A Supportive Husband's Story: 10 Days in Paris Hunting Hermès Bags

My wife and I saved up money for 4 years for a recent trip to Paris. We were well-prepared for the Hermes Appointment System as well as exactly how to conduct a walk-in Hermes boutique visit (FSH, George 5 and Severes) without an appointment if we had no success with the online system. We had enjoyed ‘budget’ vacations in Paris two previous times but this time we had enough money to buy the things she wanted. We both agreed to concentrate our precious funds on only high-value, highly sought after items that have been on her wish list for years. We would not nickel-and-dime away our savings on smaller purchases.

I’ll cut to the chase: despite both of us registering/requesting Hermes leather appointments everyday (at any of the 3 locations in Paris), we had 10 consecutive days of failure. Each day without an appointment didn’t discourage us, we still purchased other planned Hermes items (Clic H bracelet, Constance belt & buckle, silks) and during each purchase we kindly, graciously asked our SA about a leather appointment or advice on when to come back later in the day. Each time the SA was extremely kind and did her best to help us. Each time did NOT result in an appointment or advantage. Our hotel was next to FSH so we visited the boutique everyday. Our motto was Let’s give Hermes one more chance! We were always upbeat, patient, smiling, well-dressed, and polite. Only to be matched by the boutique staff’s upbeat, patient, smiling, well-dressed and polite rejections.

Since my wife and I already discussed the logical possibility of NOT getting an appointment/bag offer… we had a list of other purchase priorities at upscale consignment boutiques as well as specific jewelry at Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Her absolute target Hermes bag was the Kelly Sellier 25 in a cool tones – but the consignment price was in the mid 20ks – which we didn’t want to pay.

Back to the Hermes boutique leather…. only at the 3 Paris locations does it become not only common place to see ladies preening with their B/K/C bags but witnessing so much of that can make one’s mindset toward the B/K/C bags turn slightly toxic. Kind of like “I don’t want even want one now.” Throughout the 10 days in Paris my wife starting loving the Constance To Go Long Wallet. As you could imagine, that particular wallet (though to me seems more like a legitimate ‘bag’ because of it’s versatility) is equally impossible to acquire. Suffice to say that there was NO possibility to purchase a bag at the Hermes boutiques in Paris. After thorough research on the topic it seems like there’s no particular time of the year (despite people’s musings) that is worse or better than others in Paris to score a leather appointment. You’re either lucky or your not. Everyone we saw in the Paris Hermes boutiques were well dressed, well educated, wealthy, reserved, beautifully polished in their presentation, and gracious. My wife and I were simply another pleasant couple in the boutique ballet. We had no advantage. You either have an appointment or you don’t. Everyone who doesn’t get an appointment cues up in the crying place and receives very polite rejections sprinkled with hopeful suggestions that will lead nowhere.

In the end my wife located and acquired a 2022 new-in-box pre-owned Constance To Go Long Wallet (black Epsom leather, palladium HW) with receipt for $8,500 at one of the consignment boutiques close to our hotel. We gladly paid the premium over retail. Just not a crazy amount over retail. It was an easy decision for her after a week of impossibility at the Hermes boutiques. She got exactly the jewelry she wanted at Cartier and VCA. It was a successful trip. And yes, we did all the touristy stuff she wanted too including a quick trip into Geneve, Switzerland.

We even grabbed a big tote at Monat that she loved as a bonus!

So husbands… don’t get mad at Hermes boutiques. They have their limitations as well as their magic.

Warmest regards,
Robert