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]

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!

Love your story and I am so happy for you! A B30 gold, phw, is such a fabulous bag! Agree with being honest re price point and what you want too!

 

[Ali2012]

Love your story and I am so happy for you! A B30 gold, phw, is such a fabulous bag! Agree with being honest re price point and what you want too!

Thank you so much - I can’t stop looking at it!

 

[carrie8]

Just to inform in case of travel plans to France. The workunions are planning une journée de la colère cheminote on thursday. https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/econ...a-colere-cheminote-jeudi_AP-202304150212.html

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

Which google translate told me means a Railway strike for all the non french speakers out there!

 

[Genepi]

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 you can get lucky with your first bag but I do think that spending is required if you want more bags. How much I don't know because I buy when I am in Paris things that I cannot find, that I have not seen and fall in or that are great deals. My motto with H is if you see and you like it buy it, because you may not see it again. For example shoes and homewares are always cheaper in Paris but silks are not a bargain. I don't always get a quota bag on my visits, but I don't expect it. I generally will come back with a bag (quota or non-quota) and if I don't come home with one it is because the offer did not make my heart sing! The prespend (if you want to call it that) is much less than my home store.

I don't think it is all about prespend in Paris- but SA's generally can tell your knowledge and love for the brand- they have lot's of info- your profile, the way are dressed (no you don't need to dress head to toe in H or carry an H bag) and your knowledge of the brand and the items that you are looking for.

When asking for both appointments and hard to get items your profile is reviewed. I would not count on repeatedly getting quota bags from Paris with no spending as I believe managers have to approve all quota bag offers. If you were the manager would you continue to approve non-quota bag purchases for customers that only buy quota bags? I have also been told that mangers review/evaluate what items you are buying (i.e. if you are only purchasing items that are easy to resell). They supposedly profile resellers from spending history and I would expect that individuals who only buy bags would fit a reseller profile.

I believe @880 gave you a great response!

 

[880]

My motto with H is if you see and you like it buy it, because you may not see it again.

Thank uou and agree with @Genepi above I think all of us are kind of saying the same thing and our experiences are along the same kind of continuum

 

[smoothsailor]

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

Being asked to pre spend to say 1:x to get a quota bag is quite different from say “let me know what is your wishlist including bags 2-3weeks before your next visit”. Not sure how it is being asked.

Anyway, there is a youtuber who met a pushy sales but was a temporary staff at the work who wasn’t able to get the youtuber any bag after she prespent. So there are all kinds of SAs out there.

Though I take all such sharings with a healthy dose of salt

 

[Genepi]

Being asked to pre spend to say 1:x to get a quota bag is quite different from say “let me know what is your wishlist including bags 2-3weeks before your next visit”. Not sure how it is being asked.

Anyway, there is a youtuber who met a pushy sales but was a temporary staff at the work who wasn’t able to get the youtuber any bag after she prespent. So there are all kinds of SAs out there.

Though I take all such sharings with a healthy dose of salt

Hi,

I too saw the u-tuber’s story and I would point out a couple of things 1) they were shopping at Christmas (incredibly busy time), 2) They did not have shopping history in France and were on many ways a novice. 3) She made it clear that she was shopping with an intent to get a bag. I think this is a mistake as most SA are new/junior and cannot get you a leather appointment. She seemed quite desperate and I think this will put most senior SAs on high alert. Are you reseller and/or do just want a bag? i think if you just want to get a bag then you may be disappointed unless the stars align (i.e lottery appointment, get lucky with both SA and SM). 4) Remember that you can put things on reserve for a few days if you want think about it - i do this all the time. This can allow you peruse the inventory in the three stores and decide where you want to concentrate your spend or find an SA that you click with. 5) I would recommend that you concentrate your spending in 1 store and tray this as your home Paris store-in general it would be best to make FSH. However, if you love Petit H then Sevres may be a better option. Or if one store is located closer to your favorite hotel.

I travel to Paris for both work and to shop. When planning a shopping trip I always try and go in a shoulder season may/April or sept/oct and I try not to travel during fashion week. I generally have a list items I am looking for and most importantly I go to enjoy myself! please don’t let the pursuit of a quota bag impede with your enjoyment of Paris! It is such a beautiful city- enjoy the city, the food, the people watching, the sights and remember there is ore to shopping in Paris than Hermes!

 

[smoothsailor]

Hi,

I too saw the u-tuber’s story and I would point out a couple of things 1) they were shopping at Christmas (incredibly busy time), 2) They did not have shopping history in France and were on many ways a novice. 3) She made it clear that she was shopping with an intent to get a bag. I think this is a mistake as most SA are new/junior and cannot get you a leather appointment. She seemed quite desperate and I think this will put most senior SAs on high alert. Are you reseller and/or do just want a bag? i think if you just want to get a bag then you may be disappointed unless the stars align (i.e lottery appointment, get lucky with both SA and SM). 4) Remember that you can put things on reserve for a few days if you want think about it - i do this all the time. This can allow you peruse the inventory in the three stores and decide where you want to concentrate your spend or find an SA that you click with. 5) I would recommend that you concentrate your spending in 1 store and tray this as your home Paris store-in general it would be best to make FSH. However, if you love Petit H then Sevres may be a better option. Or if one store is located closer to your favorite hotel.

