Paris trip for Hermes

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

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.
 
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.
Very informative, informed reply. Enlightening.
 
Thinking of visiting Paris in the summer and hoping to score a Birkin. I’ve read some significant purchases might allow for a Special Order? For example if I purchase a $30-40k piece of jewelry would that open the doors to a special order if I can’t even get a regular appointment with the leather dept?
It would surely open the door to being offered a bag.
 
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?
 
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?
These are unusual circumstances and I’m sure H would be understanding. Definitely email them and explain so you will have a written response for proof if need be. No point risking your life to pick up a bag no matter how coveted.
 
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?

These are unusual circumstances and I’m sure H would be understanding. Definitely email them and explain so you will have a written response for proof if need be. No point risking your life to pick up a bag no matter how coveted.

You do not need an appointement to pick up, just bring your paperwork if you have any or show the email. And I totally agree with Aimee3 that you should contact them to pick up later considering what is going on right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CMilly
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?

With your SO, you presumably worked with an SA? I'd email your SA....they've been pretty flexible with me. Though 10 years ago, they mailed my PO! Those days are long gone, except maybe for the VIPs for which I am not.
 
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?

You can simply respond to that email and ask for more time in light of the coronavirus. Even if the coronavirus never existed, they would at least give you three months to pick up an SO. Good luck!
 
Last edited:
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?
For SO collection you don't need an appointment at all. The email itself is sufficient, show it at the leather reception desk and they will assign the next available SA to help you. Do reply to your email and give her an estimate time when you can go to collect the bag and see what response you get. I think they would be extra flexible now. They have always been very flexible for me and yes they used to send me my SOs too.
 
Hi can I check if there’s any changes made to the Paris quota system in fsh this year, is it still Jan-June semester one bag and July-Dec one bag or two bags anytime of the year? Let me know if anybody knows the update in store this year thank you!
 
I received an email today from FSH leather department, and asked me to pick my SO birkin within 1 month, does anyone know do I need to make any appointment or just walk in and show them the email to pick up?
Also since the coronavirus, I’m thinking should I goto Paris since there’s a lot of flight have been cancelled, does anyone know if I can ask them to reserve for me for longer?
My sis has also just received an email informing her that her SO is ready. Her SA knows her, but as far as we understand, if the bag is made under her name, i.e. passport, then she is the only one who can pick up the bag, with her passport. Congrats on your SO.
 
  • Like
Reactions: obsessedwhermes
I read that in France all non-essential stores will be closed for now? (Stores other than grocery, pharmacies, healthcare). If that is accurate then it would surely increase flexibility further regarding questions related to picking up items. If I misread the store closures please feel free to correct me though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phiona88
Top