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.

 

[880]

Thank you @Pamela Stylepop , @Genepi , @A1aGypsy, @WingNut , @fashionpl

ETA: apologies @papertiger for the extended RTW answers. I do feel that RTW or home interactions (not necessarily large purchases, but enough to indicate good and sincere intent to purchase, irrespective of bags) are a good way to develop an SA relationship that might lead to bags down the road. I do think that discovering in stock things with your SA rather than a list is more likely to yield results, but that is solely my own experience, and JMO.

 

[oahubabe]

Arrived in Paris today and feel so
defeated. Was able to get a walk-in appt. But I got an SA who was not vibing it with me. She didn’t even introduce herself to me and gor
right down to business. Asked me what I wanted but I knew it wasn’t good when she didn’t ask me specifically what I wanted as far as leathers or hardware. In the end, she said she didn’t have any quota bags but I know it wasn’t true bc the lady next to us got offered a Kelly. Oh well. Guess it wasn’t meant to be. I knew it was too easy with a walk-in appt.

Hi! Did you go to the flagship store and what time did you walk in? Also do you have purchasing history with them? I will try to ask for a walk in appointment when I will be there in May too since I only have 1 day so trying to get as much tips as I can to do so. Thanks!

 

[luxelex5]

Do you need a leather appointment in Paris for wallets too or just for handbags?

Just handbags, SLGs are all walk ins (unless of course you have an SA at one of the Paris locations that might already be working with and could make a separate appointment with).

 

[chubstersmom]

Hi! Did you go to the flagship store and what time did you walk in? Also do you have purchasing history with them? I will try to ask for a walk in appointment when I will be there in May too since I only have 1 day so trying to get as much tips as I can to do so. Thanks!

I went in initially at 11:30am but they said too early to know if there were cancellations then I returned around 3pm and it was promising bc she told me to walk around and come back in 20 min. She then took my name and entered it into an iPad and then I waited about another 15 min before the SA came to meet me. I don’t have any purchase history there but got the Bearn compact wallet in Lyon yesterday, which she probably can see. Hoping you have better luck. I will try the other stores tomorrow but not hopeful since I heard those SA’s are even more cold to their customers.

 

[oahubabe]

I went in initially at 11:30am but they said too early to know if there were cancellations then I returned around 3pm and it was promising bc she told me to walk around and come back in 20 min. She then took my name and entered it into an iPad and then I waited about another 15 min before the SA came to meet me. I don’t have any purchase history there but got the Bearn compact wallet in Lyon yesterday, which she probably can see. Hoping you have better luck. I will try the other stores tomorrow but not hopeful since I heard those SA’s are even more cold to their customers.

Thanks for your info. There’s still a chance for you, hope you get with a better SA! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

[lookabove]

Does anyone know if any of the three Parisian stores accept Apple Pay? I might not be able to receive my new metal card before I fly out to Paris.

 

[Bdbunny]

Does anyone know if any of the three Parisian stores accept Apple Pay? I might not be able to receive my new metal card before I fly out to Paris.

Yep I had no problems using Apple Pay.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Does anyone know if any of the three Parisian stores accept Apple Pay? I might not be able to receive my new metal card before I fly out to Paris.

All three do!

 

[lookabove]

Thank you all for prompt replies

 

[chibi12]

I think it’s well established here that if the stars align, those with little to no pre-spend can get a bag in Paris. But I think that only applies to the first bag, after that I think there’s an implicit expectation to prespend for bags (though at a lower ratio than in the US)? I have a friend who has an SA relationship at FSH, she said her SA has even explicitly told her she needs to prespend…anyone else have experiences on this?

Asking to see if it’s even worth trying to establish an SA relationship at FSH, but if there are similar (albeit lower ratio) prespend expectations I will probably just concentrate my efforts in the US instead.

 

[880]

think it’s well established here that if the stars align, those with little to no pre-spend can get a bag in Paris. But I think that only applies to the first bag, after that I think there’s an implicit expectation to prespend for bags (though at a lower ratio than in the US)? I have a friend who has an SA relationship at FSH, she said her SA has even explicitly told her she needs to prespend…anyone else have experiences on this?

Asking to see if it’s even worth trying to establish an SA relationship at FSH, but if there are similar (albeit lower ratio) prespend expectations I will probably just concentrate my efforts in the US instead.

In my experience, with more than one FSH SA, I disagree that prespend is required for the second or subsequent bags. This is because they do not work on the same commission or sales goal structure as the US or Asia (or that is how it was explained to me) by multiple SAs at FSH. Other friends have had similar experiences of bag offers without significant prespend.

