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.

 

[Serena1307]

Not only for tourists, even the locals... this is what my Parisian friend told me and it makes it an inconvenient shopping experience that is why @micheniche made her post to voice her frustration with the matter.

As I said I’m a local and never had any problem with an appointment.
I got a purchase history of approx 4000€ and I know if i want a B or K I will have one, not maybe the day I will request it but for sure I will not have to take an appointment like tourists.
I’ve got a SA at Sèvres and he was able to get me a porte monnaie and a Picotin (exactly the one I wanted) in 2 weeks.
Just met him randomly one day when I was visiting Sèvres and got his card.
Since I’m in touch with him every time I need something and have it really fast.
They are happy to sell to local and to make « real » contact with clients who will grow up with them.

I really think that @micheniche should try Sèvres (far better that GV in my opinion).
Don’t take an appointment, try to have a connection with a SA, show your knowledges about H and your love for them and you will be able to score a bag without an appointment even if you have an historic with FSH, they will ask you your name to see your purchases and just say that you want to change your store.
My stepmother got all of her purchases in Sèvres and she’s got a K in box at St Tropez just on one visit on the shop...

 

[JA_UK]

As I said I’m a local and never had any problem with an appointment.
I got a purchase history of approx 4000€ and I know if i want a B or K I will have one, not maybe the day I will request it but for sure I will not have to take an appointment like tourists.
I’ve got a SA at Sèvres and he was able to get me a porte monnaie and a Picotin (exactly the one I wanted) in 2 weeks.
Just met him randomly one day when I was visiting Sèvres and got his card.
Since I’m in touch with him every time I need something and have it really fast.
They are happy to sell to local and to make « real » contact with clients who will grow up with them.

I really think that @micheniche should try Sèvres (far better that GV in my opinion).
Don’t take an appointment, try to have a connection with a SA, show your knowledges about H and your love for them and you will be able to score a bag without an appointment even if you have an historic with FSH, they will ask you your name to see your purchases and just say that you want to change your store.
My stepmother got all of her purchases in Sèvres and she’s got a K in box at St Tropez just on one visit on the shop...

I also have been able to purchase leather goods from Sevres store each time I visit without an appointment and I live in the UK. Although that is my store of choice in Paris, I don’t have a specific SA and each time have had a different one, mind you I don’t always go with the intention of buying leather items it just happens and I always end up there in the afternoon when it’s quieter. I’ll be going again later this month so will see if things are different.

 

[Gal4Dior]

I have been a lurker on this thread and I’ve really enjoyed the frank and honest feedback about the realities of scoring a B or K in Paris.

Based on the advice of other threads, I’ve started a relationship with a local SA (I am in US). I am slowly spending wisely at H - so I may eventually score my first B. My SA was very honest and upfront with me on the types of departments I needed to purchase from that counts towards a B&K and I was also informed that I would only be offered bags quarterly (experts, correct me if I’m wrong).

The thing is, I plan on visiting in Europe this winter and will plan to do a day trip from Amsterdam to Paris late November. Since my SA said purchase history in US doesn’t count towards any made in Europe, if by chance I am offered a B or a K in Paris and decide to take it, I am supposing that my chances to be offered a bag in the US won’t be altered, right?

BTW. I am a newbie to H, but the main reason why is because of the horrible service/attitude I have received in stores prior. It’s taking a lot just for me to take this step, because I earn my own keep and I will never be able to spend as much as the rich foreigners who frequent my local boutique.

 

[eagle1002us]

I have been a lurker on this thread and I’ve really enjoyed the frank and honest feedback about the realities of scoring a B or K in Paris.

Based on the advice of other threads, I’ve started a relationship with a local SA (I am in US). I am slowly spending wisely at H - so I may eventually score my first B. My SA was very honest and upfront with me on the types of departments I needed to purchase from that counts towards a B&K and I was also informed that I would only be offered bags quarterly (experts, correct me if I’m wrong).

The thing is, I plan on visiting in Europe this winter and will plan to do a day trip from Amsterdam to Paris late November. Since my SA said purchase history in US doesn’t count towards any made in Europe, if by chance I am offered a B or a K in Paris and decide to take it, I am supposing that my chances to be offered a bag in the US won’t be altered, right?

BTW. I am a newbie to H, but the main reason why is because of the horrible service/attitude I have received in stores prior. It’s taking a lot just for me to take this step, because I earn my own keep and I will never be able to spend as much as the rich foreigners who frequent my local boutique.

This is an interesting post. The SA actually told you what you had to buy to "earn" the right to be offered a B or K? Wow. that's amazing. It's like going into a sandwich shop and being told you have to get the whole enchilada -- beverages, side salad, potato chips, desert, coffee, and after meal mint. Other posts have made the same point, though. . Well, if you ultimately get offered bags quarterly, 4x / year, that's pretty good. I purchased from a local boutique for a couple of decades, mainly scarves, then some silver. Finally the manager took me aside and said it's time for me to get a bag.

