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.

 

[Summerof89]

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...chatting-please.1002405/page-13#post-33507473

Like I said it’s not there. But that’s ok i can live without it hehe. Thanks for trying though

 

[FreddieMac]

Like I said it’s not there. But that’s ok i can live without it hehe. Thanks for trying though

It's listed there in both Chèvre and Epsom as well as Box and matt/polished gator in other currencies.

 

[Summerof89]

It's listed there in both Chèvre and Epsom as well as Box and matt/polished gator in other currencies.

I just realised I stuffed up my question LOL! I needed the mini Kelly 2 OSTRICH price in euro. A big fat oops

 

[papertiger]

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...chatting-please.1002405/page-13#post-33507473

Thank you

 

[papertiger]

Please return to topic

Any more discussion of prices or anything else OT will be deleted from here on.

The subject is 'Paris Trip for Hermes'

TY

 

[eagle1002us]

There is always a chance to get what you want. Whether it is likely or not I don't believe anyone can predict. Hearing your question though, I suggest you just go through a trusted reseller. It doesn't seem you care for the rest of the Hermes brand too much, and with the chance of success in Paris being quite random, I would say save the time, trouble, and risk of disappointment and just wait for the exact bag you want on the after market. It will turn up there eventually.

@missbagwathi as I was reading your post I had the exact same thought as @daisyjo. Hermes doesn't want people to zip in and grab a bag and go. They want people to become knowledgeable (by buying things) about the brand. They like people that spend a chunk of change. The latter shows you are a serious collector and not someone reselling the bag for a profit over Paris prices the moment they leave the store, so to speak.
I got the bag I wanted but first I got stuff that was not a bag and at that moment it was not even clear that I'd ever be offered a bag. In my second trip to Paris (ever), we went late last year and I got a fair amount of stuff plus a bag. It was fun to do b/c I've been collecting and following H (but not the bags) for like 40 years. I am not sure that I could see myself acquiring a third bag in that manner. It's just not efficient.
Like @daisyjo, I think that you could wind up spending a lot to encourage the SA to offer a bag. Why not apply those funds to buying the bag of your dreams from a reseller? Why buy scarves, shoes, bangles, etc. that you may never use in order to build good will with a SA?

 

[missbagwathi]

It doesn't seem you care for the rest of the Hermes brand too much

To be honest, except for the Birkin and Kelly, I'm not a fan of the designs and none of the other bags matches my style/personality. Also my ex's initial is H and I can't bring myself to have that as a constant reminder nor part of my style. Just hurts too much.

They want people to become knowledgeable (by buying things) about the brand. They like people that spend a chunk of change

The latter shows you are a serious collector and not someone reselling the bag for a profit over Paris prices the moment they leave the store, so to speak

Well, not all of us can afford to spend buckets and I've finally come to a point in my life where I can splurge on that one special bag. I have the knowledge and love for that one bag. Sure if I had more money I could be a serious collector but right now I'm starting off with that one special bag and who knows where that might lead me with the brand. I understand they wanting to be elitist about their brand but that isn't helping build relationships/customer base with a younger demographic. I can see Hermes turning into Prada as demographics shift where younger people will not care for these marketing ploys. Might take a few years but will happen if they continue treating willing paying customers like crap.

go through a trusted reseller

Why not apply those funds to buying the bag of your dreams from a reseller?

I've never bought anything from anywhere except directly from the stores and this purchase is significant enough to want to buy it from an H store. If I can get lucky at FSH while in Paris that's great or I'll keep trying elsewhere until I do.

So for the FSH store, I apply for an appointment online, hope I get one and then provide the SA with my wishlist for a Birkin 30 neutral colour ghw. Is that all or is there more I can do without having to purchase anything else prior? I will purchase Twilly's, charms to match my bag when I get it but nothing prior that.

 

[acrowcounted]

Well, not all of us can afford to spend buckets and I've finally come to a point in my life where I can splurge on that one special bag. I have the knowledge and love for that one bag. Sure if I had more money I could be a serious collector but right now I'm starting off with that one special bag and who knows where that might lead me with the brand. I understand they wanting to be elitist about their brand but that isn't helping build relationships/customer base with a younger demographic. I can see Hermes turning into Prada as demographics shift where younger people will not care for these marketing ploys. Might take a few years but will happen if they continue treating willing paying customers like crap.

I've never bought anything from anywhere except directly from the stores and this purchase is significant enough to want to buy it from an H store. If I can get lucky at FSH while in Paris that's great or I'll keep trying elsewhere until I do.

So for the FSH store, I apply for an appointment online, hope I get one and then provide the SA with my wishlist for a Birkin 30 neutral colour ghw. Is that all or is there more I can do without having to purchase anything else prior? I will purchase Twilly's, charms to match my bag when I get it but nothing prior that.

