Hello all! Been a longtime lurker on Hermes for a while but haven’t posted. But wanted to say thank you to everyone for sharing their experiences, tips and tricks for Hermes in Paris. I am currently in Paris and I wanted to share my experience and hope it also helps someone else. I’m going to divide my experience into difference sections just to make it a bit easier to read/follow.
Country of citizenship: USA, I traveled to Paris on June 9th (the first day vaccinated Americans are allowed to enter France, yay!). If anyone wants additional info regarding travel to France from the US, the entry process and what it’s like in Paris right now, you can DM me...more than happy to answer questions.
Hermes history in Paris: I am relatively new to Hermes compared to most on this forum. I had gotten a few Hermes items here and there in the past both in the US and Paris (but never a handbag). The last time I was in Paris was about 3 years ago and only bought SLGs and costume jewelry. I have never purchased or been offered a bag in Paris, but I also never inquired as I wasn’t looking for bags at the time. I do not have a dedicated SA in Paris.
Hermes appointment system:
-I only intended to request an appt at FSH since it seemed that this location had the greatest success of offering quota bags to non-locals.
-I tried to request an appt online the before I arrived but since I have a US number, I wasn’t receiving the activation code. I had expected this based on some recent posts. I called the customer service number that others had mentioned, but they were unable to assist me with providing the activation code over the phone. So, I called FSH directly to explain the situation and they told me to just show up to the store to ask for the activation code as this is a common problem for those with foreign numbers. I showed up in person for my activation code and they were very kind to provide me with it. They can see the entire request database on their iphone and on there is a list of people who aren’t “activated yet”, aka still missing an activation code. In this case, next to your name is the 6 digit code you need for activation...I typed in my code and got a screen that confirmed my request. Why they couldn’t provide it over the phone when I called, I don’t know...I think they prefer you to go in person to make sure you’re physically there? Who knows.
-A few things I wanted to make sure I pointed out about this system: 1) it’s one request per person so even if you request multiple times on different devices, my understanding is it will still only have you registered in the system once 2) when you get to the screen that asks for the activation code, you can keep it open in your browser until you are able to get the code in person. Or you can redo the registration steps...it’s all in real time on their end for the activation code to appear (I did have to do this once and it was fine).
-***Now this is where things were different for me. I emailed Hermes customer service online on early morning of June 8 to let them know the issue I was having with not receiving the activation code to see if they could provide it by email after checking the Paris system. Didnt get a response until the the afternoon of June 9 when I was already in Paris (so technically it was still June 8th in the US and email response time was same business day). In the email, they said they could see my name in the appointment request database but couldn’t provide the activation code and to try again online (not really helpful and it didn’t work). However, in their response they said I could go to one of the other 2 locations (George V and Sevres) where a hostess could help me with a same day walk up appointment. Now, from the recent posts on here, it seems that they do not do walk up appts anymore since the covid reopening and that it’s also through the online appointment system. So I was a bit confused, but I was like hey, I have nothing to lose so let’s just show up and see what happens. (See below under “Visit 2”)
What I was looking for:
I kept it broad and flexible...Birkin 30, Kelly 25 and 28, Kelly Ado and Kelly to-go wallets in neutral colors like gold, etoupe, etain, grid asphalte, blue nuit etc as well as rouge casaque (been really wanting this!). Preferred GHW but was totally okay with PHW. However, I wasn’t trying to get my hopes up too much given that there was a slim chance of getting an appointment in general. They receive over 3000 requests per day per store.
My Hermes visits and appointment outcomes:
- Visit 1 (FSH, June 9) - This was on Day 1 when I showed up to get my activation code. After getting my activation code, they informed me that you do not need an appt for anything other than handbags. You can walk in and ask for small leather goods (including to-go wallets per her) and such without an appt. I tried my hand at asking for a Kelly to-go wallet but they didn’t have any. They invited me back every afternoon to get the activation code. (I also asked if there were any appt cancellations and they said no, as expected LOL). At 8:44pm, I got a rejection email that I didn’t secure an appt for the following day.
- Visit 2 (George V, June 9) - This was also on Day 1 because I was like why not, let’s give it a try. Once inside the store, I explained my situation to the hostess and showed her the email that Hermes had sent telling me to visit the store in person for a walk up appt. She said it was a mistake since they don’t do that anymore, however, she was very sweet and said she would ask her manager. She came back a few minutes later and said they are currently all booked for today but that I could make an appointment for the next day! I had nothing specifically planned (or that couldn’t be moved), so I was open all day. She said earlier was better so I chose 11am for June 10th! I had heard that George V and Sevres usually sell quota bags to locals only, less likely tourists...so despite getting the appointment (which I was still very happy about), I had very little hope. But hey, an appointment is an appointment!
- Visit 3 (George V, June 10) - This was the day I had my appt at 11am. See below for full details about my George V experience.
-Visit 4 (FSH, June 10) - late in the afternoon, we were already on rue du FSH so I figured why not, let’s register for an appointment and go to the store for the activation code in person. Again, they were very nice and understanding about it. Was a fairly quick visit with some browsing on my way out. At 8:14pm, I got a rejection email that I didn’t secure an appt for the following day.
