Scoring a Birkin in US

[ouija board]

Skip the Tysons store if that is the Washington to which you will be near. They have zip, zilch in the way of birkins. And I'm betting they'd look at you cross-sided if you even asked if they had one. So sad to say it would be a waste of gas, time and energy and hope to drop in.

May your luck be with you in NY! It seems I've read that Hawaii and perhaps Florida has better odds.

And here's the question for those way more experienced than I -- why can't any store that in the franchise pull in a purse from somewhere else as long as it is not being held for a customer? If there is a sale, there is a sale -- who cares where that sale is.

A sale is a sale to Hermes and to the customer, but for the individual stores, it should matter where the sale is made. If it's anything like the business that I used to manage, transferring inventory to another store without an equal exchange of either money or inventory spells LOSS for the store doing the transferring out. And I'm sure that it could affect their Birkin/Kelly allotment if it looks like they are always moving bags to other stores to be sold. Just an educated guess from someone with little behind the scenes H experience but more management experience than I ever wanted.

 

[abltmusician]

In the past year, I've been fortunate enough to be offered four birkins (Pink 35 w/GHW, Rouge H 30 with GHW, Violet 30 w/GHW and 30 Mykonos Eclat) at Tysons.

I agree with BBL. I got my SO black birkin in NYC--and it was being in the right place at the right time. In my experience, the Tysons store staff is first rate, too. If they have it, they'll show it to you. I can recommend some SAs there (and Madison Avenue) too. Perhaps you can call ahead of time.

etoupebirkin
I definitely need SA recommendations from H store in Madison Avenue. Please kindly do!!!! Thank you so much !

 

[eagle1002us]

I'll be staying at american university when I'm at washington... Will it be far away?

MICHENICHE
From American University you will have to get to Tysons Corner, VA. which is on Route 7. It is possible to do this by public transportation. The route you might take is to take the AU shuttle to the Tenley Park station on Wisconsin Ave. From there, go to the East Falls Church station in Va. You will have to transfer trains but that's not hard, merely taking an escalator to a lower level. It'll be obvious when you are en route, there's good signs. At East Falls Church, you should transfer to a bus that goes to Tysons. Hermes is on Rt. 7, across the street from Tysons. If you get off at tysons corner, it's across the street, next to Tiffanys (which is probably a more commonly known landmark).

You could also take a cab from AU. It might be like $35 but could be the easiest way to go, as AU has a cab stand. Tysons also has a cab stand. You might enjoy Tyson's, it has a Nordstrom that is at the mall entrance and a quick walk from Hermes (or vice versa).

 

[eagle1002us]

I'll be staying at american university when I'm at washington... Will it be far away?

MICHENICHE, the Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie on Wisconsin Ave. in Friendship Heights could have a b although I don't recall seeing one there recently. They have other bags like the Marwari, as I recall. It might be best to call first, I believe their phone number is 202.966.9700.

To get to Mazza, it's a quick cab ride, I would think $10-12, from AU. Or, you can take the AU shuttle to the Tenley Park metro station and ride one stop to the Friendship Heights station. There is an exit which leads into Mazza Gallery, you just go up the escalator to get to Neiman's. Mazza has a number of discount stores like Nordstrom Rack & Filene's Basement, as well as an upscale Bloomingdale's, a Lord & Taylor, Cartier, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany's and Ralph Lauren, among others. When Princess Diana visited the lingerie dept. at that Neiman's, she walked three blocks along Wisconsin Ave. to Saks Fifth Ave. and had a cappuchino. (Sacred Ground because she walked it). The Friendship Heights stores I mentioned are mainly accessible as free standing stores a block or so from each other.

Let us know where you went and what you thought/got.

 

[eagle1002us]

Skip the Tysons store if that is the Washington to which you will be near. They have zip, zilch in the way of birkins. And I'm betting they'd look at you cross-sided if you even asked if they had one. So sad to say it would be a waste of gas, time and energy and hope to drop in.

May your luck be with you in NY! It seems I've read that Hawaii and perhaps Florida has better odds.

