Rome and Milan

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#181
Leah said:
The good news is that picotins or garden party are fairly easy to get at both Rome or Milan. I was in H Milan a few weeks ago and there were at least 2-3 lovely picotins waiting to be sold on the shelves :smile1:



Birkins and Kellys at both stores are virtually impossible to get unless you are a VERY regular high spending local customer.
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Wow that's great!! So can we buy the bags on the shelves? Last time I was in Venice H, the SAs told me those are only for display...?
 
#187
I got a Passé Passé, a Virevolte, a Soie Cool, and a mousse scarf, and a tie for DH at Rome Via Conditta last Saturday. It was very crowded. I was dressed casually, but carrying an Evelyn and wearing a mousse stole. I was immediately helped by a lovely young SA. In and out in an hour. Saw lots of bags that I haven't seen yet in Chicago. By the time I got to the Rome airport Hermes, which was also nicely stocked with Virevolte, Evelyn, Victoria,etc. and lots of nice Clic Clac bracelets, I was shopped out. I love Italy!
 
#188
sandbag said:
I got a Passé Passé, a Virevolte, a Soie Cool, and a mousse scarf, and a tie for DH at Rome Via Conditta last Saturday. It was very crowded. I was dressed casually, but carrying an Evelyn and wearing a mousse stole. I was immediately helped by a lovely young SA. In and out in an hour. Saw lots of bags that I haven't seen yet in Chicago. By the time I got to the Rome airport Hermes, which was also nicely stocked with Virevolte, Evelyn, Victoria,etc. and lots of nice Clic Clac bracelets, I was shopped out. I love Italy!
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Thanks for the info. I'm going to Rome soon. Do you remember what colors and sizes the victorias and evelyn come in?
 
#189
MommyArchitect said:
Thanks for the info. I'm going to Rome soon. Do you remember what colors and sizes the victorias and evelyn come in?
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I only remember there was a beautiful bright red Victoria in the Rome airport Hermes window. Maybe rouge casaque or rouge pivone? The Evelyn inside was either orange or gold I think. But it was weeks ago already, so I'm guessing the stock has changed. Both Via Conditti and airport had very nice stock and very nice SAs. And the prices vs. prices in U.S. were fantastic. And after I got home I got over $1000 in tax refund. I wanna go back! :balloon:
 
#190
hi all, just a quick question, i am travelling all over Europe and really hoping to be able to purchase a B or K by the end of my trip. I met a really lovely SA today in Hermes Milan who told us that there is usually a 1 year waiting list for locals but if you are lucky and the person does not want the bag then they may be able to sell it. He said they may be getting deliveries on Monday and we are welcome to return to try again.
I was originally going to try my luck at FSH in Paris as my husband and I are purchasing several other items as well. Has anyone had any luck with Milan as a walk in? I don't mind doing all my Hermes shopping in Milan if it gives me a higher chance of getting the bag, but don't want to risk buying the H items (wallets, bracelets and some home goods) in Milan and still have no luck at getting bag then going to Paris and not being able to build a rapport with a SA as we had done all our shopping in Milan already.
Anyone have any feedback on the chances of getting the B or K in Milan or is it quite impossible?
 
#191
Oh - reason I am being more hopeful was that we saw a SA bringing out a very large box for a customer and the husband caught a glimpse and the box said Birkin 40. When we went up stairs we saw a Kelly and Birkin on the counter - not sure if it was being offered for sale to the customers looking at it or it was a display and the SA was simply showing it to the customers. (they were a bit slouchy looking)
 
#192
lilyyy said:
Oh - reason I am being more hopeful was that we saw a SA bringing out a very large box for a customer and the husband caught a glimpse and the box said Birkin 40. When we went up stairs we saw a Kelly and Birkin on the counter - not sure if it was being offered for sale to the customers looking at it or it was a display and the SA was simply showing it to the customers. (they were a bit slouchy looking)
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Did you see the B40 in Milan? I was in Rome, Florence and Venice this past week. The same usual answer. No B no K. Bags in display cases were similar in both Rome and Venice. One Kelly on display in Venice not for sale. Rome also had one Kelly on display not for sale.

When in Florence, I tried something different. I stayed at Portrait, a luxury hotel by Ferragamo and asked them to inquire for a bag. They came back with the same answer, no. The hotel told me that nobody does that, only Hermes because they think they can. Clearly, even Ferragamo and the Italians are frowning at that business practice. I never bothered to visit the boutique, figured it's a waste of time for a tourist.

In Venice, I happened to pass by the boutique. So why not invest a few minutes right? I waited for a male associate but a female came. I was really hoping to speak to the guy instead because of my bad luck with female associates. This time I mentioned buying a Kelly for my 10th anniversary (really 11th but 10th sounds more important) with no mention of Birkin since a Kelly was displayed. She flat out said sorry but we really don't have anything. Then I told she I am leaving Venice tomorrow after 3 weeks in Italy and wonder if it's worth it for me to come back. She said I can try but doubts my luck will be good.

After much frustration with the Hermès game of artificially inflating the desirability of their 2 bags, thus making people actually becoming addicted to scoring one like a trophy, my hubby headed a few stores down to Cartier and spent $15k on a watch instead. The result? I am totally happy with finally being treated the way I should be since I am going to the store to spend money, right? Not to be begging?!

All in all, I love the style of the Kelly as well as the Birkin and feel they are the most attractive bags in their collection. No doubt Hermes has the best craftsmanship. But - they are really worth all the stress? In my opinion, no. There are beautiful styles and craftsmenship rivals that of Hermes if not superior in Florence. So why torture myself? There is a fine line between appreciation and losing one's dignity to get one. I'd rather they charge twice as much for one to make it more exclusive than to have these unwritten policies of how you can get one. And if a Birkin and a kelly is not meant to be for the respectable working class of doctors, lawyers and professionals, then it is not meant to be purchased at face value.