You’ve said yourself that you’ve never even been inside an H store so I’m not sure why you think they “treat their customers like crap”. Also, if all you want is one coveted bag and nothing more, you aren’t the “willing paying customer” that they want. You seem quite negative on the brand as a whole so I do wonder why you’d want to carry a bag that advertises that you’ve played their game and ended with you happily giving them thousands of your hard earned dollars.

In any case, FSH is your best (and likely only) chance at a bag and you have the process correct. Since you are unwilling to purchase any other items, I recommend you be polite with the H staff, should you get an appointment, and try not to let them know that you are “not a fan” of any of their other designs. Good luck.

 

[missbagwathi]

I’m not sure why you think they “treat their customers like crap”.

Having done my research that is the conclusion given all the experiences here on the forum threads.

You seem quite negative on the brand as a whole so I do wonder why you’d want to carry a bag that advertises that you’ve played their game and ended with you happily giving them thousands of your hard earned dollars.

I'm not negative towards the brand and have the liberty to want to purchase something that I like.

try not to let them know that you are “not a fan” of any of their other designs

This is the aspect of the brand that annoys me and perhaps comes across as negative to you, a brand controlling the behaviour and making you subservient to them when you are the paying customer. I do not think there is any other brand that does this to their customers. Why must I bend backwards to let them take my money? I like two products, I'm entitled to my opinions, why must I have to fear that I won't be able to purchase the products I like or voice my opinion on the others? This is the kind of thing that puts me off.

As for why I still want the bag and give them my money, coz I love the bag. Will I do it by playing their games, probably not.

Fingers crossed I get away with an upfront straightforward regular transaction where money buys you the object that is for sale.

 

[BagLady164]

To be honest, except for the Birkin and Kelly, I'm not a fan of the designs and none of the other bags matches my style/personality. Also my ex's initial is H and I can't bring myself to have that as a constant reminder nor part of my style. Just hurts too much.




Well, not all of us can afford to spend buckets and I've finally come to a point in my life where I can splurge on that one special bag. I have the knowledge and love for that one bag. Sure if I had more money I could be a serious collector but right now I'm starting off with that one special bag and who knows where that might lead me with the brand. I understand they wanting to be elitist about their brand but that isn't helping build relationships/customer base with a younger demographic. I can see Hermes turning into Prada as demographics shift where younger people will not care for these marketing ploys. Might take a few years but will happen if they continue treating willing paying customers like crap.




I've never bought anything from anywhere except directly from the stores and this purchase is significant enough to want to buy it from an H store. If I can get lucky at FSH while in Paris that's great or I'll keep trying elsewhere until I do.

So for the FSH store, I apply for an appointment online, hope I get one and then provide the SA with my wishlist for a Birkin 30 neutral colour ghw. Is that all or is there more I can do without having to purchase anything else prior? I will purchase Twilly's, charms to match my bag when I get it but nothing prior that.

First, I don’t think it’s fair to call Hermes elitist because they sell their most limited and coveted bags to their best customers. The truth is that there are lots more elite bank balances that can easily cover, say, 10 Himalayan crocs than there are such bags. That’s why the resale market thrives. Every time I visit my home boutique I overhear someone ask for a Birkin and get annoyed or upset when they are inevitably told there isn’t one available. But the truth is they aren’t because the few they might have at any given time are already spoken for. Most of the time your SA will call when the boutique gets a delivery and either tell you a wishlist item has arrived or ask if you want something else that came in. At FSH, if you get an appointment, a hurdle unto itself, you can always get lucky which is why it’s mobbed, but know in advance that most people strike out. They don’t tend to write about it on this forum but there are many more of them that do compared to those who leave with their dream bag. If you get an appointment you might try to speak as much French as you can, hold your inevitable annoyance with the appointment system at bay (it’s exhausting), don’t read anything negative into their cultural formality (more business-like than friendly) and remember that your assigned SA will meet 50 people a week just like you who want the same thing. Demonstrate your knowledge of the bag you say you have. Know in advance the different leathers, hardware choices and specific neutral color names you would be happy to have. Rank them. They will get the idea you aren’t a “pop of color” person. If they don’t have your exact specs they might bring out something you didn’t ask for but you might love anyway. They will only bring out one or maybe two bags at a time though and if they have something else you want to see you will release the first bag and likely lose it. It is that busy. So, be prepared to be decisive. FSH is anything but a relaxed, luxury sales experience. If you strike out in Paris, Madison and Vegas also cater to walk-ins though to a lesser extent. HTH and good luck! Enjoy Paris most of all.

 

[QuelleFromage]

To be honest, except for the Birkin and Kelly, I'm not a fan of the designs and none of the other bags matches my style/personality. I understand they wanting to be elitist about their brand but that isn't helping build relationships/customer base with a younger demographic. I can see Hermes turning into Prada as demographics shift where younger people will not care for these marketing ploys. Might take a few years but will happen if they continue treating willing paying customers like crap.

.

