You said Hermes couldn't recognise their own work which I think it's not as black and white as that hence I think it's harsh. JMO.
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I think it would be fine if a temporary sales associate simply said that -- I am a temp and am not able to verify the authenticity of your bag so I cannot accept it. However I was in the Madison Avenue store in NYC and was told by a sales associate that they "would not even touch my bag" because "there was no way that they could tell if it was authentic without the receipt." She refused I even look at it. The next day, a contact in the workshop was astounded at what I was told and how I was treated.
If she was a temp that would be different, but I don't think that was the case here. She just couldn't be bothered with me and my hand-me-down bag. l also must have seemed somehow dishonest because she was essentially accusing me if trying to get spa services for a fake bag... which still makes no sense to me. If I had a fake bag, I would not take it in for service.
It seems that even a small boutique should have someone who is trained enough to be familiar with Hermes craftsmanship. I am no expert on running an Hermes boutique, but I don't know how a boutique could be run well without a trained staff.
If she was a temp that would be different, but I don't think that was the case here. She just couldn't be bothered with me and my hand-me-down bag. l also must have seemed somehow dishonest because she was essentially accusing me if trying to get spa services for a fake bag... which still makes no sense to me. If I had a fake bag, I would not take it in for service.
It seems that even a small boutique should have someone who is trained enough to be familiar with Hermes craftsmanship. I am no expert on running an Hermes boutique, but I don't know how a boutique could be run well without a trained staff.
Curious why her thoughts seemed harsh. Just don't see them as harsh at all. She wasn't being snarky like some are on TPF, she seemed amazed but not harsh....also the fakes have become that good. Sad but true.[emoji20] My friends owns a lux consignment shop and some of the items have to be authenticated many different ways because they are faked so well.[emoji35]
It's a little harsh on Hermes saying they are not able to allow all staff in all store to be able to authenticate. It's not as simple as one thinks. Like I said. Just my opinion.
I think you were mis-informed by Madison. My response was to the general comment about Hermes not able to recognise their own products. I have already explained on that and I am not adding more to this discussion.
Wouldn't accepting a bag for refurbish/repair be the craftsman's responsibility?
I would expect their policy to be uniform therefore no authentication at any of their stores
I wasn't asking for authentication. The sales associate brought it up. I just wanted to purchase spa services for my authentic bag.
The SA told me that they were "cracking down" on accepting Birkins without paperwork. I asked what paperwork she was talking about and she said, "your authentication paperwork." I was puzzled because I didn't understand what she was asking for -- then she said that I either needed to be the original purchaser or have the receipt for them to even consider my bag for services. I told her that my aunt was dead, and this piece was part of her estate. I didn't know how I would come up with any sort of authentication paperwork, and she said - we cannot accept your bag. That's harsh.
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