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.

 

[bella_Nr]

Thank you, I have been reading and I think it may be better to buy with my local SA and build a good relationship!

 

[china_doll]

I really want to expand my chances of a bag, I am planning of dressing nicely (Maxamara coat, leather boots and smart trousers kind of vibe), should I wear my rose gold Rolex? I have read they base what they offer on the colours you wear?
Any advice would be so appreciated 🙏

I would keep the Rolex at home to avoid any unwanted attention while traveling in Paris - best of luck!

I second @rose_confetti’s comment on leaving your Rolex at home. DH and I went to Paris a few years ago and were walking around Rue Saint-Honoré when a man from the Fendi store ran over to us and said he was watching these girls following me from his store window and said they are known to steal tourists bags by cutting their straps. I was wearing my Herbag and my outfit was extremely under the radar (very casual) so just be careful if you wear nicer things and be aware of your surroundings!

 

[Peony822]

Sadly no luck this time either. I tried for a walk in at FSH but denied, denied, denied! Although I did buy a swimsuit while I was there, just in case it's something my home store doesn't get (I didn't see any swimsuits there a few weeks earlier but maybe it was too early). I was trying for FSH with the online lottery but the FSH associates said to select no preference for a better chance at getting one, and I actually did score an appointment at Sevres, but walked away empty handed. The problem is I'm really looking for another classic Kelly in a dark or neutral color, size 28 or 25, so I'm pretty specific in what I want. I was open to black, dark brown, etupe, or gold. The sales associate I had was actually quite nice but he explained it's better to be open minded because their store mostly gets colors, limited edition pieces, etc. He didn't end up having anything for me. He brought out a black constance but I was only interested in a like creme color like craie or nata [edit: for a constance specifically]. I also saw a beige marfa kelly but I just don't like the color that much (too greenish for my taste), I didn't love the leather and it was gold hardware (I prefer silver), so just too many strikes against it but he said it was the closest thing they had to what I was looking for. It is what it is I guess! I think that's the issue though with a Sevres appointment. I personally have found the staff there to be MUCH more pleasant but it's the second time I had an appointment there (first was a walk in) and they just didn't have anything, at least not for me If you just want A bag and you're really open to style/color then I recommend that store as it's much more sane than FSH, but if you're really on the hunt for a classic B or K then I think FSH gives you the best chance of actually getting the bag you want since they have more stock, assuming you can get that elusive appointment... So if anyone else has tips for how they got an FSH appointment please share! I'm going to try again in April but not getting my hopes up :/

Thank you for sharing your experience! Sorry they didn’t have the bag that you wanted I’m going in April as well. I’m thinking of going to the FSH first to get some items I already want and possibly ask for a leather appointment. It’s my first time in Paris so I’m so excited! Not getting my hopes up though as I’m still able to buy the items I had already thought of purchasing. Wishing us both luck in April!!

 

[oohshinythings]

Hi , I was hoping for some advice!
I am going to Paris next week with my Mum, I have had a wish list for a year in the uk for a neutral coloured B25 with rose gold hardwear and it’s not been fulfilled.

I am hoping to get a Paris app, and if not try for a walk in app. I want to buy while I’m there a Kelly belt, a couple of silk scarves and the men’s fresh boots for my husband and maybe a couple of other things (orans etc) . Should I buy all these at once with one SA or split up my purchases between stores to try for a walk in app? Which store would you recommend if I were to buy all at once?

I really want to expand my chances of a bag, I am planning of dressing nicely (Maxamara coat, leather boots and smart trousers kind of vibe), should I wear my rose gold Rolex? I have read they base what they offer on the colours you wear?
Any advice would be so appreciated 🙏

And also to set expectations, it is Fashion Week in Paris through this Tues, so it's going to be busy and potentially low stock given the hurricane of VIPs who are in town right now.

 

[Deleted 793791]

Question: Is a constance bag a quota bag in Paris (FSH, Sevres, or George V)? Thanks.

 

[periogirl28]

Question: Is a constance bag a quota bag in Paris (FSH, Sevres, or George V)? Thanks.

No it is not.

 

[ss123]

Hello I have a question we are travelling in the summer to Paris and I have a lot of fine china, RTW, Shoes, belts that I need to buy. I am going to try for a leather appointment too. I am not sure if I will be lucky. In the past when you are buying all the other stuff does your SA from the other departments help you with a leather appointment? TIA

 

[periogirl28]

Hello I have a question we are travelling in the summer to Paris and I have a lot of fine china, RTW, Shoes, belts that I need to buy. I am going to try for a leather appointment too. I am not sure if I will be lucky. In the past when you are buying all the other stuff does your SA from the other departments help you with a leather appointment? TIA

I don't think anyone can really say for certain. There have been SAs who have helped and then we have heard of SAs who say they are not able to. The only SAs I can say for certain will assist across all departments are those who are designated Charges de Clients. Hope this helps.

 

[Hautedistrict]

If you have an SA in Paris and haven’t received 2 QBs this year from a location where they can see your account, and if you haven’t been blocked from purchasing QBs in Paris (banned) none of the holidays, events mentioned on social media or circumstances will impact your ability to purchase a QB.

