It’s not a big hassle if they don’t respond. In this case, he specifically told me to feel free to text him directly. Also, I even showed up and he was in the store and didn’t meet me so felt like he was uninterested? I haven’t tried Greenwich yet. I told the “competition” was higher there? Have you had any experience there? Thanks for your response.
Hermès New York City Stores
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I don’t blame you at all for finding that off-putting. I’m sure he didn’t think you heard him (and, while rude, at least it wasn’t genuinely insulting), and good for you that you were able to patiently show him why it appeared to you that there was a price discrepancy. I hope for the future he bears all of that in mind.
It’s up to you if you want to continue working with him or with another SA. Perhaps play it by ear? If you want to give him another chance, when you go in, see how he responds. If he doesn’t seem welcoming, or genuine when he sees you (for those who haven’t been to RF, the store is small enough so that you can see everyone who isn’t in the back) don’t waste your time. There aren’t many SAs there, but generally they are very good. If you want, I can DM you the name of one who is a pleasure to work with.
I can certainly try this. Thank you. Also, I welcome any SA recommendations anyone here may have. Thanks again.
I was just discussing this a few days ago with a friend of mine who was a huge Manhasset client - I know she told me, but I can't remember the time frame she mentioned (we are having dinner tonight, I will bring it up). Maybe in a month or two? I know it is definitely before the holidays.
As for why Manhasset became corporate-owned: yes, Hermès has been taking back franchise stores over the years, which is why it seemed so odd to me that not only was this franchise store created not terribly long ago (about 20 years ago, around when we moved out here), but since that time it:
- was moved to the current location,
- then was open for a few years,
- then was moved to a temporary location for at least a year while they did a massive expansion,
- then moved back to the current location, where they had a huge reopening party (with corporate's blessing, even Bob was there). That was probably around 2016 or so.
There were other reasons corporate took over this boutique, some of which I would only discuss privately in person. A Madison SA asked me recently about things the corporate staff had heard...things were run a bit differently there.
There was definitely not a problem for the staff to make sales there (there are more than enough people here who could make the big influencers' collections seem tiny...I mean 50, 75, 100 exotic Birkins...although of course these were mostly not purchased here), which is why I was sad to see that, after COVID, their stock levels never returned to normal, and I mean across departments - I mean, they would have maybe 5 scarves, total - although that did make it much easier for me to finally become a full-time Madison client (my SAs at both boutiques were aware that I was a client of both, as I had originally been a NYC client before I moved here, but after I met my current SA about 10 years ago, it became increasingly clear to me that the additional travel was well worth it, and for at least several years prior to COVID I had already been making most of my purchases at Madison).
So when Roosevelt Field opened, I was not really surprised. As a matter of distance, you could drive door-to-door from Manhasset to RF in maybe 10 minutes, so it was fairly obvious to me that this would eventually happen. Even the precise location of the RF boutique within the mall was weirdly amusing; having grown up here, back in the day that particular part of the mall was what I would have called the, ah, most-likely-to-get-mugged section. RF is perfectly fine (for a mall) now, but there is really nothing at the level of Hermès in there. Every other high-end boutique is at the Americana Manhasset.
As a side note, most of the staff was fine, and some were genuinely good. My last SA there was the first SA to ever send me a text when a desired item came in. It's amazing that local staff turnover in general usually means that anyone good will wind up at another great place fairly soon. That's how I know one of the RF SAs - she used to work at the VCA at London Jewelers. One former Hermès Manhasset SM now runs the Loro Piana; another SA is at Gucci. My favorite former Manhasset SM has been running the women's department of another favorite store of mine for the last 12 years or so (her best friend, who used to work at Burberry, now works there with her), and since then we've become good friends, so I probably know far more than I should.
Anyway, those are my thoughts about this location. It looks like right now they are in the process of changing things within the boutique...here's a photo I took yesterday (they even took down all the signs!):
View attachment 5856408
ETA: Interesting that my just typing the word g-u-c-c-i above created an instant hyperlink.
Well…I *do* have an update.
This is pretty much unconfirmable, so I guess empirically it is no more than a rumor, although definitely from a source who would know (as they have multiple connections with various aspects of this location). I generally refrain from commenting on background matters except in a positive light. For one thing, I’m not a negative person and my default position is to be positive and supportive; additionally, I only have a client’s perspective and therefore I know that am not privy to the entire picture regarding any matter. However, from what I understand, any aspect of the current situation that could be perceived as negative has nothing whatsoever to do with Hermès.
The best I can say is that, as of right now, the Manhasset location is up in the air. This is not due to any action on the part of Hermès, or any of its people or representatives, but has to do with the location. This would be disappointing at the very least, and incredibly short-sighted on the part of those who would be responsible (again, non-H) should the boutique not reopen in the location as planned.
