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.

 

[starryidsurprise]

I tried at all three stores, purchasing items and being rejected for leather (of course didn't win the lottery either!). Everyone was very nice but said there wasn't a shot. I wanted a belt none of the stores had, so I did an order online for pick up at Sevres and they did an exchange so I was able to get the Vat. I did the same for an LV purchase, so keep online orders in mind while visiting!

Ooh I didn’t know you could pick up in store - this would have helped with all the things I was eyeing online! Though ultimately not with a leather appt sigh How many days does it take to deliver in store?

 

[Lovebb12]

Thank you so much for your post, it really helps people to establish a realistic expectation for the leather department appointment. Most stories we read here were successful stories, either through online or as walk-in, however in reality the percentile of success stories must be very low.

I also noticed there are far less people without a SA sharing success stories here this year, compared to pre-covid, but the stores were still really packed.

I wonder 1) what made it so much longer for one to get an appointment nowadays, it used to be the case ( at least for me ) to get an appointment between 3-6 trials for 2+ years, in accordance with great majority of the other members here. It’s understandable that there were some staffs movements before paris opening, but the city is sort of back to usual now? 2) On the other hand I noticed it’s far harder to even see a bag online on European site, not even to mention on the Asian sites. It used to be the case when I was in Europe I can at least see bags online and shop there too; nowadays I couldn’t see the daily updated bags and most of the eye candies others posted at elsewhere claimed to be online purchases, I didn’t even have a chance to see them pop up. It sounds like some people are really good at snapping the online items.
In a nutshell it seems it’s far harder to get appointments from online application and also harder to shop online. I wonder if these two are ultimately caused by the same reason behind.

Bringing it back to Paris wanted to share my experience at Sevres. The short version is that I was unsuccessful in getting a leather appointment as a walk-in

My first visit was this past Saturday, and it was teeming with people. I had tried the appt lottery while I was still in the US, and got a rejection. I went into Sevres in the afternoon and there was no line, and I just walked around to familiarize myself with the different departments. I was primarily interested in jewelry and went to the SAs at the bottom of the stairs to ask how I could see items, and they told me to wait at these benches outside jewelry for an SA to come. I don’t think I waited more than 10 min before a lovely SA came by to help, and I showed her several pics of items I had seen online. She took my drink order and came back with several pieces, but they unfortunately did not have anything I was looking for. I had fun trying them on though, and when she went back to check their stock again, came back with the exact earrings I wanted! In the meantime, I had walked around and found another pair of earrings I liked, so I was happy to come away with 2 pretty pieces. She then asked if I was interested in other things, but I had to run to a dinner reservation so I said I would love to come back Mon.

Of course on Sat I tried for a Mon appt, and was rejected. On Mon morning I went back, this time with my mom, and it was much calmer than Sat. I walked around again until my SA became free, and then just had a fun couple hours trying on scarves and clothes with my mom. I also noticed that the display case in the leather dept had B/Ks, including a mini Kelly in the perfect shade of pale blue so I was hopeful that maybe there was an infinitesimal chance I could score a QB. After selecting the items we wanted to purchase, she asked if she could show us anything else, and that’s when I asked if there were any cancellations that day. She said that unfortunately there were none, and advised me to keep trying online. It was disappointing to hear, because reading this thread gives you a sense of hope that you might have a chance if you’re nice enough and have a bit of purchase history, but of course a good deal of luck too, and I don’t think coming towards the end of August helped.

In sum, I thought Sevres was a really pleasant experience, and while I don’t have experience with other SAs/locations to compare to, the people I interacted with were nice and helpful. As far as inventory, the majority of items I saw online were not available, but it’s not like there was nothing in my size for example. I asked when they typically restock, and was told not until September. Oh and she could not see my US profile (though I haven’t purchased any bags.) Hope that helps!!

 

[donut134]

Hi all! Is it possible to get more than one bag with the leather appointment?

 

[_gelato_]

Hi all! Is it possible to get more than one bag with the leather appointment?

Depends on what bags you're after. 2 Bs/2 Ks/1 B and 1 K? No (if we're talking about the appt you get through the online lottery and not one you get with your long-standing regular SA at the Paris store). 1 B/K and 1 C? Yes, it's possible. Less popular bags, especially in bigger sizes? Yes, definitely possible, in fact I bet they'll be delighted someone is asking for those bags and not the QBs.

Out of interest, which bags are you looking for?

 

[Lovebb12]

Hi all! Is it possible to get more than one bag with the leather appointment?

Out of curious,since you are asking, have you obtained an appointment through online and how many attempts?Thanks a lot!

Back to your question, yes but not two quota bags at the same time.

 

[donut134]

Depends on what bags you're after. 2 Bs/2 Ks/1 B and 1 K? No (if we're talking about the appt you get through the online lottery and not one you get with your long-standing regular SA at the Paris store). 1 B/K and 1 C? Yes, it's possible. Less popular bags, especially in bigger sizes? Yes, definitely possible, in fact I bet they'll be delighted someone is asking for those bags and not the QBs.

Out of interest, which bags are you looking for?

ohh I see thank you for the info. Im looking for a birkin 25 and mini lindy or a kelly danse haha. Is it easier to get a mini lindy or kelly danse in paris. cause in my local boutique those bags are very hard to come by.

