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.

 

[DB8]

I understand the desire to have Hermes, and the song and dance we (to an extent) play. But going all the way to Paris (twice!) and around the country in the hopes of obtaining a few bags was misguided at best, whatever the thought process or assumptions were (Romantic? Easier/cheaper because it's H's home country?)

What we know for sure is Paris does not require any history with the brand. You just need to obtain an appointment. Besides that, there are no set rules with Hermes. Generally speaking, spending $X, buying Y doesn't instantly guarantee you a bag (there are some expensive exceptions, of course.)

My advice to anyone who reads this is if your only intention is to obtain a hard to get bag - keep your money at your home store. With all the money spent at other H stores, only to 1) not get what you're hoping for, ending up disappointed and 2) never to return to that store, it would have been better spent locally where you can at least maintain a presence.

To tie this back to the topic at hand - I have shopped (and obtained) bags at FSH years ago and it was a wonderful experience. Next time, I will absolutely try for an appointment online. If that fails, I will enjoy Paris sans Hermes.

 

[fuschiagirl]

Hi all, I am back from my Paris trip. As mentioned previously I only had 2 whole days there, my usual SA has left and I was not keen on trying the lottery system. Thankfully, I spoke to the FSH leather receptionist, explained my situation. She asked for my passport number, looked up my profile and gave me an appointment around 5pm that day. I must add, I am in no way a big spender but I do have a decade long history with them with a few purchases from rtw, fj, homeware etc. I was dressed casually with my bolide that I got from the store many years ago.

I was greeted by the SA, she looked stern, no smile at all so I didn't have much hope. She was quick, direct and asked what I was looking for, which was an exotic K25 or B25 (immediate NO from her when I said this) or an exotic Kp or Kc. She left and came back very quickly as well maybe 5-10 minutes, opened the box and it was an ostrich mykonos Kp, I took it without hesitation. She seem to be in a bit of a rush so I didn't think to ask for her name card or to arrange future appointments with her when I visit Paris (didn't want to look greedy). I was happy, a bit surprised too, with my little bag. The whole experience from start to walking out of the door was less than 25 minutes... a little different from what I am used to especially at FSH. I also used my passport copy which was no problem at cashier.

 

[pearlgrass]

Hi all, I am back from my Paris trip. As mentioned previously I only had 2 whole days there, my usual SA has left and I was not keen on trying the lottery system. Thankfully, I spoke to the FSH leather receptionist, explained my situation. She asked for my passport number, looked up my profile and gave me an appointment around 5pm that day. I must add, I am in no way a big spender but I do have a decade long history with them with a few purchases from rtw, fj, homeware etc. I was dressed casually with my bolide that I got from the store many years ago.

I was greeted by the SA, she looked stern, no smile at all so I didn't have much hope. She was quick, direct and asked what I was looking for, which was an exotic K25 or B25 (immediate NO from her when I said this) or an exotic Kp or Kc. She left and came back very quickly as well maybe 5-10 minutes, opened the box and it was an ostrich mykonos Kp, I took it without hesitation. She seem to be in a bit of a rush so I didn't think to ask for her name card or to arrange future appointments with her when I visit Paris (didn't want to look greedy). I was happy, a bit surprised too, with my little bag. The whole experience from start to walking out of the door was less than 25 minutes... a little different from what I am used to especially at FSH. I also used my passport copy which was no problem at cashier.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful story! Many congrats on your new score

 

[ayz75]

I wanted to share my experience here and just to say not to lose hope! I didn’t have an appointment, but I went in at FSH store opening to look for shoes and unfortunately nothing I wanted in my size. Then I went to the appointment desk and politely inquired and the gentleman told me there had been no cancellation, I thanked him and went to look at scarves - but something interesting happened and he came over to find me and told me to check again at noon! (I didn’t see him tell others in front of me)

So anyway, as I picked the scarf I wanted, I casually mentioned that I was hoping to get a mini bolide but knew it was difficult, etc. The SA helping me then told me to wait and after 5-10min, she came back with a mini bolide in a dream combination!! I honestly feel like attitude goes a long way plus just getting lucky that I clicked with a SA (before meeting her, I was in the shoe area with another SA who was friendly but didn’t really chat). As for checking back at noon, Because I got the mini bolide I didn’t bother going back (not sure if I would be offered another bag even if I got lucky with cancellation)

Anyway - it turned out to be an amazing experience and completely unexpected truth be told. Don’t lose hope, be polite and honest and maybe it’ll happen!

