Paris trip for Hermes

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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.
 
Hi @jimmyshoogirl, thank you, this is great advice! I'm also very observant, but that's how I know I just come across a bit colder/less likable in the first moment. If my SA wants to chat, I'm sure I'd be able to find common ground. but if she starts out with "What do you want?" I feel like I'll become a "Sorry, no stock"-girl, haha. So I just want to up my chances by making the best first impression and also feeling comfortable (which I would be moreso, having another person by my side). There must be some kind of internal guidelines, because I read soooo many pages in this thread and most women who were treated well/offered stock brought their husband/children etc. etc. I read somewhere in here that you can now (since recently) only try on bags/ bag sizes when you have a leather appointment - has anyone on here done that? I feel like that might be a good way to get chatting - in my home store, we don't have any sizes/models for try-on and it would give me the chance to get the SA involved in the project/ask about her fashion sense ("What do you think works best for me?") etc. But I'd also be worried about coming off as an absolute amateur. What do you ladies think? Because I am so petite, I'm 99% sure, I'd only want a K25 or B25/30 which I know are the most popular sizes :/
If the SA asks what do you want tell her a new SA and home store. If it takes you a minute to warm up to people do not do the hard thing by asking for a bag first lol. Kinda like taking the edge off. Maybe after talking about your story first then you will feel comfortable talking about a B/K? Use your being observant and knowing yourself to your advantage. One of the things mentioned NOT to do on this thread was what got me my b30 lol. That was because I was paying attention to the flow of the conversation and no longer worried about the do’s and dont’s! I think you will be fine being yourself! You clearly had a relationship with a SA before so you can do it again. Don’t let what people told you in the past be baggage(unless it’s a k25 :giggle:)!

Honestly I had taken my husband with me because I thought it would increase my chances but it didn’t lol. He stayed in the men’s shoes department drinking champagne and people watching with one of the SAs :lol: . I actually had to find him once I got a FJ SA. Again,there’s no right or wrong or definitive way. Treat it like shopping which is supposed to be fun! I thought shopping was supposed to be retail therapy. Some people seemed like they needed therapy afterwards! Try not to overthink it. I think that’s where things go wrong for some.

While I was upstairs waiting for my SA to come back I was able to try on the bags that was on the shelves. I asked security if it were ok and he said, “yes, of course!”
 
Went to the store today at around 11:30 no luck with cancellation, but i bought an amazing pair of sneakers. They told me to come in the afternoon and try my luck, i did go back at around 3:30 put they said they are completely sold out from b/k/c and i could get an appointment for another bag, I rejected as the lady before me wanted a bolide and i thought she should get this appointment, I'm only interested in one bag and will wait for the right time.
 
Went to the store today at around 11:30 no luck with cancellation, but i bought an amazing pair of sneakers. They told me to come in the afternoon and try my luck, i did go back at around 3:30 put they said they are completely sold out from b/k/c and i could get an appointment for another bag, I rejected as the lady before me wanted a bolide and i thought she should get this appointment, I'm only interested in one bag and will wait for the right time.
Hopefully you get what you are looking for! Good luck!
 
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D
Went to the store today at around 11:30 no luck with cancellation, but i bought an amazing pair of sneakers. They told me to come in the afternoon and try my luck, i did go back at around 3:30 put they said they are completely sold out from b/k/c and i could get an appointment for another bag, I rejected as the lady before me wanted a bolide and i thought she should get this appointment, I'm only interested in one bag and will wait for the right time.
Did you go to FSH or Sevres? :)
 
If the SA asks what do you want tell her a new SA and home store. If it takes you a minute to warm up to people do not do the hard thing by asking for a bag first lol. Kinda like taking the edge off. Maybe after talking about your story first then you will feel comfortable talking about a B/K? Use your being observant and knowing yourself to your advantage. One of the things mentioned NOT to do on this thread was what got me my b30 lol. That was because I was paying attention to the flow of the conversation and no longer worried about the do’s and dont’s! I think you will be fine being yourself! You clearly had a relationship with a SA before so you can do it again. Don’t let what people told you in the past be baggage(unless it’s a k25 :giggle:)!

Honestly I had taken my husband with me because I thought it would increase my chances but it didn’t lol. He stayed in the men’s shoes department drinking champagne and people watching with one of the SAs :lol: . I actually had to find him once I got a FJ SA. Again,there’s no right or wrong or definitive way. Treat it like shopping which is supposed to be fun! I thought shopping was supposed to be retail therapy. Some people seemed like they needed therapy afterwards! Try not to overthink it. I think that’s where things go wrong for some.