Of course, for a relationship with an FSH SA to develop in the first place, one does generally exhibit sincere, honest, good faith willingness to buy items that one truly loves in other categories (This is a business after all, and IMO an FSH SA gets tired of being treated like a one trick pony — bag, bag, bag). If an FSH SA gets the impression that one is foremost or primarily only interested in QB, she very well might discourage you from continuing with her. (I would surmise that perhaps your friend may have given the SA this impression, in which case, there is no up side for the SA).

However, an FSH SA, unlike one in Asia or perhaps even in the US, will also actively discourage a bona fide client from buying something that doesnt look good. This happened on my second and third appts, when a runway jacket did not work on me. The tailor and my SA spent half an hour trying to make this work bc I loved it, only to decide it would be best thst I not get it Bc it could not be altered properly. Afterwards, she simply shrugged and said there is always next season. and then, she offered me my 28K quadrille Bc she could see how disappointed I was that the jacket did not work. (I didn’t ask for a K).

On this last trip, my current SA was on maternity leave, and the substitute SA also helped me with RTW. I loved a white dress costing about 2400 EU, and she was like no it’s not flattering in the back. So, a big spend is not the foremost goal. Although I did eventually find a few tops that I loved, there was no explicit or specific quid pro quo attached to the bag offers. She had no issues offering me both a Birkin 25 togo, bleu de purse, phw, and a 1923 rainbow bolide. I was allowed to purchase both bags, but I refused the B 25 as I have a similar color in a JPG kelly fringe and a 28K.

i personally think unofficial prespend requirements are significantly higher in the US bc of sales goals, and in the US, unlike FSH, there is far less bag stock and significantly longer wait time for a QB. I happened to have a 5X prespend by the time my B25 sellier, gold, phw, came into Madison Avenue, though I was eligible for one much sooner. But in both FSH and the US, an SA relationship consists of more than a client scheduling an appt only to demand scarce, highly coveted QBs. JMO and YMMV.

 

[oatmilklatte]

I think it’s well established here that if the stars align, those with little to no pre-spend can get a bag in Paris. But I think that only applies to the first bag, after that I think there’s an implicit expectation to prespend for bags (though at a lower ratio than in the US)? I have a friend who has an SA relationship at FSH, she said her SA has even explicitly told her she needs to prespend…anyone else have experiences on this?

Asking to see if it’s even worth trying to establish an SA relationship at FSH, but if there are similar (albeit lower ratio) prespend expectations I will probably just concentrate my efforts in the US instead.

In my experience, with more than one FSH SA, I disagree that prespend is required for the second or subsequent bags. This is because they do not work on the same commission or sales goal structure as the US or Asia (or that is how it was explained to me) by multiple SAs at FSH. Other friends have had similar experiences of bag offers without significant prespend.

Of course, for a relationship with an FSH SA to develop in the first place, one does generally exhibit sincere, honest, good faith willingness to buy items that one truly loves in other categories (This is a business after all, and IMO an FSH SA gets tired of being treated like a one trick pony — bag, bag, bag). If an FSH SA gets the impression that one is foremost or primarily only interested in QB, she very well might discourage you from continuing with her. However, an FSH SA, unlike one in Asia or perhaps even in the US, will also actively discourage me from buying something that doesnt look good on me (in her opinion, not mine). This happened on my second appt, when a runway jacket did not work on me. The tailor and my SA spent half an hour trying to make this work bc I loved it, only to decide it would be best thst I not get it Bc it could not be altered properly. Afterwards, she simply shrugged and said there is always next season. and then, she offered me my 28K quadrille Bc she could see how disappointed I was that the jacket did not work. (I didn’t ask for a K).

On this last trip, my current SA was on maternity leave, and the substitute SA also helped me with RTW. I loved a white dress costing about 2400 EU, and she was like no it’s not flattering in the back. So, a big spend is not the foremost goal. Although I did eventually find a few tops that I loved, there was no explicit or specific quid pro quo attached to the bag offers. She had no issues offering me both a Birkin 25 togo, bleu de purse, phw, and a 1923 rainbow bolide. I was allowed to purchase both bags, but I refused the B 25 as I have a similar color in a JPG kelly fringe and a 28K.

i personally think unofficial prespend requirements are significantly higher in the US bc of sales goals, and in the US, unlike FSH, there is far less bag stock and significantly longer wait time for a QB. JMO and YMMV.

I think it’s well established here that if the stars align, those with little to no pre-spend can get a bag in Paris. But I think that only applies to the first bag, after that I think there’s an implicit expectation to prespend for bags (though at a lower ratio than in the US)? I have a friend who has an SA relationship at FSH, she said her SA has even explicitly told her she needs to prespend…anyone else have experiences on this?

Asking to see if it’s even worth trying to establish an SA relationship at FSH, but if there are similar (albeit lower ratio) prespend expectations I will probably just concentrate my efforts in the US instead.

