Hi, I just returned from Paris. I was there from September 4th to 18th mainly for work but also added on vacation time. I had an opportunity to visit all the stores. I visited FSH on Sept 6th and observed that all the desks were occupied with open boxes containing mainly GP, Picotins and larger Evelynes. I did not see an empty desk which indicated to me that virtually all the offers were being conducted in public, thus few QB were being offered.
George V-had a long line to get in and an even long line to wait for an SA in every department. George V was the only store that had lines, both to get into the store and for assistance in every department... it is truly overrun with customers. If planning a trip to Paris I would recommend staying away from George V as it had a long line every day. I was staying at a hotel in the nearby and it always had a long line.
I was rejected by the lottery at every attempt and I have a purchase history in France. I had an appointment on Wed only to find out that all appointments had been cancelled due to an IT glitch. I did ask for a walk-up appointment a Sevres, they asked what I was looking for and went to inquire but ultimately was rejected, I think because I was asking for a Kelly. I was lucky enough to get to participate in a paper making workshop at Petit H which was a fun and unique.
I was able to secure a walk-up leather appointment at FSH the next day, where I was able to get a Kelly 28 and a new SA, for which I was extremely grateful. I had to wait for ~ 45 minutes for my appointment and I saw several people being granted walk-up appointments. I thought they must have gotten a shipment. However, my SA indicated that they had not gotten new leather stock since the previous week and that they were very low on stock waiting on a shipment. We speculated that they may be holding stock for fashion week. Not sure if the walk-up appointments were being granted because of another IT glitch or cancellations. Just thankful to have gotten an appointment. I had met my SA before as he had been at the leather desk on one of my previous visits and I was surprised when I first saw him as I thought he worked the desk. He indicated that they change off positions as working the desk is very challenging and so one day they may be working the desk the next day the SLG counter and another day appointments. Keep this in mind when asking for walk-up appointments.
During my 3 visits to FSH I had to wait for assistance giving me the opportunity to observe just how the people at the leather appointment desk are treated. They are asked in mass for appointments and many people are not happy about being rejected. I observed numerous entitled people who were verbally abusive to the staff. Several men came in with scantly clad women for whom they were seeking appointments and seemed shocked that they were not granted an appointment and/or could not purchase one of the many bags on display. One such man told the staff that he would be tracking down the CEO and letting him know about the outrageous practices. It was entertaining to watch-but also sad that so many people seem to think that this type of behaviour is acceptable, and/or that it will help them achieve their goals. My advice is to be respectful of the staff and understand they have a difficult job. I do think that they are doing their best under challenging circumstances.
For walk-in appointments I would recommend trying FSH and Sevres. If you don't have an appointment I would suggest allowing some time so that you can observe and try and approach the desk when no one else is around. They are most likely to grant a walk-up appointment to someone when no one else is around. I don't think that purchase history helps secure a lottery appointment but I do think it might help with a walk-in appointment. Always be kind and courteous. I also would not be surprised to see if all appointments in Paris are soon granted only via the lottery. I was told that they now have 20,000 requests a day for appointments.
I also stopped into the Hermes duty free store in the airport there was a wait to get in and everyone asked about bags. I was looking for scarves. I was also interested to see if they had any Passant-long wallets as there was one on display and I had not seen one for a few years. The SA's at the airport were so new that they did not even know the name, I pulled one from my purse and they laughed as said ohh they had not know the name of the wallet, but they could not sell anything in the windows as it was for display purposes only. I asked for a click16 but again I had to show them pictures as they were so new they did not know what I was referring. I was offered Bern wallet (not interested) and a mini Evelyne. I was told that they do get a limited supply of bags at the airport but are selective with whom they offer them to as everyone comes in and asks for bags. They told me that they only had 2 bags in stock both Evelyne and they did not know when they would get more, so they are always selective with whom they offer, so keep this in mind when shopping duty free. I hope that this update is of assistance.
The stores and galleries are welcoming to thosewho browse as well as shop.
TIA