 

[asatoasz]

I wanted to share my experience here and just to say not to lose hope! I didn’t have an appointment, but I went in at FSH store opening to look for shoes and unfortunately nothing I wanted in my size. Then I went to the appointment desk and politely inquired and the gentleman told me there had been no cancellation, I thanked him and went to look at scarves - but something interesting happened and he came over to find me and told me to check again at noon! (I didn’t see him tell others in front of me)

So anyway, as I picked the scarf I wanted, I casually mentioned that I was hoping to get a mini bolide but knew it was difficult, etc. The SA helping me then told me to wait and after 5-10min, she came back with a mini bolide in a dream combination!! I honestly feel like attitude goes a long way plus just getting lucky that I clicked with a SA (before meeting her, I was in the shoe area with another SA who was friendly but didn’t really chat). As for checking back at noon, Because I got the mini bolide I didn’t bother going back (not sure if I would be offered another bag even if I got lucky with cancellation)

Anyway - it turned out to be an amazing experience and completely unexpected truth be told. Don’t lose hope, be polite and honest and maybe it’ll happen!

What a wonderful story and congratulations on your new bolide! I’d also like to commend you for not returning to try to score another item! That generous action possibly let someone else have a chance.
Enjoy your new item in the best of health!

 

[acrowcounted]

I am sure that she got offered to place a special order.
This has to be the part 2.

Unfortunately, you grossly over estimated her. The “surprise” was a visit to the rooftop garden. While I’m sure that’s a lovely experience, I would wager she’d have preferred your assumption of a special order. Ah, maybe next time!

 

[jjjjeeeee]

Was in sevres today . Tried my luck with chancing a leather appt. No luck but great lovely store and SAs. No crowd

 

[unsacspec]

Was in sevres today . Tried my luck with chancing a leather appt. No luck but great lovely store and SAs. No crowd

Thanks for sharing. How was the stocks for shoes?

 

[camprip]

FYI, the system collects all entries throughout the day and then via some hocus pocus after store close, assigns some entires appointment times for tomorrow and sends rejections to the rest. It’s not a first to apply at 10:30am scenario.

I would agree with you, however I did indeed check sporadically all through the day for seven days with the same result. If you were in France and got a different result, lucky you!

 

[camprip]

Not sure that I agree that appointments are gone at 10:31. I applied before leaving US and did get denied but I don’t think it’s true that you can only apply in France. All my denials looked the same whether I initially was in US or France when I applied. I did get an appointment on day 4 and I definitely did not apply at 10:30… it’s not first come first serve. I applied later in the day( not late but not at 10:30 or 11 and I got appointment on that try.) best to not limit which store you would like appointment . I definitely agree that the system is frustrating but I guess better than waiting in a 2-3 hr plus line. Let’s see a picture of the chai evie

 

[camprip]

View attachment 5588576

There is no way you applied for an appointment from home accurately. Sorry. But I spent two weeks in the UK, and one week in the Netherlands before I arrived in France and the app did not work until I landed at the airport in France. I was told by the reservations girl in the San Honore store that the appointments are all gone and assigned by 10:30 in the morning. If appointments trickle out during the day, it’s because an appointment was canceled. I was just there, I’m not trying to discourage anyone, I’m just trying to be helpful for anyone beginning the process of traveling abroad and expecting to just go in and buy a Handbag.

 

[camprip]

You don’t need to be in France to get an appointment and for sure it’s not all appointments gone by 10h31.

If it work different for you, congratulations. This thread is meant for us to help each other, not to contradict those that are making comments to be helpful. You must be in the country where you wish to make the purchase or the app does not work. It doesn’t even work on your iPad. At 10:30 in the morning the message that you get if you are denied is to try again another day. I had a lengthy conversation with an employee in Hermès who backs up everything that I wrote. Again this is not meant to discourage, this is meant to help those that want an appointment and are frustrated. If you had a different experience, try to share it in a helpful manner. Let’s be helpful with each other here.

 

[camprip]

Did you mention that you were looking for a non quota bag before being given the appointment ?

It was not necessary for me to share which particular bag I was looking at. There isn’t even a place on the app to do so. The only choices you get are for the next day, and you can choose all of the stores in the Paris area or just one. Obviously it is beneficial to say you will go to any of the stores.

 

[lvstratus]

There is no way you applied for an appointment from home accurately. Sorry. But I spent two weeks in the UK, and one week in the Netherlands before I arrived in France and the app did not work until I landed at the airport in France. I was told by the reservations girl in the San Honore store that the appointments are all gone and assigned by 10:30 in the morning. If appointments trickle out during the day, it’s because an appointment was canceled. I was just there, I’m not trying to discourage anyone, I’m just trying to be helpful for anyone beginning the process of traveling abroad and expecting to just go in and buy a Handbag.

You can most definitely apply from home, you don't need to apply from mainland France. I have done it in the past, and last week a friend applied from Amsterdam. Perhaps there was some sort of glitch when you tried?!
Moreover, it is not accurate that you need to apply by 10.30.
I have no idea why the hostess would tell you otherwise.

 

[jjjjeeeee]

Thanks for sharing. How was the stocks for shoes?

I manage to score a pair of oran sandals in gold. In my size 36, the only alternative was white. I didn’t really enquire much else.

She did offer me a Constance slim in exotic, out of the blue. She said it’s a very popular piece. I passed, not really something I would wear.