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.

 

[momosingsing]

I tried to email a lovely SA that I met earlier this year and she’s got her out of office on. I don’t have her WhatsApp contact. What struck me was that her out of office reply was in English and the disclaimer (attached) is also in English. I wonder if I’ve emailed the wrong recipient at Hermes? Or is it normal that the disclaimer is in English?

 

[momosingsing]

My other question would be, the SA’s out of office email doesn’t specify when she is coming back. Do you think it’s appropriate to call the store (if that’s even possible) to check when she might be back? Thank you!

 

[880]

I tried to email a lovely SA that I met earlier this year and she’s got her out of office on. I don’t have her WhatsApp contact. What struck me was that her out of office reply was in English and the disclaimer (attached) is also in English. I wonder if I’ve emailed the wrong recipient at Hermes? Or is it normal that the disclaimer is in English?

View attachment 5849457

Normal . This disclaimer sometimes appears at the bottom of the automated reply email. There should be a sentence first in French, then in English, regarding the dates your SA is away, in the actual body of the reply. Sometimes there is a pls contact [insert name of colleague] in case of absence or emergency. You can try calling (I don’t have a general number though) or swinging by. . .I don’t know since usually there are dates provided. They do check email

 

[thebirkinkellygirl]

Normal . This disclaimer sometimes appears at the bottom of the automated reply email. There should be a sentence first in French, then in English, regarding the dates your SA is away, in the actual body of the reply. Sometimes there is a pls contact [insert name of colleague] in case of absence or emergency. You can try calling (I don’t have a general number though) or swinging by. . .I don’t know since usually there are dates provided. They do check email

Thanks @880!
I still hope my SA replies my email cos it’s been a month and I still haven’t heard back from him!

 

[acrowcounted]

Thanks @880!
I still hope my SA replies my email cos it’s been a month and I still haven’t heard back from him!

They don’t have their schedules until a week or two beforehand so I would expect an email in July asking about availability in Nov/Dec to be a bit annoying and go unanswered, unfortunately. It’s probably best to wait until much closer to your actual trip before asking your SA for an appointment. Items can‘t be held from now until then anyway so there isn’t much benefit to the super early communication.

 

[thebirkinkellygirl]

They don’t have their schedules until a week or two beforehand so I would expect an email in July asking about availability in Nov/Dec to be a bit annoying and go unanswered, unfortunately. It’s probably best to wait until much closer to your actual trip before asking your SA for an appointment. Items can‘t be held from now until then anyway so there isn’t much benefit to the super early communication.

Thanks dear! Really appreciate it!
I shall drop him an email closer to my arrival to ask him of his availability and the items that I would like to purchase!

 

[A.Ali]

Thanks dear! Really appreciate it!
I shall drop him an email closer to my arrival to ask him of his availability and the items that I would like to purchase!

I just wanted to give you a heads-up about a new policy my RTW SA just informed me about. Apparently, they're no longer allowing non-local clients to reserve items in advance. The reason behind this is to make sure that local clients have a better chance of finding the items they need since they've been having a tough time when things are reserved. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if this policy is only in effect during peak seasons or if it's year-round.

 

[gi201]

I tried to email a lovely SA that I met earlier this year and she’s got her out of office on. I don’t have her WhatsApp contact. What struck me was that her out of office reply was in English and the disclaimer (attached) is also in English. I wonder if I’ve emailed the wrong recipient at Hermes? Or is it normal that the disclaimer is in English?

View attachment 5849457

Yes, the disclaimer for @hermes.com email addresses looks like this.
As for the OOF reply language/ English, that’s a personal setting- Just like you can do it from your Outlook. I could come up with 10 different opinions why, but it would be just an opinion. If there is a return date on the OOF reply, contact the SA a couple days after the date listed and take it from there. Good luck!

 

[_gelato_]

I tried to email a lovely SA that I met earlier this year and she’s got her out of office on. I don’t have her WhatsApp contact. What struck me was that her out of office reply was in English and the disclaimer (attached) is also in English. I wonder if I’ve emailed the wrong recipient at Hermes? Or is it normal that the disclaimer is in English?

View attachment 5849457

Don't stress or overthink it, and also don't worry if there is no return date specified or no "please contact my colleague XYZ in my absence". My dear SA doesn't even have Out-of-office autoreply on when she's on holiday (and it feels like she's on more holidays than I am! ), so sometimes I don't get a response for 2 weeks and then get "so sorry I was on holiday!! Back now, and very much looking forward to seeing you on [this date]! Send me your wishlist".

 

[C.F.]