-Visit 5 (Sevres, June 12) - I wasn’t planning on visiting this location at all during my trip but at the last minute, we found ourselves in this area one late morning. So I decided to pop in and see if showing my email would help or work at getting a walk up appointment. I met with the host and showed him the email. Just like George V, he said the email was a mistake but was more than happy to offer me an appointment on the spot! He took down my information on his iPhone and immediately I received an email that I had an appointment. I walked around for a few minutes before a kind SA approached me to assist me. Now, I will say that Sevres looked A LOT less busy than the other 2 stores. There seemed to be a ton of SA’s just standing around chit chatting with each other which was very different from the other stores where every SA was with a customer. Maybe the “slowness” is what allowed me to get a same day appointment that I otherwise would not have gotten. See below for my Sevres experience.
My George V shopping experience:
I arrived at exactly 11am and the hostess remembered me and was very sweet. She directed me to sit in the back and wait for an SA to assist me. I was very observant (but not very obvious at it I hope lol), and noticed that my eventual SA had just offered another customer a garden party and picotin in neutral colors. Other customers with handbag appointments were offered other garden party bags, Constance in regular leathers and exotics, Victorias, Halzans, and Herbags. I did overhear them ask for Birkin and Kelly. Didn’t seem like they got rejected right away as they were asked their preferences and SAs told them they would be back...came back and said nothing available (that matched their specs). Customers with different associates did eye each other’s bags and at one point, I saw 2 customers swapping their bags as one wanted a neutral color garden party and the other wanted a pop of color. A few people left empty handed =( but a few left with other handbags and looked happy.
After sitting in the back display room near the exit, an SA approached me at 11:24am and was very pleasant and nice. As soon as I opened my mouth to introduce myself, she knew right away I wasn’t French lol. We chatted for a bit about how I had to cancel my last Paris trip due to the pandemic and she was surprised I was from the US as she didn’t know Americans were welcome back yet...she said it was refreshing and nice to know we were welcomed back as it was a sign of things returning to normal. She asked me what I was looking for and I started with Kelly to-go wallets because I didn’t want to be rejected for a B and K so soon after overhearing other customers being rejected LOL. She typed in the info into her iPhone and said she might have something (I was a little excited about this!). About 5 minutes later, she came out with 2 Kelly to-go’s and 1 Constance to-go. The Kelly’s were all exotics...navy and black in alligator. Constance was ostrich in a beige. I told her they were beautiful but had to pass as I was looking for non exotics, which she was understanding about. Then I tried my luck and asked if they had any Birkin 30s or Kelly 25s or 28s in neutral colors mentioned above or rouge casaque, in any leather or hardware but preferred gold, and had no preference for sellier or retourne for Kelly. At this time, she asked me if I had ever shopped Hermes in Paris, I said yes and she found me in the system. She noticed it had been a few years since my last visit. She said “okay, let me check, I might have something neutral”. Didn’t have much hope as I had heard SAs often go to the back only to return with bad news, and again, the other customers around me didn’t have much luck. She was gone for close to 25 minutes, and at 11:52am, she came back and said “would you please follow me”...this is when I squealed inside. We headed upstairs to a private viewing room and she offered me a Birkin 30, black Epsom in PHW! She said it was the only bag closest to matching my specs and essentially the only Birkin available in general. It was beautiful and I contemplated getting it but something just didn’t feel right...I didn’t have the butterflies when I saw it. Plus, I already have a black Birkin in GHW and I’m looking to diversify my collection in terms of color. So sadly, I passed on it but wondered if I would regret it later LOL. I kindly and jokingly mentioned that had it been something like rouge casaque in GHW I’d take it in a heartbeat. She said “hmmm okay we don’t have anything else close to what you want but I can check again”. At this time, I was like ok that doesn’t sound good but at least we made it this far and that’s a lot farther than I thought I was gonna make it haha. About 5 minutes later, she walks out of the elevator with a box in hand and I wonder to myself what it could be. She goes...”I have a Birkin 30 in rouge casaque in gold hardware”. I nearly fainted lol it was beautiful and exactly what I wanted! I immediately said YES and then we were on our way to pick out twillies. I was ecstatic! She didn’t pressure me into buying anything else, although I did ask if they had any so black rodeos but they sold out. It was overall WAY better than I had ever imagined, especially since it was at George V.
Now after this appt, why did I still go to FSH (visit 4) and Sevres (visit 5)? I was still hoping to find a Kelly To-Go wallet and I was just curious to see how lucky I could get with appointments.