Hermès plays this game to so-called fend off resellers. They are actually making the problem worse.

Apology for the long post.
 
#193
MommyArchitect said:
Did you see the B40 in Milan? I was in Rome, Florence and Venice this past week. The same usual answer. No B no K. Bags in display cases were similar in both Rome and Venice. One Kelly on display in Venice not for sale. Rome also had one Kelly on display not for sale.

When in Florence, I tried something different. I stayed at Portrait, a luxury hotel by Ferragamo and asked them to inquire for a bag. They came back with the same answer, no. The hotel told me that nobody does that, only Hermes because they think they can. Clearly, even Ferragamo and the Italians are frowning at that business practice. I never bothered to visit the boutique, figured it's a waste of time for a tourist.

In Venice, I happened to pass by the boutique. So why not invest a few minutes right? I waited for a male associate but a female came. I was really hoping to speak to the guy instead because of my bad luck with female associates. This time I mentioned buying a Kelly for my 10th anniversary (really 11th but 10th sounds more important) with no mention of Birkin since a Kelly was displayed. She flat out said sorry but we really don't have anything. Then I told she I am leaving Venice tomorrow after 3 weeks in Italy and wonder if it's worth it for me to come back. She said I can try but doubts my luck will be good.

After much frustration with the Hermès game of artificially inflating the desirability of their 2 bags, thus making people actually becoming addicted to scoring one like a trophy, my hubby headed a few stores down to Cartier and spent $15k on a watch instead. The result? I am totally happy with finally being treated the way I should be since I am going to the store to spend money, right? Not to be begging?!

All in all, I love the style of the Kelly as well as the Birkin and feel they are the most attractive bags in their collection. No doubt Hermes has the best craftsmanship. But - they are really worth all the stress? In my opinion, no. There are beautiful styles and craftsmenship rivals that of Hermes if not superior in Florence. So why torture myself? There is a fine line between appreciation and losing one's dignity to get one. I'd rather they charge twice as much for one to make it more exclusive than to have these unwritten policies of how you can get one. And if a Birkin and a kelly is not meant to be for the respectable working class of doctors, lawyers and professionals, then it is not meant to be purchased at face value.

Hermès plays this game to so-called fend off resellers. They are actually making the problem worse.

Apology for the long post.
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yeps the B40 was in the Milan store. I returned today, met with the same SA again but this time it was almost like he was avoiding me. The husband was looking at wallets and I was looking for a belt. The SA finally came over to us and said he will check upstairs for any deliveries today (I didn't even ask for the bag just asked for assistance for the other items) He went upstairs while his colleague was helping us with the belts and the wallets. Then another lady came over said some things in Italian to the SA serving us (not the one who went to check on the bag) and then we were told no bags and there wont be another delivery for another week or even a month. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't bother to come down to tell us himself and I kind of felt that they were trying to get us not to return to check again. I completely understand the frustration, my husband is determined to keep trying but its not great getting such dismal service and feel like you have to beg to get the bag, especially when you walk into other fashion houses and get fantastic service as they actually want you to have and carry their items!

we are heading to Paris for the next 4 days so the husband is willing to go everyday to try for me as its his 30th birthday gift to me. *fingers crossed* we get better luck (and service) at FSH!

I've given up and would much rather spend the same amount of money if not more at another store who is willing to provide me with the service!
 
#194
lilyyy said:
yeps the B40 was in the Milan store. I returned today, met with the same SA again but this time it was almost like he was avoiding me. The husband was looking at wallets and I was looking for a belt. The SA finally came over to us and said he will check upstairs for any deliveries today (I didn't even ask for the bag just asked for assistance for the other items) He went upstairs while his colleague was helping us with the belts and the wallets. Then another lady came over said some things in Italian to the SA serving us (not the one who went to check on the bag) and then we were told no bags and there wont be another delivery for another week or even a month. I was a bit disappointed that he didn't bother to come down to tell us himself and I kind of felt that they were trying to get us not to return to check again. I completely understand the frustration, my husband is determined to keep trying but its not great getting such dismal service and feel like you have to beg to get the bag, especially when you walk into other fashion houses and get fantastic service as they actually want you to have and carry their items!

we are heading to Paris for the next 4 days so the husband is willing to go everyday to try for me as its his 30th birthday gift to me. *fingers crossed* we get better luck (and service) at FSH!

I've given up and would much rather spend the same amount of money if not more at another store who is willing to provide me with the service!
Click to expand...

As you've probably read, the line at FSH can now be pretty horrendous. Best of luck and do try the other stores such as Sevres and George V!
 
#195
I got the almost the same treatment in Florence

I went yesterday and wanted to buy some twillies before initiating requests for Lindy / Kelly/ Birkin

She was apologetic and very defensive saying that it was hermes policy and she can't sell the bags on display ( not that I was interested in jypsiere and garden party ) but she kept repeating " maybe tomorrow " or " if u are still around u can try tomorrow " or " we are not sure but you can come back tomorrow to check "

So I took that as a hint and told her that I will go back today to get the twillies and anything else she can offer me tomorrow. she responded by giving me a knowing smile

I went back today and She avoided me by saying that she is serving another customer When she clearly wasn't

She sent another SA to me and I was looking at twillies again and asked the new SA if any bags are available today and she told me no bag as stocks are normally received on Monday but not weekly

I left without buying anything cos I felt very disappointed with the SA the day before who wasn't upfront about not having any bags other than Monday and made me go back today
 
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