Savannah James says she was turned away from a Hermès store in Italy despite having a scheduled shopping appointment. Her friend April McDaniel claimed the saleswoman involved was later fired, and the store reportedly offered them VIP treatment afterward.
The two also said they experienced similar treatment at a Chanel store in France during the same European trip.
In July 2013, Oprah Winfrey was refused service at the Trois Pommes luxury boutique in Zurich, Switzerland, when a clerk declined to show her a $38,000 Tom Ford handbag, claiming it was “too expensive” for her.

In 2005 Oprah Winfrey was denied entry to a Hermès store in Paris after arriving shortly after its 6:30 p.m. closing time. The store was still busy preparing for a private event, which may have made it appear that customers were still shopping. Hermès said the employee explained that the store was closed and invited Oprah to return the next day.