My Sevres shopping experience:
After getting a walk up appt, it was a few minutes before an SA approached me. She welcomed me and asked what I was looking for. I told her I was looking for a Kelly to-go wallet in a neutral color and if possible a Kelly mini (figured I’d try my luck despite already getting a quota bag the other day...wasn’t specifically looking for this bag before my trip but saw a lot of parisians wearing this and it just looked so darn cute!). She said she did have a few to-go wallets she could show me, and mentioned that since I had already gotten a Birkin/quota bag the other day, I was not eligible for the mini Kelly...however, she said they didn’t have any anyway (whether this is true or not, who knows because we all know how mysterious Hermes is). She was gone for about 10-15 minutes and came out with 4 little boxes - 2 Kelly to-go’s and 2 Constance to-go’s. Unfortunately, the Kelly’s were both in alligator so I passed (what’s up with so many exotics?!). As for Constance’s, one was in etoupe with gold hardware and the other was in ostrich in yellow (I believe it was Safron). Constance to-go wasn’t on my radar but the etoupe and GHW color combo was beautiful so I decided to get it! Whether or not it was an impulse purchase, I don’t know lol...but what’s done is done and there’s no going back! Wasn’t pressured to buy anything else other than the To-go and the check out process was fairly quick and simple. Came in around 12pm and was well on my way before 1pm.
General stock:
-FSH - it’s hard to tell their exact stock on quota bags as they have tons of B and K’s on display but they are just that...for display. They don’t sell them right off the shelf. Lots of SLGs and rodeos in just about any color combo except so black. There was one but it was being sold when I walked up to look at their little carousel of rodeos. While walking around the store, I noticed a lot of Constance, garden parties and picotin bags being looked at by other customers. Saw a few lindies being looked at as well. Colors ranged from neutral to bright colors...I’m almost positive I saw a Constance in rose sakura.
-George V - same thing with having bags on display and not for purchase. They didn’t have as many SLGs on display as FSH but it is a much smaller store. Had a lot of colorful rodeos. Lots of non quota bags being looked at by customers including Halzan, herbag, picotin, TPM/PM, garden party in neutral colors as well as bright colors.
-Sevres - because this store is so large, it has so much on display, especially in terms of SLGs and handbags. The SA did tell me that most of the non quota bags on display were available in several colors so they seemed pretty well stocked. On display were: jige clutches, TPMs, Halzans, bolides, sauts, cinhetics, trims, verrous, 2002s and others. The brighter colors were on display but was told they had neutrals too. She said stock has been pretty good for bags since tourism has been at an all time low due to the pandemic.
Prices:
I did take a few photos and jotted down prices of items in my notes app and will post to the prices thread when I get a chance. The items on display actually have little price markers next to them which I appreciated.
Additional notes:
-There was no line currently at any of the stores. I am certain this is because borders aren’t fully reopen yet and tourism is no wear near pre-pandemic volumes. As borders begin to fully reopen, I anticipate long lines will be back. In fact, there are already signs on display on the sidewalk for customers to line up if a line does form.
-I haven’t decided yet if I will be requesting any more appointments online for FSH during this trip (still here a few more days) but I will keep you updated...just wanted to get this post up before my memory fades lol. Although I would love to add a Kelly to-go to my collection, I’m okay leaving without one as the trip in itself has already been so great and far exceeded my expectations (Hermes-wise and just overall Paris-wise...it was great to be back).
-Obviously, safety is a huge concern when purchasing expensive items. They put my items in an unmarked white shopping back that’s pretty thick and opaque. But from the top, you can still see the orange box. What I usually do in Paris is bring a huge foldable longchamp duffle bag with me in case I make big purchases and I want to keep them truly concealed. For this trip I brought the Longchamp sac de voyage zip duffle and when unzipped, it fits a Birkin 30 box with the shopping bag folded in (I had trialed this at home before leaving to make sure it fits). It zips up nicely and has both a top handle and a shoulder strap so you can carry it however you wish. Before I left the store, I put all my items in the longchamp duffle and I felt safer with this method compared to walking out the store with a huge shopping bag...I feel like people have figured out that those with large white unmarked shopping bags are in possession of expensive items...maybe I’m wrong and I’m just more paranoid than others lol
Overall summary:
- Don’t give up and try every avenue you can to get an appt. I hadn’t seen anyone mention that they had emailed Hermes customer service online so I went ahead and figured I’d try and it ended up working out. So definitely try that if you haven’t yet and see what happens!
- Be flexible with your wishlist. It’s impossible to know what the actual stock is and what you will get offered so the more flexible you are, the greater chances you have at getting something you like. It’s like the law of probability!
- Even though George V and Sevres aren’t known to cater to or offer B and K’s to tourists, you just never know and it’s always worth a shot to try. We may not hear about tourists getting these bags often, but keep in mind that purse forum members are only a small sample size of all Hermes fans/purchasers in the world.
- Even if you don’t get an appointment, still walk around the store...it’s beautiful and there’s so much on display! The FSH and Sevres stores are HUGE and there’s so much to see. Plus, not getting an appointment can be an excuse to come back to Paris in the future.
That’s all I got for now. Good luck everyone! And thank you for all the tips you’ve provided on this thread...so so SO helpful and really prepared me for my trip to Paris. Couldn’t have done it without you all!
. I need to share this frustration
Going to post on the 2021 offers thread later today or tomorrow!