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.

 

[Caramelus]

Hello all, does the Hermes stores in Paris need your actual passports to purchase or can it be a photo from your phone? Asking because I would like to leave my passport at hotel and don’t really want to carry our actual passports around. Also, if you know the answer for Barcelona too would appreciate it. Thanks.

Yes both of those locations require passport

 

[papertiger]

Just coming to the end of my Paris journey - I applied every day for 5 days and sadly nothing (not even a rejection email!). However I visited both FSH and Sevres and that was an experience in itself! I was just blown away by the size of the stores, how much stock they had and the displays! There were some lovely SAs who helped me with fashion jewellery and I will be back in a few months to try again.

I did just get in to Sevres before a protest began outside though and was very glad for the security team who closed the gates to stop anyone from coming through (people did try!), when we were able to exit several bus shelters had been smashed and pallets set on fire outside the store.

I have been caught-up (unwittingly) inside a full-scale riot (and a bombing previously) and I am very sorry you experienced this. Major cities are never easy, somehow this has become part and parcel of our shopping experiences (even when we may have sympathies for those 'making their point' outside). I have delayed going to Paris for another month (for work not shopping) we shall see.

 

[Dreaming of H]

Hello all, does the Hermes stores in Paris need your actual passports to purchase or can it be a photo from your phone? Asking because I would like to leave my passport at hotel and don’t really want to carry our actual passports around. Also, if you know the answer for Barcelona too would appreciate it. Thanks.

I use a paper color copy of my passport (Hermes, Cartier, and other stores). Of course, everyone's experience can vary. In my experience they seemed understanding of the concerns in carrying around the actual document.

Have never tried using a photo.

 

[nymeria]

Hello all, does the Hermes stores in Paris need your actual passports to purchase or can it be a photo from your phone? Asking because I would like to leave my passport at hotel and don’t really want to carry our actual passports around. Also, if you know the answer for Barcelona too would appreciate it. Thanks.

In my experience, first time ever for Paris leather purchase, I was required to show my passport- even though the photo was good enough to register for appt as a walk in (years ago). Once you have made a purchase, your passport is in their system, and although I have a photo of it with me ( as they will want to check and make sure the details are still correct) that has been good enough going forward.
However, you cannot extrapolate this to a minor purchase and then coming back later for a bag to avoid having the original handy.

 

[momosingsing]

It’s so good to be able to read all the experience posted by TPFers I have a question regarding building a H relationship in FSH. I read that it is recommended to concentrate your spending in one store in Paris and find an SA that you click with. From my experience in Paris, I’ve had different SAs in FSH as they are in charge of different departments. One in men’s shoes, one women’s belts and one in perfumes etc. These SAs are all very nice, but because they sell different things, it is difficult to build relationship with one particular SA in FSH. I’m going to be in Paris once a year for a short duration each time. If possible, I would want to have one SA in FSH that helps me with various items, and also hopefully can schedule a bag appointment directly with her/him when I want to purchase a bag (quota or non-quota).

What are people’s experience with their SA in FSH? Can you get one SA for everything you buy? Do SAs ever provide their contact information to you?

 

[Genepi]

It’s so good to be able to read all the experience posted by TPFers I have a question regarding building a H relationship in FSH. I read that it is recommended to concentrate your spending in one store in Paris and find an SA that you click with. From my experience in Paris, I’ve had different SAs in FSH as they are in charge of different departments. One in men’s shoes, one women’s belts and one in perfumes etc. These SAs are all very nice, but because they sell different things, it is difficult to build relationship with one particular SA in FSH. I’m going to be in Paris once a year for a short duration each time. If possible, I would want to have one SA in FSH that helps me with various items, and also hopefully can schedule a bag appointment directly with her/him when I want to purchase a bag (quota or non-quota).

What are people’s experience with their SA in FSH? Can you get one SA for everything you buy? Do SAs ever provide their contact information to you?

