"Boutique experience" or shopping online?

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VivCatGirl

Member
Sep 12, 2018
15
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#1
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to Louis Vuitton, but I bought two bags in person from the boutique (Cannes and Boite Chapeau Souple). One was in Honolulu and the other near my home (California). Both times I was underwhelmed by the experience. You hear a lot of folks talking about the whole "boutique experience" but mine were meh. I also had to wait a long time for an SA to be available both times.

Another boutique experience I had was in Singapore -- I desperately wanted to get a classic Speedy 25 in monogram as a souvenir for my trip (Speedy is under the maximum allowed $$ you can spend as a couple before being taxed in the US) but I tried 3 separate occasions/boutiques and it was never available.

I might as well start shopping online from Louis Vuitton as at least you can see right away whether there's availability and you don't have to wait around or fight the crowds/long lines (well, you have to wait for the item to be shipped). I just think it's way easier and less of a hassle, especially if I'm not getting the champagne (or even water for that matter) or an attentive SA.

Does anyone feel the same way? Is the "boutique experience" dead with all the demand, or am I just unlucky?
 
#2
VivCatGirl said:
I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to Louis Vuitton, but I bought two bags in person from the boutique (Cannes and Boite Chapeau Souple). One was in Honolulu and the other near my home (California). Both times I was underwhelmed by the experience. You hear a lot of folks talking about the whole "boutique experience" but mine were meh. I also had to wait a long time for an SA to be available both times.

Another boutique experience I had was in Singapore -- I desperately wanted to get a classic Speedy 25 in monogram as a souvenir for my trip (Speedy is under the maximum allowed $$ you can spend as a couple before being taxed in the US) but I tried 3 separate occasions/boutiques and it was never available.

I might as well start shopping online from Louis Vuitton as at least you can see right away whether there's availability and you don't have to wait around or fight the crowds/long lines (well, you have to wait for the item to be shipped). I just think it's way easier and less of a hassle, especially if I'm not getting the champagne (or even water for that matter) or an attentive SA.

Does anyone feel the same way? Is the "boutique experience" dead with all the demand, or am I just unlucky?
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I receive excellent service when I shop in stores, but I also manage my expectations. I understand that the store is sometimes crowded and I might have to wait, I don’t expect the SA to offer coffee/juice/champagne/sweets every time I visit, I realize that inventory changes quickly given Louis Vuitton’s popularity, etc. I also shop online sometimes, mostly for the convenience. However, I prefer shopping at the boutique.
 
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#3
I think with everyone talking about the "boutique experience," it sets expectations that for me, sometimes cross the line of entitlement. Do keep in mind that no boutique has to give you water or champagne. It's an extra service, like a cherry on top. In the same way, sales associates don't need to jump at every customer and start servicing them the moment they walk through the door. It's a business. Not everyone is there to purchase. If you spend your time catering to people who aren't actually planning to buy, you could lose a customer who has decided they don't want to wait anymore.

I prefer boutiques and b&m stores because I don't like buying anything online without seeing them first. I hate making returns; it's a waste of my time and non-renewable resources. In my boutique, someone will say "hi" to you when you walk in. You're then allowed to roam the store, and if you want to look at something, you can approach an SA and they will get someone available for you. From what I've seen, only clients who have a purchase history at that specific store are offered drinks immediately. If someone is looking at multiple bags and it's taking a while, they get offered a drink too.

I don't expect vip treatment at boutiques, just common courtesy. I'm in the younger demographic for luxury goods and I've gotten my fair share of rude SAs because they didn't think I was going to buy anything. If I get water, cool. If I don't get water, also cool. I just want someone who doesn't chase me away because they don't think I can afford their goods. I can buy my own water and champagne after anyway.
 
#6
I slightly prefer online-enjoy packages arriving at my door, but I have bought several LV bags in boutique or have them charge and send over the telephone. The one good thing about buying in boutique is that if you later encounter a problem, you get very nice, quick service in person.
I must always look thirsty because I even get offered water bottles at the cosmetics counter. Only offered champagne at special events.
 
