Paris trip for Hermes

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#29,204
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.
 
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#38,972
706MadisonAv said:
I had all 3 different leather SAs at FSH for B30 in January, and B35 and Picotin 18 this month.

Oh, I forgot to mention one more thing: In Sevres, the SA that offered me the Kelly Messenger said that the SAs rotate their departments. So, she worked in the leather dept when I got the bag. But, in other days, she works in RTW, etc. (I thought it would make sense since they don't get commission??)

I also love H stores in Paris because all items were like 30% cheaper than the US after accounting for the tax refund and exchange rate.

For my jacket (https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/jeu-d-adresse-varsity-jacket-H457810HA01XXS/), for example, I paid 1,500€ in Paris. But, I would get the 150€ refund (10%). So, it would be (1500-150) x 1.09 [exchange rate] = USD $1,471.50 for me. If I had gotten the same jacket in Madison Maison, I would have to pay for $1,950 + taxes (8.875%) = $2,123.06. So, I saved $651.56 (=2,123.06 - 1,471.50) for this jacket alone. It was a fun part of trip, and makes me feel comfortable to coming back to Paris more regularly. :biggrin:
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Yes, the discount in Paris is a great deal! You may also want to factor in the duty tax upon arrival back in the U.S. which ranges depending on the item and the situation. Technically leather is a 9% duty tax, but if you are lucky and get a nice agent, they may charge a flat rate of 3% across the board. FYI, in case you didn't remember to declare on this trip, I was told by U.S. Customs that they receive an email from French customs when you file your VAT paperwork upon departure so they are aware. You may want to be careful the next time you travel. I always voluntarily declare, even if I am not flagged, and they can look in the computer and see everything that I bought so I never lie. I have Global Entry, so there is no paperwork or anything and even when I am waved through, I voluntarily approach the agent and tell them I have items to declare. Mostly because I'm scared they will catch me if I don't and confiscate my bag!!! ("don't take my bag!!!")

One more question... how did you arrange your leather appointment for this trip since it wasn't the same SA as last time? Was your other SA unavailable and set you up with another SA? This happened to me before but my leather SA had left and no one got back to me to arrange an appointment with another SA so I was kind of stuck. Luckily, I had a great relationship with my FJ SA who was able to arrange a leather appointment for me through her manager. Honestly, so much luck involved with shopping at Hermes lol!
 
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#38,973
706MadisonAv said:
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!
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You are very kind to respond in such great detail!
 
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#38,975
masschaoz said:
Just curious.. are we actually able to arrange appointments directly with leather bag SAs? Or it’s specifically for those who can shop across all departments
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If I’m not mistaken and I’m sure someone will chime in on this, if you have a SA that can help across all metiers you can schedule an appt. A SA that’s only in leather may not be able to schedule an appt in advance.

In my experience I’ve not been able to secure an appt with my leather SA in advance. She’s told me she can no longer offer that to me 🤷🏻‍♀️
 
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#38,976
Heya,

Today, although I left with just a piece of sugar, I had a wonderful day at FSH.

I had a long chat with a very sweet SA. In summary, she didn't make me buy any other products to get a bag offer. Since I'll be in Paris for a while, she advised me to try the QR code every day. If I'm not successful, she said to come in and request an appointment, mentioning this. She also warned me to try only once a day and that writing my name multiple times could flag me as fake.
 

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#38,977
rumes said:
Heya,

Today, although I left with just a piece of sugar, I had a wonderful day at FSH.

I had a long chat with a very sweet SA. In summary, she didn't make me buy any other products to get a bag offer. Since I'll be in Paris for a while, she advised me to try the QR code every day. If I'm not successful, she said to come in and request an appointment, mentioning this. She also warned me to try only once a day and that writing my name multiple times could flag me as fake.
Click to expand...

That's great! This sounds like a much nicer experience than the previous one you wrote about before!
 
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#38,979
SDC2003 said:
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.
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It’s not true. They do offer bkc at this juncture. Was able to choose from a list of Ks because of a weird situation
 
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#38,980
Bdbunny said:
Yes, the discount in Paris is a great deal! You may also want to factor in the duty tax upon arrival back in the U.S. which ranges depending on the item and the situation. Technically leather is a 9% duty tax, but if you are lucky and get a nice agent, they may charge a flat rate of 3% across the board. FYI, in case you didn't remember to declare on this trip, I was told by U.S. Customs that they receive an email from French customs when you file your VAT paperwork upon departure so they are aware. You may want to be careful the next time you travel. I always voluntarily declare, even if I am not flagged, and they can look in the computer and see everything that I bought so I never lie. I have Global Entry, so there is no paperwork or anything and even when I am waved through, I voluntarily approach the agent and tell them I have items to declare. Mostly because I'm scared they will catch me if I don't and confiscate my bag!!! ("don't take my bag!!!")

One more question... how did you arrange your leather appointment for this trip since it wasn't the same SA as last time? Was your other SA unavailable and set you up with another SA? This happened to me before but my leather SA had left and no one got back to me to arrange an appointment with another SA so I was kind of stuck. Luckily, I had a great relationship with my FJ SA who was able to arrange a leather appointment for me through her manager. Honestly, so much luck involved with shopping at Hermes lol!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I love your suggestions, and they are very helpful. I am also registered in the global entry system and one of the officers asked me some questions when I came back; I answered them well and did not have any issue. I will try to be more careful in the next subsequent visits.

Regarding your question, I just have a friend who works in the Hermes of Paris. He was able to get me the appointment. This is why I had all random leather SAs, but was still able to secure bags, I think. I am still hoping to find the right SA in FSH for me someday...
 
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#38,982
masschaoz said:
It’s not true. They do offer bkc at this juncture. Was able to choose from a list of Ks because of a weird situation
Click to expand...
masschaoz said:
Just curious.. are we actually able to arrange appointments directly with leather bag SAs? Or it’s specifically for those who can shop across all departments
Click to expand...
@masschaoz appreciate it if you could share more context on how you got your K offers and whether your SA was a leather or non-leather SA who serves across depts. Many thanks in advance!
 
#38,983
londonbridge1605 said:
@masschaoz appreciate it if you could share more context on how you got your K offers and whether your SA was a leather or non-leather SA who serves across depts. Many thanks in advance!
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It was a walk in appt upon asking for cancellation. So it was with a randomly assigned Leather SA who happens to be the same sa who serve my wife last year. Hence I was saying they do offer qb for lottery leather appts now. I only had a small prespend for a card holder this year.
 
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#38,985
londonbridge1605 said:
Oh wow! That’s incredible! Congrats on the score!
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Yup thank you. I vaguely rem I was sharing she’s the scariest (most stern) SA we had ever met in any Hermes last year. This time I was able to build some rapport given the incredible coincidence and almost the same date of offer. So in reality she’s a very nice lady but just very serious under certain circumstances.
 
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