u/Upstairs-Buyer9015

Curious to hear what bags others have been offered recently and declined. I know everyone says you never say no but I’ve declined bags from the beginning of my journey and only once do I think it may have backfired (I was still searching for a US based SA and she offered me an Evelyne on our first meeting and I declined and she never texted me back). So far this year I have declined 2 exotic Constance 18s and a blue box micro picotin in grey ostrich. In a separate visit I accepted a picotin 18 in alligator. When I look it it, it’s beautiful but now I’m not sure how much I will actually use it. Maybe should have been another no!

Does anyone know of a shop in central Florence Italy where I can buy Smiskis or Sonny Angels?

If you have a leather appointment in Paris, what are the chances of getting an exotic bag if you already have an exotic on your profile? I have heard that exotics are not as popular in Europe so there isn’t as much stock but conversely if they are less popular are they not so hard to get?

I was in a boutique this week and when they looked up my account there was a tag that said I had elite status, which I assumes corresponds to some level of spend. Are there other levels? Does it actually mean anything? I don’t shop with a dedicated SA and I shop mainly between the US and Europe/UK.

based on all the posts here, do we generally agree that the United States you play the prespend game, you can get lucky in Paris with no prespend spend, QB bags in the UK are wish list but pre-spend seems to play a factor and in the rest of the EU QBs are really reserved for locals Unless you possibly drop A huge amount on FJ or similar? I’m getting vibes in EU botiques (outside of Paris) that they may be willing to sell.

What bags are hot/hard to get currently? I told myself I wasn’t going to buy a bag but I’m traveling all over Europe and thinking I will if I come across something special! TY!

Yesterday I saw a reel with Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine and she was wearing so much Hermes and Chanel (there’s actually a lot of Hermes in Woody Allen movies) and people were commenting on how timeless the fashion is with the exception of her H belt. I felt like they were saying what I had been thinking for a while now - that the H is a little overdone and it’s making me second guess how much I want a Constance. Thoughts? Constance was my favorite bag for a while but it just never became a part of my Hermes journey so I’ve skipped over it to various QBs but wondering if I should just have one in the collection. Also, if H belts are out, what is in?

Hi! I’m a long time US based shopper that primarily shops in the EU. I love shopping on vacation and have collected lots of SAs numbers over the years but I tend to shop with whoever they pair me with when I walk in the store. The only times I’ve ever reached out to these contacts is to source a specific size in RTW that I had trouble finding or to by pass a line. Other than that, I don’t feel like Chanel is holding back items or incentivizing me to be loyal to a specific SA. I find them all very helpful (I do have a sizeable prespend). Am I missing anything? I do have the VIP link on the app so that I could connect with people if I want to request anything but beyond that??? Any reason not to shop so broadly?

Bonjour! I know there are a lot of posts about vintage shopping in Paris but I haven’t seen many discussing the shops that are in the 8th Arr. I walked down a street yesterday that had 4 or 5 in a row, starting with Valois Vintage. Does anyone know the reputation of these stores for Hermes/Chanel? If one is better than the others. They look a little less polished than going to a store like The Real Real in the US but also have a lot of stock (albeit with varying degrees of pre-loved items.)

Hi! I am going to visit my SA in Paris this month and I’m trying to figure out what I would like to ask for beyond (but including bags). I’ve bought a lot of FJ lately so I think I am going to look at watches but beyond that what is everyone loving these days? Anything new?

Is there a limit or annual/quarterly schedule as to how many non-quota bags you can get in European boutiques?

I was planing to go to the Museonovecento today but this disclaimer is on their website: The museum’s permanent collection is on display at the CAMBIO Cultural Center in Castelfiorentino through September 20, 2026. 

Has anyone been recently? Is it worth the visit? I was interested in seeing early 20th C Italian art.

Hi! I’ve been in Florence many times so I am very familiar with the city but I usually travel with my family. This year I am traveling alone because I want to see the Rothko exhibit in Palazzo Strozzi and San Marco before it closes. Any suggestions for something that would be interesting to do on my own? I think I might walk up to San Miniato (because I won’t have kids in tow) but basically brainstorming for something cool to do solo. Thank you! (45F)

I have lost track of how many times I have been to Florence. I absolutely love it. Big into art and wine so what’s not to love! BUT I have never found a place to either taste multiple wines or a place that I really loving buying wine other than Alessi near the Duomo and I know there has to be something better. I’ve tried a few others and have been disappointed. There was one near the Four Seasons a few years ago that I really enjoyed but sadly went out of business. Any recommendations for the upcoming trip?

How much do you think you have to spend annually to be considered a VIP? Even though I spend in Europe (substantially) I’m really just asking about domestic/ US spend for the time being.

Hello! I have read that many foreign (i.e., non French) movies in Paris are screened in their original language with French subtitles. Can anyone confirm that a movie, such a Spider Man, will be screened in English this summer? For example - in a Pathe Cinema. Thank you.

Does anyone have any advice for shopping with an SA in Europe and one in the US? I know there are global QB limits. My goal isn’t to get as many bags as possible at one time/ in one year as it is to maintain the relationships over time so that I continue to get bags. Are SAs in Paris allowed to break the QB limit rules? What would be the most meaningful things for me to buy in Paris if I’ve reached my limit on QB? (Is it true Paris SAs don’t work on commission?)

Are online links from your SA really equivalent to shopping in store? My SA really pushes an in store purchase history once a month but I would prefer to be more deliberate with things I’ve selected online.

Hi! I’m in that part of the Hermes year where I need to go in and buy something even though I don’t really need or want anything. I’ve already gotten a QB, made a special order, bought FJ… so tell me what is hard to get/ special right now that isn’t a bag. I loved the recommendation for the mini cape cod watch in Dore that I got here. Anything similar?

Although it’s expensive, I’ve found my Fine Jewelry purchases to some of my favorite while playing the game. I especially like my yellow and rose gold bracelets and Finesse necklace for every day. My least favorite purchase has been the Kelly ring with diamonds. Completely scratched up on the bottom almost immediately. Share your experience please! Looking for next purchase.