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.

 

[1morebag]

Congrats! May I ask if you purchased something else before asking for the K?

I bought a B from the store without any previous purchases last year so I had that before I asked for the K this time x

 

[periogirl28]

Thank you for sharing your VIP knowledge with the rest of us!
Can you share more insight into what it takes to form a relationship with an FSH SA like at any other store? Do they generally only want to deal with very high-spend customers (e.g., tens of thousands of euros in one visit) or locals? I would appreciate this not only to sidestep the bag appointment system but also because it's so valuable to have a pair of eyes looking out for specific items you want. My home store sometimes just simply isn't able to get a lot of the RTW and homegoods I've requested.
Also, I'm a little curious (and scared to hear) what is considered a "big purchase."

I wouldn’t say I am a VIP at all. I was just lucky to begin my “relationship” at FSH quite long ago. My pattern of shopping remains the same and started way before customers had to mill around the leather department waiting for an SA or sleeping outside the store at 2am to beat the queues and then on to the crazy online appointment system. I know the Charges de Clients are assigned to high spending clients. If you are aware of clients who have their yachts outfitted in Hermes leather via the Horizon department then I guess that qualifies. I have no idea how they establish accounts for local French clients and I also have no idea why many loyal, regular customers who live outside France have now been told to make appointments online. I did ask and for this I got no clear answer. I get the feeling that the SAs are now no longer encouraged to or are interested in establishing new relationships the way they used to be. Being the flagship, I don’t even want to guess what a big purchase is. Needless to say I have definitely never made one. This aspect remains a mystery to DH and to me and I apologise that I cannot really shed more light on it.

 

[allanrvj]

I have no idea how they establish accounts for local French clients

I heard that local clients are advised to go to the Sèvres store instead since it's more catered to how the French "use" Hermès (also tbqh, it feels more luxurious to shop there). Speaking of which, when I visited Paris a few weeks ago, it looks like it's being expanded to twice its current capacity. There's a construction right beside the store. I'm guessing they are trying to finish it in time for the next olympics.

 

[periogirl28]

I heard that local clients are advised to go to the Sèvres store instead since it's more catered to how the French "use" Hermès (also tbqh, it feels more luxurious to shop there). Speaking of which, when I visited Paris a few weeks ago, it looks like it's being expanded to twice its current capacity. There's a construction right beside the store. I'm guessing they are trying to finish it in time for the next olympics.

Yes I suspect that FSH is heading towards either for “one shot HG bag attempt” or super VVVIPS/ established clients and the other 2 cater more for local clients. All three stores now apparently require online appointments for leather items. I thought Sevres was done, they did GV recently which one of my SAs was rather proud of. I think Hermes ultimately might just want all worldwide clients to shop at their nearest local store, wherever that might be.

 

[allanrvj]

Yes I suspect that FSH is heading towards either for “one shot HG bag attempt” or super VVVIPS/ established clients and the other 2 cater more for local clients. All three stores now apparently require online appointments for leather items. I thought Sevres was done, they did GV recently which one of my SAs was rather proud of. I think Hermes ultimately might just want all worldwide clients to shop at their nearest local store, wherever that might be.

oh so that's why there was no line inside, and it was so peaceful and quiet when I was there. back in 2017 there was literally a line beside one of the pear-shaped wooden structures, near the men's department. some of them were seated but still, it looked a bit funny

 

[_handbagsandholidays]

I’m currently on day 4 of both my husband I being rejected for leather appointments. Does anybody know whether you need an appointment for all bags or just simply B/K/C?

 

[kittynui]

I’m currently on day 4 of both my husband I being rejected for leather appointments. Does anybody know whether you need an appointment for all bags or just simply B/K/C?

Yes you now need an appointment for all bags and any 3 stores in Paris

 

[RuedeRivoli]

I’m currently on day 4 of both my husband I being rejected for leather appointments. Does anybody know whether you need an appointment for all bags or just simply B/K/C?

I’m on day 4 of being rejected as well. Not sure how the system works but I signed up in the morning and got the rejection first. My husband signed up in the afternoon and got the rejected emails few hours later.

 

[momoc]

The latest number I heard is that there are 8000 requests per day and 70 slots for leather appointments (at FSH). On average it means 3 months of trying before you get one (assuming it’s completely random).

In other words, you need to be pretty lucky.

Also, the reports we hear of people buying things in other departments then asking for a leather appointment and got one is because each SA is allowed like one slot per day which they can use at their discretion (i.e. not through appointment lottery). Some use it for their existing clients, some will use it to accommodate someone who just showed their appreciation of Hermès and created a profile (read: bought stuff in other department).

 

[lunasauntie]

The latest number I heard is that there are 8000 requests per day and 70 slots for leather appointments (at FSH). On average it means 3 months of trying before you get one (assuming it’s completely random).

In other words, you need to be pretty lucky.

Also, the reports we hear of people buying things in other departments then asking for a leather appointment and got one is because each SA is allowed like one slot per day which they can use at their discretion (i.e. not through appointment lottery). Some use it for their existing clients, some will use it to accommodate someone who just showed their appreciation of Hermès and created a profile (read: bought stuff in other department).