 

[donut134]

Out of curious,since you are asking, have you obtained an appointment through online and how many attempts?Thanks a lot!

Back to your question, yes but not two quota bags at the same time.

No i have no gotten an appointment, but I'm planning a trip to Paris in December.

 

[donut134]

Has anyone here gotten more than 1 leather appointment during their trip? haha I was wondering if that is possible

 

[Lovebb12]

Has anyone here gotten more than 1 leather appointment during their trip? haha I was wondering if that is possible

After I got an appointment and even I didn’t buy any bag, I was rejected immediately after my new appointment submission, no need to wait for the rejection email. It happened to me when I tried to apply for another appointment two days after i attended my appointment. I was having my 3 weeks holiday in France so I thought I might have another chance, no I didn’t ! It was 3 years ago.

In other people’s case some were perfectly fine with applying for appointments with husband’s passport(s) and got not only another appointment but also another quota bag pre-covid. In a different case of mine, I was once luckily got a nice bag during hubby’s appointment. On the day of hubby’s appointment, I applied for my appointment before his sales came back to us. I got mine finally and it was on my B-day!

Guess what, the friendly Sales who were very warm to us becoming really cold the next day, came over and picked me up when I was queing for passport check, took me away and saying I already got a bag the day before… so no bags. I guess I was good ( bad) looking enough to be so memorable lol . That’s was the shortest appointment ever! Just FYI we in no way look suspicious, and I got a quota bag in a later trip many months later so thanks God I wasn’t banned.

My husband wasn’t happy about it, finding it’s not fair, esp it’s on my birthday. He only kept his unhappiness between us and not going crazy in the store in case anyone wonders. I went there because I already applied for an appointment before his sales came back to us the previous day, and I didn’t want to cancel the appointment in case I got ‘blacked list’ for not turning up, plus I forgot to ask for a none quota bag on his appointment.

Pré Covid Reports here showing that many couples had two slots with different sales at different days or even on the same day. At some extreme case they both bought exactly the same bag!(?) — because of the extreme cases I read ( far, far worse than couples buying the identical bags) I sort of understand why they tried to ban walk in couples buying quota bags under different accounts. I just found it was a pity that my appointment was waisted and I didn’t have a chance to ask for a none quota bag. Plus there was first class long haul flight with points redemption suddenly available after hubby’s appointment for the next day, my B-day ( my return ticket was in Biz class but I would prefer first for return leg too, lol we flew 1st class outbound so not too bad for a B-day trip)

It might be still possible for scoring 2 appointments between couples or family members, but what I read here sounds even getting one online appointment is nearly impossible for tourists. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[sphere99]

Ooh I didn’t know you could pick up in store - this would have helped with all the things I was eyeing online! Though ultimately not with a leather appt sigh How many days does it take to deliver in store?

After you add the item to cart, then go thru the checkout then select pick up in store it will tell you (see pic for example). Then when I went to pick it up, I bought a few other things and they just exchanged the pre-ordered item and new ones together so I was able to do the vat refund.

 

[Mrs.Hermess]

Hi all! Is it possible to get more than one bag with the leather appointment?

It really depends on SA. I was in Paris in the spring and was offered two bags I could take (BK). I loved the first option and never asked go see the second but SA was very clear I could take both. I told her I couldn’t possibly be so greedy to take two and we laughed but she said I could if I wanted go. She offered another non quota bag, which I didn’t take either. (I do not have a prior account in Europe).

 

[Lovebb12]

It really depends on SA. I was in Paris in the spring and was offered two bags I could take (BK). I loved the first option and never asked go see the second but SA was very clear I could take both. I told her I couldn’t possibly be so greedy to take two and we laughed but she said I could if I wanted go. She offered another non quota bag, which I didn’t take either. (I do not have a prior account in Europe).

Thanks a lot for your sharing.
Did you get your appointment from online system and if so how many times did you applied online? Thanks again!

 

[waterlily112]

Hi all! Is it possible to get more than one bag with the leather appointment?

Yes, each passport is allowed to purchase up to two quota bag per calendar year. If you get offered multiple quota bags at your leather appointment and decided to take two, just be mindful that you won't get offered any more quota bags for the rest of the year. Per my SA at Sevres there's no limit on non-quota bags though.

 

[Marron]

I'll briefly share my experience.
- 1st appointment at George V after more than 1 year trials (more than 100 rejections)
- No BKC were offered
- Instead, SA brought Roulis and Garden Party
- They also had some Herbag and Bolide 31 in stock
- I was told I could only purchase 1 bag per 1 appointment, even non-quota bags

Finally ended the appointment with dissatisfaction, not purchasing any bags. Hopefully this is an unfortunate situation only during the vacation period.

 

[Buildingprofile]

I'll briefly share my experience.
- 1st appointment at George V after more than 1 year trials (more than 100 rejections)
- No BKC were offered
- Instead, SA brought Roulis and Garden Party
- They also had some Herbag and Bolide 31 in stock
- I was told I could only purchase 1 bag per 1 appointment, even non-quota bags

Finally ended the appointment with dissatisfaction, not purchasing any bags. Hopefully this is an unfortunate situation only during the vacation period.

Wow, I admire your perservance! I assume you're local... I sincerely hope you have better luck next time!