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.

 

[Hillychristie]

I sometimes wonder if they prefer certain characteristics as they are assessing eveyone on appearance first. It is just a natural behaviour. I am petite only 5' tall so I worry all the time that I would probably miss out because they may think their bags wouldn't look good on me. I tell my DH that he would have to go because he is 6'4" and of course in my eyes, very handsome. Lol.

I’m 5 ft 2” and on the petite side. I do feel intimidated in H in Europe because everyone seems to tower over me. However, so far I’ve not felt that I’ve been “missed” out. If it helps, you can sit down at the jewellery or homeware or shoe section and wait to be served?
Hope this helps

 

[Toffeecrisp]

I sometimes wonder if they prefer certain characteristics as they are assessing eveyone on appearance first. It is just a natural behaviour. I am petite only 5' tall so I worry all the time that I would probably miss out because they may think their bags wouldn't look good on me. I tell my DH that he would have to go because he is 6'4" and of course in my eyes, very handsome. Lol.

Yes, definitely natural behaviour. I am also petite at 4’10. The SA who served me was probably 5’2 petite too. Alot of petite ladies carry their bags really nicely so I don’t think it would slim our chances either.

 

[dezynrbaglaydee]

It’s funny as I was waiting for my appointment, I was admiring some very well dressed women’s outfits and I began to doubt my own. I was wearing a black eyelet LoveShackFancy dress with Golden Goose sneakers and my Blue Atoll B30. In the end I got my dream bag.

 

[Bagisa]

It could go wrong at any point. If orange bags can be snatched from customers right outside FSH, Kellys pickpocketed while strapped shut, then why not during delivery. Would one risk their purchases not arriving? Considering how hard it is to obtain an appt and get the bags or items of dreams. What recourse would there be? Just a tip to be aware.

I suppose anything could theoretically happen, however, H wouldn’t offer this service if there was a serious risk of loss. Not only is the delivery service intended to be a courtesy to tourists who would rather continue on their day of sightseeing vs running back to the hotel to drop off their wares, it’s a means of safeguarding the wares.

And not to offend anyone, but a pick pocket/thief sizes up a typical female tourist differently, as compared to a local H deliveryman.

 

[vinbenphon1]

Yes, definitely natural behaviour. I am also petite at 4’10. The SA who served me was probably 5’2 petite too. Alot of petite ladies carry their bags really nicely so I don’t think it would slim our chances either.

Fingers and platforms crossed. Although I have had to 'down' size my heels from 4+" to 3" with no platform. Quite the adjusment . I will be visiting Melbourne (Australia) in December, so my first store experience, as my state doesn't have one yet. Then Paris next year.... can't wait.

 

[periogirl28]

I suppose anything could theoretically happen, however, H wouldn’t offer this service if there was a serious risk of loss. Not only is the delivery service intended to be a courtesy to tourists who would rather continue on their day of sightseeing vs running back to the hotel to drop off their wares, it’s a means of safeguarding the wares.

And not to offend anyone, but a pick pocket/thief sizes up a typical female tourist differently, as compared to a local H deliveryman.

I'm not implying it's the delivery service, at some point the goods will have to be left after drop off, but I am just posting what I have been told has happened before. Many other Hermes stores worldwide have stopped delivery precisely because of purchases which went missing. In Paris, the customer is free to make the choice they are most comfortable with.

 

[vinbenphon1]

It’s funny as I was waiting for my appointment, I was admiring some very well dressed women’s outfits and I began to doubt my own. I was wearing a black eyelet LoveShackFancy dress with Golden Goose sneakers and my Blue Atoll B30. In the end I got my dream bag.

I think just the right amount of confidence, not arrogance, is key too. But having a B30 on your side might tip the scales a little. .

 

[Adrianna.Ria]

I’m sorry you didn’t manage to score your dream bag this trip. Better luck next time to us both! I am also leaving Paris tomorrow. Not sure when my next trip will be (my last one was 4 years ago but hopefully the next won’t be as long a gap hehe)

I visited the Sevres store today for the first time. The atmosphere was definitely calmer and offers a much more enjoyable shopping experience. I arrived at around 11am, when I was putting my name down for an appointment at the handbag section I saw a lady being shown 3 different Birkins (I think they were all B25 from a distance) so I knew they had stock but by the time of my appointment (around 2pm), I was advised that there was no B/K/C left.

