Anyone been to cuffs in cleveland, OH area (H boutique)?
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How did you make out at the boutique, sum? Rene--I live in Brunswick, so I'm not far from you at all. I get over to the east side whenever I get a chance. I found Cuffs to be a really cute store. Different with all the nooks & crannies. Should we post on the main board about a cleveland get together & lunch??
Sure might be nice to meet other people with the same obsessions. BTW all this talk about Cuff's made me anxious to get to the store again so I went in today and got the cutest little shoes.
After having been treated like raw sewage in the few official Hermes boutiques I've ever had the misfortune of visiting in person, Cuffs has been a fabulous find for me--it's the ONLY place to shop Hermes, as far as I'm concerned. The owner, Rodger Kowall, is a true gentleman of the old school and is one of the most wonderful men on the planet; he's been my Hermes Go-To Guy for over 15 years. His assistant Lyon is very sweet and knowledgeable, well worth making an appointment with.
Last week, I went to the Hermes boutique in Vancouver Canada to look at the skin samples and plan my next purchase (from Cuffs, of course, even though I wasn't going to tell the nasty SAs THAT). I was wearing jeans and my Elvis jacket, but had a Chloe Tracy in hand--and they acted like they were ready to call the police as soon as I walked into the store. The three of them just silently stared at me and followed right behind me in every step I took. When I asked to see the skin book, you would have thought I'd asked them to jump up on the counter and dance naked.
Once when I was at the Hermes boutique in Las Vegas, I asked to see the skin book and was stiffly informed that customers weren't allowed to see or touch the skin book (although I think that depends on the SA; others there are fine with letting me peruse it at leisure). When I asked how the customer was then supposed to decide upon the perfect style and material for such a large purchase, the SA just turned around and walked away from me. I could get more help in The Frozen Food Department!
While I don't expect to be hand-fed Godiva truffles and receive a pedicure while trying to figure out how to spend a few months' hard-earned salary, I DO expect a little common courtesy and SOME manners. At first I thought it was just because I was dressed casually so they mistook me for a street person, but I've since heard this is apparently standard behavior in a Hermes boutique and Queen Elizabeth herself would probably get treated like that. Admittedly, I've only ever been in two Hermes boutiques (people on this forum report both good and unpleasant experiences with them)--but MOST businesses don't even get a second chance after turning off a customer. If the goods didn't sell themselves, these rude SAs would be out of luck.
So if I'm ready to make a serious Hermes purchase, I call Rodger or Lyon to get professionalism and patience along with the sale. The store has a very nice selection of bags and accessories--I'll never buy anywhere else!
Last week, I went to the Hermes boutique in Vancouver Canada to look at the skin samples and plan my next purchase (from Cuffs, of course, even though I wasn't going to tell the nasty SAs THAT). I was wearing jeans and my Elvis jacket, but had a Chloe Tracy in hand--and they acted like they were ready to call the police as soon as I walked into the store. The three of them just silently stared at me and followed right behind me in every step I took. When I asked to see the skin book, you would have thought I'd asked them to jump up on the counter and dance naked.
Once when I was at the Hermes boutique in Las Vegas, I asked to see the skin book and was stiffly informed that customers weren't allowed to see or touch the skin book (although I think that depends on the SA; others there are fine with letting me peruse it at leisure). When I asked how the customer was then supposed to decide upon the perfect style and material for such a large purchase, the SA just turned around and walked away from me. I could get more help in The Frozen Food Department!
While I don't expect to be hand-fed Godiva truffles and receive a pedicure while trying to figure out how to spend a few months' hard-earned salary, I DO expect a little common courtesy and SOME manners. At first I thought it was just because I was dressed casually so they mistook me for a street person, but I've since heard this is apparently standard behavior in a Hermes boutique and Queen Elizabeth herself would probably get treated like that. Admittedly, I've only ever been in two Hermes boutiques (people on this forum report both good and unpleasant experiences with them)--but MOST businesses don't even get a second chance after turning off a customer. If the goods didn't sell themselves, these rude SAs would be out of luck.
So if I'm ready to make a serious Hermes purchase, I call Rodger or Lyon to get professionalism and patience along with the sale. The store has a very nice selection of bags and accessories--I'll never buy anywhere else!
wow--oasis, that is great! One of my pet peeves are rude SA's. I mean you WORK there, right? That doesn't mean to imply I look down on anyone in retail, but poor customer service drives me insane.
Lyon was very nice to me & the SA's helping out DH treated him good as well. I only bought a twilly, but lyon wrapped it up & gave me some perfume samples as well. DH ended up buying a dress shirt & tie (not H brand, but still very nice). I am in the debating phase of ordering a kelly. If I do, though, then you can bet I'll call up Lyon to help!
