Congratulations on a stupendous Hermes shopping trip! So lucky on all fronts! So lucky your friend who works at Hermes was able to hook you up with a leather appointment, and did I read this correctly, you scored TWO walk-in appointments at 2 different stores, Sevres and FSH? Can you tell us your secret?? Some people have said they have better luck going in the afternoon, what did you think? Also, what did you say to get the walk-in appointment? Did you ask the leather desk specifically for a men's bag and specifically for a Picotin? Do you think that was a better strategy than asking for a cancellation?
Also why didn't you just get the picotin at your leather appointment? Do you think you could have asked the leather SA who sold you the B35 for a pictoin later? Was it the same leather SA who helped you last time you went to FSH? You said you're still looking for a permanent SA... would you consider them your "permanent SA"?
You really did get some very special bags. I love the bleu de prusse color as well. We would love to hear more details so we can be lucky like you too!
Ah ETA: just saw your recent post that you went with your sister back to FSH...but would still love know if you think a specific time of day helped and what exactly you said to get a walk in appt! Did your sister ask for a cancellation or specifically for a Picotin?
Sure! Let me try to elaborate the best I can:
- Before I leave for my trip to Paris, I only had 1 leather appointment confirmed at FSH.
- Day 1: Arrived in Paris; Didn't go to any of H stores. I just checked-in, had dinner, and relaxed.
- Day 2: Went to FSH and got multiple small non-leather items (e.g., tableware).
- Day 3: I just walked into Sevres; went to the leather reception (downstairs) and asked them that I want a men's bag. They checked my profile and asked me to wait. When I finally got paired with the SA, I asked her that I want a Kelly messenger (a PM size, any neutral color, and PHW). The SA came back with a big orange box. She said that they don't have any PM size and only has a GM size left. I tried it on and accepted it.
- Day 5: I showed up for the leather appointment at FSH. I asked for B35 black/PHW/any leather. They did not have the specs I wanted. I was offered to pick either bleu de prusse or bleu jean; both were in togo and GHW. I accepted the bleu de prusse one. The SA also offered me some other non-QBs (e.g., Geta, Roulis, Picotin, etc.), but I declined them all. (My sister and I had no interest for non-QBs anyway...)
- Days 6-8: I kept shopping and got small items (e.g., leather tray, men's RTW, etc.) + I had a 1 day trip to Belgium.
- Day 8: I just helped my sister scoring a Picotin 18 in Ostrich (black/GHW). We just asked for any cancellation and did not mention any specific bags. She originally had no desire of getting a non-QB, but when she saw Picotin in Ostrich, she changed her mind. lol. Prior to Hermes, she shopped at Chanel (located in 19 Rue Cambon). So, we went to the FSH late afternoon. (I honestly don't know if late afternoon was good, but it just worked out for us.)
- Day 9: Came back in the US. (My flight was at 1 pm-ish, so didn't do any shopping.)
*Note: I had all different SAs at FSH and Sevres for all bags and non-leather items.
Some additional thoughts:
- I was in FSH and Sevres last January. So, some of SAs actually recognized me. I am not sure if that was helpful.
- To me, it is easier to score a QB in Paris but not with the exact specs I want. In January, I was hoping to get a B40 or K42 during my leather appointment in FSH, and both of them were not available. So, I got a B30 (gris pale and PHW) for my sister. This time, I was actually hoping to get a B35 in black/PHW or PHW with any neutral colors that are not etoupe, blue or green. But, I ended up getting a blue one in GHW. (But, after getting it, I became a fan of it...)
- So, in my home store in the US, I may have to play the game of "pre-spend" and "SA relationship," but my SA will help me get the bag with the exact specs I want. (But, I may have to wait for a long time...) In Paris, I will get a QB easier and instantly (with minimal spending and no SA relationship) but the specs are random.
- I've been shopping at Hermes less than a year thus far. I am getting very close to get it done. But, I am also considering to continue shopping at FSH regularly (twice a year or so) since I have always had great time there. (I actually have lots of mixed feelings with my home store in Madison Maison, and I am not a big fan of "pre-spend" things in the US.)
Hope this helps!