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.

 

[Gin&H]

Possibly the SA didn’t know. Mine has no idea what shopping at H in Paris is really like lol. I’m just recently returned from a few days in Paris and I didn’t bother going to any of the boutiques at all. My SA will be quite disappointed that I won’t have any good stories to share when I next see her.

My SA said the same to me…three years ago when Paris was still super quiet due to COVID. Clearly your SA is behind the times.
BUT, on a positive note, they know exactly what you are hoping for so when they offer you a bag, it’ll be one you love!

That’s true the SA may have not known. I forget that not everyone is as informed like TPFers! LOL

 

[mmvv22]

This is a long shot.
Last year, I was able to shop leather goods via walk-in at FSH, but did not get the SA’s contact information.
I’m heading back to Paris next month and hoping that lightning strikes twice. Does anybody know how I might be able to contact the lovely SA that I worked with if I failed to get his business card?
Thank you!

I know this is 6 months old post, just wanted to follow up if you were able to make an appointment with the SA?

Last years the SA from leather department who offered me a B, gave me his business card. Business card has SAs first and last name and department “maroquinerie”. But in a corner where are supposed to be phone number and email there are a website to online appointment, and the phone number of FSH store. I was hoping to send a whatsup message or email politely asking if it’s possible to make an appointment in advance. But when I checked number in whatsup it’s not registered there. Then I compared it to store phone number on Google and it’s phone number of the store.

Should I just walk in and ask if he is available to speak in person first day I’m in Paris. Any suggestions from people who had similar situation?

I also have a business card of the SA from RTW but this one has mobile phone and email. I will try to send message and make appointment for rtw since I am planning to purchase one items anyway regardless if I’ll get leather appointment or not. But would be nice of course to score leather appointment in advance if it’s possible

 

[periogirl28]

I know this is 6 months old post, just wanted to follow up if you were able to make an appointment with the SA?

Last years the SA from leather department who offered me a B, gave me his business card. Business card has SAs first and last name and department “maroquinerie”. But in a corner where are supposed to be phone number and email there are a website to online appointment, and the phone number of FSH store. I was hoping to send a whatsup message or email politely asking if it’s possible to make an appointment in advance. But when I checked number in whatsup it’s not registered there. Then I compared it to store phone number on Google and it’s phone number of the store.

Should I just walk in and ask if he is available to speak in person first day I’m in Paris. Any suggestions from people who had similar situation?

I also have a business card of the SA from RTW but this one has mobile phone and email. I will try to send message and make appointment for rtw since I am planning to purchase one items anyway regardless if I’ll get leather appointment or not. But would be nice of course to score leather appointment in advance if it’s possible

I would make an appointment via email or WA with the RTW SA and see how that goes first.

 

[hbr]

I would make an appointment via email or WA with the RTW SA and see how that goes first.

Agree with this. I would definitely still use that other SAs info when you are at the store. You can always use his name and tell the hostess that he helped you last time and that he told you to ask for him the next time you are at the store. I’ve done this, and it has worked for me in the past. Although, this is a few years ago and things are very different now, but it’s definitely worth a try.

 

[Luluthefrenchie]

Hi all! Been a long time lurker and thought I’d add to the discussion based on my experience. I’m in Paris right now with my husband - 0/3 (for each of us) on Lottery appointments. We went to the store near Arc de Triomphe (George V). The employee at the leather counter must have received 3-4 request cancellations in the span of not even 5 minutes. She was NOT having it and pointed all to the website (don’t blame her!). I saw 2 women for a leather appointment wait probably 10-15 mins, but then left? I wonder if they didn’t get a bag

It was a small store too, so we felt very rushed. We will be near FSH later this week and will see if we can go in for a quick visit. Wondering if a mid day visit will be calmer? Will update this group!

I’ve been a long time lurker as well and now that our Paris trip is coming up, I’m trying to catch up on all the tips/insights! Curious to know what your experiences have been so far? Are the other stores seemingly less crowded than FSH?

 

[shermes]

Helloo long time no speak! I’ve been reading the forum over the past few days - has anyone had any success stories of receiving a Mini Kelly recently? Would love to hear about it. I’m going to Paris next month and have booked in with my SA there **fingers crossed**

 

[periogirl28]

Helloo long time no speak! I’ve been reading the forum over the past few days - has anyone had any success stories of receiving a Mini Kelly recently? Would love to hear about it. I’m going to Paris next month and have booked in with my SA there **fingers crossed**

Was really very fortunate to be offered a Mini Kelly in Ostrich by my SA just two weeks ago. It wasn't something I requested so a very nice surprise indeed. Good luck!