I was not at all nervous this time as I learned to not be too hopeful after the unsuccessful appointments at FSH earlier this month and I didn’t leave the store feeling disappointed either but the only thing that bugged a little was the asian SA assigned to me at the handbag department. I was still in the middle of telling her what I was looking for and she already interrupted me and said “No sorry none. If you like I will check but I am sure there is no more”. She then left to “check” but when I turned to the direction she went, I saw her chatting with a couple other SAs behind the counter. I highly doubt she actually checked the stock and of course shortly after her chat she came back with the same big No. I then asked her to kindly check if she could find the scarves and SLGs reserved for me earlier while waiting for the appointment (by 2 other SAs from different departments), she replied that nothing came up when she checked my name at the start.

Funnily enough, I had to go upstairs to the scarf section myself to find out where my items were and the male SA who assisted me then was able to find the items simply by checking my name on his phone. It seems the female SA was very good at saying No and not much else..

I think I know who the Asian SA is. Had an awful experience with her too back in July. Reading through the other TPF-ers’ comments, seems like we aren’t the only ones.

No luck getting an appointment on my first day in Paris so DH and I decided to try Sevres.

Made an appointment there and got paired up with this Asian SA. Told her I was looking for a B25 in neutral colours with no particular preference on leather or B30 in barenia leather as I know barenia birkins mostly come in 30, and possibly a cashmere coat to go with the bag. She told me outright without even checking her phone “we have nothing. And we don’t really receive B25 in Paris because that is a size for Asian” well not true because I did recently buy a B25 in FSH. So I said “Interesting. So you only received the larger sizes like 30 or 35?” she snapped and said in a condescending tone “We don’t call them larger sizes. We call it the original size because that was the size created for Jane Birkin.” I was like lol wasn’t B40 the size created for Jane Birkin. But decided not to correct her and waste more time because this conversation was going nowhere. So when I was about to say something to wrap up and end this conversation, she went on saying “As for the barenia birkin, I can tell you there is absolutely zero chance of you getting one in Paris because of its rarity and the amount of time and work involved in making it. In fact each of the three stores in Paris only receives one or two every year.” Lol DH and I were stunned by her attitude. Well at the end of the day you’re just a salesperson right. Let’s see how far that sort of attitude would get you.

Funny thing is that evening DH got a text confirming an appointment at FSH the next morning and at the end I managed to get the Barenia B30 that I was looking for as well as the white cashmere coat to go with it. Well judging from the posts here on tpf it doesn’t seem like I am the one or two customer who manages to buy the one or two barenia birkin that each Parisian store receives every year. We weren’t mad at all just found it quite funny and the SA quite ridiculous lol

 

[Bagisa]

I'm not implying it's the delivery service, at some point the goods will have to be left after drop off, but I am just posting what I have been told has happened before. Many other Hermes stores worldwide have stopped delivery precisely because of purchases which went missing. In Paris, the customer is free to make the choice they are most comfortable with.

You’re suggesting that hotel concierge will steal the dropped off items?

 

[parissojourn]

I think I know who the Asian SA is. Had an awful experience with her too back in July. Reading through the other TPF-ers’ comments, seems like we aren’t the only ones.

No luck getting an appointment on my first day in Paris so DH and I decided to try Sevres.

Made an appointment there and got paired up with this Asian SA. Told her I was looking for a B25 in neutral colours with no particular preference on leather or B30 in barenia leather as I know barenia birkins mostly come in 30, and possibly a cashmere coat to go with the bag. She told me outright without even checking her phone “we have nothing. And we don’t really receive B25 in Paris because that is a size for Asian” well not true because I did recently buy a B25 in FSH. So I said “Interesting. So you only received the larger sizes like 30 or 35?” she snapped and said in a condescending tone “We don’t call them larger sizes. We call it the original size because that was the size created for Jane Birkin.” I was like lol wasn’t B40 the size created for Jane Birkin. But decided not to correct her and waste more time because this conversation was going nowhere. So when I was about to say something to wrap up and end this conversation, she went on saying “As for the barenia birkin, I can tell you there is absolutely zero chance of you getting one in Paris because of its rarity and the amount of time and work involved in making it. In fact each of the three stores in Paris only receives one or two every year.” Lol DH and I were stunned by her attitude. Well at the end of the day you’re just a salesperson right. Let’s see how far that sort of attitude would get you.

