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.

 

[atsukocat]

Fast question re: the strikes going on now.
I have a chance to visit late in the week for a day or 2, but are deliveries to the stores affected by the strike action? Anyone notice anything wrt stock etc.?
Not to go off topic, but are the museums etc open? ( the web sites are impressively non informative) You can always PM me so as to stay on topic on the thread.
Thanks

On 5 and 6 Dec, the SA would definitely say that no stock of BKC due to the general strike. However, based on my past experience, I think stock is always available, just depends on whether they are willing to offer the bags to you. For example, I got a FSH appointment on 6 Dec. The SA said no stock of BKC at all due to the general strike. However, I found that someone was selecting a twilly for her newly offered Kelly (normally the SA won't let the bag expose in public area but I really saw a Kelly in a dust bag). When I was in Paris in May 2019, it was during the film festival and many SA said the stock was very low. Nonetheless, I was offered a birkin in FSH. So, just go to the store and try. You never know what is the outcome.

The museums/art galleries may cut short their business hours but still operate. You may check their announcements in twitter instead.

 

[Joeli7]

My friend who lives in Paris says it's mainly public sector workers who are on strike now so she can't get to work using public transport. So the way deliveries would be impacted might be if some drivers can't get to work because they live too far away to be able to walk or bike. (I hope people who are late or dont show up for work due to the strikes affecting transportation aren't punished!)

 

[nymeria]

On 5 and 6 Dec, the SA would definitely say that no stock of BKC due to the general strike. However, based on my past experience, I think stock is always available, just depends on whether they are willing to offer the bags to you. For example, I got a FSH appointment on 6 Dec. The SA said no stock of BKC at all due to the general strike. However, I found that someone was selecting a twilly for her newly offered Kelly (normally the SA won't let the bag expose in public area but I really saw a Kelly in a dust bag). When I was in Paris in May 2019, it was during the film festival and many SA said the stock was very low. Nonetheless, I was offered a birkin in FSH. So, just go to the store and try. You never know what is the outcome.

The museums/art galleries may cut short their business hours but still operate. You may check their announcements in twitter instead.

My friend who lives in Paris says it's mainly public sector workers who are on strike now so she can't get to work using public transport. So the way deliveries would be impacted might be if some drivers can't get to work because they live too far away to be able to walk or bike. (I hope people who are late or dont show up for work due to the strikes affecting transportation aren't punished!)

Thanks to all who answered- I realize that its basically totally random, however, the strikes just add a certain "je ne sais quoi" to the entire thing. Truly don't know if its worth it.

 

[daisyjo]

I just arrived home yesterday after four days in Paris. There is virtually no public transportation other than the #1 Metro line which is running normally as it is automated. If you can make it to one of the stops on that line you can get off at Concorde for FSH and George V for the George V shop. There are taxis, but due to the strike they are in high demand and it can be very difficult to get one. The few times we checked Uber it said no cars available. I believe museums were open but I know the Eiffel Tower was closed. Stores in general weren't as busy although Hermes was quite busy. I decided at the last minute to visit FSH on Saturday and my fantastic SA happened to be working. I wasn't really there for a bag but I did ask for a GP 30 or a Constance 18 to give as a gift and there were neither. She said no deliveries Saturday and she thought they had been interrupted the previous days as well. Supposedly Tuesday the strike is going to ramp up again. Good luck. Bring sturdy walking shoes and a good attitude if it rains!

 

[tamadi]

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing all the tips and experience, here is my unsuccessful story.
After trying and failing 5 times to get an appointment at the FSH store, I decided to go line up at the George V store this morning. Arrived at 9:45am, I was around the 10-15th person in the line. Got assigned to a SA right away when they opened at 10:15am. I told the SA that I would like to get some jewelries perhaps a Kelly bracelet. Without mentioning anything BAGS, the SA replied "there is no Birkin or Kelly today due to the strike". I asked her if I should come back another time, she was acting like she didn't care and went "its up to you". She asked if I have ever bought from them in Paris, I said NO but she still asked for my passport to check in their system. She said that since I am a new customer, she can't sell me any bags in my first visit. (What????)
I was really not happy with her attitude so I left the floor by myself and went on to browse around in the leather area. I heard at least 2 other SAs telling their clients that there's no B/K today and suggesting them to make an appointment at the FSH store.
Never thought December would be such a bad time to visit Paris. Anyway, I am just going to enjoy the city and continue to try my luck with the online system.

 

[buyer010]

Since my last visit to Paris- which still was earlier this year- I had to change my passport because it was expiring. I do have records of purchase in Paris, but does any one know if my new passport number would register me as a new guest?
Thanks!

 

[Aimee3]

Since my last visit to Paris- which still was earlier this year- I had to change my passport because it was expiring. I do have records of purchase in Paris, but does any one know if my new passport number would register me as a new guest?
Thanks!

