Hermès New York City Stores

[Angiebbb]

Yep husband and wife. I’m not sure why this is so surprising though bc the math works out to about 2:1 for normal bags and 1:1 for exotic which is standard. It’s not capped at 100k but certainly doesn’t reach 200k on non bag categories. FWIW I anecdotally know one friend shopping at MP that has a higher ratio now (but was close to 1:1 during covid). He’s just reluctant to switch bc he really likes the SA, but they live on the UES lol. They also always push on him things he doesn’t really want to buy like exotics and desordre type bags that are high ticket with little resale markup. (None of us resale).

I believe what a store generally frowns upon (if you are a newer client) is when there are husband and wife profiles buying all bags for the wife (no QBs for husband). For my husband and I, even being at different stores, that did not work, and my husband actually wanted a bag for himself. At first we were at the same store, then he moved because he didn’t like my SA then, and they still treated him like a ping pong ball (he couldn’t even work with the SA he wanted to bc that SA was friends with my SA then).

Ultimately corporate intervened and he got his bag a few weeks ago, but I had a floor manager calling us to be loyal to my husband’s SA at the store he was at. We spent at two stores in the U.S. and a few abroad, but in 2 years or so we are at approximately $600k now.

My husband is dressed from head to toe in Hermes often.

I think to have two profiles getting bags for the wife at Madison or at the same store, it would require higher prespend than it would be required if the accounts were separate in different stores.

You did great, I would not change SAs if I were you.

I noticed some senior SAs do not like when you inquire about twillies, scarves or shoes. At least in my case it has been like that.

 

[Angiebbb]

IKR. Something is NOT adding up. And it’s not just the prespend!

It seems clear that OP had great contacts before shopping at Madison, that makes a big difference. I do not find it strange at all.
I do have friends that shop at Madison who get neutral QBs with very (very) low prespend. In one case her/his family are billionaires, everyone knows her/his last name where they are from.

 

[xoxoglit]

I believe what a store generally frowns upon (if you are a newer client) is when there are husband and wife profiles buying all bags for the wife (no QBs for husband). For my husband and I, even being at different stores, that did not work, and my husband actually wanted a bag for himself. At first we were at the same store, then he moved because he didn’t like my SA then, and they still treated him like a ping pong ball (he couldn’t even work with the SA he wanted to bc that SA was friends with my SA then).

Ultimately corporate intervened and he got his bag a few weeks ago, but I had a floor manager calling us to be loyal to my husband’s SA at the store he was at. We spent at two stores in the U.S. and a few abroad, but in 2 years or so we are at approximately $600k now.

My husband is dressed from head to toe in Hermes often.

I think to have two profiles getting bags for the wife at Madison or at the same store, it would require higher prespend than it would be required if the accounts were separate in different stores.

You did great, I would not change SAs if I were you.

I noticed some senior SAs do not like when you inquire about twillies, scarves or shoes. At least in my case it has been like that.

Thanks for giving exact color on your numbers! Is that your spend on non-QB stuff? I think if it were just me, I could deal with the icy SA, but seems similar here DH really does not like her. We do a lot of things as a "team" and this just didn't seem like a hill I wanted to die on... we have tons of other things in life to negotiate haha (like I grew up skiing and he wants to be on a beach for vacations). That being said, like I voiced I'm OK if this means we just cannot continue being H customers if new SA also doesn't get along w/ DH. In that case I'll see u guys on the VCA/CC forum lol

 

[880]

twillies, scarves or shoes

I’ve heard this at Chanel and Dior and other premier designers as well as
Hermes NY. Theyve explained to me that it’s for a few reasons .

The numbers the SAs have to sell can be broken down hourly, and it’s enormous. If they are spending too much time on walk In clients or the first floor merch (shoes may not be first floor, but they cost time), it’s literally time away from other metiers that can get them to the minimum number.

Second, these companies are after lifestyle clients. While first floor clients may come in more often, I’ve been told that they can be harder to grow in a trajectory that makes economic sense for the SA. It’s generally better for an SA to have fewer larger clients than a bunch of first floor.

I buy first floor merch (scarves) as gifts (to recipients who do not know each other) To make it efficient, I have my SA pick a popular scarf pattern every year. And, my former SA was kind enough to google the recipients names to ensure that the colorways worked. My current SA is happy to do the same.