And here's the question for those way more experienced than I -- why can't any store that in the franchise pull in a purse from somewhere else as long as it is not being held for a customer? If there is a sale, there is a sale -- who cares where that sale is.

JMEN, I was at the Tyson's Hermes last weekend and concur with you that there were no B's in the case.

I would think it would be hard to be a walk-in and receive a B that their regular clientele might have dibs on. That said, there will be pretty bags there that might interest MICHENICHE.

 

[jmen]

JMEN, I was at the Tyson's Hermes last weekend and concur with you that there were no B's in the case.

I would think it would be hard to be a walk-in and receive a B that their regular clientele might have dibs on. That said, there will be pretty bags there that might interest MICHENICHE.

I just got a missed a call, but evidently Tysons is doing inventory -- sounded like this weekend. Am clueless whether that is a good thing or bad thing. To be sure the scarves are always there to feast your eyes upon. It's been a bit since I've been but recall feeling disappointed at the purse display -- rather drab. That said things rotate and change up and hopefully the display has been given several facelifts and is in step with spring colors.

I agree with you that unless one has ordered a purse or has made a wishlist, the most sought after purses are not out on display. It is grounding to read someone else agrees.

 

[Hermesaholic]

I just got a missed a call, but evidently Tysons is doing inventory -- sounded like this weekend. Am clueless whether that is a good thing or bad thing. To be sure the scarves are always there to feast your eyes upon. It's been a bit since I've been but recall feeling disappointed at the purse display -- rather drab. That said things rotate and change up and hopefully the display has been given several facelifts and is in step with spring colors.

I agree with you that unless one has ordered a purse or has made a wishlist, the most sought after purses are not out on display. It is grounding to read someone else agrees.

Tyson's is a horrible place IMO--they lead people to believe they will get bags and such by buying other items and then never follow through. I believe that they like many of the stores steer much of the bag stock to resellers

 

[lorihmatthews]

hey ladies,

I'm new to this forum too, will be heading to San Francisco, any chance I might score a birkin there? any personal experience and most importantly, any nice SA to refer to?

thanks in advance for the advice!

I think Megan in the SF store is fantastic. Very knowledgeable and extraordinarily helpful. I rarely see Birkins in-store.

 

[Balto Bag Lady]

We are going to the Vienna Hermes tomorrow. I got a call this afternoon from my SA. She has some things put away for me for a very long time. I have been recuperating from a fractured spine since late April, but another Marcelina is calling my name and she has been good enough to hold a Maxi Pointu for a long, long time for me. It might just be the thing to fix make me feel better. I will try to see what's what, but even if they have a Birkin tomorrow, who is to say they will have it Monday?


To the OP, AU has a subway station right on (close-by) campus and Neiman Marcus has a station as well. You do not have to take a taxi.

 

[Balto Bag Lady]

We are going to the Vienna Hermes tomorrow. I got a call this afternoon from my SA. She has some things put away for me for a very long time. I have been recuperating from a fractured spine since late April, but another Marcelina is calling my name and she has been good enough to hold a Maxi Pointu for a long, long time for me. It might just be the thing to fix make me feel better. I will try to see what's what, but even if they have a Birkin tomorrow, who is to say they will have it Monday?


To the OP, AU has a subway station right on (close-by) campus and Neiman Marcus has a station as well. You do not have to take a taxi.

Yes, Tysons Hermes (Vienna) is doing inventory tomorrow (Saturday) and they will be open. The store will be sheer crazy!

 

[Balto Bag Lady]

In the past year, I've been fortunate enough to be offered four birkins (Pink 35 w/GHW, Rouge H 30 with GHW, Violet 30 w/GHW and 30 Mykonos Eclat) at Tysons.

I agree with BBL. I got my SO black birkin in NYC--and it was being in the right place at the right time. In my experience, the Tysons store staff is first rate, too. If they have it, they'll show it to you. I can recommend some SAs there (and Madison Avenue) too. Perhaps you can call ahead of time.

