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.

 

[Genepi]

Seeking Advice:

My partner and I first went to Sevres on Monday (which was on the only store open on this public holiday) and was told there were no leather appointment availabilities. We purchased a watch with an SA, but after asking her about leather appointment availabilities, she said no (after learning we were interest in B/Ks).

On the second day, we went to FSH and lined up before they opened. We purchased RTW and a pair of shoes, and had a pretty great conversation with the SA (at least we thought so). When we asked him about possibility of leather appointment, he said there's nothing he can do, and that we must go to the leather appointment desk. We then purchased some other smaller things with another SA, who also said no appointment. After FSH, we went to Sevres again, and the leather desk said no appointments available, and encouraged us to apply online.

On the third day, we went to the George V store and purchased a small wallet, and when we asked the SA + leather desk, no appointments again. We went to Sevres store and were told no appointments, so we waited about 3 hours to see if they could squeeze us in, and no luck. Tried FSH again and bought a charm, again no luck...

In total, we spent ~12k euros. It seems like purchase history doesn't matter? All the SAs we purchased items with saw our purchase history and we have been declined each time. We were very polite when we asked for availabilities and we dressed appropriately.

Any advice? We're here until Saturday morning, so we have 2 more days. We will keep trying the lottery appointment every day. I have been wanting a B/K for years, so if there's anything else we can try, would greatly appreciate the advice! Thank you all!!

Seeking Advice:

My partner and I first went to Sevres on Monday (which was on the only store open on this public holiday) and was told there were no leather appointment availabilities. We purchased a watch with an SA, but after asking her about leather appointment availabilities, she said no (after learning we were interest in B/Ks).

On the second day, we went to FSH and lined up before they opened. We purchased RTW and a pair of shoes, and had a pretty great conversation with the SA (at least we thought so). When we asked him about possibility of leather appointment, he said there's nothing he can do, and that we must go to the leather appointment desk. We then purchased some other smaller things with another SA, who also said no appointment. After FSH, we went to Sevres again, and the leather desk said no appointments available, and encouraged us to apply online.

On the third day, we went to the George V store and purchased a small wallet, and when we asked the SA + leather desk, no appointments again. We went to Sevres store and were told no appointments, so we waited about 3 hours to see if they could squeeze us in, and no luck. Tried FSH again and bought a charm, again no luck...

In total, we spent ~12k euros. It seems like purchase history doesn't matter? All the SAs we purchased items with saw our purchase history and we have been declined each time. We were very polite when we asked for availabilities and we dressed appropriately.

Any advice? We're here until Saturday morning, so we have 2 more days. We will keep trying the lottery appointment every day. I have been wanting a B/K for years, so if there's anything else we can try, would greatly appreciate the advice! Thank you all!!

Here is my advice for what it is worth. Walk in appointments are best done with the leather desk directly- I would suggest going in the afternoon on Tues-Thur and asking for a cancellation appointment. If you waited for 3 hours at Sevres last time on your next visit see if the same person is at the desk- they will likely remember you and try and help you out. The leather desk SA will almost always check your purchase history- if you spent 12K Euro and have a previous history of shopping in Paris then I think it will help you get an appointment. Tell them when asking that you have been in Paris for X days and that you are leaving on X and you were really hoping to get an appointment. If they have availability and you have been polite in your previous requests they will likely try and help you out. They will remember you and they do appreciate you being polite in previous encounters- this is a necessity if you want to be successful in getting a walk in.

As for getting an appointment via an SA that is working the floor this is very much a hit and miss proposition. Many SA's cannot help you get an appointment as they are all encouraged to send customers to the leather desk and many are very junior and cannot assist. My understanding is that senior SA's can choose 1 customer a day (provided there is sufficient bag supply) to inquire about the availability of bags- many reserve this selection for their long standing clients. If you are going to spend 12K in hope of getting an appointment with an SA I would concentrate that spend with one or two SA's and before spending I would chat and ask questions to determine if the strategy is going to work. Use your people skills- casually ask your SA how long they have worked at Hermes? What do they like about it? A few simple questions in the course of browsing can give you a lot information.

I have been shopping in Paris for a while- prior to covid I had a dedicated SA and Hermes even got me discounted hotel rooms. That SA moved on during covid and I now have a list of SA's that I work with and I have always come home with a bag- but it is not easy. I truly feel your pain because unlike @880 I don't have a senior FSH SA who can assist with bags and other items on a regular basis. I have to finagle my way- but it always seems to work out, because I have a genuine love for the brand and I have shopped for years. Often times one of the SA's will spot an item that is no longer made or a LE and it generates a conversation about how I got it and what I like about it.... and one thing leads to another and I may or may not get a bag.

I do wish you the very best of luck and please, please do take time to enjoy Paris- it is a fantastic time of year. I hope this helps!

 

[tnw]

Any advice? We're here until Saturday morning, so we have 2 more days.


