Giving TIPS to sales in order to get a BIRKIN?

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#181
misterlulu said:
I am a SA at Bergdorf Goodman. It is well known that H does not pay well. I have 2 friends who worked at H and left to work at Chanel and close to double there paycheck. I know SA who take money at Madison H for Birkin/Kelly <special bags> and SA in New Jersey H store who take $.
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Ladybug^^ said:
Omg this is shocking
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It's hilarious ! all that myth falling apart...

Those things are common practices everywhere. Either you do it and you are in, or you don't and you are out.
I know people who are in. Both customers and SAs, not even related in transactions. That makes a lot of people I personally know who are in.
I am out, clearly. So my orders keep being delayed or even sold to someone else who lives one block away and loves to let me know they have got the bag ...This person is in, clearly. They think I am not aware. ;)

Who cares ?
 
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#182
perlerare said:
It's hilarious ! all that myth falling apart...

Those things are common practices everywhere. Either you do it and you are in, or you don't and you are out.
I know people who are in. Both customers and SAs, not even related in transactions. That makes a lot of people I personally know who are in.
I am out, clearly. So my orders keep being delayed or even sold to someone else who lives one block away and loves to let me know they have got the bag ...This person is in, clearly. They think I am not aware. ;)

Who cares ?
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i do know that you are either in or out, and i cant decide how i feel about it,, its like high school all over again,,

but back on topic, if the tipping/kick back culture is in place, i am very surprised,,,
 
#183
perlerare said:
It's hilarious ! all that myth falling apart...

Those things are common practices everywhere. Either you do it and you are in, or you don't and you are out.
I know people who are in. Both customers and SAs, not even related in transactions. That makes a lot of people I personally know who are in.
I am out, clearly. So my orders keep being delayed or even sold to someone else who lives one block away and loves to let me know they have got the bag ...This person is in, clearly. They think I am not aware. ;)

Who cares ?
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Yes.......
 
#184
perlerare said:
It's hilarious ! all that myth falling apart...

Those things are common practices everywhere. Either you do it and you are in, or you don't and you are out.
I know people who are in. Both customers and SAs, not even related in transactions. That makes a lot of people I personally know who are in.
I am out, clearly. So my orders keep being delayed or even sold to someone else who lives one block away and loves to let me know they have got the bag ...This person is in, clearly. They think I am not aware. ;)

Who cares ?
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This is slightly shocking to me, the whole idea of bribes. I wouldn't even know how to offer (nor feel comfortable offering) a bribe to any SA, especially the one who I shop with regularly, I would feel like I was insulting her integrity. In any case this thread is very interesting and makes me feel fortunate that I am currently shopping at H to buy items other than bags, items that I genuinely adore. If the bag comes along that will be a pleasant surprise. Thanks for bumping this.
 
#185
Hermesaholic said:
maybe it doesn't happen inside
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One of our close friends bought his wife a birkin about four years ago by tipping a sales associate. They met outside the store, he handed her an envelope of cash – not sure how much but I could ask him – and sure enough bought his wife a Birkin that very afternoon. He got the sales associate's name from a business contact of his who was very "plugged in."

So, I haven't done it myself but I know someone who has and I think it is disgusting. I don't think this is prevalent at every store but this happened at the Madison Avenue boutique as well. My own SA in NJ won't even accept a gift of hand cream!! The store manager and all the SA's there follow very strict rules -- the gifts must be extremely modest and something that is shareable among everyone there, such as cookies or chocolates.

The amusing dénouement to the story is that my friends wife did not care for the birkin he bought her – a black Togo with gold hardware, 30 cm. She wanted a 35 in potiron!. So he ended up selling it to someone else.
 
#186
Honestly it's like the luck of the draw. Apparently random people can walk into FSH (albeit sometimes repeatedly) and can possibly walk out with a bag. Notice I said a bag, not a specific etc etc.

My Alaskan boutique only hands them out to locals. Yes locals who they know very well.

But there was a case a long time ago of someone who sold on to their own clients, meaning they gathered up all the SO/POs etc. Yea management took care of that person. They're gone
 
#187
rainneday said:
This is slightly shocking to me, the whole idea of bribes. I wouldn't even know how to offer (nor feel comfortable offering) a bribe to any SA, especially the one who I shop with regularly, I would feel like I was insulting her integrity. In any case this thread is very interesting and makes me feel fortunate that I am currently shopping at H to buy items other than bags, items that I genuinely adore. If the bag comes along that will be a pleasant surprise. Thanks for bumping this.
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The bold part is me. :smile1:
 
#188
misterlulu said:
I am a SA at Bergdorf Goodman. It is well known that H does not pay well. I have 2 friends who worked at H and left to work at Chanel and close to double there paycheck. I know SA who take money at Madison H for Birkin/Kelly <special bags> and SA in New Jersey H store who take $.
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It's not a secret and I'm sure more than a few who stop through this thread know who you're referring to. If you're not naming specific people then why even gossip about it? For what? Unless you yourself left Madison on your own accord or on request. Just my humble opinion
 
#189
LemonBrulee said:
It's not a secret and I'm sure more than a few who stop through this thread know who you're referring to. If you're not naming specific people then why even gossip about it? For what? Unless you yourself left Madison on your own accord or on request. Just my humble opinion
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Actually, no one should be posting people's names here. Thanks.
 
#191
perlerare said:
It's hilarious ! all that myth falling apart...

Those things are common practices everywhere. Either you do it and you are in, or you don't and you are out.
I know people who are in. Both customers and SAs, not even related in transactions. That makes a lot of people I personally know who are in.
I am out, clearly. So my orders keep being delayed or even sold to someone else who lives one block away and loves to let me know they have got the bag ...This person is in, clearly. They think I am not aware. ;)

Who cares ?
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OMG seriously?
 
#192
a friend of mine buys regularly from a reseller, who has told her that 'certain stores' have staff who will take 'tips' if customers agree to meet them outside of work for a coffee to ensure they get SO's, PO's etc. I think that is how the reseller gets most of the bags through a wide network of buyers who have found SA willing to provide rare items (i.e. B's and K's) for a fee.

I was shocked to hear about staff I am familiar with in stores I have visited previously. Not my usual store and one with high footfall/better inventory/high level of tourists etc- so I'm not that surprised to be honest.
 
#193
Why do I have this funny image of the H staff now being besieged by some desperate clients with fat wallets? All this talk about tipping and bribery will just make the problem worse and in turn, make it tougher for those who choose not to "sweeten the pot."
 
#194
hermes_lemming said:
Why do I have this funny image of the H staff now being besieged by some desperate clients with fat wallets? All this talk about tipping and bribery will just make the problem worse and in turn, make it tougher for those who choose not to "sweeten the pot."
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No worries, this will not make things any worse. It's not started yesterday, neither last year, neither ten years ago. It's almost in the DNA of this venerable Maison.
I have heard those stories, if not watch it happen, for 20 years or so. Very Old news, indeed.
 
#195
sigh, i was very shocked when i first saw this post on this thread referring to Madison and Jersey...

then i remembered reading on the croc B's that Russian clients get calls from all over europe and they just fly in for the croc bag.. granted, no explicit mention of tips are present here..
 
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