I believe it does because when I was there and they asked if I had "history of buying in France" which I did, they then asked if my passport number had changed. I had renewed my passport since those purchases, and thus had a new passport number. I never did find out if they were able to find those previous purchases with just my name or not.

 

[lady_85]

I thought I’d share.

Like previously mentioned, we were in Paris during the strike. The stores were open and uber was in business. There was only 1 instance where we had to take a cab because an uber car was impossible to get; our request kept expiring.

As for handbags, we were able to get B and K. I had 4 denials via the lottery system while my other companion got lucky with it and got it on her 4th try. I’ve been reading here that the SAs (around the time we were at FSH) would normally tell clients that there are no stocks or no deliveries but like someone said I think this is all dependent on the SA. The fact that we got a couple is safe to say that this theory might hold true; and luck I think.

I know this entire game is tiresome as I have been there numerous times now. But for some weird reason the feeling of getting a B or K trumps that down trotten lottery rejection. I know you girls/guys are the only ones who can relate to this. So I’d say keep trying and H fairy dusts to everyone. Good luck!

 

[lady_85]

I just left Paris this morning. FSH was operating per normal yesterday despite the strike.. But getting out of Paris was a nightmare. Super long queue for flight check-in due to lack of staff and people were missing their connecting flights.

I was only in Paris for two days, specifically for an appointment with my H fairy in FSH on 4 Dec. It was a super wonderful experience as she’s super sweet and always comes up with the most beautiful bags I had been dying for a pink B/K as I have a few neutrals and I really love pink.. She offered me a choice of RT ostrich K25 or Rose d’Ete swift K25. They have only just started to release Rose d’ete (Summer Rose) bags so it’s hot off the press! Both were pretty so it was a very difficult choice.. But I went with RT ostrich K25 at the end since it’s just irresistible and I love a sellier K (although I managed to let a water droplet fell on the bag while washing my hands earlier today, and the water stain is not completely out yet )

Hopefully they can reach an agreement soon and the strike would end.. Stay safe, everyone!

quick question: do you work with the same SA every time you go? I’ve been wanting to work with solely 1 SA but it seems impossible. I’m no VIP client and I read here that VIPs are the only ones who can have an SA who can cross sell? I may be incorrect but it seems like you can get better chances of scoring one when you deal with 1 SA vs applying via lottery.

 

[scndlslv]

Since my last visit to Paris- which still was earlier this year- I had to change my passport because it was expiring. I do have records of purchase in Paris, but does any one know if my new passport number would register me as a new guest?
Thanks!

They can merge your passport accounts, just ask. I had this done on my visit 2 weeks ago.

 

[little.bear]

I thought I’d share.

Like previously mentioned, we were in Paris during the strike. The stores were open and uber was in business. There was only 1 instance where we had to take a cab because an uber car was impossible to get; our request kept expiring.

As for handbags, we were able to get B and K. I had 4 denials via the lottery system while my other companion got lucky with it and got it on her 4th try. I’ve been reading here that the SAs (around the time we were at FSH) would normally tell clients that there are no stocks or no deliveries but like someone said I think this is all dependent on the SA. The fact that we got a couple is safe to say that this theory might hold true; and luck I think.

I know this entire game is tiresome as I have been there numerous times now. But for some weird reason the feeling of getting a B or K trumps that down trotten lottery rejection. I know you girls/guys are the only ones who can relate to this. So I’d say keep trying and H fairy dusts to everyone. Good luck!

Congrats!! It really does come down to your assigned SA. May I ask the specs of your B and K scores?

 

[buyer010]

I believe it does because when I was there and they asked if I had "history of buying in France" which I did, they then asked if my passport number had changed. I had renewed my passport since those purchases, and thus had a new passport number. I never did find out if they were able to find those previous purchases with just my name or not.

Thanks so much for the reply!

 

[buyer010]

They can merge your passport accounts, just ask. I had this done on my visit 2 weeks ago.

Thank you!

 

[crazybag88]

Since my last visit to Paris- which still was earlier this year- I had to change my passport because it was expiring. I do have records of purchase in Paris, but does any one know if my new passport number would register me as a new guest?
Thanks!

When I registered, I used my previous passport since that was what they had on record and to prove that I'm an existing client. But when I paid for my purchase, I got them to change my passport number to the current one. No fuss at all. This way, record of all your previous purchases stay intact.

 

[MollyRoses]

Since my last visit to Paris- which still was earlier this year- I had to change my passport because it was expiring. I do have records of purchase in Paris, but does any one know if my new passport number would register me as a new guest?
Thanks!

You can go to and tell them it changed. So they can look up your prior passport info and then update it with your new passport number. It happened to my sister.