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.

 

[ikwong]

Part III

I knew that the rule of thumb was that the person on the appointment needed to pay with matching credit card but I still had DH to call his bank and have his credit card ready just in case.... And Boy I needed his help at the end.

I showed 2 credit cards Black cards (with enough balance) from 2 different country of issue and NONE of them passed! At the beginning both the SA and the cashier said that DH couldnt pay for it as it had to be with my name on the card..... I even provided 2 debit card and NOTHING! I asked if i could pay in cash and they mentioned that they cannot take cash for the high amount in my grand total, that was company policy to prevent fraudulent money.

The cashier was super nice, she laid out all my options and even tried many times with different amounts with my 2 different credit cards and 2 debit cards. After so many tries DH insisted again to see if he could pay it for me to which the SA consulted with her manager and came back with the OK but the purchase profile would be under his name, he would be the one building a history there (tho I already have one as I bought a belt few days earlier, so I didnt mind that). Hence, DH proceeded with his credit card and guess what........ his credit card was denied as well!

7:15pm I was already sweating, the store was empty, SAs gone, besides a few with another couple which were having same problems with credit cards and I swear I thought I saw cleaning people coming in! DH immediately checked his emails and he got his bank security email regarding a purchase in H, he confirmed the email, called the bank to sort it out and....

7:30pm the cashier tried again with DH credit card and "alleluyahs" were sang in my ears..... I could breath again and I thank DH for his timely intervention and not making a scene on how much I spent over my "planned" purchase (there was one husband scolding his wife in H while I was waiting upstairs, seems like he kept on scolding all the way to downstairs when they passed by my DH's couch and he heard it too).
The cashier was very sweet and told me to check with my bank as its very common for them with customers having the same problem and most of the time a call to the bank would solve the problem... I didnt receive any emails from my bank nor any calls etc in the moment but when I got back to the hotel 2 hours later (with my many brown bags they didnt have white ones anymore) I received a bunch of emails from the banks!!! I wanted to kill them or the cellphone company!

Also, While we were all sorting things with emails, calls etc the cashier, SA and I were chit chatting about vacations in Spain and family etc very merry conversation, they really tried to made me feel at ease, I bet they started to notice that I was sweating in my forehead

We thank everyone and apologized for keeping them there until so late and we walked out the door at 7:45pm with our hands full of brown bags. My heart content, DH relieved I have gotten what I wanted as he knew i would be really bumped out if I went back home empty handed and most of all I thanked DH for being as patient as he was after waiting >3.5 hours in the store (eventho he is not a big fan of H's game).

Oh man that was very stressful to read! I'm glad everything worked out great though and you got your beautiful bag!

And great lessons too. I just got something for my wife a few weeks back too (actually a week after you went) and will be sharing our story soon here as well! It was a great experience overall. We were actually able to split our payment in credit card and cash though, but it was only 1,500 Euro in cash, the rest through my credit card. I also made sure to call my bank before leaving haha.

Congrats again and thanks for sharing your story!

 

[tbbbjb]

Lessons learned:

1- Always be polite, it pays off to ask things nicely
2- DO NOT demand or feel entitled to a bag
3- DO NOT hesitate, if you do, your first offered bag might be gone (which is what happened to one person and he got upset and made a big scene about it)
4- I didnt wear brand name head-to-toe just wore what I normally wear when being a tourist (jeans, shirt, sweater and H Quicker sneaker)
5- Buying something before hand is not a factor for appointments (but then I just bought a belt and buckle didnt drop $$$ before the appointment acceptance)
6- DH 6th application was DENIED
7- Be prepared to spend more than 4 days in Paris if you are hoping the get an appointment at FSH
8- They do not accept payments half in cash/check/credit card, it has to be all credit card or all cash (as long as you dont go over 5000-10,000Euros cant remember)
9- You can ask for drinks while you wait for your appointed SA
10- They let you use their phone to call the bank (we didnt use their phone, but they offered)
11- Payments matching name with the appointment depends solely on the SA, he/she can get the OK from the manager
12- Hostess in the leather department rotate, so they are never the same ones everyday
13- Weekdays between 1-3pm are less packed than AFTER 3pm as it seems like its the time when people without appointment can try their luck for an open slot
14- Be prepared with your credit cards LOL notify your bank
15- They DO NOT have Iphone chargers (at least they dont borrow) so have your cellphone fully charged so you can keep on updating your appointment status.... or to call your bank
16- Tried to get a bag or appointment with Black/Centurion Amex card concierge and that was not successfull
17- No need to have different cell # for different individuals, I later found out that we could have used the same cell # for both of our applications
18- Leather hostess can see who has applied for an appointment in her iphone and all other information, so no way to lie about it
19- Be prepared to wait until is your SA is ready

