What If I Do Not Get A Quota Bag Offer in Paris After Spending $30K?

Dear PurseBop:

I spent over $30k at Hermès FSH and didn’t receive a quota bag offer. What should I do? Do I accept a non quota bag?

Dear Hermès FSH Shopper:

There is no easy answer to this situation. It is always a risk spending heavily in Paris with no guarantee of a quota bag offer. Paris has shifted away from a pure “spend-to-qualify” system. It is usually better to concentrate your heavy spending at your home boutique with your regular SA. It may take a year or longer, but it is likely you will get a quota bag offer from your regular Sa.

Here’s how you can approach it strategically:

• No guarantees: Even large spends don’t promise a quota bag at FSH as in the past. Paris boutiques receive immense demand. Bag allocation is more about timing, luck, or whether you have a dedicated leather SA, rather than spend ratio.

• Lottery + SA discretion: Leather appointments (lottery or SA-booked) may not result in quota bag offers, regardless of your purchase history. All quota bag offers must be approved by a manager is our understanding.

• Profiles are linked for quota bags: If you received a quota bag in your home store within the calendar year in which you are visiting Paris, you may be denied a bag offer. There are various reasons for this. You may have met your yearly quota already. Or it may be too recent since your last offer of a quota bag in your home store or in Paris. Paris has once again reinstated a 4-6 month waiting period between quota bag offers.

• Quota policy: You can only receive one quota bag per calendar “semester” in France.

  Should You Accept a Non-Quota Bag Instead?

  Non-quota bags (like the Evelyne, Lindy, Geta, Picotin, Herbag, Roulis, Constance Slim, etc.) are still desirable, especially if it’s in a color/leather you want. Constance 18 and 24 are still non-quota bags in Paris. 

  Buy only what you love and will use. Paris SAs know foreigners sometimes front-load spend to “unlock” a quota — it doesn’t guarantee results anymore.

  Think of it this way:

  • If the non-quota bag is a style you’ll truly use and love → take it.

  • If you’re buying just to “prove” loyalty → it probably won’t improve your position at FSH anymore.

  • Diversify Your Strategy

    • Ask your SA directly: After €30k spend, it’s reasonable to politely ask where you stand. Some will give a hint if a quota is possible this trip. If not, ask politely for the SA’s contact information and if you can make an appointment with them for your next visit.

    • Try another Paris store (George V, Sevres): Some travelers succeed by spreading their spend instead of concentrating only at FSH.

    • French Riviera boutiques (Nice, Cannes, Monaco): The smaller boutiques in the South of France can sometimes be more flexible than Paris if you’ll be traveling there. Consider buying some items in these locations before asking for a quota bag.

    • Leverage your home boutique: Spending in Paris will not benefit your profile at home. If your long-term goal is quota bags, maintaining your home store SA relationship is usually more effective than loading purchases in Paris.

  • Many collectors talk about Hermès fatigue — buying things you don’t love just for the hope of a quota bag. If you already love your Birkin and Kelly, it may be smarter to slow down and only accept pieces that genuinely spark joy, quota or not.

  Read:

  The Best Time of Year to Score A Quota Bag in Paris

  How Much Does a Mini Kelly II Really Cost in Paris in 2025 – The Handbag Math

  

  photo courtesy @mtlfashionlover