Not sure that wanting a customer who appreciates the brand as opposed to a customer who only likes two specific bags is elitist. If the Birkin and Kelly are truly the only two examples of Hermès design that you like, why bother to play the "game"? Just find a good reseller and get the exact bag you wish. I would do some research on these resellers and be ready to call them if Paris does not provide you the neutral B30 you are searching for.
In my experience, Hermès is less "crappy" to customers than many premier brands. Personally I can say both LV and Chanel have treated me pretty terribly on more than one occasion. Hermès is warm, fun, and delightful in comparison. I can only say, go in expecting good things, and good luck.

 

[classybags4ever]

Having done my research that is the conclusion given all the experiences here on the forum threads.



I'm not negative towards the brand and have the liberty to want to purchase something that I like.



This is the aspect of the brand that annoys me and perhaps comes across as negative to you, a brand controlling the behaviour and making you subservient to them when you are the paying customer. I do not think there is any other brand that does this to their customers. Why must I bend backwards to let them take my money? I like two products, I'm entitled to my opinions, why must I have to fear that I won't be able to purchase the products I like or voice my opinion on the others? This is the kind of thing that puts me off.

As for why I still want the bag and give them my money, coz I love the bag. Will I do it by playing their games, probably not.

Fingers crossed I get away with an upfront straightforward regular transaction where money buys you the object that is for sale.

@missbagwathi
I’m like you and also not willing to play the game. Although I do have Hermes items that are not bags that I like, like shoes, slgs, I refuse to keep spending at my home store for an indefinite period of time until someone decides I’m worthy of a Birkin or Kelly. Plus my home store is in an extremely wealthy area
and most people who frequent likely spend more than I can ever imagine so I likely can’t compete with them. I also refuse to go reseller route as I haven’t done it for anything else I buy, and don’t trust resellers generally. I’ve been lucky twice at FSH via an appointment, both Birkins. One was bought through my husband who has no purchase history. Show your appreciation for the bag you want, research colors and leathers online and go in with a few specific leather, color, hardware choices. Good luck!

 

[missbagwathi]

If you get an appointment you might try to speak as much French as you can, hold your inevitable annoyance with the appointment system at bay (it’s exhausting), don’t read anything negative into their cultural formality (more business-like than friendly) and remember that your assigned SA will meet 50 people a week just like you who want the same thing. Demonstrate your knowledge of the bag you say you have. Know in advance the different leathers, hardware choices and specific neutral color names you would be happy to have. Rank them. They will get the idea you aren’t a “pop of color” person. If they don’t have your exact specs they might bring out something you didn’t ask for but you might love anyway. They will only bring out one or maybe two bags at a time though and if they have something else you want to see you will release the first bag and likely lose it. It is that busy. So, be prepared to be decisive.

Thanks for the great tips, appreciate the reply! I've actually changed my mind and decided to buy a twilly for one of my non-H bags so I'm going to pop into a local store first if not I'll try at FSH.

 

[BagLady164]

Thanks for the great tips, appreciate the reply! I've actually changed my mind and decided to buy a twilly for one of my non-H bags so I'm going to pop into a local store first if not I'll try at FSH.

You’re welcome. Good luck!

 

[eagle1002us]

To be honest, except for the Birkin and Kelly, I'm not a fan of the designs and none of the other bags matches my style/personality. Also my ex's initial is H and I can't bring myself to have that as a constant reminder nor part of my style. Just hurts too much.
Well, not all of us can afford to spend buckets and I've finally come to a point in my life where I can splurge on that one special bag. I have the knowledge and love for that one bag. Sure if I had more money I could be a serious collector but right now I'm starting off with that one special bag and who knows where that might lead me with the brand. I understand they wanting to be elitist about their brand but that isn't helping build relationships/customer base with a younger demographic. I can see Hermes turning into Prada as demographics shift where younger people will not care for these marketing ploys. Might take a few years but will happen if they continue treating willing paying customers like crap.
I've never bought anything from anywhere except directly from the stores and this purchase is significant enough to want to buy it from an H store. If I can get lucky at FSH while in Paris that's great or I'll keep trying elsewhere until I do.

So for the FSH store, I apply for an appointment online, hope I get one and then provide the SA with my wishlist for a Birkin 30 neutral colour ghw. Is that all or is there more I can do without having to purchase anything else prior? I will purchase Twilly's, charms to match my bag when I get it but nothing prior that.

I do understand your preference for buying direct from the mother lode. Then you are certain you have the genuine article.

Go by your instincts when you're there and read this thread. It's very helpful in indicating what to expect. A SA and you may just "click" -- there are indications of that in the spontaneous and charming experiences people relate in this thread. Someone recently advised to inquire about cancellations. I never would have thought of that.

When we were there the yellow vest people were demonstrating and there were police at some intersections close to H. I recall business at FSH was slow that day. (We walked around a fair amount, plus went to H and a museum, and everything was fine. I got my bag the next day). The point is things outside of your control may influence when you get a bag.

And do report back on your experiences!
.