What an absolute sick joke . Currently in Paris . I tried to get a leather appointment via the lottery website with both my husband’s passport number as well as mine . Different emails , different phone numbers . I tried 4 days in a row , only to get denied every single time . The final day , they didn’t even bother to send us denial emails , or no such luck emails , and when I emailed the client email provided on their email they sent , I asked why I had not gotten a rejection or a confirmation, and they replied , “ just take the no email response as a rejection “ . I was like isn’t it all computer generated anyways since it’s a lottery . This whole lottery system thing is such a joke . Its ridiculous. I know I’m only venting here and there are bigger problems in in the world . “People are dying Kim” , but it’s just so deflating and upsetting . I even went into to all the Hermes stores trying to ask for a canceled appointment and nothing happened . They were all booked for the day . I’m can’t believe I wasted so much time , energy and efforts while on my vacation . I’m very tired of trying for a Birkin bag . It’s NEVER going to happen from a boutique at this point . This will be my 6th year trying from the boutique and I am just sick to my stomach over trying . I have wasted so much time and energy out of my life trying to secure something that will never ever come . On top of all of that , the employees are garbage people with terrible attitudes . I’m sure I’d turn into an awful person when people treat me like garbage when I tell them that there is nothing to offer them . The whole Paris appointment system is just a scam and I doubt anyone posting their success is letting you know the full story . *Rant Over*

 

[gogingercat]

What an absolute sick joke . Currently in Paris . I tried to get a leather appointment via the lottery website with both my husband’s passport number as well as mine . Different emails , different phone numbers . I tried 4 days in a row , only to get denied every single time . The final day , they didn’t even bother to send us denial emails , or no such luck emails , and when I emailed the client email provided on their email they sent , I asked why I had not gotten a rejection or a confirmation, and they replied , “ just take the no email response as a rejection “ . I was like isn’t it all computer generated anyways since it’s a lottery . This whole lottery system thing is such a joke . Its ridiculous. I know I’m only venting here and there are bigger problems in in the world . “People are dying Kim” , but it’s just so deflating and upsetting . I even went into to all the Hermes stores trying to ask for a canceled appointment and nothing happened . They were all booked for the day . I’m can’t believe I wasted so much time , energy and efforts while on my vacation . I’m very tired of trying for a Birkin bag . It’s NEVER going to happen from a boutique at this point . This will be my 6th year trying from the boutique and I am just sick to my stomach over trying . I have wasted so much time and energy out of my life trying to secure something that will never ever come . On top of all of that , the employees are garbage people with terrible attitudes . I’m sure I’d turn into an awful person when people treat me like garbage when I tell them that there is nothing to offer them . The whole Paris appointment system is just a scam and I doubt anyone posting their success is letting you know the full story . *Rant Over*

If you're that desperate for a bag, you could always just buy one off resale? Then you can also pick the color and hardware to your liking. From your post history it doesn't sound like you're interested in other H items so I don't think you would want to shop from the boutique anyways.

Also from what I've gathered on this forum the Paris lottery is very competitive, so there are going to be many others who didn't get an appointment. Your experience is going to be the majority experience. think it's unhealthy to hyperfixate on the success stories because those are rare cases.

And before you come after me lol, I'm very new to H, only started shopping this year, don't own any BKs but I'm not in any rush to get a bag. I think you should just take it slow and maybe consider resale. Don't let the Paris appointment ruin your vacation. It's just a bag...

 

[periogirl28]

 

[londonbridge1605]

What an absolute sick joke . Currently in Paris . I tried to get a leather appointment via the lottery website with both my husband’s passport number as well as mine . Different emails , different phone numbers . I tried 4 days in a row , only to get denied every single time . The final day , they didn’t even bother to send us denial emails , or no such luck emails , and when I emailed the client email provided on their email they sent , I asked why I had not gotten a rejection or a confirmation, and they replied , “ just take the no email response as a rejection “ . I was like isn’t it all computer generated anyways since it’s a lottery . This whole lottery system thing is such a joke . Its ridiculous. I know I’m only venting here and there are bigger problems in in the world . “People are dying Kim” , but it’s just so deflating and upsetting . I even went into to all the Hermes stores trying to ask for a canceled appointment and nothing happened . They were all booked for the day . I’m can’t believe I wasted so much time , energy and efforts while on my vacation . I’m very tired of trying for a Birkin bag . It’s NEVER going to happen from a boutique at this point . This will be my 6th year trying from the boutique and I am just sick to my stomach over trying . I have wasted so much time and energy out of my life trying to secure something that will never ever come . On top of all of that , the employees are garbage people with terrible attitudes . I’m sure I’d turn into an awful person when people treat me like garbage when I tell them that there is nothing to offer them . The whole Paris appointment system is just a scam and I doubt anyone posting their success is letting you know the full story . *Rant Over*

Oh gosh.. I can feel your frustrations. Girl it’s just that you’ve chosen the wrong month to visit Paris. August is when Paris empties out - bag artisans, shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and bakers leave too. Hence stock level for bags are low.

