like that. We quickly learned that was not a standard method of acquiring a Birkin. Lol. So I just bought a different bag that they had in stock that I liked.

Now I'm playing catch up reading all the posts and I must admit I'm not fond of the "building relationships" method nor do I like the idea of having to wait years to get my bag! So I'm thinking I might have a better chance of getting my bag sooner in Paris? Now all I have to do is convince DH why we suddenly HAVE to go visit Paris!
Fav41 is totally right about it! There’s no guarantee of getting it, as almost EVERY shopper you see in Hermes Paris is asking for K/B/C so the chances are slim! Try to be more open to other choices so even if they don’t have any K/B/C you can still go home with something you love. I was there last June and the inventory was so low! I came home empty handed and totally disappointed because not just they don’t have K/B/C, they were even low on other mini bags and rodeos.
 
Hello everyone!

I'm an Hermes newbie. I have loved Chanel handbags for many years but I'm finally outgrowing Chanel. Anyway, it was our anniversary last week so hubby said I could get any handbag I wanted. So we went into our local Hermes store thinking we could just buy a Birkin just like that. We quickly learned that was not a standard method of acquiring a Birkin. Lol. So I just bought a different bag that they had in stock that I liked.

Now I'm playing catch up reading all the posts and I must admit I'm not fond of the "building relationships" method nor do I like the idea of having to wait years to get my bag! So I'm thinking I might have a better chance of getting my bag sooner in Paris? Now all I have to do is convince DH why we suddenly HAVE to go visit Paris!
I would agree with @Fab41 on going down the reseller path if you are not fond of building relationships. You definitely can (and should!!!) try your luck in FSH, tho it's a total hit or miss. I have heard success stories, and I have also heard people coming back empty-handed.

Want to share that, unfortunately, all of my friends who are of the mindset of "this is going to be the only H item I'll ever have, so I'd better make it count and only want a black / neutral colored B / K." belong in the 2nd group who came back empty-handed. Their stories are always the same: they got the appointment (albeit at different times of the day), they showed up, they said "hi, I want a black or neutral colored B / K" and they were turned away. I am sure it is a combination of luck, the specs that they're after (those colors are popular) and the store's inventory of the day, but thought I'd share this. I think the SA would appreciate the customers having some level of understanding of H products and appreciation of the brands, so maybe demonstrating that at the get go would up your chance. It's all speculation at this point, and again, luck plays a huge part in the process.

In any case, Birkin or no Birkin, Paris is always a good idea. Have fun and safe travels.
 
You’re right! There’s a reason why they always ask for your preferred specs (color, size, leather etc) before heading to the back and check for inventory. When I was in Paris, I asked for small size bags like B30 or K28, my SA came back and said she had nothing. But before I left the store, I saw another couple being offered K32. She’s not wrong for saying she didn’t have anything for me, and of course she wouldn’t offer me the sizes that I didn’t request for. I think this is to avoid buyers from reselling the handbags that they didn’t fit!
 
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Hi guys, I’ve read many of your stories and thought I’d share mine.
Tried the appointment system registered on Saturday was rejected for Monday. On Monday tried registering for Tuesday, and there was a problem with the sms code so on the same day( Monday) passed by the shop to inform them. They helped me sort it out and told me if I pass by in the afternoon they might be able to squeeze me in. I passed by the afternoon and they did squeeze me however they did not have any bags left. By evening I got confirmation for my appointment on Tuesday (yay) first thing 10:30 am so I was really excited. I stood outside and literally when the doors opened people rushed in like kids in a candy shop haha. I then showed them my appointment and the assistant took me to a nice room and asked for what I was looking for. I told her I am also intersted in some perfume and accessories, she said let’s do the bags first (yay). She came back saying that I didn’t have any history in the shop which I said I didn’t. Then she disappeared for 30 minutes andncame back with small boxes and 1 mediumish box. She opened it and it was a perfect beauty!! Of course I said yes my first birkin 25 in togo rouge grenete with silver hardware. I’m sooooo happy after that we went down to choose the perfumes, I tried some of the charms but didn’t feel it matched the bag but overall I was very happy with my experience and especially that I managed to find something I was looking for. my top bag was birkin in black but this color is a beauty and I’m so happy I found her ! Now I know the hermes addiction is real haha
 
c
Hi guys, I’ve read many of your stories and thought I’d share mine.
Tried the appointment system registered on Saturday was rejected for Monday. On Monday tried registering for Tuesday, and there was a problem with the sms code so on the same day( Monday) passed by the shop to inform them. They helped me sort it out and told me if I pass by in the afternoon they might be able to squeeze me in. I passed by the afternoon and they did squeeze me however they did not have any bags left. By evening I got confirmation for my appointment on Tuesday (yay) first thing 10:30 am so I was really excited. I stood outside and literally when the doors opened people rushed in like kids in a candy shop haha. I then showed them my appointment and the assistant took me to a nice room and asked for what I was looking for. I told her I am also intersted in some perfume and accessories, she said let’s do the bags first (yay). She came back saying that I didn’t have any history in the shop which I said I didn’t. Then she disappeared for 30 minutes andncame back with small boxes and 1 mediumish box. She opened it and it was a perfect beauty!! Of course I said yes my first birkin 25 in togo rouge grenete with silver hardware. I’m sooooo happy after that we went down to choose the perfumes, I tried some of the charms but didn’t feel it matched the bag but overall I was very happy with my experience and especially that I managed to find something I was looking for. my top bag was birkin in black but this color is a beauty and I’m so happy I found her ! Now I know the hermes addiction is real haha
congratulations!! Please post pictures when you get a chance!
 
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