Does having to make an appointment annoy you?

[Benihana]

I can see it both ways. Appointments do not guarantee that there will not be random people who may not be vaccinated or who have avoided Covid. After all, people do not share their Covid status when they make an appointment/or can lie. My store was actually shut down a few weeks ago likely because someone infectious came in (they would not expressly tell me the reason, but it was implied).

Also my SA has complained that people nowadays often miss or cancel appointments, so one day, she had a 3.5 hour window with no one to help (people are used to things being appointment-only so there were no walk-in customers queued at the doors) and thus she had no sales for that time.

 

[pinkandroid]

I love the appointment system. I would be happy to see it stay. I'm not one to stop in and say, "Hi," or be, "friends," with my SA. I'm friendly, but I'm not making a trip just to show my face. I literally only contact him when I'm 100% going to buy something. It would be nice to browse since I'm sure there are items in store I haven't seen online, but the only browsing I'm comfortable doing right now while there's a pandemic going on is on my computer anyway. Also, my home store is insanely busy so I think an appointment during normal times would be great so you can flag down and guarantee your time with your SA.

 

[Ethengdurst]

I like the appointment system too. I live an hour or so away from the store so I can’t just pop in randomly to browse or chat. And when I’m nearby I I just ask my SA if she has some time slots open to accommodate me that day, if not, no biggie. I don’t feel pressured to buy anything though; I’ve known her for 7 years now so we’re comfortable just catching up. I think it’s like a break for her in an otherwise hectic day. But again, I don’t do this often, maybe once in a couple of months. I usually just remote buy and I only come in if she has something that can’t be shipped.

 

[saban]

I miss not having appointments only because I'm impulsive and will totally drive the 40 miles to my store to see if something is in stock if I happen to have a half day or something. I love the hunt and being able to "catch" things as they come in rather than wait for my turn to see if it's still left.

I also hate the feeling of being timed when I want to browse and talk just a little longer.

I have noticed though, I go in with a purpose and have a game plan now with the appointment system. I also do like having my SA available to me during my entire time there. I also enjoy not having so many people in the store.

All in all, I'm not really annoyed. But I do miss browsing and window shopping.

 

[craielover]

I made appointments with SA even before covid but sometimes her schedule would change if she's caught up with unexpected or new clients. I like the current system and feel no pressure to change my shopping habits. I browse, make impulse purchases, request items to be transferred, chat, and everything was just like before. Our store currently opens to public three days a week and tries to accommodate walk-ins on other days if possible. I hope this practice will continue. Honestly for me browsing is too dangerous as I always end up buying something, so it's better to go in with a list.

 

[missmabel5]

I think we're probably all on board with the appointment system from a safety perspective, but in terms of the original question about whether it's how I would prefer to shop - probably not. The whole sensory experience of shopping (for lack of a better word) is enjoyable to me. I like my SA, but I am a lone shopper by nature. I like to wander the store on my own just enjoying what's available before I decide what I want to look at and try on. While I'm doing that first sweep, I don't want suggestions or opinions, or to feel like I have to keep up a conversation. With the appointment system, even though my SA is happy to tag along, I don't feel comfortable doing this type of browsing, and anyway it isn't the same with someone tagging along chiming in with her thoughts on everything I pause at. So I guess shopping with the appointment system feels less fun and more task-oriented. There are many, many worse problems in the world right now, and I'm not complaining, but I hope the appointment system won't be the only way to shop in the future.

 

[Yodabest]

I have an Hermes boutique not far from my house and in pre covid times, would often stroll in to poke around and leave. Sometimes I’d ask to see something, sometimes I purchase, but I was more of a browser and mainly admire Hermes from afar. I have two Evelynes and my husband has several ties, a hat, and scarf. I just don’t have a massive collection or an SA who knows me by name.

I miss just going in and seeing what’s on display. I understand from the store’s perspective, they don’t profit much from customers like me. From my perspective however, Hermes is not a store I can just browse at until or unless this model changes. I won’t make an appointment unless I know for certain I am likely to walk out with an item. That’s just not how I prefer to shop.

 

[Hat Trick]

It's a small price to pay for safety.
A little patience and shopping will return to being closer to what you are used to.
When I was a child, although you did not have to make an appointment, you were always greeted by by a Floor Manager who would ask what you required and call an assistant to help you.
A UK television comedy was based around this premise.

LOL! Are you being served?!

 

[momasaurus]

Oh wow. My closest boutique is open for browsing a certain number of days a week last I checked, with appointments only on weekends; I would hate for appointments to become permanent. They were even requiring appointments just to pick up things you order ahead of time, rather than being able to just drop in quickly; I don't know if this has changed.