#1 agreed and would just add to be genuine. I think my SA really appreciated my knowledge of Hermes minutiae. I had my Parisian cousin with me (who totally isn’t into designer items) and I was just casually talking with the SA and my cousin and noticed myself selling the brand to my cousin LOL. It wasn’t intentional but through that I was able to share my love and knowledge of the brand which I think my SA appreciated and took into account.

Regarding #4, I presented myself well but as I wasn’t in exposed labeled designer. It isn’t my style. I just wore smart casual for me. Others may view it as a bit dressy but nothing super fancy or showy.

I also can concur with #16. Definitely a no go from Amex concierge. I have actually been very disappointed in how limited their capabilities seem to be and rarely contact them anymore because I seem to do better on my own or with the guidance of my family and friends that I have scattered all over the world.

I would like to elaborate on tip #24. Whenever I travels out of the country, as a precautionary measure, I always call all the issuing banks of the credit cards I plan on using and let them know how long we will be gone, which countries we will be going to and if I anticipate making larger then usual purchases or purchases that differ from my pattern (they all seem have an algorithm for your particular shopping pattern nowadays and if you change it drastically you will be automatically flagged). I also make certain to get good phone numbers (not toll-free as those do not ever work) that I can call 24/7 in case of issues (which I have never, knock on wood, encountered) and in case I need to get a replacement card (I am notorious for forgetting my card at restaurants and shops). I thought I was an over-planner but I must say I have never once had an issue using my Amex or Visa (as long as the establishment accepts those credit cards, but that is another story [emoji6]) while traveling over the past few decades.

Thanks for the tips @ betty_cecilia

I do hope that this helps someone else.

 

[ZZZZZZZ]

amazing thank you!! just because ill likely be travelling solo and want to try get a friend to apply for appts to double chance and she wont have the $$ on her card so id be paying as its for me but obviously they wont take my card cause it doesnt match passport right? especially if i am trying to get an appt too.

If in one single receipt is more than euro 10,000 or 15,000 ( I forgot) you couldn't mix with card and cash. You must pay fully in card but you can use multiple cc for that.

 

[nymeria]

View attachment 4420138 View attachment 4420139 So here is my first baby

What a gorgeous bag and what a story! My heart was in my mouth by the time you got to the credit card drama! ( I always call my bank and credit card company and set a travel alert to hopefully avoid this- but you never know) Doesn't matter, she's coming home with you. Congrats and wear her well- she looks perfect on you-the modeling picture is great!! ( and kudos to all partners out there who put up with us and still love us!

 

[westcoastgal]

Part III

I knew that the rule of thumb was that the person on the appointment needed to pay with matching credit card but I still had DH to call his bank and have his credit card ready just in case.... And Boy I needed his help at the end.

I showed 2 credit cards Black cards (with enough balance) from 2 different country of issue and NONE of them passed! At the beginning both the SA and the cashier said that DH couldnt pay for it as it had to be with my name on the card..... I even provided 2 debit card and NOTHING! I asked if i could pay in cash and they mentioned that they cannot take cash for the high amount in my grand total, that was company policy to prevent fraudulent money.

The cashier was super nice, she laid out all my options and even tried many times with different amounts with my 2 different credit cards and 2 debit cards. After so many tries DH insisted again to see if he could pay it for me to which the SA consulted with her manager and came back with the OK but the purchase profile would be under his name, he would be the one building a history there (tho I already have one as I bought a belt few days earlier, so I didnt mind that). Hence, DH proceeded with his credit card and guess what........ his credit card was denied as well!

