Hermes boutiques in London

[PrincessTotoro]

Thanks for your response! I was actually specifically asking about the UK’s wish system and if this has made getting a quota bag easier / fairer / allows you to purchase from multiple stores to build your purchase history for the bag.

No problem! I'm on the wish list for a B30 in the UK but from my point of view, no it does not make it easier to get a quota bag. Wish list or not, there are distinctive deciding factors along with luck when it comes to allocation of these quota bags. So in that sense, the fact you created the wish list itself does not help you in any way not to mention there is a clear expiration date for the wish list. So every time your wish list expires, you need to renew it. Once you make a wish list in one store, it would have to be that store who can offer you a bag not anywhere else in the UK.

Personally, I'm of the opinion not having a wish list gives you a bit more flexibility. In countries like South Korea, USA (last I heard hope I'm correct), and Turkey, there is no such system. So it is very much possible and I have seen so to receive a quota bag within one month of starting your Hermes journey. This does not happen when there is a wish list system. Well at least this is my opinion, people may fully disagree with me.

 

[louise_elouise]

No problem! I'm on the wish list for a B30 in the UK but from my point of view, no it does not make it easier to get a quota bag. Wish list or not, there are distinctive deciding factors along with luck when it comes to allocation of these quota bags. So in that sense, the fact you created the wish list itself does not help you in any way not to mention there is a clear expiration date for the wish list. So every time your wish list expires, you need to renew it. Once you make a wish list in one store, it would have to be that store who can offer you a bag not anywhere else in the UK.

Personally, I'm of the opinion not having a wish list gives you a bit more flexibility. In countries like South Korea, USA (last I heard hope I'm correct), and Turkey, there is no such system. So it is very much possible and I have seen so to receive a quota bag within one month of starting your Hermes journey. This does not happen when there is a wish list system. Well at least this is my opinion, people may fully disagree with me.

There’s a lot of talk about the new quota system in the UK. I genuinely see no difference in bag allocation pre and post the new system. It comes down the your spend and relationship w your SA, how much they advocate for you, and SM approval. Has anyone actually experienced a change in the experience under the new system?

 

[frenchcitygirl]

Thanks for your response! I was actually specifically asking about the UK’s wish system and if this has made getting a quota bag easier / fairer / allows you to purchase from multiple stores to build your purchase history for the bag.

To be honest despite there being a screen where your dream bag is entered, it doesn't feel to me like it's too different from anywhere else in the world (except for the mothership in Paris).

It still comes down to your spend, relationship with your SA, what you're after and who you're competing against.

I also really struggle to believe customers walking in for the first time and being offered a Gold on Gold B25

Some friends with celebrity status, or with a close one who's a VIP at Hermès do an easier ride for their first bag, but then they need to spend like the rest of us!

 

[frenchcitygirl]

On a separate note, I was wondering if anyone could share their experience in being offered an ALC in London. How many years after your first H purchase (and how many quota bags later) was this offered to you?

And is this something you mentioned to your SA or did it just happen magically?

 

[LifestyledchoicesL]

Is it the new policy now that SAs are only able to communicate via email? I hear mixed things - some people I know have a SA at a London boutique and they communicate via WhatsApp/text. I understand it’s a lot more common for the department stores (Harrods/Selfridges) to engage with their clients over WhatsApp/text but if it’s supposedly store policy I’m confused at the mixed approaches. I was only provided email and some are the same but some others have their SAs numbers?

 

[frenchcitygirl]

I have SAs numbers at Cadogan, NBS, Selfridge's and Royal Exchange (only went to Harrods once and had such a bag experience I never wanted to go back).

SAs at Selfridge's and Royal Exchange were happy to give during first visit. Felt like I had to work for it a bit at Cadogan, and at NBS I think I "accidentally" got it in an email chain...

 

[LifestyledchoicesL]

I have SAs numbers at Cadogan, NBS, Selfridge's and Royal Exchange (only went to Harrods once and had such a bag experience I never wanted to go back).

SAs at Selfridge's and Royal Exchange were happy to give during first visit. Felt like I had to work for it a bit at Cadogan, and at NBS I think I "accidentally" got it in an email chain...

Wow! Sigh you’re so lucky lol. Now that things are back open I don’t think my SA (NBS) has the time to communicate via email and I find it less convenient to send items of things I want via email. Unsure of what to do.

 

[frenchcitygirl]

Wow! Sigh you’re so lucky lol. Now that things are back open I don’t think my SA (NBS) has the time to communicate via email and I find it less convenient to send items of things I want via email. Unsure of what to do.

I've never asked for anything via phone but can't imagine it would make much of a difference vs. asking via e-mail. Maybe others who've had alot of communication with their SA via phone are better placed to comment.

NBS is a tough boutique... If you're able to, you should just go in store...

Best of luck x

 

[louise_elouise]

I have my SA number from Cadogan, but it was only two years into relationships (and during pandemic).

 

[lvstratus]

On a separate note, I was wondering if anyone could share their experience in being offered an ALC in London. How many years after your first H purchase (and how many quota bags later) was this offered to you?

And is this something you mentioned to your SA or did it just happen magically?

I made my wishlist in September 2020, in November my SA offered me the chance to make an ALC order. I was honestly shocked because my purchase history was slim back then (Kelly Danse, shoes, twilly, scarf...), it never crossed my mind that this would be possible, so I never even dreamed of mentioning it to my SA.
I'm somehow new to Hermės world, but I would definitely say that your relationship with the SA is BY FAR the most important factor, more important than the spending history.