For real though, if I'm making an appointment I feel like I need a sizable list of things that I want, but what if I just want to drop in and pick up one small item? or really just look around? I would feel like I was wasting people's time to make an appointment just for that, especially with how busy my local store is with appointments. And helpful as SAs are, I like to have time to browse by myself without having someone's attention on me the whole time.

Same here. I like to look around without wasting my SAs time. And, yes, the last time I picked up something I had ordered online I still had to make an appointment.

 

[momasaurus]

100% on board with appointments for the duration of Covid--I just don't like the idea in the article that this might continue after the crisis has passed.

I know. I hope they don't get attached to this system. Not fun! But if they feel they are making more money that way.....

 

[momasaurus]

I love appointments and hope they will stay. I don't have much time for shopping, so want to make sure my SA is available when I walk in. I always tell her what I am interested in looking at and since the appointment is always an hour, we still have time to look what else is new or what I'd like to see in person. I never feel stressed or under pressure to buy anything, mostly because I have my own rule to never buy anything I hadn't planned on buying. My SA will show me things I might not have previously considered, or I wanted to look at for future consideration. So, I go home and think about it and pick it up at my next appointment. If I am not planning on an appointment for a couple of months, but remember an item I must have, I email my SA and she either ships it to me, or I swing by and pick it up - without my SA having to be present.. I like 'super focused' shopping It's my jam.

I hope the appointment system will remain an option. I just don't see myself ever trying to 'stop by' and chat But perhaps that's because the Hermes store location is always out of my way...

Wow - you really are focussed! So admirable. And so not how I am. I'm kind of envious.

 

[momasaurus]

I really like the appointment system. I do feel inclined to buy if I'm going to take up an appointment slot, but I just consolidate my shopping and do my browsing and research online. I could imagine wanting to browse RTW where a picture really isn't all that helpful, but for everything else I don't have a problem with going in with a list in mind. I actually felt more rushed pre-COVID (not by my SA but really just myself) because SAs were trying to help multiple clients at a time. It's nice to now have a specific time and minimal waiting. 1 hour is plenty of time when you have a SA dedicated to you, and I scan the store while my SA pulls things for me, so it's not like they're following me around awkwardly.

My "home" store is inside a mall, so the staff actually pushed back at the thought that corporate would eliminate appointments. They get much more foot traffic than a standalone store, and there are definitely a lot of people who have no intention of buying. I'd feel really awful if they don't feel safe going to work. My convenience (or any customer's IMO) is not as important as the safety and wellbeing of the staff.

Of course the safety and comfort of the staff comes first! I admire everyone who has had to "mingle" with random people for the past year. The article made it sound like H was enjoying the larger revenues.
I do a lot of research but nearly everything I bought online during lockdown I had to return.

 

[momasaurus]

I think we're probably all on board with the appointment system from a safety perspective, but in terms of the original question about whether it's how I would prefer to shop - probably not. The whole sensory experience of shopping (for lack of a better word) is enjoyable to me. I like my SA, but I am a lone shopper by nature. I like to wander the store on my own just enjoying what's available before I decide what I want to look at and try on. While I'm doing that first sweep, I don't want suggestions or opinions, or to feel like I have to keep up a conversation. With the appointment system, even though my SA is happy to tag along, I don't feel comfortable doing this type of browsing, and anyway it isn't the same with someone tagging along chiming in with her thoughts on everything I pause at. So I guess shopping with the appointment system feels less fun and more task-oriented. There are many, many worse problems in the world right now, and I'm not complaining, but I hope the appointment system won't be the only way to shop in the future.

Yesssss to all this.

 

[880]

I am very friendly with my SA (whom I found thanks to a TPF friend here) and I love the appt system. I feel no pressure to buy unless I love something; my SA knows what I like in homeware, RTW and in bags; and, there isn’t much wasted time on either side. I agree it’s nice to be able to browse for scarves, but the appt is a small price to pay for health, convenience, and uninterrupted time. And, I found it aggravating to go browse and find nothing that suited. Having said that, I find it easy to text or email my SA for an appt; my schedule is very flexible; and I’m not in any rush. Although I never thought of myself as someone who dislikes shopping, I find I’d rather go with something or a distinct possibility in mind. I also rely on my SA bc I really dislike many things about H.com, and there is t an issue for him to bring in what I want.

 

[leechiyong]

I'm not local to my boutique, so would always set up an appointment, but I much prefer it anyway. I could ask about a few items ahead of time to know I wouldn't leave empty-handed.