Hi everyone! I'm quite new to this forum, but reading everyone's posts has been super insightful. Though I'm not as experienced in the H game as all of you, I wanted to write a post in hopes that I can provide some learnings and tips.
I spent 2 months in Paris earlier this year and scored 3 separate appointments at FSH during that time. As a disclaimer, these learnings are purely from my personal experience.
Key Insight: a lot of the things I've heard from the three SAs I worked with on this trip didn't quite add up. I have been told something different at each appointment in regards to: A) The number of bags you can buy at an appointment B) How many B or Ks you can be offered a year C) Whether you can even get a B or K during your first appointment.
To elaborate, I've been offered 3 bags at once and been told I can take all of them. Another time, I was offered 2 and was that told I can only take one. I was also once told that unless you (or your family) have a history with the store, you won't be offered a B or K on the first visit. Yet, we've seen people walk away with B or Ks on their first store visit. Lastly, I've also been told that there's no limit to the B or Ks you can be offered in a year vs. that there is indeed a limit of one per season.
Insight #2: Yes, I do think that the day of the week and time of day matter. Based on my family's appointments, Mondays are the worst days to visit. I think a majority of stock clears out Saturday, so Monday starts off quite barren. You'll likely have more luck Tuesday ~ Friday. Overall, I've been most successful with bags and walk-ins near closing time on weekdays.
Insight #3: Walk-ins are way more common than you think. You really just have to approach the leather appointment staff at a time when they aren't being flocked by a bunch of people. Go prepared, speak up, and don't give up too soon. Some people managing the leather appointments are just so absolutely unpleasant to speak to.
Insight #4: If you've tried 30+ times... please, do yourself a favor, go walk-in and tell the leather appointment staff. They'll look up your name and the number of requests submitted and usually help you with a walk-in appointment. If they don't budge... ask if you could contact/email a manager. No one, no one, should have to try the system 50+ times before they get an appointment.
Insight #5: Purchase history does matter, and I do think there is indeed a screening process. Though this isn’t an open-shut case, on a two-week trip to Paris last year, our whole family submitted requests each day upon our arrival. My brother and dad (who've never shopped w/ H before) failed to get an appointment the entire trip. My mom has shopped with the store since the 70s and got an appointment on day 2. She's been successful on several occasions with walk-ins, usually after they check her client profile.
Insight #6: Don't hold back on your requests in hopes that being vague will help your chances of being offered a bag. Being specific might actually help you in the long run! One SA took down a list of my family's current collection and noted all of the things I asked for during my first appointment. During the following appointment, a different SA confirmed if I was still looking for each of the things on my "wishlist."
Insight #7: If you've had an unsuccessful appointment (i.e. walked away with nothing), walking-in is your best bet. You'll have to wait a very long time before being offered another appointment through the online system. When I asked one of the managers of the leather department if I can try online again after my first appointment, she said, and I quote, "to be honest, you'll be quite low on our priority list, but it's absolutely okay to keep trying online."
Once again, I want to emphasize that these learnings and insights are purely from my experience these past few months. I also wanna echo what a lot of people on this forum have already said. A trip to Paris is a gift itself! Cherish it, and don't let the H lottery ruin it, please. Best of luck to everyone!