Hi,

It is very possible to have one FSH SA help you with all of your items. That being said you do need to have some realistic expectations: 1) Tracking down/transfer of items- they generally will not do this in advance. If it is available on the website you can preorder and have it delivered to the store. If it is at another store in Paris they will likely tell you to go there and purchase as they don't exchange stock between the Paris boutiques. If is available in France they will request transfer to FSH but only after you arrive. So if you are there for a short period this will not work. 2) SA's are generally happy to provide you with their contact information on request- although most do not have cards as they are too junior. There has been a lot of turnover! 3) Bags- most FSH SA's are too junior to be able to guarantee bag appointments in advance. Many will say that they will be happy to assist you in the future. They may even say yes they can assist you with bag appointments. You won't know if this is true until your next visit.

If you find a senior FSH SA who is willing to assist you in the future and arrange appointments then you have found the holy grail! I would caution you to manage your expectations!

 

[Nazlicms]

Hello everyone!
I have been following this forum and was lucky enough to share my experience in the past and I kindly wanted to ask a question, maybe someone also experienced this issue. Even though I have bern trying to register to the appointment system, I do not receive any confirmation email even though I try different browsers and email addresses. Do you have an idea how I can solve this issue?

 

[880]

+100 with @Genepi above.

I shop at FSH, but a nice RTW SA at George V clarified that some SAs float between departments and can help with everything including leather. SAs that are tied to a specific department normally cannot help with leather.

Leather supply is so constrained and demand so high that the typical SA client relationship is inverted. So being nice and friendly or buying a lot may not necessarily provide FSH management with sufficient incentive to assign a permanent SA who can also offer bags

 

[Model T]

We just got back from Paris and found some good pieces at FSH. Everyone was really nice there. Myself and my partner overheard at least 15 different people asking for an appointment during the two hours I was shopping. And it’s not even that busy in Paris right now!

An SA gave me a cute gift, a magazine to help me practice my French. When we’re back in Paris I think I’ll keep shopping at FSH. I liked George V and was offered a bag there years ago but it felt very small/crowded now that they increased the amount of people allowed inside at one time.

Luckily we weren’t affected by the strikes. We did pass a train strike in Bordeaux but it was pretty chill

 

[Purselette]

Hello, We just got back from Paris yesterday. I was offered a non-quota bag, the Evelyne, which I purchased with pleasure!!! I told my daughter that I didn't post here often so I wasn't sure if I should share. But then decided why not?

This was our family's first trip to Paris. Tours for my husband, daughter and I were pre-booked as well as LV & Chanel appointments for daughter and I. I did not want our vacation plans disrupted trying for an Hermes leather appointment so I did not bother. While hubby rested back at the hotel, my daughter and I toured the Dior museum. On a lark, we decided to walk to the nearest Hermes store at George V. There was a short wait to get in and a short wait to be assigned an SA. My lovely and warm sales associate helped me select some scarves. And here's where my memory is foggy. I'm not sure if the SA brought up the leather appointment or I did, but she did offer to give me a card with instructions on how to try for the lottery. I explained that we were leaving Paris in a few days and about our pre-booked tours. She kindly offered to check for a leather appointment cancellation and there was a cancellation! She asked me what I was looking for and I told her the Evelyne in a neutral color. While in-store waiting for an SA to be assigned, my daughter and I had seen customers with the Evelyne. The women looked so comfortable yet so chic carrying the bag.

Anyway, the sweet SA escorted us to a desk in the back, gave us water, and came back with 2 boxes. One was an Evelyne III 29 Taurillon Clemence in Etoupe with gold hardware. Loved it! The other was black and I don't remember the hardware color. I have so many black designer bags in different shapes and sizes and do not need another. The Evelyne in Etoupe (or any color) is something I did not have and I was happy to say yes to the bag!!! I know this isn't a story about a quota bag offer but leather appointment cancellations do happen. It doesn't hurt to try because you just might get your wish!

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

Hello, We just got back from Paris yesterday. I was offered a non-quota bag, the Evelyne, which I purchased with pleasure!!! I told my daughter that I didn't post here often so I wasn't sure if I should share. But then decided why not?