I am wishing you luck on getting an appointment. Last month I was there for 9 days and my husband, son and I tried everyday via the appointment lottery as well as trying several times in person regarding cancellations. Received a polite but firm “no”. The night before our last day, I got an appointment. I was so excited to finally get the appointment email and text. I ended up getting a Kelly and couldn’t have been happier. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[periogirl28]

My advice for future appointments in Paris is to also purchase across other departments, if one is trying to establish relationships in Paris. Hopefully there are SAs in other departments who click with you as that worked for me in the past. If that is not the case and "one shot one kill" is enough, then the next best option is to start a relationship at nearest home store or one where frequent visits is possible. It's actually more predictable that way. Repeated success with random online appointment lottery is not dependent on prior purchase history and is frankly a long shot. I think even locals who live in Paris have not been successful after trying every day for months.

 

[chubstersmom]

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

Glad you were able to get your Evelyne! I have the same color but I’m the size 31 and love it. Totally agree with you on asking about cancellations. I was only in Paris for 3 days, wasn’t able to get an appt through the lottery, but was given a cancellation appt on all 3 days I went in person to ask.

 

[CherryBomb2305]

Seeking Advice:

My partner and I first went to Sevres on Monday (which was on the only store open on this public holiday) and was told there were no leather appointment availabilities. We purchased a watch with an SA, but after asking her about leather appointment availabilities, she said no (after learning we were interest in B/Ks).

On the second day, we went to FSH and lined up before they opened. We purchased RTW and a pair of shoes, and had a pretty great conversation with the SA (at least we thought so). When we asked him about possibility of leather appointment, he said there's nothing he can do, and that we must go to the leather appointment desk. We then purchased some other smaller things with another SA, who also said no appointment. After FSH, we went to Sevres again, and the leather desk said no appointments available, and encouraged us to apply online.

On the third day, we went to the George V store and purchased a small wallet, and when we asked the SA + leather desk, no appointments again. We went to Sevres store and were told no appointments, so we waited about 3 hours to see if they could squeeze us in, and no luck. Tried FSH again and bought a charm, again no luck...

In total, we spent ~12k euros. It seems like purchase history doesn't matter? All the SAs we purchased items with saw our purchase history and we have been declined each time. We were very polite when we asked for availabilities and we dressed appropriately.

Any advice? We're here until Saturday morning, so we have 2 more days. We will keep trying the lottery appointment every day. I have been wanting a B/K for years, so if there's anything else we can try, would greatly appreciate the advice! Thank you all!!

Hello,

This is only from my personal experience and opinion but if your goal is a B/K, it's better option to not waist money in the Hermes game and use the 12K spent to buy from grey market ... At least in Europe, for 17-23K euros you have a brand new Kelly/Birkin fresh from store.

They don't care in Paris (and Europe in general from my personal experience) about the purchase history. This is really US/Asia thing.
Do not waist your time and money trying to get a walk-in appointment. Sometimes it happens to have a walk-in but it's really rare, even rarest to get a bag with a walk-in appointment (it happened but it's rly not common).

Wish you good luck to get one online before you leave Paris, it's the best way to get a QB

If you don't want to leave Paris without a B/K, look at the reputable resellers', it's pricey but at least you know how you spend your money.

 

[periogirl28]

The problem is not all bags from the grey reseller market is authentic, no matter where it is purchased. Then all the money is completely wasted.

 

[CherryBomb2305]

The problem is not all bags from the grey reseller market is authentic, no matter where it is purchased. Then all the money is completely wasted.

When you get to see and touch it in person (+ the box, dustbag, clochette ....), you can tell. + always ask for the store receipt.
Also, sometimes you can find "used" ones that are 2/3 years old in perfect condition for a very good price, not that much above retail.

 

[periogirl28]

I guess it's ok for some but I personally wouldn't risk it even after being an Hermes customer for 15 years. Peace of mind is important to me and I rather shop retail with my SAs to be offered items which are 100% authentic. Of course I have been fortunate regarding my experiences and I started as a customer a long time ago. I myself would only consider buying vintage discontinued bags from very reputable resellers in Paris, the larger auction houses (who still get specs wrong) and selected resellers in Japan.

 

[chubstersmom]

Seeking Advice:

My partner and I first went to Sevres on Monday (which was on the only store open on this public holiday) and was told there were no leather appointment availabilities. We purchased a watch with an SA, but after asking her about leather appointment availabilities, she said no (after learning we were interest in B/Ks).

On the second day, we went to FSH and lined up before they opened. We purchased RTW and a pair of shoes, and had a pretty great conversation with the SA (at least we thought so). When we asked him about possibility of leather appointment, he said there's nothing he can do, and that we must go to the leather appointment desk. We then purchased some other smaller things with another SA, who also said no appointment. After FSH, we went to Sevres again, and the leather desk said no appointments available, and encouraged us to apply online.