While I was upstairs waiting for my SA to come back I was able to try on the bags that was on the shelves. I asked security if it were ok and he said, “yes, of course!”
This is so smart, thank you! Also thank you so much for understanding, re-reading my own post I thought I sounded obsessive to the level of slightly insane lol - so I really appreciate that you get it. And yes, that's an excellent idea! I read that FSH isn't really the place to make your "home store", so do you think I should may be try to just apply for Sevres via the lottery instead? Sounds like your husband had a really good time, too, haha.
 
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I don’t speak French at all even when nervous lol and that wasn’t a problem for me!
Hehehe. I'm German, so the French already don't love us, just thinking what would be the most polite and friendly way to act without coming across as 'too eager'. Honestly, this feels a bit like dating in high school when you were young and low in self esteem haha.
 
Hi @jimmyshoogirl, thank you, this is great advice! I'm also very observant, but that's how I know I just come across a bit colder/less likable in the first moment. If my SA wants to chat, I'm sure I'd be able to find common ground. but if she starts out with "What do you want?" I feel like I'll become a "Sorry, no stock"-girl, haha. So I just want to up my chances by making the best first impression and also feeling comfortable (which I would be moreso, having another person by my side). There must be some kind of internal guidelines, because I read soooo many pages in this thread and most women who were treated well/offered stock brought their husband/children etc. etc. I read somewhere in here that you can now (since recently) only try on bags/ bag sizes when you have a leather appointment - has anyone on here done that? I feel like that might be a good way to get chatting - in my home store, we don't have any sizes/models for try-on and it would give me the chance to get the SA involved in the project/ask about her fashion sense ("What do you think works best for me?") etc. But I'd also be worried about coming off as an absolute amateur. What do you ladies think? Because I am so petite, I'm 99% sure, I'd only want a K25 or B25/30 which I know are the most popular sizes :/

Please don’t be offended by what I say next - you are over thinking it all.

Yes a lot is written in the forums but be yourself. I understand what you are saying and I have friends and family who say similar things to me BUT this is your appointment and you are about to spend a lot of money so take your time and politely ask for what you want. There is no guarantee with anything at Hermes so always go with an open mind. There is no foolproof method of obtaining a bag. In the past I went dressed casually, never carried a H bag and was offered something at each appointment. I’m not a loud person or speak French at all. Everybody’s perspective is different. I would never take my husband as he is the least bit bothered and would sit there very moodily. I wouldn’t take my children either as they would be so bored and irritate me and my youngest would pull everything from the shelves. There is no game plan. Ask for what you desire and keep your fingers crossed. Goodluck to you !
 
Please don’t be offended by what I say next - you are over thinking it all.

Yes a lot is written in the forums but be yourself. I understand what you are saying and I have friends and family who say similar things to me BUT this is your appointment and you are about to spend a lot of money so take your time and politely ask for what you want. There is no guarantee with anything at Hermes so always go with an open mind. There is no foolproof method of obtaining a bag. In the past I went dressed casually, never carried a H bag and was offered something at each appointment. I’m not a loud person or speak French at all. Everybody’s perspective is different. I would never take my husband as he is the least bit bothered and would sit there very moodily. I wouldn’t take my children either as they would be so bored and irritate me and my youngest would pull everything from the shelves. There is no game plan. Ask for what you desire and keep your fingers crossed. Goodluck to you !
Not offended at all, but I do feel like the point of the thread is to share experiences and see what worked for others. In that sense, I really appreciate you sharing your experience as it is very au contraire to the majority of experiences I read and I love that. Just out of interest: Did you shop at FSH or Sevres? And did you buy sth there before? Were you offered Bs and Ks or other nice bags? I am, at this point, only interested in the former and for that it does seem to be a bit harder somehow.
 
Not offended at all, but I do feel like the point of the thread is to share experiences and see what worked for others. In that sense, I really appreciate you sharing your experience as it is very au contraire to the majority of experiences I read and I love that. Just out of interest: Did you shop at FSH or Sevres? And did you buy sth there before? Were you offered Bs and Ks or other nice bags? I am, at this point, only interested in the former and for that it does seem to be a bit harder somehow.
Shop at FSH.
Had an online appointment. My spend history is quota bags and whatever I purchase after my appointment.
Received 3 Kelly and 1 Birkin plus purchases non quota bags.
 
