Hermès New York City Stores
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Just an update to those who were keeping along with my story.
No success..
I went in today and looked around with my SA. When I brought up if there was any chance for a bag she was like “no that’s not how it works. You need a leather appointment, many weeks ahead of time after a request. Send me a text with the colors requested.” I said “not even a Constance?” She said “ You can request anything even a mini Kelly (which my eyes lit up because a mini is my dream). And I really suggest you buy that jacket you were looking at”
So I bought a coat that I probably shouldn’t have because I’ve been saving up for a bag. And the coat ate into those funds. Feeling pretty bummed and not hopeful that these efforts would help.
I think I struggle with the .. for lack of a better word.. lies? I understand that there are games to this, that it’s a business catered to people with lots of money… but previously she said a mini Kelly can’t be my first qb and now she implied it could. Then when I texted her my mini Kelly wishlist she brought up the Constance instead.
I don’t know how much I can keep playing these games, especially because I really don’t have so much money to throw the way I know others do… not sure if I should just give up
No success..
I went in today and looked around with my SA. When I brought up if there was any chance for a bag she was like “no that’s not how it works. You need a leather appointment, many weeks ahead of time after a request. Send me a text with the colors requested.” I said “not even a Constance?” She said “ You can request anything even a mini Kelly (which my eyes lit up because a mini is my dream). And I really suggest you buy that jacket you were looking at”
So I bought a coat that I probably shouldn’t have because I’ve been saving up for a bag. And the coat ate into those funds. Feeling pretty bummed and not hopeful that these efforts would help.
I think I struggle with the .. for lack of a better word.. lies? I understand that there are games to this, that it’s a business catered to people with lots of money… but previously she said a mini Kelly can’t be my first qb and now she implied it could. Then when I texted her my mini Kelly wishlist she brought up the Constance instead.
I don’t know how much I can keep playing these games, especially because I really don’t have so much money to throw the way I know others do… not sure if I should just give up
That’s awful. Sorry to hear that. Perhaps it’s time to explore another SA?
To update on my appointment. I had indicated to my SA it’s be great to get a mini Kelly but I’d understand if it is impossible. My SA said well the grand opening is a great time for those impossible items. As soon as we met up in the store he said he has the mini Kelly for me and wanted to show me the store and the other items I had indicated interest in. I felt no pressure for additional purchases but I did buy what I thought would be cool to have. In the end I got my dream bag and had a great visit.
I think a mini Kelly is easier right now than a b25, especially one in sellier. It still requires a 2-3:1 prespend though. I have never purchased a Constance but I have been offered some. I don’t think those should be too hard?
Thanks for sharing your update!
That is disappointing. Was your SA's tone 'i loved this jacket on you and if I were you, i'd get it!' or truly more of a quid pro quo statement?
Either way, sounds like you should return the jacket and keep saving for your dream bag. No one (even your SA) wins if you are staring at a pricey mistake in your closet - you'll resent yourself, him/her, and the process, and have less $ to spend when something you truly love (bag or otherwise) comes along.
I know this particular brand can have a unique effect on psychology, but I firmly believe your loyalty is to yourself (as other, wiser, more seasoned folk here have emphasized)
Hear! Hear!Thanks for sharing your update!
That is disappointing. Was your SA's tone 'i loved this jacket on you and if I were you, i'd get it!' or truly more of a quid pro quo statement?
Either way, sounds like you should return the jacket and keep saving for your dream bag. No one (even your SA) wins if you are staring at a pricey mistake in your closet - you'll resent yourself, him/her, and the process, and have less $ to spend when something you truly love (bag or otherwise) comes along.
I know this particular brand can have a unique effect on psychology, but I firmly believe your loyalty is to yourself (as other, wiser, more seasoned folk here have emphasized)
Aww I hate to hear that. Don’t play games, especially when it comes to your money unless you have an unlimited supply of it!
Agreed all the way especially the returning the jacket part! Part of building a healthy relationship of any type is being honest and probably has more weight than spending money on something not really on the list!Thanks for sharing your update!
That is disappointing. Was your SA's tone 'i loved this jacket on you and if I were you, i'd get it!' or truly more of a quid pro quo statement?
Either way, sounds like you should return the jacket and keep saving for your dream bag. No one (even your SA) wins if you are staring at a pricey mistake in your closet - you'll resent yourself, him/her, and the process, and have less $ to spend when something you truly love (bag or otherwise) comes along.
I know this particular brand can have a unique effect on psychology, but I firmly believe your loyalty is to yourself (as other, wiser, more seasoned folk here have emphasized)
so disappointing for you and sounds very confusing. Did your SA really like the jacket on you or was she hinting to you that you needed to spend more to get a bag offer? I thought she had hinted in a prior conversation at the old Madison that you would be getting a bag offer soon? If you are not sure about the jacket you can return it. Just be aware that you will most likely get a store credit and not a refund to your cc. If you end up with a store credit, check to make sure that you can apply that store credit to a bag if you are offered one in the future. So sorry it didn’t turn out the way you had hoped.