Why would you be banned from purchasing a bag, do you know the reasons they would banned someone.

 

[880]

Hello I have a question we are travelling in the summer to Paris and I have a lot of fine china, RTW, Shoes, belts that I need to buy. I am going to try for a leather appointment too. I am not sure if I will be lucky. In the past when you are buying all the other stuff does your SA from the other departments help you with a leather appointment? TIA

Depending on what you are looking for, there is no guarantee that your items, especially home ware, will be in stock. In NY Madison and other flagships, wait time for fine china and St Louis crystal has been 18-24 months for some lines, due to serious production issues. This summer will be packed with tourists bc of the Olympics, and my SA has said since last year that her regular clients will not be shopping then, if they can avoid it.

It cannot hurt to try for an appointment, but conventional wisdom on this thread seemed to be that it would be more certain to build up one’s local home profile in terms of bag acquisition. This was because, in 2023, so many with lottery appts or walk in appts reported no luck with QBs even with high prespend. In my experience only, which is advance scheduled appt, not lottery or walk in request, FSH SAs simply don’t care if you have prespend bc they are not on commission. Even a charge de clientele, whom I was told do not normally take walk ins, may enlist other SAs to help in certain departments, such as men’s RTW. Other reports differ dramatically, so I can only speak as to my own experience.

I have no knowledge re official bans for purchases, but some clients from Asia have reported that they were refused the opportunity to purchase a QB bc they used their allotment at home. This has not happened to me, and it’s my understanding that Paris and NY profiles are not really connected. But, in my experience, if an SA from FSH or my home store wish to offer me a bag, a way will be found.

@Hautedistrict , I just read your acct below; that’s so terrible. I am so sorry you and your sister had to go through that.

 

[Hautedistrict]

I was in paris during Fashion Week, while I wasn't actively seeking a bag since I bought one in October that I hadn't yet used, my sister was looking for a bag in either nata or craie. Knowing a SA in Paris, I asked if they could arrange a leather appointment. We went on Friday, and he spoke the lady at the desk who initially scheduled me for Monday, which happened to be the SA's day off. I thanked her and left, but about 15 minutes later, she called to inform me that she had made a mistake and could only fit me in on Wednesday. On Wednesday, when we checked in at the leather desk, we were surprised to find our appointment was with the SA I knew. He acted surprised and kept saying, "Oh, I'm shocked; you're so lucky." He then asked if I planned to buy any jewelry or other items along with the bag, which made me uncomfortable as I realized the nature of the appointment. We explained that we had attempted to shop there but couldn't find the sizes we needed, nor could the store order the items we wanted. We have asked for different QB and non QB bags in different style and sizes the most important thing was the colour more than the bag, he asked like he is making and efforts to find what we asked for and offering alternative items, but he kept returning empty-handed, apologising that the bags he see on his phone cant be found inside and that he was shocked (again) that the store is empty from any handbags and items. I disliked feeling pressured to buy things I didn't want; I already have an impressive collection of bags and shoes, and the ready-to-wear items don't suit my body. Ultimately, we left, feeling that we were pressure to purchase items to be offered anything. To be honest i should have seen this coming as he was telling the lady at the leather desk to look at how well we are dressed and how much we will spend in the store in french ( they didn’t know we understand french).

 

[Deleted 793791]

Question: When I was in Paris this past January, the FSH did not have any stock for B40 or K42. I am now hoping to get a B35 (palladium hardware + black color [or other neutral colors and not etoupe or blue-ish ones] + hopefully seliier [but retourne is OK]). Does anyone know the levels of stocks in FSH for big bags such as B35? TIA!

 

[gi201]

Why would you be banned from purchasing a bag, do you know the reasons they would banned someone.

Generally speaking from what I've been told, unethical business behavior. It can come from a corporate level issue or a store incident (s). Sometimes it isn't necessarily a ban, but a suspicion that one is there to "flip" bags.

 

[QuelleFromage]

It's not accurate that stock does not vary in Paris, or that holidays and events don't impact availability of bags

There are times when the stores are more crowded - PFW, the upcoming Olympics - and it's not always possible for production to ramp up to meet demand. I would not be surprised if the Olympic hordes deplete stock.

There is increased production pre- winter holidays.

I do think the dearth of bags during and after August (in a year where we don't have the Olympics) is exaggerated, but it's not a total myth. The stores are much quieter then, as locals have gone away. H is a smart business (excluding its website LOL) and they know how to manage the ebb and flow of supply.

In addition, the way the bag pool works during leather appointments , if there are a lot of people looking at bags, there are logically fewer bags available for each appointment. I have seen SAs patiently waiting outside a room to "nab" a bag for another client who has requested those specs.

 

[banislandresident]

Just got back from shopping at FSH for first time and omg, what an experience. I didn’t expect the stock to be so good (I guess it is the flagship after all). I was able to get items I’ve been waiting for for months from my home store such as a calvi duo, constance slim wallet and some homeware items.

It was unsurprisingly so crowded in every department. People were coming to the leather desk asking for cancellations every minute. They were told to apply online and given a QR code for the website.