As a matter of practicality, there are incredibly few (if any at all) locations on Long Island that would be appropriate for a Hermès boutique besides the current location at the Americana Manhasset, which makes the situation disappointing. Chanel, Dior, LV, VCA, Cartier, etc: they are all at the Americana. Any Hamptons outposts of the top designers are minuscule by comparison and, in the case of the jewelry companies, they are available in the Hamptons via London Jewelers (whose main - and by far largest - boutique is located in the Americana). Hermès did have a “pop-up” boutique in East Hampton for one or two summers around 2004/2005, but the Hamptons are a seasonal location and would not make sense year-round (having spent numerous family Thanksgivings in Southampton, I can tell you that it is *much* quieter off-season). I can’t even imagine where else they would open locally, even though the community has more than enough ready and willing clients to financially support it. (My best and only guess would be the now-empty Bed Bath and Beyond right across the street, which is probably too large, but it’s been empty for a while now so maybe the owner is getting desperate?)
A boutique opening in Greenpoint would not be applicable to the Long Island client. For those who may only be looking at a map, Kings/Queens Counties are considered part of NYC, Nassau/Suffolk Counties are Long Island. The appearance and demographics for each are completely different, and additionally, anyone who would otherwise shop at Manhasset would be more likely to go to a Manhattan boutique than to Brooklyn (Greenpoint is not quicker or more convenient).
Of course, as always this is not the whole story and I hope that it is at worst just a hiccup, but the fact that they have taken down the store signage (as you can see in the photo I posted above from Sunday) is not encouraging. Just for reference, I am including a photo here from when the boutique was boarded up on 6/1/20 - if you look at the top windows you can see the horse and carriage motifs on those windows, and the awnings below, which are not currently there).
Oh, yes, I should add that at the moment the RF boutique is supposed to remain open until May. I do hope that the current situation changes and will keep you posted if I hear anything else.
The only other place I could see it relocating to would be Huntington, maybe at Walt Whitman Mall. Maybe.
agree with @DoggieBags and @Bdbunny who suggest trying someone else or even texting out meatpacking.
I would not say that Madison, or any NY store, is less competitive than Greenwich, but I do not have personal experience with CT. I would recommend regular patronage of a store convenient to your location. Another data point is that I thought I read another poster state that madison SAs do not schedule appts on the weekends. I know my SA well enough that I can schedule appts, but I go during the week. Perhaps new SAs are discouraged from doing so? If that is the case, it might be a hassle. Perhaps someone who has dealt with a new SA and appts might see this and contribute more info. . .
ETA: I would be really aggravated to travel for nothing. And, I would simply find someone else. JMO though. I’m sorry this happened to you.
Thank you! I think I will play it by ear when I go in next and see what happens. Thank you for the offer but I'm afraid whomever you recommend will be quite disappointed with my spending level and I don't want that to reflect negatively on you.
There is nothing comparable at the Walt Whitman Mall - Hermès wouldn‘t put a boutique there because that mall doesn’t have any luxury boutiques. The only place is the Americana, where they have Chanel, Loro Piana, Zegna, LV, Gucci, Dior, Prada, etc…although I have noticed that, over the last few years, the level of boutiques has gone down a bit. I used to love shopping at the CH and Oscar de la Renta, and even before then, the Barney’s (back when there was a Barney’s). Intermix is out and is replaced with…Club Monaco? Bandier is gone and now it’s Todd Snyder (who??). Scanlan Theodore replaced Frame, and while I love ST I liked Frame too.
That’s very thoughtful of you, but don’t worry about that. When I started collecting a zillion years ago, I didn’t have much of a spending level, either.Thank you! I think I will play it by ear when I go in next and see what happens. Thank you for the offer but I'm afraid whomever you recommend will be quite disappointed with my spending level and I don't want that to reflect negatively on you.
so sweet. I will PM youThere is nothing comparable at the Walt Whitman Mall - Hermès wouldn‘t put a boutique there because that mall doesn’t have any luxury boutiques. The only place is the Americana, where they have Chanel, Loro Piana, Zegna, LV, Gucci, Dior, Prada, etc…although I have noticed that, over the last few years, the level of boutiques has gone down a bit. I used to love shopping at the CH and Oscar de la Renta, and even before then, the Barney’s (back when there was a Barney’s). Intermix is out and is replaced with…Club Monaco? Bandier is gone and now it’s Todd Snyder (who??). Scanlan Theodore replaced Frame, and while I love ST I liked Frame too.
That’s very thoughtful of you, but don’t worry about that. When I started collecting a zillion years ago, I didn’t have much of a spending level, either.
Sadly unable to attend the mens RTW event, but I hope all who are there are having an amazing time!
Hope to see pics of the event and/or action pics too!
Hope to see pics of the event and/or action pics too!
Still don't know what to wear to it... but will definitely post pics after!
When is the show? I want to drop by the store after the show is done as my SA told me she will pretty busy!
The show is off site, not at a store. I think the stores will be closed by the time it’s over. 
Way too many champagnes later... here are a few pictures last night's event as promised!
It was so much fun, beautiful venue with Manhattan skyline as the backdrop for the show, and SO many eye candy bags of course.
It was so much fun, beautiful venue with Manhattan skyline as the backdrop for the show, and SO many eye candy bags of course.