Returning the jacket will give you store credit only, and unfortunately will not help with getting a QB, especially if a MK is what you're after. I personally would advise returning it IF you can find better use for the store credit on other non-bag items. If there isn't much non-QB items you like from H, it might be better to look into resellers vs continue to prespend on things you don't love.
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I’m so sorry. i did think she hinted that a bag might be possible for you based on your post prior to the appt. But, in any case, it is really up to the SM. IMO, Only buy stuff you love. Don’t buy stuff that you don’t. I agree with @Tykhe that the bag that’s scarce is the B25 sellier, but, in general, I thought the mini K is reserved for those with strong purchase histories. Or for those whose spending history is on an upward trajectory irrespective of QB. It might be less expensive in the long run to buy reseller if you decide that you don’t love the other lines. (I buy both boutique and reseller)
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Really? Mini Kelly is easier to get now? I hope that’s what my SA has for me this weekend!
I have no idea . But it seems like there have been quite a few offered lately even just in this thread alone.
Every time I bring up a birkin my sa laughs and says “how about a mini Kelly?” I feel like I spent a lot more to get my birkin than the mini Kelly but it could be due to time of the year. Also, it is possible that as my collection grows I am less thirsty for my next bag. I am just buying what I like and the prespend doesn’t seem as high.
Anyway good luck on your appointment! Let us know what you get!!
@speckle , @mimi 123 ,
i believe that H madison has hired new SAs, and i would recommend walking in and asking the concierge for an available SA. Re the SAs of longer tenure, at least mine have refused any new referrals, even of IRL friends and family, bc they cannot accommodate new clients. Good luck!
As I read the thread, I wanted to express my opinion on QB acquisition. Madison does have a relative large supply as it apparently pulled stock from all over the US for the opening. But, during the opening weekend, sales vastly exceeded expectations. Some friends and I even speculated that average spend during a pre opening appt might exceed 3X, IDK. (I should add that my spend was minimal, but my SA knew that ahead of time and also knew I didn’t want or expect a bag; I have enough right now).
I believe this recent success has only reinforced the prevalent attitude (from management down) to reserve or prioritize coveted QBs for high spend clients who shop regularly in all categories. In other words, H can now afford, more than ever, to cherry pick from a bunch of H aficionados with relatively large pockets. Those clients have gotten multiple offers. I don’t think that it helps to look at this business practice as a game, but certainly building a relationship primarily with a QB in mind can be risky and expensive. The rules may be different for those with longer standing relationships who have been grand fathered in.
On the other hand, recession is coming, and I believe the pre loved market is softening bc I see many K25 and other popular bags unsold at their inflated price. So, I think there are many roads to getting a bag. The next person who posts may have a totally different perspective and say she got a QB with very little spend, but I think those cases are not the norm. (I did read articles, posts, and a TPF thread that male clients in search for a QB or those who buy certain types of watches may have an easier time than the rest of us) JMO and YMMV.
ETA: @mimi 123, I am not sure what current policy is for phone orders of any stock especially limited edition pieces. H does prioritize stock for clients who walk into the store, and it does not give its SAs sufficient time to return texts, emails, or place orders under the best circumstances. Perhaps this will change during recession, but I doubt it. For whatever reason H has continued to grow sales during economic downturns.
i believe that H madison has hired new SAs, and i would recommend walking in and asking the concierge for an available SA. Re the SAs of longer tenure, at least mine have refused any new referrals, even of IRL friends and family, bc they cannot accommodate new clients. Good luck!
As I read the thread, I wanted to express my opinion on QB acquisition. Madison does have a relative large supply as it apparently pulled stock from all over the US for the opening. But, during the opening weekend, sales vastly exceeded expectations. Some friends and I even speculated that average spend during a pre opening appt might exceed 3X, IDK. (I should add that my spend was minimal, but my SA knew that ahead of time and also knew I didn’t want or expect a bag; I have enough right now).
I believe this recent success has only reinforced the prevalent attitude (from management down) to reserve or prioritize coveted QBs for high spend clients who shop regularly in all categories. In other words, H can now afford, more than ever, to cherry pick from a bunch of H aficionados with relatively large pockets. Those clients have gotten multiple offers. I don’t think that it helps to look at this business practice as a game, but certainly building a relationship primarily with a QB in mind can be risky and expensive. The rules may be different for those with longer standing relationships who have been grand fathered in.
On the other hand, recession is coming, and I believe the pre loved market is softening bc I see many K25 and other popular bags unsold at their inflated price. So, I think there are many roads to getting a bag. The next person who posts may have a totally different perspective and say she got a QB with very little spend, but I think those cases are not the norm. (I did read articles, posts, and a TPF thread that male clients in search for a QB or those who buy certain types of watches may have an easier time than the rest of us) JMO and YMMV.
ETA: @mimi 123, I am not sure what current policy is for phone orders of any stock especially limited edition pieces. H does prioritize stock for clients who walk into the store, and it does not give its SAs sufficient time to return texts, emails, or place orders under the best circumstances. Perhaps this will change during recession, but I doubt it. For whatever reason H has continued to grow sales during economic downturns.
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Main issue is I am far away from NYC and no travel plan in next few months. Otherwise I'll just hop in. Thanks anyway.