This was our family's first trip to Paris. Tours for my husband, daughter and I were pre-booked as well as LV & Chanel appointments for daughter and I. I did not want our vacation plans disrupted trying for an Hermes leather appointment so I did not bother. While hubby rested back at the hotel, my daughter and I toured the Dior museum. On a lark, we decided to walk to the nearest Hermes store at George V. There was a short wait to get in and a short wait to be assigned an SA. My lovely and warm sales associate helped me select some scarves. And here's where my memory is foggy. I'm not sure if the SA brought up the leather appointment or I did, but she did offer to give me a card with instructions on how to try for the lottery. I explained that we were leaving Paris in a few days and about our pre-booked tours. She kindly offered to check for a leather appointment cancellation and there was a cancellation! She asked me what I was looking for and I told her the Evelyne in a neutral color. While in-store waiting for an SA to be assigned, my daughter and I had seen customers with the Evelyne. The women looked so comfortable yet so chic carrying the bag.

Anyway, the sweet SA escorted us to a desk in the back, gave us water, and came back with 2 boxes. One was an Evelyne III 29 Taurillon Clemence in Etoupe with gold hardware. Loved it! The other was black and I don't remember the hardware color. I have so many black designer bags in different shapes and sizes and do not need another. The Evelyne in Etoupe (or any color) is something I did not have and I was happy to say yes to the bag!!! I know this isn't a story about a quota bag offer but leather appointment cancellations do happen. It doesn't hurt to try because you just might get your wish!

View attachment 5770307

Congrats!! I’m really glad you decided to share!

 

[880]

Hello, We just got back from Paris yesterday. I was offered a non-quota bag, the Evelyne, which I purchased with pleasure!!! I told my daughter that I didn't post here often so I wasn't sure if I should share. But then decided why not?

This was our family's first trip to Paris. Tours for my husband, daughter and I were pre-booked as well as LV & Chanel appointments for daughter and I. I did not want our vacation plans disrupted trying for an Hermes leather appointment so I did not bother. While hubby rested back at the hotel, my daughter and I toured the Dior museum. On a lark, we decided to walk to the nearest Hermes store at George V. There was a short wait to get in and a short wait to be assigned an SA. My lovely and warm sales associate helped me select some scarves. And here's where my memory is foggy. I'm not sure if the SA brought up the leather appointment or I did, but she did offer to give me a card with instructions on how to try for the lottery. I explained that we were leaving Paris in a few days and about our pre-booked tours. She kindly offered to check for a leather appointment cancellation and there was a cancellation! She asked me what I was looking for and I told her the Evelyne in a neutral color. While in-store waiting for an SA to be assigned, my daughter and I had seen customers with the Evelyne. The women looked so comfortable yet so chic carrying the bag.

Anyway, the sweet SA escorted us to a desk in the back, gave us water, and came back with 2 boxes. One was an Evelyne III 29 Taurillon Clemence in Etoupe with gold hardware. Loved it! The other was black and I don't remember the hardware color. I have so many black designer bags in different shapes and sizes and do not need another. The Evelyne in Etoupe (or any color) is something I did not have and I was happy to say yes to the bag!!! I know this isn't a story about a quota bag offer but leather appointment cancellations do happen. It doesn't hurt to try because you just might get your wish!

View attachment 5770307

Congrats! What a great story! Hope you enjoy your beautiful bag!

 

[justdennis84]

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!

First of all congrats, your bag is beautiful!

would you mind sharing at which point the purchase history in your home town came up? I imagine when youve been shown the B already, correct?

 

[Ali2012]

First of all congrats, your bag is beautiful!

would you mind sharing at which point the purchase history in your home town came up? I imagine when youve been shown the B already, correct?

Thank you!

Yes, I’d been shown the bag already, but I had given my name when I was given an appt, so they could have seen my history beforehand.

 

[Rose.b]

Hi everyone, I'm currently in Paris and I was lucky enough to be selected for a leather appointment at the faubourg location!!! I'm wondering what inventory is looking like and how my odds are for being offered a kelly Kelly mini/pochette in a neutral color is my dream bag!

Did you get any offer from the leather appointment?