Shop at FSH.
Had an online appointment. My spend history is quota bags and whatever I purchase after my appointment.
Received 3 Kelly and 1 Birkin plus purchases non quota bags.
Great, thank you so much for sharing! I feel like you just made many future readers very happy, haha. Any tips you have regarding months? I gathered weekdays (Tues-Fr) are best, and somewhere between mid-March to June and then October to November? This is all based on everything I read in this thread.
 
I actually have another question someone might know the answer to. Are the SAs in the leather department generally in a rush to get as many appointments done as fast as they can or would they enjoy showing different sizes from the samples and being asked their opinion? I know this is different from SA to SA, but just as a general rule - is it a "vite, vite, vite" business or does the manager not care about that? And: I understand B/K don't count towards the sales quota - what other things can you buy in the leather appointments besides NQ bags? Like charms etc.?
 
Great, thank you so much for sharing! I feel like you just made many future readers very happy, haha. Any tips you have regarding months? I gathered weekdays (Tues-Fr) are best, and somewhere between mid-March to June and then October to November? This is all based on everything I read in this thread.

As weird as this may sound each appointment was in February and October. I base it around school holidays in the UK.
 
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I think it’s important to remember to be yourself RBF and all lol. Before I went I was *starting* to get a little intimidated after reading this thread (do this, say that, wear this, don’t do that, etc.) In the end I decided to trust my instincts while in store, dress how I normally dress and feel comfortable in and just be me. I had to remind myself that I'm very observant and to use that (which is why I chose to not go to the appointment desk where EVERYONE started and the receptionists were being bombarded). If you aren’t good at first meet, then go to a section or store where you are more comfortable. Try all three stores. Try multiple areas of the store.

I’d also say don’t worry about looking like a reseller. (What does a reseller look and act like anyway?) Share your story about the SA leaving and that you are in search of a new SA and home store and that you are only an hour flight away. Lots of people have homes stores that aren’t in the city they live in. Most importantly have fun! The stress showed on so many people’s faces at the store and their vibe was awful. Some people made me uncomfortable and I don’t work there lol. Of course these things are only my opinion and not etched in stone but in the end trust your gut and go with the flow!
I agree with jimmyshoogirl, be yourself is what's most important. I honestly think the SAs can tell when you seem 'unauthentic'/ not true to yourself. I've read comments about dressing up nicely, wear this or that.. but that wasn't the case for me. Both times I went to Hermes I had on my usual, everyday attire. The first time in May 2018 (husband had an appointment), I had on leggings, white t-shirt and sneakers because it was our first time in Paris and we did a lot of sightseeing, even on the day of our appointment. I asked for a Constance during that visit and that's what I was offered. Fast forward to Dec. 2022, I had no luck with scoring an appointment but I wanted to get a few non-leather items anyways so I tried my luck. Again, I had on sneakers, leggings and long sleeve top from Lululemon. During both trips to Paris I didn't bring any designer bags with me because we usually do a lot of sightseeing and take the metro just about everyday so I have my trusty Lululemon fannypack wrapped around my waist and under my jacket/coat.

Hi @jimmyshoogirl, thank you, this is great advice! I'm also very observant, but that's how I know I just come across a bit colder/less likable in the first moment. If my SA wants to chat, I'm sure I'd be able to find common ground. but if she starts out with "What do you want?" I feel like I'll become a "Sorry, no stock"-girl, haha. So I just want to up my chances by making the best first impression and also feeling comfortable (which I would be moreso, having another person by my side). There must be some kind of internal guidelines, because I read soooo many pages in this thread and most women who were treated well/offered stock brought their husband/children etc. etc. I read somewhere in here that you can now (since recently) only try on bags/ bag sizes when you have a leather appointment - has anyone on here done that? I feel like that might be a good way to get chatting - in my home store, we don't have any sizes/models for try-on and it would give me the chance to get the SA involved in the project/ask about her fashion sense ("What do you think works best for me?") etc. But I'd also be worried about coming off as an absolute amateur. What do you ladies think? Because I am so petite, I'm 99% sure, I'd only want a K25 or B25/30 which I know are the most popular sizes :/
Please don't think that if an SA starts off with "What do you want" or "What are you looking for" as a bad start. That was the first question the SA asked me this time after we sat down. We didn't talk about life until after I went through my spec list. Our visits to FSH has always been so special and memorable but both experiences were very different. I bring my husband along because he (surprisingly) enjoys the visits to Hermes (not so much LV or Chanel) but he is also my good luck charm when it comes to Hermes.

Remember, think positive and be yourself!
 
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