 

[shermes]

Was really very fortunate to be offered a Mini Kelly in Ostrich by my SA just two weeks ago. It wasn't something I requested so a very nice surprise indeed. Good luck!

Congratulations! You always get fantastic offers 😍🌟 what colour did you get offered?

 

[periogirl28]

Congratulations! You always get fantastic offers 😍🌟 what colour did you get offered?

Thank you. I was shown a few things but decided to be good and just go home with an Aizome in the shade Hanada. Do keep us posted!

 

[Midge Maisel]

That’s terrible. I’m really sorry. I’d be annoyed!

I was annoyed...and then I decided that hey, my trip was a lot less expensive than I'd anticipated, and I'd have more room in my suitcase. And my SA is about to get a lesson on the state of Paris leather appointments.

🤣 you had me actually LOL.

Glad to be of service!

I’m sorry that you SA wasn’t upfront with how crazy it’s gotten at FSH and that you weren’t able to even get an appointment in Paris. I hope your home SA gets you your bag soon! ❤️

I'm imagining they'll be somewhat apologetic, especially once I explain, and I wouldn't be surprised if it moved me back up the proverbial (or perhaps literal) list a little bit.

My SA said the same to me…three years ago when Paris was still super quiet due to COVID. Clearly your SA is behind the times.
BUT, on a positive note, they know exactly what you are hoping for so when they offer you a bag, it’ll be one you love!

Yeah, it's not that it was always bad advice, it's that it's outdated advice. I'm somewhat surprised that someone actively working in an H store wouldn't have any idea how wild it's gotten, but I guess I shouldn't be.

 

[Eltana]

Helloo long time no speak! I’ve been reading the forum over the past few days - has anyone had any success stories of receiving a Mini Kelly recently? Would love to hear about it. I’m going to Paris next month and have booked in with my SA there **fingers crossed**

A month ago my SA offered a ML in vert vertigo clemence leather with GHW. I declined because I am looking for warm colors. Hope you will get one during your trip!

 

[shermes]

Btw I completely forgot to share my experience from my last trip in Paris (November 2023)

I went for a long weekend with my family and was staying in FS George V so decided to only focus on H George V. For those wondering hotel concierge at FS can no longer assist with leather appointments.

Day 1 - I asked the leather desk if there were any cancellations which they politely said no and to try via lottery. Anyway I browsed around the boutique and a number of SAs stopped me to discuss the SO I was carrying and it was lovely to share my story with them! A few other SAs asked if they could help which I politely declined until the last SA came over and asked and I just had a good feeling about this one! So I enquired some items some of which they had and others they didn’t. I asked what department they specialise in which was FJ - I’m not a big FJ person but let’s have a look as this is your area of expertise! So I tried on a few rings and fell in love with one and purchased it along with the other items. We were chatting away, talking about everything and I mentioned that I would love to go home with a QB if it’s possible.

I told the SA that I’d like to get my mother’s opinion on a few items and they said come back with her on X day.

Anyway I went back the next day on their day off as my brother wanted to purchase some items and again we went to the leather desk and asked the SA who was working with us (same answer).

Then comes the following day, I have a time booked in with the SA from day 1. They bring out the items that I was “umming and arring” over and got my mums opinion. The SA then said let me go and check if there’s any cancellations.. I said do you want me to come bc they’ll recognise me and they said no (LOL) I’ll be back keep browsing. After 10-15 mins my SA comes back says there’s been a cancellation… and was given the choice of continuing on the shop floor or private room. So we go to the private room, champagne is flowing and so it begins!!

The SA told me to be very specific with what I wanted but to give them a broad range so I can have successful chance of receiving an offer. So I explained my current collection 2 B25 (Sellier & Retourne) and a K28. I said my ideal choice is MK in bright or pastel colours but open to K25. No birkins for now.

I was offered the following:
Kelly Elan in Noir Chèvre Chamkila GHW
Kelly 25 Retourne Vert Fizz Swift PHW
Kelly 25 Sellier Vert Comics Epsom PHW
Kelly 25 Retourne Rose Mexico Togo PHW

What’s interesting is you can only have 2 bags in the room so I had to keep choosing which bag goes back to the stock room and it could have been taken by a different SA at any moment so I had to choose wisely!!