Thank you for the vote of confidence for Tysons. For some reasons, that store has a bum reputation. There are/were some scary SAs, but you have to get to know them.
I have found some beautiful things there that were not Birkins nor Kellys. I am actually bagged out I think. But, I have been treated with respect by everybody in the store as I do them. You know, a little smile or a bit of friendliness towards the guards, the SAs, etc., when you walk in the door is the done thing. It's amazing to me that everybody knows your name in that store. And, I am not a VIP by any means.
Remember, they can smell fear, LOL!!

 

[jmen]

Tyson's is a horrible place IMO--they lead people to believe they will get bags and such by buying other items and then never follow through. I believe that they like many of the stores steer much of the bag stock to resellers

Funny you should say that because I have, as many of us have, boxes of silks, cashmeres, bracelets, ties and SLG and a few years ago the kelly in the avatar. Ah, the good old days --it was sitting on the shelf.

This past winter I was jonsing for a pop of color and was repeatedly told about the scarcity of k's and b's. Peeps score them elsewhere, not necessarily just in Asia. But ya know, I did some digging and purchased a very beautiful graphite kelly. The condition so fine that the craftsman at the exhibit who was making a purse commented on its excellent condition. The price was way less than what I paid a few years ago for the new kelly. Do I expect to ever have a call saying we have a 28 in anything, no, and frankly why bother any more.

I have gifted veggies from my garden in the summer not to suck up but sharing as I do with neighbors -- that's me. However, I expect service as I would from any retailer and that involves a professional attitude and follow through. Sad to say I have received attitude, very unprofessional and unwarranted. I've received better results/service calling other stores that are thousands of miles away.

I don't know who gets their stash of purses but I do have a question. I have been there and someone will come in and the manager excuses herself because someone has a purse appointment. Does that mean a special order arrived and someone is coming in. I picture a little room off somewhere where the wine is brought out and the purse unboxed. Just what does that purse appointment mean? I can conjure up a pretty nifty scenario. Many moons ago someone mentioned when shopping H, one has to know the secret handshake. I laughed when I read it but that's what the purse appointment seems like.

 

[eagle1002us]

Thank you for the vote of confidence for Tysons. For some reasons, that store has a bum reputation. There are/were some scary SAs, but you have to get to know them.
I have found some beautiful things there that were not Birkins nor Kellys. I am actually bagged out I think. But, I have been treated with respect by everybody in the store as I do them. You know, a little smile or a bit of friendliness towards the guards, the SAs, etc., when you walk in the door is the done thing. It's amazing to me that everybody knows your name in that store. And, I am not a VIP by any means.
Remember, they can smell fear, LOL!!

The SA's can be quite willing to talk about their dog or vacation, but if they have to move themselves to acquire something for the customer, and it's not a mega-bucks sale, they are not necessarily reliable. I go there because I am interested in the merchandise not the darn dog! Even if I followed in minute detail the dog's life, that didn't guarantee professional follow-through wrt merchandise. BTW, they are all polite to me but what I really want is access to the merchandise. Tell me when something I'm looking for has come in. Don't let me go to the store and see that item in the case, not pulled for me. Such SA's are not paying attention to customer requests. I have learned from tPF that SAs in other boutiques are much more responsive to customer requests and even anticipate them! That's what I want.

 

[TankerToad]

Well, will try again.
Have seen Birkins on the shelf at VA H, not recently but over the last few years at least 3-4. And at least that many Kellys over the same time frame. And I don't go in all that often. When I can, I stop in. Love the store. Love the staff. They always seem busy and everyone seems friendly and kind.
Always think it is worth a visit to see the silks, RTW, home goods and of course the bags and SLGs.
Hermes sells more than just Birkins and Kellys.

 

[cinderbellas]

A sale is a sale to Hermes and to the customer, but for the individual stores, it should matter where the sale is made. If it's anything like the business that I used to manage, transferring inventory to another store without an equal exchange of either money or inventory spells LOSS for the store doing the transferring out. And I'm sure that it could affect their Birkin/Kelly allotment if it looks like they are always moving bags to other stores to be sold. Just an educated guess from someone with little behind the scenes H experience but more management experience than I ever wanted.

This is exactly right.