Hermes in Germany

[vertamande]

I can confirm it now too Well with a bit of a twist. My SA cant work on anything QB just yet but was kind enough to organize an appointment with his colleague. I think this was a very smooth process and a great service. No e-mails or anything like it. I do have to wait until mid September though, but I will be on vacation the first weeks of September, which played a part.

I cant believe that this is actually happening I know its going to be a long time of waiting after placing the wish but still feels like a great moment - almost an accomplishment And once you reach that point it is so much more real I guess my next Paris trip in 2 weeks is going to be a lot more relaxed now

Sorry can I just confirm: in Frankfurt/ all of Germany, you need to spend first and then wait months before you can even enter a wish for a quota bag??? I am asking as I will be relocating next year for work and this is very different than in London or the US. I was able to enter a wish the moment I met my SA in London and then I began spending and had a birkin 5 months later. I also just did an SO 4 months after receiving the birkin. Seems strange to spend without even having a wish entered. I’d feel I’m wasting my time in that location.

 

[h_collector]

Sorry can I just confirm: in Frankfurt/ all of Germany, you need to spend first and then wait months before you can even enter a wish for a quota bag??? I am asking as I will be relocating next year for work and this is very different than in London or the US. I was able to enter a wish the moment I met my SA in London and then I began spending and had a birkin 5 months later. I also just did an SO 4 months after receiving the birkin. Seems strange to spend without even having a wish entered. I’d feel I’m wasting my time in that location.

You have to be a local customer to get a Birkin or Kelly, but you don't have to spend a certain amount. Just ask a SA while you are looking at or buying something; they will tell you the next steps. Sometimes the waiting list is closed for a few weeks or months, but it is also certain that you will get a bag once you are on the waiting list. Theoretically, you'll never have to buy anything again and you'll still get the call/email as soon as a bag with your specifications (or a similar one) is available. In most cases you have to wait 1-1,5 years until your bag arrives. It might shorten your waiting time if you have a relationship to a SA and shop in the boutique regularly, but it is absolutely not necessary to get a Birkin or Kelly.

 

[heifer]

You have to be a local customer to get a Birkin or Kelly, but you don't have to spend a certain amount. Just ask a SA while you are looking at or buying something; they will tell you the next steps. Sometimes the waiting list is closed for a few weeks or months, but it is also certain that you will get a bag once you are on the waiting list. Theoretically, you'll never have to buy anything again and you'll still get the call/email as soon as a bag with your specifications (or a similar one) is available. In most cases you have to wait 1-1,5 years until your bag arrives. It might shorten your waiting time if you have a relationship to a SA and shop in the boutique regularly, but it is absolutely not necessary to get a Birkin or Kelly.

I agree, one does not need pre-spend in Germany (according to my SM), but it helps and speeds things up, especially when you want a special bag.

 

[MissTammyB]

I agree, one does not need pre-spend in Germany (according to my SM), but it helps and speeds things up, especially when you want a special bag.

I agree, one does not need pre-spend in Germany (according to my SM), but it helps and speeds things up, especially when you want a special bag.

Yes and it also helps to get special non quota bags - e.g. I got a C18 after my K32 (time between the two offers 2 months) and a CTG a few weeks before my K32. I am a very loyal
Client though and spend across categories (except RTW - just doesn’t work for me)

 

[h_collector]

I agree, one does not need pre-spend in Germany (according to my SM), but it helps and speeds things up, especially when you want a special bag.

Of course. You won't get any special bag without being a loyal and high spending customer

 

[dailydoseofH]

Sorry can I just confirm: in Frankfurt/ all of Germany, you need to spend first and then wait months before you can even enter a wish for a quota bag??? I am asking as I will be relocating next year for work and this is very different than in London or the US. I was able to enter a wish the moment I met my SA in London and then I began spending and had a birkin 5 months later. I also just did an SO 4 months after receiving the birkin. Seems strange to spend without even having a wish entered. I’d feel I’m wasting my time in that location.

From personal experience, you don't have to spend first before getting the opportunity to place a wish, but I think it helps. However, wishlist appointments are getting more and more difficult to obtain. There are less available (to certain people) it seems. I had friends try with little to no spend and they receive emails that there are no appointment slots available.

I was also testing the waters on the "no pre-spend" theory and had my husband on his separate account and a different store place a wish (no pre-spend and no spend at this store to date) with specs of K28 blues, pinks or greens, epsom sellier PHW and after two years still not successful. My friend at the same store has pre-spend and has been a client for years, received a letter that her wish expired after 1,5 years without alternative options. They said she can place a new wish in 4 months. She has been a long-term customer there but little pre-spend. Take with a grain of salt that it is a franchise location and they receive more core colors (black, etoupe, gold) than colors.