It was a tough choice but I ended up going for the Rose Mexico. It was truly one of the best days ever and something I will never forget.

 

[periogirl28]

Btw I completely forgot to share my experience from my last trip in Paris (November 2023)

I went for a long weekend with my family and was staying in FS George V so decided to only focus on H George V. For those wondering hotel concierge at FS can no longer assist with leather appointments.

Day 1 - I asked the leather desk if there were any cancellations which they politely said no and to try via lottery. Anyway I browsed around the boutique and a number of SAs stopped me to discuss the SO I was carrying and it was lovely to share my story with them! A few other SAs asked if they could help which I politely declined until the last SA came over and asked and I just had a good feeling about this one! So I enquired some items some of which they had and others they didn’t. I asked what department they specialise in which was FJ - I’m not a big FJ person but let’s have a look as this is your area of expertise! So I tried on a few rings and fell in love with one and purchased it along with the other items. We were chatting away, talking about everything and I mentioned that I would love to go home with a QB if it’s possible.

I told the SA that I’d like to get my mother’s opinion on a few items and they said come back with her on X day.

Anyway I went back the next day on their day off as my brother wanted to purchase some items and again we went to the leather desk and asked the SA who was working with us (same answer).

Then comes the following day, I have a time booked in with the SA from day 1. They bring out the items that I was “umming and arring” over and got my mums opinion. The SA then said let me go and check if there’s any cancellations.. I said do you want me to come bc they’ll recognise me and they said no (LOL) I’ll be back keep browsing. After 10-15 mins my SA comes back and I said soo what did they say…. And my SA said there’s been a cancellation… we can either go now or at X time which was around 30 mins later. I said OMG LETS GO NOW super excited I was scrambling 🤣 and was given the choice of continuing on the shop floor or private room. So we go to the private room, champagne is flowing and the bags are coming in!

The SA told me to be very specific with what I wanted but to give them a broad range so I can have successful chance of receiving an offer. So I explained my current collection 2 B25 (Sellier & Retourne) and a K28. I said my ideal choice is MK in bright or pastel colours but open to K25. No birkins for now.

I was offered the following:
Kelly Elan in Noir Chèvre Chamkila GHW
Kelly 25 Retourne Vert Fizz Swift PHW
Kelly 25 Sellier Vert Comics Epsom PHW
Kelly 25 Retourne Rose Mexico Togo PHW

What’s interesting is you can only have 2 bags in the room so I had to keep choosing which bag goes back to the stock room and it could have been taken by a different SA at any moment so I had to choose wisely!!

It was a tough choice but I ended up going for the Rose Mexico. It was truly one of the best days ever and something I will never forget.

How nice! Congrats on the Rose Mexico, it sounds absolutely lovely! We were in Paris in Nov last year as well!

 

[SDC2003]

Paris imo is going to be impossible for bags between now and the end of the Olympics. They’re likely holding back bags which is why spend doesn’t matter unless there’s an existing sa relationship. Best bet for anyone wanting a qb or even non qb between now and fall is shop locally. There will be millions of throngs of tourists and all sorts of athletes and notables descending upon Paris in July and August and there is only so much inventory.

Edit: and to put things into perspective approximately 15 million visitors are expected for the Olympics. Last year about 6 million visited Paris in July and August. I forgot to mention the paraolympics go till September so my guess is don’t bother with Paris till fall.

 

[hbr]

Paris imo is going to be impossible for bags between now and the end of the Olympics. They’re likely holding back bags which is why spend doesn’t matter unless there’s an existing sa relationship. Best bet for anyone wanting a qb or even non qb between now and fall is shop locally. There will be millions of throngs of tourists and all sorts of athletes and notables descending upon Paris in July and August and there is only so much inventory.

Edit: and to put things into perspective approximately 15 million visitors are expected for the Olympics. Last year about 6 million visited Paris in July and August. I forgot to mention the paraolympics go till September so my guess is don’t bother with Paris till fall.

Absolutely agree with this! Paris in the summer is usually very busy and this year will only be worse. I’ve never had great luck in the summers with getting an appt (except for my first QB back in 2016 before the online appt system was implemented and ppl stood in lines!).