Hermes boutiques in London

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#3,766
maxroxxherhandbags said:
@papertiger Oh dear!
Even reading this makes me feel irritated.
I really respect you for even waiting around I think I would have lost my s*** and just said "I have an appointment !" and left.
I never ever bother with NBS now...Many moons ago there was an incredible SA there named Sharon who then moved to Harrods I moved with her because she was so lovely and great to deal with despite me not being a big spender-then she left to have a baby.
After she left I returned to NBS because it was easiest for me to get to with the largest inventory but every time I went (to buy scarves or perfume or diary refills) I found the service deeply unhelpful and though I'm an easy customer focussed on what I want and not a time waster I felt they just couldn't be bothered (example-I knew what scarf I wanted but asked to see a few colour ways ..The SA begrudgingly just pointed to the folded display with no offer to unfold a couple on the counter so I could make my decision).
The Nadir came when I was going to buy my cape Cod watch with my DH as a present for my 'big' birthday... We waited and waited and waited for someone to assist us (despite us walking in and saying exactly what we had come to buy) this lead to my DH after 20 minutes waiting and seeing other people who arrived after taken to buy scarves etc saying "I'm not going to beg them to take my money! here..if you want to wait take my card and buy it I'm going to a coffee shop find me there..".
I left with him and got the watch elsewhere.
I dont think I've been in since that was 10 years ago!
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Oh dear I remember I was buying a H Heure back then in 2019 and encountered similar thing - they didn’t even offer me to see any maxi twilly / twilly after getting my watch….
Luckily my current SA is very sweet and I can tell she is trying to help… I now just hope she will stay with Hermes as long as possible.
 
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#3,767
I have to put my last trip to NBS in context:

I've been a regular at NBS for about 12 years and usually very well treated. Many SAs/SMs greet me by name even when they're not the one serving just to say 'hi', I totally respect the reg staff there. I'd never met the SAs on the last occasion before, plus, I'm sure the new female SA will make a very fine member of staff (should she be allowed to get on with her job without Mr. pedantic know-all, sillyarse in her way).

I never usually go in without plenty of time to spare if I can help it as it's such a busy store and I forgive them, but if I was a new customer to H I would be really put-off, even shocked at the farce.No one shouldn't be training an SA on basics whist trying to serve a customer at the same time.

I just find in all the reg H stores very inconsistent lately, even under covid-conditions, and this latest transaction bizarre for an Hermes flagship. I'd be right to be irritated if it were in Zara TBH.

Anyway, one of my fave scarves and there are worse ways to spend one's time.
 
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#3,768
maxroxxherhandbags said:
@papertiger Oh dear!
Even reading this makes me feel irritated.
I really respect you for even waiting around I think I would have lost my s*** and just said "I have an appointment !" and left.
I never ever bother with NBS now...Many moons ago there was an incredible SA there named Sharon who then moved to Harrods I moved with her because she was so lovely and great to deal with despite me not being a big spender-then she left to have a baby.
After she left I returned to NBS because it was easiest for me to get to with the largest inventory but every time I went (to buy scarves or perfume or diary refills) I found the service deeply unhelpful and though I'm an easy customer focussed on what I want and not a time waster I felt they just couldn't be bothered (example-I knew what scarf I wanted but asked to see a few colour ways ..The SA begrudgingly just pointed to the folded display with no offer to unfold a couple on the counter so I could make my decision).
The Nadir came when I was going to buy my cape Cod watch with my DH as a present for my 'big' birthday... We waited and waited and waited for someone to assist us (despite us walking in and saying exactly what we had come to buy) this lead to my DH after 20 minutes waiting and seeing other people who arrived after taken to buy scarves etc saying "I'm not going to beg them to take my money! here..if you want to wait take my card and buy it I'm going to a coffee shop find me there..".
I left with him and got the watch elsewhere.
I dont think I've been in since that was 10 years ago!
Click to expand...

A bad experience can ruin everything. H should know.

H games are one thing, bad service another.
 
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#3,771
I hate NBS. When starting my H journey in London (about 9 years ago) I met the most sarcastic SA ever. My husband and I went in to enquire about a watch. We were honest and said we needed help deciding what we wanted and didn’t know about the different styles. The SA led us straight to a £52,000 watch and showed us nothing else. I knew he was being an idiot. My response was why would I spend £52k on a watch from Hermes when I could buy an AP watch like what my husband is wearing. His face dropped as he realised we were not fools. My husbands watch wasn’t even that much money!!! Point is I found him condescending and even though I had a purchase history at NBS vowed never to spend a single penny there again. I don’t work hard to save my money to be treated and spoken to sarcastically. Luxury houses making customers wait for an SA is appalling.
 
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#3,773
papertiger said:
I have to put my last trip to NBS in context:

I've been a regular at NBS for about 12 years and usually very well treated. Many SAs/SMs greet me by name even when they're not the one serving just to say 'hi', I totally respect the reg staff there. I'd never met the SAs on the last occasion before, plus, I'm sure the new female SA will make a very fine member of staff (should she be allowed to get on with her job without Mr. pedantic know-all, sillyarse in her way).

I never usually go in without plenty of time to spare if I can help it as it's such a busy store and I forgive them, but if I was a new customer to H I would be really put-off, even shocked at the farce.No one shouldn't be training an SA on basics whist trying to serve a customer at the same time.

I just find in all the reg H stores very inconsistent lately, even under covid-conditions, and this latest transaction bizarre for an Hermes flagship. I'd be right to be irritated if it were in Zara TBH.

Anyway, one of my fave scarves and there are worse ways to spend one's time.
Click to expand...
What you experienced last time (and others too, it would seem) is exactly what happened to me, and like you say, if you were new H it would be very off putting. I know NBS have the largest range but I avoid it whenever possible because of the terrible experience.
 
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#3,774
I find that NBS is not for everyone... Clients and SAs alike! At least one of the SAs in NBS has recently asked to be transferred to another boutique because the stress was getting too much. This SA told me stories about what it's like to be trying to serve so many customers at the same time, the fact that pre-COVID and even now, there's little effort by the store to regulate the number of customers, resulting in customers breathing down SAs necks when SAs are showing something to another customer, lots of frustration for SAs and clients alike, the worst days been those when SAs start at the same time the boutique opens so no time to prepare / check emails before customers start flooding in...

I pop into NBS every now and again when it's quiet, to get inspiration and buy the odd item. But I wouldn't want to be a regular there, I'd find it too stressful and have always had a better experience elsewhere (except for Harrod's ground floor!)
 
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#3,777
louise_elouise said:
Awww this is really disappointing. He was so lovely and made me feel so welcome every time. A huge highlight of the store
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Me as well. I'm actually really sad - losing Jack and also losing my NYC SA this year has put a damper on my shopping experience. But, we just bought a place in Paris, so I can re-ignite with my Paris SAs, I guess. I will ask Jack what he's up to as I am sure it's something great.
 
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