I've purchased quite a few bags from
Nordstrom before, and pretty much anyone who's interested or has contacted an SA in the past can get on their 'mailing list'. It's not all that 'exclusive'. They do work off commission and it makes their job that much easier when customers come to them.
As far as 'preferred customers' go, they all start off as 'new' customers. You have to build the relationship by showing loyalty both ways.
If you really are a 'preferred customer' normally the SA will give you a heads up in advance or set things aside depending on your taste, this kind of relationship can be cultivated quickly - if u guys hit it off, or slowly by being a return shopper.
This is OT but my only real pet-peeve is when tpf are on waitlists for coveted bags, decide against it and instead of just declining and letting the SA pass it on to the next person in line, posts on the forum and passes their spot onto someone who was not on that waitlist at all. Now
that's a little unfair to the next person in line who waitlisted. Especially if quantities are limited.