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#7
I prefer boutique shopping because I hate waiting for items to arrive through shipping, and like to see things in person first since colors and materials sometimes look completely different in pictures online.

The experience for me is varied. If I go into a store I don’t frequent, I haven’t necessarily been treated rudely, but SAs don’t go out of their way to help. Which is completely fine with me and I don’t expect anything grand. When shopping, I’m usually wearing lulus and old converses and probably don’t look like I’m about to drop a good amount of money on anything. Been offered Perrier but never champagne. More boutiques should offer it though. I seem to think I have the bank account of a kardashian after a glass or two of wine
 
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#8
I love shopping online! I recently made my first online lv purchase and it was fun and easy. Only complaint was I bought a very heavy bag charm and the lv storage box it came in was loose inside the larger shipping box with no protection. I would have been unhappy if the cute little storage box was damaged but it was ok. Still, a little air bag or tissue paper would have been the right thing to do in a purchase that was 1000usd. Going to the local boutique is a big time investment but can be fun if I am in the right mood. In Europe, I would go to the boutique for sure, but here at home it’s kind of fun to keep looking at everything online, and just click on add to cart, kwim?
 
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#9
Boutiques v Online v Phone order have its own perks. In boutiques I've got to known the SA's they're great and willing to help always offer drinks or sweets, thats I think applicable to Sydney the Rocks. Can't say positive stuff for other branch in Sydney they got like totally different service manual book. With online and phone order you get the 30 days refund options with no question asked. But if you shop at boutique and want to refund they'll try to make you retain the piece or offer other product or store credit and can be hassle.
Which, if you are uncertain about the bag recommended to go for online or phone order. Also with phone order you can requests stuff. I've been given perfume samples with my recent purchases, the phone SA she's kind and you can also request over the phone to keep an eye on the most sought piece like mini pochette accesories, pochette metis etc. Plus with online/phone order it gives the excitement of unboxing.
 
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#10
I've purchased both in the boutique and online. To be honest, I don't see going into the boutique as being any kind of "experience." And, if I don't know exactly what I want, it can be a little overwhelming in larger locations, like the flagship store in Paris. The pros of in boutique is that you can actually see (and examine) items, try on bags and shoes for fit and feel, compare multiple items in person, and ask questions. The pros of online is the convenience of shopping at home, having your purchases show up on your door step, and the ability to print off your online purchase receipts at any time.
 
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#11
This is a good thread topic. As a guy who likes quality SLGs and bags, going to the store to try to get the boutique experience is ludicrous nowadays when you can practically buy 80% online. I kid you not, 95% of my SLGs and bags were purchased online. I prefer online shopping because A. I seldom go to the malls or shops--specially summer time when I hibernate. B. I like receiving and opening packages and I'm quite patient while waiting for them to arrive and C. I rarely peruse high end stores anyway and in the rare instance that I go, I never get exceptional SA treatment anyway, in fact I get subpar treatment maybe it's just my luck and that I feel weird and just want to leave the store. Last but not the least, some online stores offer extra miles somedays if I shop through my loyalty airline marketplace. For example: Lets say Barneys is offering 12 miles per dollar. If you are buying a 2K bag x 12 miles=24K miles towards free tickets and business class upgrades!!! :smile:*Online marketplace is the future.*
 
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#14
daisy913 said:
Not sure about other boutiques, but my LV boutique only offers champagne and food for special events for select clients. Otherwise, it's just water.
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My mother-in-law’s goddaughter and her friend posted pictures of them clinking champagne glasses in the same LV store I have bought many bags from after they purchased their first LVs. Maybe it depends on the ca. I must always get the lame ones.
 
#15
I had a great boutique experience in Florence, but Rome was okay. However, when I got back home to the states and went to my local LV store (U.S) I was barely greeted when we walked in. The CAs here weren’t as friendly or helpful as the ones I encountered in Italy so I’ve been shopping online. I think it really depends on the location you go to and the individual CAs.
 
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