I’m a madison RTW client, and while my SAs and I have great relationships, I’m not actively seeking bags. But, at Madison, from what I read here, and see from my IRL friends who shop there too, the ratio is higher 3-5X between accepted bag offers.* JMO, though and of course it’s different for everyone

ETA: the statements I’m making have come directly from my SAs at the premier companies including Hermes Madison. In 2008, I was a CSGM client, and back then, it seemed the corporate policy was “lenient” enough to allow SAs adequate time and space.

*but, what arguably matters most is whether the leather manager likes your SA (not kidding)

 

[Daydrmer]

Thanks for giving exact color on your numbers! Is that your spend on non-QB stuff? I think if it were just me, I could deal with the icy SA, but seems similar here DH really does not like her. We do a lot of things as a "team" and this just didn't seem like a hill I wanted to die on... we have tons of other things in life to negotiate haha (like I grew up skiing and he wants to be on a beach for vacations). That being said, like I voiced I'm OK if this means we just cannot continue being H customers if new SA also doesn't get along w/ DH. In that case I'll see u guys on the VCA/CC forum lol

Your in-store experience matters most to you. And that's understandable. For some who shop at Hermes and who are interested in their bags, getting them at jaw dropping low spends(if given the chance,) would matter most to them.

Are you prepared for a new SA who may not be able to delivery QBs at the same low-spend of your former SA?

 

[imanda]

Checking for any recent experiences with the Hermes location inside Roosevelt Field mall since the last post was made over 2 years ago. Are they still not a good location to build a relationship for pre-spend? The Roosevelt store is more convenient for me to get to, but if they don’t offef quota bags, might as well go the extra distance and head to Madison Ave.

nope, no bags. Rumor is that H is supposed to be opening back up in Manhasset next year, I think. Bags will be available, according to the SA i was talking to.

 

[Angiebbb]

I’ve heard this at Chanel and Dior and other premier designers as well as
Hermes NY. Theyve explained to me that it’s for a few reasons .

The numbers the SAs have to sell can be broken down hourly, and it’s enormous. If they are spending too much time on walk In clients or the first floor merch (shoes may not be first floor, but they cost time), it’s literally time away from other metiers that can get them to the minimum number.

Second, these companies are after lifestyle clients. While first floor clients may come in more often, I’ve been told that they can be harder to grow in a trajectory that makes economic sense for the SA. It’s generally better for an SA to have fewer larger clients than a bunch of first floor.

I buy first floor merch (scarves) as gifts (to recipients who do not know each other) To make it efficient, I have my SA pick a popular scarf pattern every year. And, my former SA was kind enough to google the recipients names to ensure that the colorways worked. My current SA is happy to do the same.

I’m a madison RTW client, and while my SAs and I have great relationships, I’m not actively seeking bags. But, at Madison, from what I read here, and see from my IRL friends who shop there too, the ratio is higher 3-5X between accepted bag offers.* JMO, though and of course it’s different for everyone

ETA: the statements I’m making have come directly from my SAs at the premier companies including Hermes Madison. In 2008, I was a CSGM client, and back then, it seemed the corporate policy was “lenient” enough to allow SAs adequate time and space.

*but, what arguably matters most is whether the leather manager likes your SA (not kidding)

I thought that the SAs at Hermes US always met their targets, no matter how high. In any event this should be on the brand, not the customers. They should always treat everyone well and with respect. I buy a lot of belts as gifts, but I need to find something else unbranded because I gifted twice the same belt in the same color and hardware to a person 😬

I don’t buy much Chanel anymore, but when I want anything small, even if makeup, my friend’s SA bends over backwards to find it for me. Granted my friend is one of the biggest Chanel clients worldwide so they are always entertaining her, but they’ve always been great to me too.

Politics go a long way everywhere, and I feel it is no different at Madison. It doesn’t seem they have in place any strict audit process regarding bag allocation, so you see some people getting more, others getting less, with similar prespend and tenure. Then there are clients that barely spend and still get great bags. The SA one has makes a big difference, and of course if manager likes SA X more than SA Y, SA X will have better bag allocation. It is up to the client to realize if he/she spending more or less than others similarly situated and adjust his/her spend accordingly if having lower prespend for bags are a concern to the person.

Regarding sales target, generally in wishlist countries SAs do not have individual, only some store target numbers, but…

I heard in Europe that a leather manager came from another brand (not in fashion) and would say “no” to bags all the time. This is a huge store with lots of foot traffic, and they remained many months without hitting targets until the SAs called SM/corporate to intervene. The manager kept saying he/she didn’t want “to dilute the brand” and was shocked she/he needed to offer great bags to move a lot of products. This manager would still approve bags for clients of his/her favorite SAs.