I travel to Paris for both work and to shop. When planning a shopping trip I always try and go in a shoulder season may/April or sept/oct and I try not to travel during fashion week. I generally have a list items I am looking for and most importantly I go to enjoy myself! please don’t let the pursuit of a quota bag impede with your enjoyment of Paris! It is such a beautiful city- enjoy the city, the food, the people watching, the sights and remember there is ore to shopping in Paris than Hermes!

1. That youtuber was asked to spend by the SA, same as your friend.
2. I commented on your friend who was asked to pre spend. What happen to your friend?

 

[A1aGypsy]

Just going to add this link for those who need a success story in Paris:

My Epic Paris Story..

I am happy to hear of your great luck at the Paris stores and hope I have the same luck when I visit this summer with my teenage daughter. BH is my home store and my Luck is the exact opposite from your experience. I am treated so very well at BH, that when I got the indifferent service in...

forum.purseblog.com

 

[mamakay]

My flight is suppose to arrive at 11am from the US on a weekday, would you apply the day before and risk the chance of getting an appointment at 11am or earlier and end up having to miss it?

 

[applebeary]

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!

Congrats, which store is this?

 

[chibi12]

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.

When asking for both appointments and hard to get items your profile is reviewed. I would not count on repeatedly getting quota bags from Paris with no spending as I believe managers have to approve all quota bag offers. If you were the manager would you continue to approve non-quota bag purchases for customers that only buy quota bags? I have also been told that mangers review/evaluate what items you are buying (i.e. if you are only purchasing items that are easy to resell). They supposedly profile resellers from spending history and I would expect that individuals who only buy bags would fit a reseller profile.

Being asked to pre spend to say 1:x to get a quota bag is quite different from say “let me know what is your wishlist including bags 2-3weeks before your next visit”. Not sure how it is being asked.

1. That youtuber was asked to spend by the SA, same as your friend.
2. I commented on your friend who was asked to pre spend. What happen to your friend?

Sorry for the multi-quote, got behind on responding

@QuelleFromage - my friend's SA is in the leather department at FSH!

@Genepi - really awesome that you always find things you love, bags or not! While my friend is pretty versed (but probably not as much vs. some of the members here) in H craftsmanship, she is also newer to H and tends to buy very popular items, e.g., I know she has purchased in Paris kelly belts, silver jewelry, avalon blankets, SLGs, orans, etc. So while she did have prespend prior to getting the QB offer, I wonder if she was explicitly asked to spend again during the appointment because her profile may look similar to that of a reseller's...?

@smoothsailor - she was asked to purchase during the appointment, after the QB was offered!
Also not sure if you were responding to me or Genepi, as I didn't find your comment about my friend?

 

[QuelleFromage]

My flight is suppose to arrive at 11am from the US on a weekday, would you apply the day before and risk the chance of getting an appointment at 11am or earlier and end up having to miss it?

Are you flying into CDG or Orly and will you have checked bags? It will take you some time (varying by the above) to actually get to the appointment, as all the stores are in central Paris.
I suppose it's worth trying, since your chance each day is exactly the same, and if you cancel you free up a space for a walk-in - but personally I wouldn't. That's a lot of stress on the first day of a trip, plus even with plane wifi you may not be able to cancel an early appointment.

 

[880]

most SA are new/junior and cannot get you a leather appointment. She seemed quite desperate and I think this will put most senior SAs

Agree. I visited George V for the first time. I asked about a piece of RTW sold out at FSH, but said I was an FSH client. The RTW associate started chatting, and I discovered had worked at FSH and knew my SA. She told me that a RTW SA such as herself cannot sell bags but has to refer to a leather SA (presumably by appt) but, as I was aware, there are SAs that float with their appointments that can sell bags and everything else storewide. Incidentally, she did ask if we were happy at FSH leading me to believe that there is more cross shopping than I would have imagined.

always try and go in a shoulder season may/April or sept/oct and I try not to travel during fashion week

+1, though if at the end of fashion week, one can place a RTW order which is something that interests DH. I’m more an impulse shopper. If I see something I love, assuming it’s in my price range and I will wear it (cost per wear), I buy it.

I know she has purchased in Paris kelly belts, silver jewelry, avalon blankets, SLGs, orans, etc. So while she did have prespend prior to getting the QB offer, I wonder if she was explicitly asked to spend again during the appointment because her profile may look similar to that of a reseller's

I’ve been told my numerous SAs in Asia, Europe, and US, that these kinds of purchases are popular with resellers. For some reason, every SA I’ve had are meh on shoes. I always assumed it’s a hassle to pull a number of sizes, but perhaps shoes are popular with resellers too, idk. SAs seem most relaxed in RTW, bc if you are having a garment altered to your body, it’s likely to remain with you.

There have been some queries re the virtues of wearing a h bag to FSH. I don’t wear my bags to FSH bc they’re too bulky to travel, and I pack light, and my SAs complimented the RTW I was wearing which happened to be courreges