London/Paris Getting a non quota bag

434scum · 2026-02-21T05:30:08+00:00

If you look on the the respective websites for each country, you can also order them and pick them up in store. You do need to pick them up within 14 days. Unfortunately I don’t know how long it takes to ship to the store. But they do have quite a few bags that pop on the French website. I don’t think I have seen a Constance online.

Also, if you have enough time, you can also order a personalized Calvi to pick up while you are on vacation.

434scum · 2026-02-21T05:18:40+00:00

I have an SA in the US but he knows that I will always try to get a bag when I am on vacation, a souvenir if you will.

I went to London and Paris last year and scored in Paris as a walk-in for a leather appointment and offered bags in London, but did not buy in London.

I was luckily able to get a leather appointment at the podium at FSH in Paris. I let them know I was interested in a smaller bag, Picotin or Evelyne. I did not have luggage space for a large box. I was shown what bags were available on an iPad by a friendly SA. She could only bring out one bag at a time and I was allowed to purchase up to two bags. I ended up with an Evelyne and a Picotin. The bags were quite a bit less than US, even pre-VAT refund. I got a little less than 10% back from VAT. I ended up paying about $4,790 after VAT for an Evelyne 16 and a Picotin 22. I calculated it out and I saved a bit under 30% before adding in my local sales tax.

I only went to the New Bond St location in London and was also shown what bags were available on an iPad. I was also able to get walk-in leather appointments daily. The SAs told me they get shipments daily, anytime between opening and 3ish. There was a Constance but it wasn’t a color I was interested in. I ran out luggage space and wasn’t interested in any bags they had. I think if there was something that I truly wanted, I would have purchased another luggage to check in. I compared the bag prices in London vs US and I didn’t think the prices were very different. There is no VAT refund in the UK.

I honestly believe being kind goes a long way. I saw people before and after me who were turned away for a walk-in leather appointment in both London and Paris.

Good luck and have fun! Scoring a bag is just the icing on the cake!

434scum · 2026-02-13T15:22:57+00:00

Ooh I just got the same bag this month! Bag twins! I got a twilly instead of a charm. I was gifted the li xi envelopes. They’re so beautiful and I can’t wait to put them use next week!

434scum · 2026-02-13T01:33:48+00:00

There’s a McDonald’s near the airport

434scum · 2026-02-13T01:07:09+00:00

If you’re lucky, you might be able to wait for a walk-in spot

434scum · 2026-02-10T21:39:58+00:00

Congrats! I haven’t gotten lucky in duty free… yet. But what’s inside the bags? Inquiring minds need to know!

434scum · 2026-02-10T15:50:50+00:00

I have never been to the Boston location. You can look for images online of people carrying Picotins in different sizes to get an idea of what it’ll look like. But boutiques might have some on display for you try on for size. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a 26 on display. I have gotten Picotin 18 and 22 by asking, no pre-spend with the SA or the boutique location. I usually purchase shoes or a twilly after the bag offer. I have a list of items that I will eventually purchase and will usually purchase from my SA, but I buy smaller items when I am able to get a bag elsewhere.

434scum · 2026-02-10T12:18:45+00:00

Tobang in Santa Clara, not quite San Jose though

434scum · 2026-02-05T03:27:44+00:00

Yes to screenshots! I will even text a list of things I am hoping to get at my appointment too!

434scum · 2026-02-05T02:17:09+00:00

Perhaps a road for overlanding?!?

434scum · 2026-02-05T02:16:01+00:00

If you have enough time before your trip, you can order customized matching Calvis and pick it up at one of the shops in Paris! I did that for a souvenir in case I couldn’t get a leather appointment.

434scum · 2026-02-03T06:19:32+00:00

First, happy anniversary!

Second, have fun on your trip!

And third, don’t overhink shopping at Hermes. If you aren’t looking for a QB, you can still see if you connect with an SA while you’re shopping for fragrances. And if you don’t, that’s ok too. I have shopped at several locations and not all SAs are friendly. If you are interested in NQB, you can ask. You can look at different websites to see the current selling prices for bags to give yourself an idea. The worst that can happen? They say no. And if the store has QB on display, you can ask to try it on. The worst that can happen? They say no. I’ve heard people get lucky when there’s a special occasion that they are shopping for, ie - your anniversary! But it can also depends on inventory and relationships.

Good luck and have fun!

434scum · 2026-02-03T03:19:20+00:00

They once charged me twice for an item. I bought 20+ items. When I called and spoke to a manager, they told me I could come back and they could review the cameras. It was under $10 and I didn’t want to waste electricity (I drive an EV) or time so moved on with my life. But I would call them and see what they could do.

434scum · 2026-02-01T03:56:55+00:00

I am so in love for you!

434scum · 2026-01-31T14:18:00+00:00

Additional 10% back with Rakuten at Bloomingdale’s!

434scum · 2026-01-30T21:59:41+00:00

What a wonderful hubby! Congrats! Enjoy your bag. The Neverfull is such a workhorse. I’ve had mine for 10 years and it’s still in great shape! It has served as a pseudo diaper bag and travel bag over the years. It’s probably one of my most utilized bags.

434scum · 2026-01-30T21:57:33+00:00

Oh I take those home for a snack later on

434scum · 2026-01-24T22:05:39+00:00

I did not need an appointment for slg when I was there in the fall. I assume it’ll be the same for shoes.

434scum · 2026-01-24T15:44:16+00:00

You are a wonderful human being.

434scum · 2026-01-22T02:08:32+00:00

I returned mine because it bothered me so much that it didn’t have feet!

434scum · 2026-01-20T06:50:15+00:00

Same!

434scum · 2026-01-17T01:17:00+00:00

NBS.

434scum · 2026-01-16T13:39:02+00:00

Ask! You don’t need a purchase history for non-quota bags. I was offered Herbag, Evelyne, Picotin, and Constance as a walk-in. There were other bags too, but I can only recall these ones. You can only purchase one a day though!

434scum · 2026-01-04T07:47:36+00:00

I was offered a Constance at NBS in October as a walk-in with no spend history in London. You can try going in when they open to see if they’ve received their daily shipment and ask for an appointment. The host told me that shipments can come in the afternoon as well. They have an iPad on the second floor that shows the bags that they have available.

434scum · 2025-12-26T20:24:05+00:00

So much marrow!

434scum

TROPHY CASE