The appointment system is not a scam. I got a slot this year and my friend scored one last year. I accompanied her to her appt.

It’s a lottery system and demand far outstrips supply of appointments. While I’ve been lucky this year, my mantra has always been to maintain the relationship with my home store and anything else from Paris is a bonus.

Hope you’ll feel better soon. Cheer up and enjoy the remaining of your holiday!

 

[A1aGypsy]

What an absolute sick joke . Currently in Paris . I tried to get a leather appointment via the lottery website with both my husband’s passport number as well as mine . Different emails , different phone numbers . I tried 4 days in a row , only to get denied every single time . The final day , they didn’t even bother to send us denial emails , or no such luck emails , and when I emailed the client email provided on their email they sent , I asked why I had not gotten a rejection or a confirmation, and they replied , “ just take the no email response as a rejection “ . I was like isn’t it all computer generated anyways since it’s a lottery . This whole lottery system thing is such a joke . Its ridiculous. I know I’m only venting here and there are bigger problems in in the world . “People are dying Kim” , but it’s just so deflating and upsetting . I even went into to all the Hermes stores trying to ask for a canceled appointment and nothing happened . They were all booked for the day . I’m can’t believe I wasted so much time , energy and efforts while on my vacation . I’m very tired of trying for a Birkin bag . It’s NEVER going to happen from a boutique at this point . This will be my 6th year trying from the boutique and I am just sick to my stomach over trying . I have wasted so much time and energy out of my life trying to secure something that will never ever come . On top of all of that , the employees are garbage people with terrible attitudes . I’m sure I’d turn into an awful person when people treat me like garbage when I tell them that there is nothing to offer them . The whole Paris appointment system is just a scam and I doubt anyone posting their success is letting you know the full story . *Rant Over*

I’m sorry you feel this way and that their “system” has caused you unrest. People will say that “it’s just a bag” and that is accurate. However, it is also a system designed to create the very fervour that it does and that seems manipulative and unfair. People, due to their own life circumstances, can get caught up in it. Good, right minded thinking people. And then they get down on themselves for getting caught in it and then we add frustration and shame and irritation to the mix and it becomes a whole big snowball of feelings that has little to do with a few scraps of leather.

I hope you are able to break away and focus on the beauty of Paris. And forget the boutiques. Buy preloved. Or, better yet, find a fashion house that WILL offer you the shopping experience you are looking for and buy a beautiful bag from them.

 

[CherryBomb2305]

What an absolute sick joke . Currently in Paris . I tried to get a leather appointment via the lottery website with both my husband’s passport number as well as mine . Different emails , different phone numbers . I tried 4 days in a row , only to get denied every single time . The final day , they didn’t even bother to send us denial emails , or no such luck emails , and when I emailed the client email provided on their email they sent , I asked why I had not gotten a rejection or a confirmation, and they replied , “ just take the no email response as a rejection “ . I was like isn’t it all computer generated anyways since it’s a lottery . This whole lottery system thing is such a joke . Its ridiculous. I know I’m only venting here and there are bigger problems in in the world . “People are dying Kim” , but it’s just so deflating and upsetting . I even went into to all the Hermes stores trying to ask for a canceled appointment and nothing happened . They were all booked for the day . I’m can’t believe I wasted so much time , energy and efforts while on my vacation . I’m very tired of trying for a Birkin bag . It’s NEVER going to happen from a boutique at this point . This will be my 6th year trying from the boutique and I am just sick to my stomach over trying . I have wasted so much time and energy out of my life trying to secure something that will never ever come . On top of all of that , the employees are garbage people with terrible attitudes . I’m sure I’d turn into an awful person when people treat me like garbage when I tell them that there is nothing to offer them . The whole Paris appointment system is just a scam and I doubt anyone posting their success is letting you know the full story . *Rant Over*

It is not because your experience with the lottery appointment has not being successful that you can question other's experience, like they don't tell the truth about it ...

If you want my experience with all the truth :
- Started in 2021 to get an appt : Scored one after 6-7 attempts, was not able to go. Tried walk-in appointment : Was granted one 2 out 3 times but got no QB out of those Walk-ins.

- Applied again at least 100x times between summer 2021 and January 2023 when I finally got an appointment : Got a B30.
- Decided to apply again after 3 months as it might take time before another one : Got an appointment at first try : Got a K28 and a L26.


I am really sorry for you not to be able to get your dream bag but applying just few times for the lottery and not getting one is very common.

Hope you will get what you want at some point