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]

She hasn’t acted in a manner conducive to a long term relationship; only wants to use the SA for bags; and the SA would rather not have her as a client. Even if she started to buy things, it’s become a chore for the SA and will be so for the client. See what I wrote in a previous post in bold.

JMO though and ymmv

ETA: your friend may have honestly believed that her prior interactions went well, perhaps bc she got what she wanted, but it doesn't appear that the SA felt this way. If one only wants a transaction for bags, this is not the best way to build a relationship with any SA especially FSH. It’s not so much a ’how much are you spending’ but rather a philosophical approach to shopping

 

[chibi12]

She hasn’t acted in a manner conducive to a long term relationship; only wants to use the SA for bags; and the SA would rather not have her as a client. Even if she started to buy things, it’s become a chore for the SA and will be so for the client. See what I wrote in a previous post in bold.

JMO though and ymmv

ETA: your friend may have honestly believed that her prior interactions went well, perhaps bc she got what she wanted, but it doesn't appear that the SA felt this way. If one only wants a transaction for bags, this is not the best way to build a relationship with any SA especially FSH. It’s not so much a ’how much are you spending’ but rather a philosophical approach to shopping

I got this sense too…but she told me at the end of the appointment (when she was explicitly asked to spend), the SA told her to contact her via WhatsApp next time and make an appointment 2-3 weeks prior. So it seems like the door is still open?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for your responses! I’m just so curious…this friend is super knowledgeable about H craftsmanship, I get all my H knowledge from her. And I know she’s purchased RTW, home goods, etc. in Paris and online for local pickup, so not sure why she was asked to prespend ‍*shrug

 

[QuelleFromage]

I got this sense too…but she told me at the end of the appointment (when she was explicitly asked to spend), the SA told her to contact her via WhatsApp next time and make an appointment 2-3 weeks prior. So it seems like the door is still open?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for your responses! I’m just so curious…this friend is super knowledgeable about H craftsmanship, I get all my H knowledge from her. And I know she’s purchased RTW, home goods, etc. in Paris and online for local pickup, so not sure why she was asked to prespend ‍*shrug

SAs are all different. FWIW, mine has never asked me to buy a thing, and when I was looking for a particular piece of fine jewelry (maybe 9-10K€) they said to snap it up if I saw it online anywhere as supply chain has really lowered size availability.
Maybe this SA works differently, or is just really blunt. (I DO buy things in all categories although not a huge € amount, I have just never been explicitly asked to.)

Or, maybe they have too many overseas customers and are trying to make sure each one brings in revenue. Is this a leather department SA? If not, that's part of the issue right there. Non-leather SAs can't spend their day getting people bags and prefer broad spend categories.

Not really related but sort of, my main SA and I also have a joke about Saturdays. I never come in on Saturday unless I have no choice, but we text each other memes and jokes because it's always a super stressful day, and all they hear all day is "Birkin Kelly Birkin Kelly Birkin Kelly" - even from regular clients.

 

[Martyp]

At Sevres right now. Super super busy. I've rarely seen this store that busy. I can hear a lot of locals/French clients. Also some just visiting the store as tourists to admire the architecture. I'm waiting for my SA, for make-up, bracelet and shoes.......................

 

[tnw]

Good luck. I had luck there yesterday!

 

[Ali2012]

Now I’ve almost fallen back down to earth, I can now post that I just scored a Birkin in Paris! I’m so chuffed! I didn’t have an appt (tried every day via my husband and me but no joy), I must’ve just spoken to the right SA at the right time. Happy to post my full story if you’d like to hear it? I was even offered a Touch but they’re not really my thing, and my budget wouldn’t stretch to it. He understood, and came back with a B30 with palladium hardware. I’m in heaven!

 

[FlairBear]

Now I’ve almost fallen back down to earth, I can now post that I just scored a Birkin in Paris! I’m so chuffed! I didn’t have an appt (tried every day via my husband and me but no joy), I must’ve just spoken to the right SA at the right time. Happy to post my full story if you’d like to hear it? I was even offered a Touch but they’re not really my thing, and my budget wouldn’t stretch to it. He understood, and came back with a B30 with palladium hardware. I’m in heaven!

Woohoo! Congrats! Yes, please post story… I like happy endings, even if they aren’t mine.

 

[tnw]

Would love to hear the story!

 

[gi201]

Now I’ve almost fallen back down to earth, I can now post that I just scored a Birkin in Paris! I’m so chuffed! I didn’t have an appt (tried every day via my husband and me but no joy), I must’ve just spoken to the right SA at the right time. Happy to post my full story if you’d like to hear it? I was even offered a Touch but they’re not really my thing, and my budget wouldn’t stretch to it. He understood, and came back with a B30 with palladium hardware. I’m in heaven!

Yes! Love a happy ending story

 

[oatmilklatte]

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 experiencin

View attachment 5763328View attachment 5763329At Sevres right now. Super super busy. I've rarely seen this store that busy. I can hear a lot of locals/French clients. Also some just visiting the store as tourists to admire the architecture. I'm waiting for my SA, for make-up, bracelet and shoes.......................

I was in earlier today and it wasn’t so busy. I always go first thing on a weekend if I have to go in, I prefer weekday. But my SA needed to see me first thing. We went up to the VIP salon area (see the view in pic) as she didn’t want to show me what she wanted to show me downstairs and all the private rooms were full. I hope you got some nice goodies.