Funny thing is that evening DH got a text confirming an appointment at FSH the next morning and at the end I managed to get the Barenia B30 that I was looking for as well as the white cashmere coat to go with it. Well judging from the posts here on tpf it doesn’t seem like I am the one or two customer who manages to buy the one or two barenia birkin that each Parisian store receives every year. We weren’t mad at all just found it quite funny and the SA quite ridiculous lol

Congratulations! The Barenia is a hopeless wish of mine. Must've felt extra sweet after having to suffer what that Sevres SA said to you!

 

[NanamiRyu]

You’re suggesting that hotel concierge will steal the dropped off items?

I'm certain that is not what Periogirl meant. There's always some risk with any kind of deliveries. I get my neighbors' mail and packages all the time. So similar things can happen to H deliveries as well. There's always chance of human error and yes, theft too. Not by concierges, but by anyone who sees possibility of getting away with it.

It all ended well but my hotel once "lost" my shopping of the day, which was consisted of several Chanel RTW pieces and H accessories. During the time I was waiting for them to find my stuffs, I thought I was having panic attack. And whenever I pick up stuffs from concierges, they hand over the items without checking my ID. While it's quick and easy, I always wonder what would happen if someone else comes and claims my things.

 

[NanamiRyu]

I think I know who the Asian SA is. Had an awful experience with her too back in July. Reading through the other TPF-ers’ comments, seems like we aren’t the only ones.

No luck getting an appointment on my first day in Paris so DH and I decided to try Sevres.

Made an appointment there and got paired up with this Asian SA. Told her I was looking for a B25 in neutral colours with no particular preference on leather or B30 in barenia leather as I know barenia birkins mostly come in 30, and possibly a cashmere coat to go with the bag. She told me outright without even checking her phone “we have nothing. And we don’t really receive B25 in Paris because that is a size for Asian” well not true because I did recently buy a B25 in FSH. So I said “Interesting. So you only received the larger sizes like 30 or 35?” she snapped and said in a condescending tone “We don’t call them larger sizes. We call it the original size because that was the size created for Jane Birkin.” I was like lol wasn’t B40 the size created for Jane Birkin. But decided not to correct her and waste more time because this conversation was going nowhere. So when I was about to say something to wrap up and end this conversation, she went on saying “As for the barenia birkin, I can tell you there is absolutely zero chance of you getting one in Paris because of its rarity and the amount of time and work involved in making it. In fact each of the three stores in Paris only receives one or two every year.” Lol DH and I were stunned by her attitude. Well at the end of the day you’re just a salesperson right. Let’s see how far that sort of attitude would get you.

Funny thing is that evening DH got a text confirming an appointment at FSH the next morning and at the end I managed to get the Barenia B30 that I was looking for as well as the white cashmere coat to go with it. Well judging from the posts here on tpf it doesn’t seem like I am the one or two customer who manages to buy the one or two barenia birkin that each Parisian store receives every year. We weren’t mad at all just found it quite funny and the SA quite ridiculous lol

This SA sounds to be same one I had the first time I visited that H. I believe she doesn't work at leather full time. I've seen her work all over that store, working at leather just when needed. And whenever she's there, she says the same exact things about "no bags."

She always cuts in whatever customer is saying and give long lecture about the reason behind rarity of H bags. From her words, it sounds as if one would have to have same luck of winning the lottery to get a bag.

And then there's the whole attitude problem. All the other SAs at her store at least pretend to be nice, yet this one clearly acts as if she's better than the tourists. At first I wondered is it just me but she's like that to others as well. If you speak French or Chinese, she's a bit nicer, but to the rest, her behavior is similar to "mean girls" in high schools.

Congrats on getting what you wanted from FSH! If it was me, I might go back to Sevres, carrying new Barenia to replay the scene from Pretty Woman, lol.

 

[periogirl28]

You’re suggesting that hotel concierge will steal the dropped off items?

I don't think that is what my Hermes SA was implying either.

 

[QuelleFromage]

seems like it! though i did think you can just buy whatever bags were on display? (evelyn wasn’t on display)

You can, I've bought bags from CDG without other purchases (both on display and not on display).

 

[frankiextah]

It’s funny as I was waiting for my appointment, I was admiring some very well dressed women’s outfits and I began to doubt my own. I was wearing a black eyelet LoveShackFancy dress with Golden Goose sneakers and my Blue Atoll B30. In the end I got my dream bag.

too funny, I was also wearing a black eyelet LoveShackFancy dress with white Golden Goose sneakers along with my K28 Bleu Nuit when I was in FSH just this month!