There are definitely people in all stores getting bags at low or no prespend.

 

[880]

The SA one has makes a big difference, and of course if manager likes SA X more than SA Y, SA X will have better bag allocation.

💯

 

[OnlyModa]

My SA does not like to sell shoes for some reason but spends as much time as I need on any item, no matter how small, even a soap set. That's one of the reasons I like her.

 

[OnlyModa]

I’ll honestly say here I think bc a few members of my friend group shop with them, that was the expectation of where I would be in a few years in terms of spend. They all get 4 bags a year btw, not like crazy exclusive (picnic / doll level) but certainly MK or any exotic. And I don’t mind the idea of the spend? But I just personally like to chit chat and gossip with my SA. Vs our SA was very transactional and wanted to know exactly what we were buying before we came so she could maximize time for her other appointments. I don’t blame her but it’s not my vibe. Also typically for larger purchases I like to go through the journey w my husband so we have the memories, and he absolutely detested her lol….. it was tough.

I get it that you want it to be an experience. If I were getting 3 QBs a year on a 27k pre spend, I would take all the money I "save" and go shop elsewhere with a gossipy chit chatty SA. I might even do it at another H store since I do genuinely like their stuff but I would hold on to that 3 QB SA with both hands!

 

[FrenchNewbie]

Politics go a long way everywhere, and I feel it is no different at Madison. It doesn’t seem they have in place any strict audit process regarding bag allocation, so you see some people getting more, others getting less, with similar prespend and tenure. Then there are clients that barely spend and still get great bags. The SA one has makes a big difference, and of course if manager likes SA X more than SA Y, SA X will have better bag allocation. It is up to the client to realize if he/she spending more or less than others similarly situated and adjust his/her spend accordingly if having lower prespend for bags are a concern to the person.

💯

So sad, but true. ☹️

 

[xoxoglit]

I get it that you want it to be an experience. If I were getting 3 QBs a year on a 27k pre spend, I would take all the money I "save" and go shop elsewhere with a gossipy chit chatty SA. I might even do it at another H store since I do genuinely like their stuff but I would hold on to that 3 QB SA with both hands!

You’re so funny lol, do you have dozens of H bags? I actually probably only have 6 or so on my wishlist for H, but wouldn’t mind continuing to shop their RTW. We also got a few things for our dog that are amazing and would prob continue to purchase from that line. I think everyone’s priorities are different, but I usually line list on a spreadsheet things I want / timeline. We’re also quite young (I’d like to think), so what’s the rush?

 

[880]

I get it. I love shopping with my SAs, and do so regardless of QB acquisition. If I wasn’t comfortable, I wouldn’t shop.
If you’re not in a rush, why not just experiment and enjoy

@OnlyModa, in the old Madison, I felt sorry for my SA if I wanted shoes bc the shoe place was the hot, stuffy greenhouse. But somehow there did seem to be more room there to look at first floor stuff. In the new Madison, I’ve loved buying tall boots and RTW bc there is more room to move around lol (they can just bring boots and stuff to your dressing room.). But the shoe area still feels like a crowded mess. Maybe that’s just my perception lol.

 

[Angiebbb]

You’re so funny lol, do you have dozens of H bags? I actually probably only have 6 or so on my wishlist for H, but wouldn’t mind continuing to shop their RTW. We also got a few things for our dog that are amazing and would prob continue to purchase from that line. I think everyone’s priorities are different, but I usually line list on a spreadsheet things I want / timeline. We’re also quite young (I’d like to think), so what’s the rush?

If you want to focus on RTW, then it would be best for you to have a RTW SA (if yours is not in that area). There are a few RTW SAs at Madison that do understand everything about cut and fit, and are excellent in giving directions to the tailor. I noticed some SAs from other departments sometimes are not as good in that because that is not their expertise.

I went shopping with my friend with a RTW SA and even my friend was extremely impressed how much this SA knew about cut, fit and alterations.

 

[xoxoglit]

I get it. I love shopping with my SAs, and do so regardless of QB acquisition. If I wasn’t comfortable, I wouldn’t shop.
If you’re not in a rush, just experiment and enjoy

Yes, between our work and parenting, I frankly don’t have that many extra hours of free time. For me personally I need to enjoy shopping and not feel like it was a chore! Luxury used to be fun and I think still should be!