 

[periogirl28]

I made my wishlist in September 2020, in November my SA offered me the chance to make an ALC order. I was honestly shocked because my purchase history was slim (Kelly Danse, shoes, twilly, scarf..), it never crossed my mind that this would happen anytime soon.
I'm somehow new to Hermės world, but I would definitely say that your relationship with the SA is BY FAR the most important factor, even more important that the spending history.

I 101% agree. No typo.

 

[JA_UK]

I made my wishlist in September 2020, in November my SA offered me the chance to make an ALC order. I was honestly shocked because my purchase history was slim back then (Kelly Danse, shoes, twilly, scarf...), it never crossed my mind that this would be possible, so I never even dreamed of mentioning it to my SA.
I'm somehow new to Hermės world, but I would definitely say that your relationship with the SA is BY FAR the most important factor, more important than the spending history.

For me I entered into the Hermes world through scarves and at the beginning of my shopping history I frequented Bond St and Selfridges it was there after purchasing 2 scarves (1 as a gift) I asked for a B35 and a week later I got the call - mind you this was back in 2008. Since then the 2 SAs that I worked with have moved on from the business but during those years my purchases evolved into homewares where I can incorporate these lovely prints from the scarves into my lifestyle. I also don’t shop in a particular store anymore but make purchases when I travel and from the website. After some time I returned to Selfridges in 2017 and connected with a very personable SA who after I purchased a blanket and matching pillow got chatting about what other things I liked and after a couple more non bag purchases in 2018 I was offered an ALC order. I will say that I tried to decline the ALC offer because I already had the bag with the specs I wanted already but he persuaded me and I’m glad I did go ahead with it. My spend is varied but is not as extensive as others so the bolded statement above for me is accurate!

 

[asperge]

Hi all !
I have a wishlist at Selfridges which is ending this month and I have mixed feelings about the renewal and which branch to choose (Cadogan or Selfridges). My SA at Selfridges is so nice and very honest, he also has great taste. However, Selfridges stock seems to be really poor compared to the other branches (although I guess the UK has a smaller stock than any other countries right now). I also feel like there is not a large choice of homeware, shoes and RTW there, which is not practical for me. I have one another SA at Cadogan (where I've bought my last non-quota bag), he is also kind and very knowledgeable, but not as nice as my Selfridges SA. Plus, Cadogan is bigger, with more stocks, and I appreciate the fact that they emailed me when the store had opened in April (I know they did it for all their clients, but Selfridges hasn't sent me anything).
So, in which store do you think it would be more interesting to renew my wishlist (and to definitely switch there for all my purchases) ? Does anyone has good feedbacks on Cadogan ?
Many thanks

 

[azukitea]

I made my wishlist in September 2020, in November my SA offered me the chance to make an ALC order. I was honestly shocked because my purchase history was slim back then (Kelly Danse, shoes, twilly, scarf...), it never crossed my mind that this would be possible, so I never even dreamed of mentioning it to my SA.
I'm somehow new to Hermės world, but I would definitely say that your relationship with the SA is BY FAR the most important factor, more important than the spending history.

I (like @periogirl28 ) also agree that SA relationship trumps everything... spend is not as important as most may think. Buy what you like / or want, and be genuine with your SA. If you like or not like something be frank and not be afraid to turn things down, I find being straight forward helps

 

[PrincessTotoro]

Hi all !
I have a wishlist at Selfridges which is ending this month and I have mixed feelings about the renewal and which branch to choose (Cadogan or Selfridges). My SA at Selfridges is so nice and very honest, he also has great taste. However, Selfridges stock seems to be really poor compared to the other branches (although I guess the UK has a smaller stock than any other countries right now). I also feel like there is not a large choice of homeware, shoes and RTW there, which is not practical for me. I have one another SA at Cadogan (where I've bought my last non-quota bag), he is also kind and very knowledgeable, but not as nice as my Selfridges SA. Plus, Cadogan is bigger, with more stocks, and I appreciate the fact that they emailed me when the store had opened in April (I know they did it for all their clients, but Selfridges hasn't sent me anything).
So, in which store do you think it would be more interesting to renew my wishlist (and to definitely switch there for all my purchases) ? Does anyone has good feedbacks on Cadogan ?
Many thanks

I think a lot of us have the same issue. Like you I have a SA at Selfridges and she is a star, she's been very frank about the fact that stock levels has been very disappointing. There's a bag that I want and I want a specific colour as well, she straight out informed me she hasn't seen it in two years she's been working there despite the fact this is not a quota bag. I do agree with you that the boutique is quite small, especially if you want to have a look at the ready to wear, the new Bond Street or Cadogan place is a better choice.

I also agree with you that although it really depends on the individual, it can be a lot more work if you do decide to shop at Cadogan exclusively. Same has been said about the NBS boutique as well. Purely based on stocks, NBS is a logical choice, I'm not exactly sure that Cadogan has much larger stocks than Harrods or Selfridges. I popped in couple of times for bags and silk items but they never had what I was looking for.

My own wishlist is about to expire in a couple of days so I will have to renew it somewhere. If I were to only think about the experience and my SA, I would choose Selfridges but because my SA had specifically advised me about the stocks, I am a little bit hesitant. I am aware that for some, they were able to receive the quota bags relatively easily and without too much wait but I would bear in mind that that was in the past and now we live in a post-covid world where the situation really is totally different, especially in the UK.

It is far-fetched but if you ever do get a chance to visit and travel to New York, I would definitely go to the boutique there. They used to cater to tourists but since the pandemic there are no tourists and somehow the stock levels have not changed (this is what I heard from my cousin who lives in NY). She put in a request for a black, gold hardware B30 just before Christmas last year and she received the bag couple of weeks later in January. I was so jealous but at least I got to see her enjoy it through our video chats hehe