I do have a hard time believing that the US purchase history doesn't influence the French experience. If anything, those purchases would inform the breadth of customers' experience with the brand. I mean, it's not all scarves and bags! But at least your SA made her expectations clear. It's quite frustrating to get this and get that but never get offered a bag.

 

[Gal4Dior]

This is an interesting post. The SA actually told you what you had to buy to "earn" the right to be offered a B or K? Wow. that's amazing. It's like going into a sandwich shop and being told you have to get the whole enchilada -- beverages, side salad, potato chips, desert, coffee, and after meal mint. Other posts have made the same point, though. . Well, if you ultimately get offered bags quarterly, 4x / year, that's pretty good. I purchased from a local boutique for a couple of decades, mainly scarves, then some silver. Finally the manager took me aside and said it's time for me to get a bag.

I do have a hard time believing that the US purchase history doesn't influence the French experience. If anything, those purchases would inform the breadth of customers' experience with the brand. I mean, it's not all scarves and bags! But at least your SA made her expectations clear. It's quite frustrating to get this and get that but never get offered a bag.

From my limited reading, I don’t think it is uncommon for other SA’s to offer information about what types of purchases would show that you aren’t going to be just a customer buying a B and never returning again, except for another, when asked.

I’ve heard too many times, the expectations are not set up front so a customer spends and spends in “hopes” of a future B or K. I don’t have that luxury, and wasn’t about to embark on it without knowing.

Also, it wasn’t about purchase history not counting in say, Paris, it was more the fact that the US account cannot be accessed abroad. Similar to anything I would purchase in Paris, that could be accessed in US, I would think.

I wish it could count, I’d have a better chance getting a B or K at a much lower cost.

 

[Serena1307]

Yes it is really weird to ask you to buy things and things before scoring a bag.
I speak openly about the H game with my SA and he told me that is false and you should never be asking to buy things before having a bag.
I think it really depends of your SA but I’m sure that if they want to offer you a bag with an history of 500€ they can!
But for sure they will not if you come and ask directly for a B or K. For me you must be « tactical », I just spent time speaking with him about leathers, Colors, H game etc and he knows that I will be a good client for them.
And as I said I only spent 4000€ at H (2000€ for a Picotin) and he knows that I will never spend 10k in one day and I will never do that to have a B or K...

 

[HavLab]

The topic here is getting bags in Paris. As far as I know getting a bag in Paris is not visible to US SA. In my experience EMEA history is not linked either At least in Spain they told me they could not see my France history. France history is visible to SA in France though...it's on their phone.

Also, good luck on your day trip to Paris. Dont forget to try to make an appointment the day before. Must be done during business hours and Monday appts have to be done on Saturday.

 

[westcoastgal]

yeah, she injured herself at work. so she cannot carry heavy boxes for a long while. and yes, i had to make online appointments despite being a local and loyal client of a decade (so loyal that we bought furniture lol). it's crazy how i get invited to their jumping shows and other private VIP events BUT had to make an appointment to see a bag, be it is a kelly or a garden party.

and with the two other stores, you gotta line up and make appointments first thing in the morning. i have no record with them as i buy exclusively in FSH (and sometimes if i am too ill, online), so the treatment isn't superb elsewhere.

my husband who is french has had some very rude treatment in the store. it made him very angry and he sent an email to the manager which they apologized but could not do anything about it since they want everyone to have a fair game in getting the bag.

i guess it also depends on your SA. My SA errs on the cautious side and therefore does not take personal appointments anymore. she also doesn't want to deal with new clients even though friends have pestered me to introduce them to her.

i've also been told by some friends that they bribe the VIP relations (which i will not name and this person is not a SA or manager of sorts) to get bags without buying stuff or having to go through the appointment system.

the flaw with the appointment system is that it keeps the loyal, local customers isolated, and jumbled into together with new customers as well as resellers. it used to be not like this and a lot better. my french neighbour is annoyed with this system too. she said it is so off putting to feel like a third rate customer despite spending hundreds of thousands of euros over the years. she has been a customer for twenty years, a lot longer than me.

there are french resellers who pay people 500-1000 euros (depending on bag) to get B an K. so they have an incentive to spend their time on the appointment system. i knew a friend who did this. she got the appointment but did not get anything. as soon as you do not have a buying record and act very suspicious, they won't give you peanuts. so my advice is don't act suspicious and try to dress fancier than usual ( i know it is ridiculous but this works).

sorry for my uber long rant but i live here and i hear a lot of things and are friends who people who are part of the action. it's very disappointing for me actually. and these days it feels a lot harder to get an appointment. and trust me, whether you buy or do not buy, it has nothing to do with your chances of getting the appointment. it's all very random. because if it is based on your buying record, i would be able to get an appointment and not be rejected like four days in a row. lol.

and i just merely want to see the garden party bag. one of the few bags i do not have in my inventory. thank god, i've gotten all the hard to get bags way before this system appears.

It is ridiculous that you have to make an online appointment.

