H frustration in Italy
- Thread starter Roxane
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
There is only one H in Florence. Ok, so today (2 days later) I went back to H again, hoping that perhaps the customer did not want it after all, and the Kelly Danse was still in the window. The SA who attended me earlier was showing a Garden Party to two ladies, so we hung around to wait to talk to her.
While waiting, another SA took the Kelly Danse from the window to show to two other Italian customers, who did not seem very interested. Since I was hovering around, the SA asked if she could be of assistance, so I explained that I was there 2 days ago and was interested in the Kelly, but she said I had to wait to ask the manager.
An older Italian lady with an extremely sour face emerged from the rooms inside while I was still hovering and asked if I needed assistance, so I explained everything again. She said no, I could not buy it, it is still reserved. Then she asked me if I wanted some scarves?
I wonder if that is a code that I needed to buy other things first, and then the bag would magically become available?
I don't want any scarves but I actually want a compact bi-fold Bearn, but they did not have any. I would not have minded a hippo cadena or something, but they also did not have any. I still think it ridiculous to expect me to buy something else I don't want just to have the privilege of buying a bag. It was only a Kelly Danse, after all, not a Kelly or Birkin!Anyway, this whole experience with H in Italy is leaving me with a very bad taste. While I have not been to H in Japan, I have been told that no silly games are played there. I think I might be better off going to Tokyo and paying slightly more, rather than having to stoke some store manager's ego!
^^ Funny you mention a secret code. I had that feeling when I was at H in Las Vegas. I read about how all these other posters have had such good luck there and when I visited, they couldn't show me one Kelly or Birkin! I wasn't wearing Hermes that day and I have always been convinced that was the reason for the cold shoulder. Perhaps that is the answer for you as well. The fact is, that I don't always want to travel with Hermes for a variety of reasons. I will add that they were extremely cordial to me at the Chicago boutique and pulled out all sorts of things for me and I wasn't carrying Hermes that day either.
^^^ I never carry anything that will attract the attention of thieves, etc., when I travel, having had 2 really bad experiences in Paris (I don't like going there anymore). I use low-key (using Agnes B at the moment) bags, luggage, watches, so that I do not become more of a target for crime than I already appear (Caucasian people tend to assume my husband and I are Japanese). I will never bring Birkins or Kellys to an environment that is new, because it is difficult enough dealing with unfamiliar places and languages.
Oh my... :s Sorry to hear about your experience in Italy. If it's of any consolation, I've read other negative stories from other TPFers in Hermes Italy. It's outrageous but they get away with it, because there's always a demand for Hermes.
uuuch. I think this would be a perfect case to throw a small tantrum in that H store. This is Italy after all. People understand EMOTIONAL reaction better then your classic noble behavior. I know, I used to be married into italian family 
Please, do not feel bad. Oh I wish I could see the face of that sour-faced lady if she was told: "Screw you, segnora! Where is YOUR STYLE? I'll get you a good publicity". They SUPPOSE TO ATTEND to their CLIENTS.
I am angry
I laughed out loud re: Anima's post. I had to rethink the entire way I shopped when I visited Italy to shop. No discernable lines to speak of just rushing the cashier, hustles and bustles to be attended to, the whole lot. Once I got over my whole go-out-of-my-way US style politeness, I did much better. The salesgirls always helped (if not sullenly) and the guys thought I was sassy. I even had an S.A. write his number on the back of a receipt he handed me - with my boyfriend at the time standing RIGHT THERE! 
LoL
It does seem true, perhaps you are being much too polite (I hate to write that, but....) and you must walk in as though that bag was reserved for you! Of course, by now they have gone a few rounds with you on this matter, I can imagine you're sick of the whole charade.
A bag that is on the floor should be available. Send your DH in, if you can, to buy irt. Sometimes for some odd reason men do so much better than women
LoLIt does seem true, perhaps you are being much too polite (I hate to write that, but....) and you must walk in as though that bag was reserved for you! Of course, by now they have gone a few rounds with you on this matter, I can imagine you're sick of the whole charade.
A bag that is on the floor should be available. Send your DH in, if you can, to buy irt. Sometimes for some odd reason men do so much better than women
I laughed out loud re: Anima's post. I had to rethink the entire way I shopped when I visited Italy to shop. No discernable lines to speak of just rushing the cashier, hustles and bustles to be attended to, the whole lot. Once I got over my whole go-out-of-my-way US style politeness, I did much better. The salesgirls always helped (if not sullenly) and the guys thought I was sassy. I even had an S.A. write his number on the back of a receipt he handed me - with my boyfriend at the time standing RIGHT THERE!
It does seem true, perhaps you are being much too polite (I hate to write that, but....) and you must walk in as though that bag was reserved for you! Of course, by now they have gone a few rounds with you on this matter, I can imagine you're sick of the whole charade.
A bag that is on the floor should be available. Send your DH in, if you can, to buy irt. Sometimes for some odd reason men do so much better than women
Really too funny !!!
Roxane: Ooops, I didn't know that there is only 1 Hermes store in Florence, Italy. I will pay attention to this store if I go there. Some members here had a small problem with that store too.
I hate to dress-up just for going to the store & please the SAs in order to get something. What's up with that attitude really. It annoys me very much. Unfortunately, some stores are like that and it can't be helped *sigh*.
I hate to dress-up just for going to the store & please the SAs in order to get something. What's up with that attitude really. It annoys me very much. Unfortunately, some stores are like that and it can't be helped *sigh*.
I'm sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience at those stores in Italy! I lived in Italy for some time and feel that shopping in general, not just at Hermes, can be a bit like that over there. SAs not very interested, or downright snobby... then again for every not-so-nice SA I've run into I've also met someone lovely and helpful, so I guess it depends. If I were you I wouldn't go back to the store in Florence if I could help it though, what horrid customer service!
Roxane, I'm so sorry to hear of your Italian experience. I was in Venice a few days ago & visited the H-store. The H-store is along Salizz. San Moise about 150m away from Cafe Florian,where we stopped for afternoon tea after my 4 year old got tired of feeding/chasing the pigeons. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, was shown 2 kellys from the back, bought 2 cadenas instead.
This is just another perspective but I actually had such a different experience in Venice. I walked by Hermes without planning the trip and decided to stop in. It was raining and I went in wearing an ugly rain poncho with a dripping hood and accompanied with a dripping child. I didn't see any interesting bags on the shelf and asked about something in an exotic. The SA went in back and brought out a gorgeous lizard Kelly. I loved it but wanted to think about it and the SA agreed to hold it for me for 24 hours. I looked at scarves and found a couple I wanted, but he suggested that he hold those also until I decided about the bag. I thought I was treated like royalty--and I definitely did not look the part.
How would one go about handling this? Pass a wad of Euros over while asking permission to buy the bag in the window? I'd love to hear how others here that have tipped have done it. I am always horrified of offending someone with a bribe.