So placing a wish does not guarantee receiving a bag. My SA & SM says spend does not speed up the process. The system in Germany is fairer than other countries though and the chances of receiving a QB are higher.

 

[h_collector]

From personal experience, you don't have to spend first before getting the opportunity to place a wish, but I think it helps. However, wishlist appointments are getting more and more difficult to obtain. There are less available (to certain people) it seems. I had friends try with little to no spend and they receive emails that there are no appointment slots available.

Agree, it is getting harder nowadays. Demand is increasing like crazy!

I was also testing the waters on the "no pre-spend" theory and had my husband on his separate account and a different store place a wish (no pre-spend and no spend at this store to date) with specs of K28 blues, pinks or greens, epsom sellier PHW and after two years still not successful. My friend at the same store has pre-spend and has been a client for years, received a letter that her wish expired after 1,5 years without alternative options. They said she can place a new wish in 4 months. She has been a long-term customer there but little pre-spend. Take with a grain of salt that it is a franchise location and they receive more core colors (black, etoupe, gold) than colors.

So placing a wish does not guarantee receiving a bag. My SA & SM says spend does not speed up the process. The system in Germany is fairer than other countries though and the chances of receiving a QB are higher.

Wow, that's disappointing. I never heard this from my store - luckily. Everybody got at least one alternative option before the wish got cancelled.

 

[dailydoseofH]

Agree, it is getting harder nowadays. Demand is increasing like crazy!

Yes! But I feel right now I am getting more offers the last 3 months than the past few years. I think it's because I keep rejecting the QB offers since it doesn't scream love My husband is not happy, I will be going on ban island by the end of the year.

Wow, that's disappointing. I never heard this from my store - luckily. Everybody got at least one alternative option before the wish got cancelled.

In my area they used to do that! But I think with demand they decided to bypass providing any alternatives. My friend is on her 4th or 5th QB with the store and she's telling me it's been harder and harder to get a B or K.

 

[dailydoseofH]

Agree, it is getting harder nowadays. Demand is increasing like crazy!


Wow, that's disappointing. I never heard this from my store - luckily. Everybody got at least one alternative option before the wish got cancelled.

At @mshup I saw your lovely avatar and I wanted to send you a PM but can't figure out how! I wanted to ask you how you like your matte porosus and what size it is? Is it super high maintenance as everyone says? Considering a matte B25 = why I may be on ban island this year. Totally OT

 

[h_collector]

At @mshup I saw your lovely avatar and I wanted to send you a PM but can't figure out how! I wanted to ask you how you like your matte porosus and what size it is? Is it super high maintenance as everyone says? Considering a matte B25 = why I may be on ban island this year. Totally OT

Thank you! It is a B30 SO in matte alligator I am super happy with my alligator bags but yes, it is true: It is super high maintenance if you want to keep them in a "like new" condition. (Water) stains are mostly non removable and damage the bag forever. The handles from bags in lighter colors like Vert d'eau, Beton or Himalaya are getting darker from just wearing them. It really sucks but I would buy them again anyway.

 

[dailydoseofH]

Thank you! It is a B30 SO in matte alligator I am super happy with my alligator bags but yes, it is true: It is super high maintenance if you want to keep them in a "like new" condition. (Water) stains are mostly non removable and damage the bag forever. The handles from bags in lighter colors like Vert d'eau, Beton or Himalaya are getting darker from just wearing them. It really sucks but I would buy them again anyway.

Thank you for the info! She's a beauty!

Vert d'Eau was my color of choice so I should reconsider something darker for "less maintenance". I'm glad to hear you would get another alligator! Weather in Germany is wet (I guess that's what Ostrich is for ). I'm worried that I would only take it out 1 or 2x a year, it would be so sad to leave it in a closet.

 

[h_collector]

Thank you for the info! She's a beauty!

Vert d'Eau was my color of choice so I should reconsider something darker for "less maintenance". I'm glad to hear you would get another alligator! Weather in Germany is wet (I guess that's what Ostrich is for ). I'm worried that I would only take it out 1 or 2x a year, it would be so sad to leave it in a closet.