 

[azukitea]

By the way, recently my online (french) account has been merged with my Paris store account.
My whole purchase history in France is now under one account for ALL MY PURCHASES (both online and in store)
My in store purchases (FSH and Sevre) are now recorded under my online account, though i can't see B/K/C purchases when I log on Hermes online

Has anyone noticed this change lately?

 

[craielover]

I have been a lurker on this thread and I’ve really enjoyed the frank and honest feedback about the realities of scoring a B or K in Paris.

Based on the advice of other threads, I’ve started a relationship with a local SA (I am in US). I am slowly spending wisely at H - so I may eventually score my first B. My SA was very honest and upfront with me on the types of departments I needed to purchase from that counts towards a B&K and I was also informed that I would only be offered bags quarterly (experts, correct me if I’m wrong).

The thing is, I plan on visiting in Europe this winter and will plan to do a day trip from Amsterdam to Paris late November. Since my SA said purchase history in US doesn’t count towards any made in Europe, if by chance I am offered a B or a K in Paris and decide to take it, I am supposing that my chances to be offered a bag in the US won’t be altered, right?

BTW. I am a newbie to H, but the main reason why is because of the horrible service/attitude I have received in stores prior. It’s taking a lot just for me to take this step, because I earn my own keep and I will never be able to spend as much as the rich foreigners who frequent my local boutique.

First, not quarterly. Anywhere under the same account it's one in six months. Most countries is one Jan - June and one July - December, though I've heard in FSH (or Paris in general) they would like to see about 6 months differences in offers so you can't do June 30 and July 1. Of course, this changes if you are a VVIP.

Second, with just one day in Paris, the chance of winning the lottery is slim. But if you are somewhat flexible, sign up for it everyday after you arrive in Europe, and if you get an appointment, find a way to make it to Paris.

Still, a bag appointment doesn't mean you will be offered a BKC. But it's true that here in the US your store won't see your Paris purchases.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I have been a lurker on this thread and I’ve really enjoyed the frank and honest feedback about the realities of scoring a B or K in Paris.

Based on the advice of other threads, I’ve started a relationship with a local SA (I am in US). I am slowly spending wisely at H - so I may eventually score my first B. My SA was very honest and upfront with me on the types of departments I needed to purchase from that counts towards a B&K and I was also informed that I would only be offered bags quarterly (experts, correct me if I’m wrong).

The thing is, I plan on visiting in Europe this winter and will plan to do a day trip from Amsterdam to Paris late November. Since my SA said purchase history in US doesn’t count towards any made in Europe, if by chance I am offered a B or a K in Paris and decide to take it, I am supposing that my chances to be offered a bag in the US won’t be altered, right?

BTW. I am a newbie to H, but the main reason why is because of the horrible service/attitude I have received in stores prior. It’s taking a lot just for me to take this step, because I earn my own keep and I will never be able to spend as much as the rich foreigners who frequent my local boutique.

What you buy in the US will not affect positively or negatively your ability to buy in the EU unless your SAs happen to know each other, which is unlikely.
“Quota” such as it is is separate so even if you are subjected to it, you can buy a Birkin in NY then fly to Paris and buy another, or vice versa.
Good luck!

 

[Gal4Dior]

The topic here is getting bags in Paris. As far as I know getting a bag in Paris is not visible to US SA. In my experience EMEA history is not linked either At least in Spain they told me they could not see my France history. France history is visible to SA in France though...it's on their phone.

Also, good luck on your day trip to Paris. Dont forget to try to make an appointment the day before. Must be done during business hours and Monday appts have to be done on Saturday.

Thanks! I’m grateful I won’t be denied one in Paris if I am offered one (by some slim chance) in US.

 

[eagle1002us]

What you buy in the US will not affect positively or negatively your ability to buy in the EU unless your SAs happen to know each other, which is unlikely.
“Quota” such as it is is separate so even if you are subjected to it, you can buy a Birkin in NY then fly to Paris and buy another, or vice versa.
Good luck!

@QuelleFromage, can you say why US purchase history is not accessible to French SA's? Of course, if it was, it's possible that the VVIPs in the US could exhaust their frequent flier miles zinging over to France and dominating that market, too. The way it is kinda makes the US a self-contained market and France becomes more of a global market. That might be the right way to do things.

 

[QuelleFromage]

@QuelleFromage, can you say why US purchase history is not accessible to French SA's? Of course, if it was, it's possible that the VVIPs in the US could exhaust their frequent flier miles zinging over to France and dominating that market, too. The way it is kinda makes the US a self-contained market and France becomes more of a global market. That might be the right way to do things.

Can I say why? No, I think only Hermès could say that The systems have been split forever. There is a rumor they will be united globally, but that rumor has been in existence for a couple years now and has not come to pass. It is more that there is a European market, a US market, and and Asian market, although I don't know how the Asian countries share information. As far as I know from shopping in Singapore, they cannot see my history in China - but I don't have much experience in that market.

A couple of my SAs in different countries happen to be friends and they know where I have bought/what I have bought but it's a positive rather than a negative

 

[MOCHAEYES]

I have a question. Do you think it is easy to be offered a crocodile K/B in Paris Hermes stores (specifically FSH)?