Wow! Those really aren’t great odds. Then I’m very surprised at how I got an appointment on my third try and also early in the day (store opens at 10:30 and my appointment was for 11:30, changing constantly until about 12:40.)

I only bought sandals at one store and I did ask about how to get an appointment there as well as also when I went into FSH to browse. But maybe my luck was completely random. When I showed up for my FSH appointment, the SA couldn’t find me in the system initially and was trying to create a profile for me until I told him I already had a profile in the French system. Which would lead me to think having previous purchases maybe didn’t play any role in getting the appointment…

 

[tinkerbell68]

Wow! Those really aren’t great odds. Then I’m very surprised at how I got an appointment on my third try and also early in the day (store opens at 10:30 and my appointment was for 11:30, changing constantly until about 12:40.)

I only bought sandals at one store and I did ask about how to get an appointment there as well as also when I went into FSH to browse. But maybe my luck was completely random. When I showed up for my FSH appointment, the SA couldn’t find me in the system initially and was trying to create a profile for me until I told him I already had a profile in the French system. Which would lead me to think having previous purchases maybe didn’t play any role in getting the appointment…

From what I understand, the lottery is completely random and previous purchases play no part in getting an appointment. Of course, if you have made some purchases in other departments and developed a rapport with an SA, they might have some sway in getting you an appointment, but the system itself is random.
I will be staying in the 6th for a month and will try to get an appointment via the online system but recognize that it is unlikely that I will have success. So I will also visit my nearest store, Sevres, and make some purchases and, if I'm lucky, develop a relationship with an SA.
BUT I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH...and have no expectation of being offered a bag.

 

[lunasauntie]

From what I understand, the lottery is completely random and previous purchases play no part in getting an appointment. Of course, if you have made some purchases in other departments and developed a rapport with an SA, they might have some sway in getting you an appointment, but the system itself is random.
I will be staying in the 6th for a month and will try to get an appointment via the online system but recognize that it is unlikely that I will have success. So I will also visit my nearest store, Sevres, and make some purchases and, if I'm lucky, develop a relationship with an SA.
BUT I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH...and have no expectation of being offered a bag.

I think Sèvres is super beautiful and loved browsing there but I didn’t think the SAs were very nice. I spoke French to them to see what it would be like if I wasn’t branded as a tourist immediately (I used to live in Paris for many years) but the people I encountered seemed more brusque and ready to say c’est pas possible more than the team at FSH. I didn’t go into Georges V and am curious what that experience is like. What they did tell me at the boutique is to make sure you allow all three stores when you go online and not to select just one store for better luck.

 

[kittynui]

I think Sèvres is super beautiful and loved browsing there but I didn’t think the SAs were very nice. I spoke French to them to see what it would be like if I wasn’t branded as a tourist immediately (I used to live in Paris for many years) but the people I encountered seemed more brusque and ready to say c’est pas possible more than the team at FSH. I didn’t go into Georges V and am curious what that experience is like. What they did tell me at the boutique is to make sure you allow all three stores when you go online and not to select just one store for better luck.

I feel exactly the same!!! Sèvres is really beautiful but the SA so snobbish
went in and browsed the store for like 10 min. Store wasn’t crowned and the only SA that came to me was the one at the entrance-exit when I was about to leave…

I was wearing Oran sandals and my brand new BF B30!

 

[tinkerbell68]

I think Sèvres is super beautiful and loved browsing there but I didn’t think the SAs were very nice. I spoke French to them to see what it would be like if I wasn’t branded as a tourist immediately (I used to live in Paris for many years) but the people I encountered seemed more brusque and ready to say c’est pas possible more than the team at FSH. I didn’t go into Georges V and am curious what that experience is like. What they did tell me at the boutique is to make sure you allow all three stores when you go online and not to select just one store for better luck.

Ah! Good to know! I have had luck with nice SAs at the George V store in the past...an Herbag many years ago and some silks. Perhaps I'll spend more time there.

 

[EmilyM111]

Wow! Those really aren’t great odds. Then I’m very surprised at how I got an appointment on my third try and also early in the day (store opens at 10:30 and my appointment was for 11:30, changing constantly until about 12:40.)

I only bought sandals at one store and I did ask about how to get an appointment there as well as also when I went into FSH to browse. But maybe my luck was completely random. When I showed up for my FSH appointment, the SA couldn’t find me in the system initially and was trying to create a profile for me until I told him I already had a profile in the French system. Which would lead me to think having previous purchases maybe didn’t play any role in getting the appointment…

Quite a lot depends on the traffic that day. I was in July in Georges V to purchase non-bag items, had amazing SA who spent a lot of time with me despite me buying small items but when I saw a beautiful Herbag on display, I still wasn't able to purchase (my SA without telling me went to the colleague with an ipad and I saw she was turning her head saying 'no'). They only offered me to try it but I said no point of bothering you if I can't purchase.