 

[Ali2012]

So I tried the lottery system every day since I arrived earlier this week, via myself and my husband, but no joy. I also went into the store every day (FSH, then Sevre, then FSH again today, where I got the bag). The first two days I was told politely that there were no appts. The first said I was welcome to wait for any cancellations but there were three people in front of me, so I left.

Today, I went in, and someone greeted me at the door, so I decided to ask him where the leather desk was and he took me there. The SA at the desk seemed to pay more attention so I’m wondering if the guy was someone more senior? Who knows! The woman who greeted me was lovely. She asked me which bag I was looking for, which I’m told is a good sign as they’re at least engaging you in conversation!

I told her (a B30) and she said they were fully booked but I was welcome to check back after I’d finished shopping. I was showing my husband the display bags when she came up to me and said they’d had a cancellation! Maybe they did, or maybe she was just in the mood to help…. Again, who knows!

She introduced me to a lovely male SA who took us upstairs, again, i good sign, I thought! I was quite specific in what I wanted (B30 neutral, flexible on hardware as I care more about the colour combo) - he asked me if I had a second choice and I said no, my only wish was a B30. He asked if I was sure as he didn’t want me to be disappointed, and then said he’d do his best and disappeared for what seemed like an eternity!

When he finally came back he took us to a private room and showed me a B30 Touch in a grey colour (like gris asphalt), but I was totally honest and said it was beyond my budget. He said not to worry, that he’d be back soon, and was, with a gold Togo B30, which I snapped up immediately!

It was a wonderful experience - I got pretty-much my dream bag (my preference with gold leather is gold hardware but the palladium looked much better than I thought it would).

To stop this post getting too long, I’ll write my observations in another!

 

[Ali2012]

Following on from my previous post about my Paris trip, here are my tips/observations, for what they’re worth:

- During my first two visits I got a polite, but direct “no”, and told to apply online. If that happens, it is what it is. Just smile and thank them for their time.

- Given that I have zero prespend in Paris, I agree with others who say it’s not taken into account. My SA did find my home-town profile, however, so they’ll probably see your relationship with the brand. I reckon I have the same spend there as the cost of a B30.

- I was dressed in old jeans, knackered Converse trainers, a Zara jumper and an old leather jacket. My husband was even more scruffy, so I’m certain there’s no need to look smart!

- If the person at the desk asks you which bag you’re looking for despite having no appt, you could well be onto a winner. Engage with them, but don’t be pushy! I pointed out a B25 to my husband, telling him I wanted the size up, she overheard and showed us to their display B30, and we had a little chat about them before she went off to speak to someone else, who I’m pretty sure turned out to be the SA I dealt with. I was quietly confident at this point!

- Don’t be afraid to be specific about what you want. I wanted a B30 in a neutral colour, and nothing else. This is what I’ve saved for and I would’ve felt frivolous leaving with something else. And, as above re the Touch, if something is out of your price range, just say so!

- It was a wonderful experience, and is the icing on the cake of my Paris trip. But I was fully accepting of the fact that it may not happen for me, so I didn’t let it dictate my trip - just one shop visit per day.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk!

 

[gi201]

Following on from my previous post about my Paris trip, here are my tips/observations, for what they’re worth:

- During my first two visits I got a polite, but direct “no”, and told to apply online. If that happens, it is what it is. Just smile and thank them for their time.

- Given that I have zero prespend in Paris, I agree with others who say it’s not taken into account. My SA did find my home-town profile, however, so they’ll probably see your relationship with the brand. I reckon I have the same spend there as the cost of a B30.

- I was dressed in old jeans, knackered Converse trainers, a Zara jumper and an old leather jacket. My husband was even more scruffy, so I’m certain there’s no need to look smart!

- If the person at the desk asks you which bag you’re looking for despite having no appt, you could well be onto a winner. Engage with them, but don’t be pushy! I pointed out a B25 to my husband, telling him I wanted the size up, she overheard and showed us to their display B30, and we had a little chat about them before she went off to speak to someone else, who I’m pretty sure turned out to be the SA I dealt with. I was quietly confident at this point!

- Don’t be afraid to be specific about what you want. I wanted a B30 in a neutral colour, and nothing else. This is what I’ve saved for and I would’ve felt frivolous leaving with something else. And, as above re the Touch, if something is out of your price range, just say so!

- It was a wonderful experience, and is the icing on the cake of my Paris trip. But I was fully accepting of the fact that it may not happen for me, so I didn’t let it dictate my trip - just one shop visit per day.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk!

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I love all the details. That being said, I’m a little surprised that your SA was able to see your local profile. They have never been able to see my profile. I’m in the US.

 

[Ali2012]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I love all the details. That being said, I’m a little surprised that your SA was able to see your local profile. They have never been able to see my profile. I’m in the US.

He definitely found my profile as he read my home address to me. Whether it lists my previous purchases, I’m not sure.

 

[tnw]

That happened to me as well. I made a purchase at FSH a few days before I finally got the leather appointment and the SA pulled up my info on his iPad and showed it to me to confirm my name, home address and phone numbers. I was also under the impression they didn’t have that info. Initially I thought it was from my previous purchases at FSH, but it had my new address as I had moved since my last visit to Paris. I’m based in the US.