7:15pm I was already sweating, the store was empty, SAs gone, besides a few with another couple which were having same problems with credit cards and I swear I thought I saw cleaning people coming in! DH immediately checked his emails and he got his bank security email regarding a purchase in H, he confirmed the email, called the bank to sort it out and....

7:30pm the cashier tried again with DH credit card and "alleluyahs" were sang in my ears..... I could breath again and I thank DH for his timely intervention and not making a scene on how much I spent over my "planned" purchase (there was one husband scolding his wife in H while I was waiting upstairs, seems like he kept on scolding all the way to downstairs when they passed by my DH's couch and he heard it too).
The cashier was very sweet and told me to check with my bank as its very common for them with customers having the same problem and most of the time a call to the bank would solve the problem... I didnt receive any emails from my bank nor any calls etc in the moment but when I got back to the hotel 2 hours later (with my many brown bags they didnt have white ones anymore) I received a bunch of emails from the banks!!! I wanted to kill them or the cellphone company!

Also, While we were all sorting things with emails, calls etc the cashier, SA and I were chit chatting about vacations in Spain and family etc very merry conversation, they really tried to made me feel at ease, I bet they started to notice that I was sweating in my forehead

We thank everyone and apologized for keeping them there until so late and we walked out the door at 7:45pm with our hands full of brown bags. My heart content, DH relieved I have gotten what I wanted as he knew i would be really bumped out if I went back home empty handed and most of all I thanked DH for being as patient as he was after waiting >3.5 hours in the store (eventho he is not a big fan of H's game).

Great story! You were both so patient. I’m glad you got what you wanted. Congratulations!

 

[lvstratus]

If I were to try store in Paris between George V vs. 17 Rue de Sèvres, which one would have a better chance to score the Birkin?

George V. My SA said the sèvres store has very low stock usually, and rarely the classic ones.

 

[renet]

View attachment 4420138 View attachment 4420139 So here is my first baby

Such a bright & happy color baby! Congrats! [emoji322] I have a Bleu Hydra Lindy and am happy to bring her to work to brighten up my tiresome days at work. [emoji4]

 

[betty_cecilia]

Oh man that was very stressful to read! I'm glad everything worked out great though and you got your beautiful bag!

And great lessons too. I just got something for my wife a few weeks back too (actually a week after you went) and will be sharing our story soon here as well! It was a great experience overall. We were actually able to split our payment in credit card and cash though, but it was only 1,500 Euro in cash, the rest through my credit card. I also made sure to call my bank before leaving haha.

Congrats again and thanks for sharing your story!

Yeay!! congrats!! Share your story! What did you get?

I think that with H anything is possible. With me they said no cash due to the amount and it had to be all credit card or all cash (if it were smaller amount) but then they also said not payment from DH and at the end we used his credit card and created a profile for him.... So like everyone said in this forum before, everything is possible with H

Cant wait to hear your story!

 

[betty_cecilia]

#1 agreed and would just add to be genuine. I think my SA really appreciated my knowledge of Hermes minutiae. I had my Parisian cousin with me (who totally isn’t into designer items) and I was just casually talking with the SA and my cousin and noticed myself selling the brand to my cousin LOL. It wasn’t intentional but through that I was able to share my love and knowledge of the brand which I think my SA appreciated and took into account.

Regarding #4, I presented myself well but as I wasn’t in exposed labeled designer. It isn’t my style. I just wore smart casual for me. Others may view it as a bit dressy but nothing super fancy or showy.

I also can concur with #16. Definitely a no go from Amex concierge. I have actually been very disappointed in how limited their capabilities seem to be and rarely contact them anymore because I seem to do better on my own or with the guidance of my family and friends that I have scattered all over the world.

I would like to elaborate on tip #24. Whenever I travels out of the country, as a precautionary measure, I always call all the issuing banks of the credit cards I plan on using and let them know how long we will be gone, which countries we will be going to and if I anticipate making larger then usual purchases or purchases that differ from my pattern (they all seem have an algorithm for your particular shopping pattern nowadays and if you change it drastically you will be automatically flagged). I also make certain to get good phone numbers (not toll-free as those do not ever work) that I can call 24/7 in case of issues (which I have never, knock on wood, encountered) and in case I need to get a replacement card (I am notorious for forgetting my card at restaurants and shops). I thought I was an over-planner but I must say I have never once had an issue using my Amex or Visa (as long as the establishment accepts those credit cards, but that is another story [emoji6]) while traveling over the past few decades.