On the third day, we went to the George V store and purchased a small wallet, and when we asked the SA + leather desk, no appointments again. We went to Sevres store and were told no appointments, so we waited about 3 hours to see if they could squeeze us in, and no luck. Tried FSH again and bought a charm, again no luck...

In total, we spent ~12k euros. It seems like purchase history doesn't matter? All the SAs we purchased items with saw our purchase history and we have been declined each time. We were very polite when we asked for availabilities and we dressed appropriately.

Any advice? We're here until Saturday morning, so we have 2 more days. We will keep trying the lottery appointment every day. I have been wanting a B/K for years, so if there's anything else we can try, would greatly appreciate the advice! Thank you all!!

We were there in mid-April and was able to get a walk-in at FSH And George V. With FSH, you have to go in the afternoon around 2-3pm. With George V, they squeezed me in but told me upfront no quota bags but I could see other bags if interested. We also ended up getting a men’s watch From Sevres and that purchase was what opened the doors to giving me an offer for the bag. It’s really luck of the draw and depends on the SA, their mood for the day and who they want to make an offer to. What I do know is that obviously when they tell you they have no bags in stock, it’s really not true. When o did a walk-in at FSH, the appts desk associate asked me which bags I was interested in and I was upfront about it and told her B/K. If there weren’t any bags, I would’ve been turned away immediately. I was just unfortunate to get a SA who didn’t want to make me an offer. She too asked me what bags I was looking. For and I already knew when she was taking down my specs that she was t giving me an offer bc she didn’t ask hardware or other options. It’s hard to believe that FSH wouldn’t have any t thing in stock. It’s just they don’t have anything for you. I also believe this bc when I went to Sevres, they gave me pretty much what I asked for. It seems like Sevres had lots to choose from since the SA said whatever I wanted. But again, fortunately or unfortunately, it was bc of that watch purchase that got me the offer.
You could try again and just tell them at the leather appts desk how many times you’ve applied and that you’re leaving in a couple days to see if they can squeeze you in.
Good luck and hope you score a bag!

 

[chubstersmom]

Hi I have had really good luck at the CDG airport in the past. I did not have the chance to shop on my most recent visit. The airport stores may have Evelyne's, Picotins, Bolide, Roulis and every once in a blue moon they may get a Constance. I would not start off asking for a bag- customer after customer does this and the default answer is no. If you have other things that you are looking for engage and ask about those items.

Last time I got an Evelyne TPM and a 70 silk scarf. The great thing about getting bags at the airport is they are cheaper by ~10% than in Paris as you get the full tax benefit and you don't have to worry about Global Blue taking it' fees and currency exchanges.

I wasn’t looking for a bag at cdg but I looked at all the Paris and Lyon boutiques for a Kelly belt and they were all sold out. Surprisingly, at cdg, they had a ton of them in a few colors too, so it’s worth a try to check it out.

 

[A1aGypsy]

When you get to see and touch it in person (+ the box, dustbag, clochette ....), you can tell. + always ask for the store receipt.
Also, sometimes you can find "used" ones that are 2/3 years old in perfect condition for a very good price, not that much above retail.

Not always. There are some really good fakes out there nowadays. And store receipts are a red herring. Everyone seems to think they are the grail of authenticity but they are easily faked as well.

 

[acrowcounted]

I feel like any time someone posts a hot tip to get around the appointment system, they can kiss that loophole goodbye as the thousands of readers of this thread will wear it out.

 

[CherryBomb2305]

Not always. There are some really good fakes out there nowadays. And store receipts are a red herring. Everyone seems to think they are the grail of authenticity but they are easily faked as well.

Ok Ok so just wait in desperation then , I was just suggesting that because the person seemed quite desperate to get an appointment / A bag before leaving Paris so she spent 12K for it, that's it.

I personally rehomed bags without any issue but I never bought grey marker. I was lucky enough to get from store.

There is no "best tip" to get an appointment. No strategy, nothing. Pure luck, both walk-in and online.
An ultimate "Paris tip" might be, if you score an appointment, try to be as nice as possible with the SA, so (with Luck again) he/she will share contact details so no more online lottery for further appointments needed.

 

[A1aGypsy]

Ok Ok so just wait in desperation then , I was just suggesting that because the person seemed quite desperate to get an appointment / A bag before leaving Paris so she spent 12K for it, that's it.

I personally rehomed bags without any issue but I never bought grey marker. I was lucky enough to get from store.

There is no "best tip" to get an appointment. No strategy, nothing. Pure luck, both walk-in and online.
An ultimate "Paris tip" might be, if you score an appointment, try to be as nice as possible with the SA, so (with Luck again) he/she will share contact details so no more online lottery for further appointments needed.

I was not suggesting the secondary market was not an option, I was just offering caution over the idea that a buyer can confirm authenticity via touch. Or a receipt.

 

[nycmaximalist]

May I kindly ask you what price you paid in Paris for the birkin colormatic? Many thanks in advance

+1 I'd also love to know too!