I own a B in Vert d'eau too. It is such a stunning color! But you need to be very careful. I don't wear her if there is any rain in the forecast, I take a dust bag with me whenever I go to a restaurant and cover her up (sounds crazy, I know) and well, the handles are already very dark compared to the bag; but wearing Twillies on alligator is just not my style. I recently met a guy in my home store, he was wearing a B20 in Vert d'eau and mentioned the same: he hates that the handles are getting dark. So you need to reconsider this if you really want to wear and enjoy your bag. There will be signs of wear that you are not used to, if you come from Epsom, Togo, Chevre, Swift or any other "regular" leather.

Noir (or any darker color like Vert Rousseau for instance) is a good option if you want to have an alligator bag in your collection; the handles will stay the same and water stains will be only slightly visible. At least on matte alligator; shiny alligator looks even worse when it comes to water stains because it is getting greyish/matte and more visible compared to the rest of the bag.

 

[vertamande]

From personal experience, you don't have to spend first before getting the opportunity to place a wish, but I think it helps. However, wishlist appointments are getting more and more difficult to obtain. There are less available (to certain people) it seems. I had friends try with little to no spend and they receive emails that there are no appointment slots available.

I was also testing the waters on the "no pre-spend" theory and had my husband on his separate account and a different store place a wish (no pre-spend and no spend at this store to date) with specs of K28 blues, pinks or greens, epsom sellier PHW and after two years still not successful. My friend at the same store has pre-spend and has been a client for years, received a letter that her wish expired after 1,5 years without alternative options. They said she can place a new wish in 4 months. She has been a long-term customer there but little pre-spend. Take with a grain of salt that it is a franchise location and they receive more core colors (black, etoupe, gold) than colors.

So placing a wish does not guarantee receiving a bag. My SA & SM says spend does not speed up the process. The system in Germany is fairer than other countries though and the chances of receiving a QB are higher.

That’s crazy. How is it fairer if you cannot even place a wish? In UK it seems the fairest. ANYONE can place a wish the moment you enter the store. And then it expires in a year and based on if you spend or if there is stock will depend on if the wish is fulfilled. I think it’s unfair that a person needs to wait just for the privilege to even ENTER a wish. I understand waiting for it but entering one seems bizarre. Not everyone that enters a wish gets it in UK but anyone at all can enter one and there is a dedicated wish team who decide when it’s fulfilled based on your profile and the stock they have (if it aligns with current wishes asking for the stock they have)

 

[heifer]

That’s crazy. How is it fairer if you cannot even place a wish? In UK it seems the fairest. ANYONE can place a wish the moment you enter the store. And then it expires in a year and based on if you spend or if there is stock will depend on if the wish is fulfilled. I think it’s unfair that a person needs to wait just for the privilege to even ENTER a wish. I understand waiting for it but entering one seems bizarre. Not everyone that enters a wish gets it in UK but anyone at all can enter one and there is a dedicated wish team who decide when it’s fulfilled based on your profile and the stock they have (if it aligns with current wishes asking for the stock they have)

Things have changed over the years, in the past I wouldn't say it was easier but in a way it was.

My home store would offer me bags on display if they weren't spoken to, of course I was a loyal costumer back then and still are nowadays. But despite the fact that I have a consistent shopping profile at my home store (I shop RTW, Maison and Dogs accessories) I hadn't placed any wishes this year, because there really wasn't anything I wanted, but when I did find something, I was told that the appointment slots for wishes well at full capacity for this year and that starting from January they would accomodate my request for new a wish.

Now, after being a trusty and loyal costumer for over 15 years I was indeed put off by what I was told, yet I understand that there are people out there dreaming of owning their very first QB while I own a consistent collection already, so I didn't insist. I believe that this new system in Germany was set up in first place to help accomodate new clients possibility of buying at least one QB.

Is it fair? Maybe yes, maybe not? All I can say is that there's always Paris in case things don't work out.

 

[h_collector]

Not everyone that enters a wish gets it in UK but anyone at all can enter one and there is a dedicated wish team who decide when it’s fulfilled based on your profile and the stock they have (if it aligns with current wishes asking for the stock they have)

I personally prefer to only be on a wishlist if the chances are high that I will actually score the bag I am waiting for. Usually that is (or has been) the case in Germany. The boutique won't place a wish because demand is ultra high and the chance to score a bag within a certain period of time is very low. I can't see any advantage of being on a wishlist knowing that anybody can be on this list but only a tiny fraction will get a bag offer anyway. Tell me if I am wrong but I assume that newbies won't have a realistic chance to score a B/K in the UK by just buying a few things (let's say a belt, a pair of oran sandals and a silk scarf) because the SM/SA will always prefer customers that spent more. If you say they fulfill wishes based on the profile of a customer.