Thanks for the tips @ betty_cecilia

I do hope that this helps someone else.

@tbbbjb I agree with you! Tho I did call (and hubby too) to let them know that I was going to be in different countries in Europe and I have even been using the cards with no problem in other stores earlier in the week... but like you said maybe it was the sudden high amount that is not normal in my credit card spending that got me flagged because after H we went for dinner and I paid just fine with my credit card.
I didnt tell them I was going to spend high amount tho, I didnt know if i would get any offer AND most importantly I wasnt planning on getting so many other extra things in the store hahaha

Like I said, I went over my "planned" purchase in H store because the B itself wasnt the bulk of the amount, it was ALL the other "little" things I got and I thought "oooooh its way cheaper here than in US, I might as well grab few of these, few of those"
DH didnt complain about the bill, but how he complained with all the luggage when it was time to fly back!
Impressive how that adds up

 

[betty_cecilia]

If in one single receipt is more than euro 10,000 or 15,000 ( I forgot) you couldn't mix with card and cash. You must pay fully in card but you can use multiple cc for that.

@ZZZZZZZ Oh! You might be right! because my receipt was way over 15k and they straight away said not mixing cash with cc but I could slip in different cc.

BUT CANNOT usE the same credit card 2-3-4 times (you cannot like pay w/cc "1" and then transfer money to that cc "1" to clear the account and then use it again)

 

[betty_cecilia]

What a gorgeous bag and what a story! My heart was in my mouth by the time you got to the credit card drama! ( I always call my bank and credit card company and set a travel alert to hopefully avoid this- but you never know) Doesn't matter, she's coming home with you. Congrats and wear her well- she looks perfect on you-the modeling picture is great!! ( and kudos to all partners out there who put up with us and still love us!

@nymeria Yeah, imagine how I was feeling at the checkout time!!! I dont know why I didnt just called the bank and get it sort out before DH showed up and intervened, I guess I just panicked and didnt think straight, I even asked if i could transfer money directly into their account!! Thinking about it now, i suppose it sounds retarded to even have asked.....

Much love and hugs to all those bf/gf/DH that put up with all the waiting and uncertainty just to make us happy!! Specially to those that do not like/understand/play the H policies (no matter how hard we try to sell them the brand)

 

[betty_cecilia]

Such a bright & happy color baby! Congrats! [emoji322] I have a Bleu Hydra Lindy and am happy to bring her to work to brighten up my tiresome days at work. [emoji4]

@renet yeah I love it! Its precisely a bit of pop color but not so bright as in to flash someone in the eye. I still need to get my neutral in the gray family or gold/tan tho! But I will stay "low" for DH's sake and keep on having a Happy Wife Happy Life but not going overboard!

 

[jenngu]

Congratulation on sorting all that out and getting your beautiful B25!!!

When I was at Sevres last month, they did not care who was paying the cc. My husband and I were able to split the items under his account and items purchased under mine. They told me name on cc does not need to match passport. My husband used one cc to purchase all the items.

 

[ikwong]

Yeay!! congrats!! Share your story! What did you get?

I think that with H anything is possible. With me they said no cash due to the amount and it had to be all credit card or all cash (if it were smaller amount) but then they also said not payment from DH and at the end we used his credit card and created a profile for him.... So like everyone said in this forum before, everything is possible with H

Cant wait to hear your story!

It was actually something for my wife. I am the DH in this case!

It's a pretty long story, just finishing it up and will post tomorrow! And yeah, you're right. It must've been the amount that made the splitting an issue. I was actually worried about the whole payment issue, and glad I read up about it here before going to avoid most possible issues (like in case my wife didn't bring her credit card and she got the appointment under her name or what not).

 

[PJW5813]

I think the difference between FSH and Sevres is validating the appointment.
With Sevres and St George you can make walk in purchases.
Ensuring that the person with the appointment is the true buyer and has the funds to do so.
i.e. trying to ensure that the purchase is not being bankrolled by a professional reseller.