My previous SA’s at FSH and now other Paris stores are not interested in my pre-spend. Of course I buy things, but I have bought a scarf one month, six months later a nail oil and a journal and I still got offered multiple bags throughout that time. All quota and less non-quota. Most (if not all) are more concerned with my character and how I treat them. But most importantly, when I want a bag, they want me to be direct and not try to sweeten them up or buy pointless things to get it. The reason I prefer Paris to my local store is when you get an SA, there’s no beating around the bush, you can both be direct. Other stores it’s about pre-spend or wish lists or some other chore. In Paris the ‘commission’ is based on store sales and not really the individual, so there’s less of that sales pressure. I have had way more success with quota bags and other experiences in Paris than my local store. It has taken a lot of pre-spend in my local store to even be considered for quota/special orders etc…so I am lucky due to my frequent travel to Paris I can shop in two places and will continue to do so. I do the same with all French brands. Most of my bags from Chanel or my fine jewellery from other brands have been bought in France versus home! There’s just less drama. But if you have an amazing SA at your local store, I wouldn’t bother!

 

[880]

My previous SA’s at FSH and now other Paris stores are not interested in my pre-spend. Of course I buy things, but I have bought a scarf one month, six months later a nail oil and a journal and I still got offered multiple bags throughout that time. All quota and less non-quota. Most (if not all) are more concerned with my character and how I treat them. But most importantly, when I want a bag, they want me to be direct and not try to sweeten them up or buy pointless things to get it. The reason I prefer Paris to my local store is when you get an SA, there’s no beating around the bush, you can both be direct. Other stores it’s about pre-spend or wish lists or some other chore. In Paris the ‘commission’ is based on store sales and not really the individual, so there’s less of that sales pressure. I have had way more success with quota bags and other experiences in Paris than my local store. It has taken a lot of pre-spend in my local store to even be considered for quota/special orders etc…so I am lucky due to my frequent travel to Paris I can shop in two places and will continue to do so. I do the same with all French brands. Most of my bags from Chanel or my fine jewellery from other brands have been bought in France versus home! There’s just less drama. But if you have an amazing SA at your local store, I wouldn’t bother!

Yes you said exactly what I meant but with a more direct and elegant turn of phrase
Except, I only shop chanel at home bc 57 st is super friendly, and I find Paris chanel a bit scary lol

 

[oatmilklatte]

Yes you said exactly what I meant but with a more direct and elegant turn of phrase
Except, I only shop chanel at home bc 57 st is super friendly, and I find Paris chanel a bit scary lol

Why, thank you! Shopping in Paris, as a whole, is pretty scary to me too to be honest. Some of the staff are…interesting. But I have luckily met some really nice SA’s. My SA at Chanel in Le Bon Marché kept a rose gold classic flap throughout the whole lockdown, even after opening because she knew I loved it and couldn’t get to Paris. So it really is about meeting the right person here and your ‘connection,’ especially when it comes to Hermès.

 

[chibi12]

My previous SA’s at FSH and now other Paris stores are not interested in my pre-spend. Of course I buy things, but I have bought a scarf one month, six months later a nail oil and a journal and I still got offered multiple bags throughout that time. All quota and less non-quota. Most (if not all) are more concerned with my character and how I treat them. But most importantly, when I want a bag, they want me to be direct and not try to sweeten them up or buy pointless things to get it. The reason I prefer Paris to my local store is when you get an SA, there’s no beating around the bush, you can both be direct. Other stores it’s about pre-spend or wish lists or some other chore. In Paris the ‘commission’ is based on store sales and not really the individual, so there’s less of that sales pressure. I have had way more success with quota bags and other experiences in Paris than my local store. It has taken a lot of pre-spend in my local store to even be considered for quota/special orders etc…so I am lucky due to my frequent travel to Paris I can shop in two places and will continue to do so. I do the same with all French brands. Most of my bags from Chanel or my fine jewellery from other brands have been bought in France versus home! There’s just less drama. But if you have an amazing SA at your local store, I wouldn’t bother!

thanks both @880 and @oatmilklatte for your responses! I just asked my friend about her exact experience, she said:

At the end of last year, I was offered a MK with [the SA] via an appointment I scheduled with her directly, it was a new relationship but we got along well in prior interactions. After offering the MK, the SA explicitly told me I needed to buy something that day or there would be no future bags, and heavily hinted that to maintain a relationship in the future I’d need to pay a visit to Paris at least once a year and prespend.

Given what other members are saying I’m surprised this was her experience, she doesn’t have any reason to make things up. Curious to hear from the H gurus in this thread, what do you think might be the case for my friend experiencing this?