Lyon was very nice to me & the SA's helping out DH treated him good as well. I only bought a twilly, but lyon wrapped it up & gave me some perfume samples as well. DH ended up buying a dress shirt & tie (not H brand, but still very nice). I am in the debating phase of ordering a kelly. If I do, though, then you can bet I'll call up Lyon to help!
No, I've never been to Cleveland, but I hope to someday--if for no other reason than to meet Rodger and Lyon in person because they've been so helpful in making my various Hermes dreams come true. I lucked upon Cuffs one day when I was calling around the list of Hermes boutiques in their catalog trying to find something I wanted desperately at the time. Most "official boutique" SAs are even more rude to you over the phone than they are when you've crossed their sacred thresholds, but the Cuffs team has always been wonderful to me.
I wish I COULD get to Cleveland for lunch; Cuffs also has a lovely wine shop. I don't know what the heck else is Cleveland BESIDES Cuffs, I suppose it doesn't matter to a Hermesaholic.
I'm going to order my new Plume from Cuffs. I want ostrich in the laterite/brique color. Wish me LUCK!!!!
I'm going to order my new Plume from Cuffs. I want ostrich in the laterite/brique color. Wish me LUCK!!!!
I never have any luck at the boutiques. Since I live in a state with no Hermes boutiques in it, I only get to go to one if on a trip somewhere, and must depend on the phone the rest of the time. I do get the catalogs, and one year there was an incredible saffron necktie with tiny blue unicorn print that would look incredible with a blue shirt my husband has. I have a phone listing for the boutiques, and started my round of calling. Either I'd just get told flat out they didn't have it ("Can't you go check your stock?" "No.") or they didn't have "time" to help me (I must have interrupted their afternoon naps, boorish inconsiderate slob that I am).
Roger Kowall alone was willing to check his inventory for me, and he HAD it, shipped it right out to me, and all was well. I'll give my business to him over the 'snootiques' any day of the week.
Cleveland itself may not be exactly on par with a tourist destination, but I'd still like to go there with about $50,000 in hand! (Wouldn't we ALL??!! LOL!!!).
Roger Kowall alone was willing to check his inventory for me, and he HAD it, shipped it right out to me, and all was well. I'll give my business to him over the 'snootiques' any day of the week.
Cleveland itself may not be exactly on par with a tourist destination, but I'd still like to go there with about $50,000 in hand! (Wouldn't we ALL??!! LOL!!!).
I'm glad our boutique has treated you so well. Cuffs truely is a unique store and they alway bend over backwards to help including helping take packages out to my car. A few weeks ago I was there and it was a busy saturday in Chagrin Falls so I had to park in a way that required me backing out of their drive. When he noticed he ran out into the road, stopped traffic and directed me out of the lot. No one in any H store would go to that extent for their clients.
I'm going to order a Plume this round!!!!! Rodger is going to Paris for his biyearly trip next month, and he has room on his list of special requests for one more! I want it in Ostrich, in the Brique or Laterite color, with silver hardware. Of course, I may be dead of old age by the time Hermes bothers with doing it, but oh well, they can stick it in the coffin with me. LOL!
That's one of the cool things about Cuffs. Mr. Kowall will work WITH you to make a dream come true; he understands how it is. At the boutiques, nobody will even talk to me about a special order--it's what on the shelves (usually very scant "selection") or nothing!
I hate Hermes. Sigh. Wish I wasn't addicted to their products. There must be a 12-Step program for this out there somewhere!
That's one of the cool things about Cuffs. Mr. Kowall will work WITH you to make a dream come true; he understands how it is. At the boutiques, nobody will even talk to me about a special order--it's what on the shelves (usually very scant "selection") or nothing!
I hate Hermes. Sigh. Wish I wasn't addicted to their products. There must be a 12-Step program for this out there somewhere!
I completely agree
Service and courtesy is excellent!
I have never met Lyon and Rodger in persons...but the amount of considerations they give are beyond par. The thing with independently owned, service is more personal and none of the pretentious oommph
I would give my major business to them than in a H store.
Service and courtesy is excellent!
I have never met Lyon and Rodger in persons...but the amount of considerations they give are beyond par. The thing with independently owned, service is more personal and none of the pretentious oommph
I would give my major business to them than in a H store.
oasis1313--I'm sorry to hear about your bad experiences at official H boutiques. I've never been and hearing stories like yours makes me afraid to attempt walking in. I can understand the SA's being tired of the "I wanna Birkin now!" walk-ins, but other than that, there's no reason for an SA to be rude to anyone. I have read some great reviews on Cuffs.