Hermes Return Policy (or: How to Curb Bad Behavior)

[zoopla]

^^ oh really? I would think that would be very tiring! OMG, that is terrible. Sorry, I have never done that.

 

[classicsgirl]

I'd never return an item unless it's defective. IMO you should make up your mind whether you want something before buying it. That seems like a fair Hermes store policy to me. The only exception I can think of is for gifts eg. you buy something for someone who already has it or hates it and wants to return. Provided it hasn't even really come out of its box I think that's fine.

 

[ouija board]

I understand the concerns, but I think it'll be hard to justify a no return policy on something that is not underwear, swimwear, perishable food, medical supplies, or the like. I think it is up to the store manager to decide if someone is a serial returner or if the return policy is being abused. I have no experience returning anything to Hermes, but from experience with other brands, I know they don't make it easy to return an expensive bag. I once tried to return a YSL Muse the day after I purchased it (only came out of its dust bag to try on in front of the mirror at home), and the manager had the gall to tell me that I could not return it because this bag did not stand up straight like the other ones on display, therefore it was used. This was AFTER he had removed all the stuffing, all but turned the bag inside out and slung it around by one handle while examining it AND the ones on display were fully stuffed and behind a glass case. I know the occasional hair or scraped metal foot gets past them, but for the most part I think SAs try their hardest to make returning things as difficult as possible.

 

[pursenality]

If I were told up front that the bag has been used by a doggy for 10 days, I would not purchase it simply because I am allergic to pet's fur and smell.
Somehow I am sure any bag will show signs of use if it's been used (especially if it is by a pet). So, thorough inspection is very important. It's acceptable to me if the bag is used only for modelling purpose in the shop by customers.

For me, I want the item to be flawless. At any rate, we have to excercise our own fair judgement whether or not to purchase the item. On top of that, it is also important to understand what to look out for when purchasing H items.

@Rose100 and Pursenality-- what if the bag looked brand new and had no signs of use (i.e., was a sale-able item), but you were told that a doggy slept inside it for 10 days? Would you feel differently about purchasing it?

 

[mrssparkles]

There have been plenty of threads about the return policy at Hermes, but I'd like to throw out this idea to you all... (and please don't flame me!)

After observing the following, I'm beginning to think that Hermes should not allow returns at all:

1. Saw a beautiful Kelly at the boutique, really lovely, then opened it up and saw a long blonde hair inside. Don't tell me the hair managed to get inside the bag while at the boutique.
2. Reveal threads where the "owner" photographs a new bag on the ground outdoors, on a kitchen table (with food!) or next to a pet, asking "should I keep it?"
3. Threads showing a new bag or scarf out on the town and then a few days later, a thread asking "should I return it?"

Fellow H devotees, what do you think?

It would be nice, I think, to know that an item purchased at the boutique did not have a prior life outside the boutique. It's not a germ issue. The question is: Is it fair to the eventual owner to pay retail for what is essentially a used item?

I realize that the fact that Hermes has a limited supply of items promotes tendencies to "buy now, ask questions later." And then there are those people who are serial returners (perhaps a subset of those who suffer from oniomania?).

Since we can't change human behavior, perhaps we need to take drastic policy measures.

Therefore, I vote for "final sale only". Other ideas?

I am totally with you. I do loathe the "show and tell" on tpf and then the bag gets returned.

I only want shrink-wrapped boxes, to be honest.

 

[mrssparkles]

I remember a friend telling me that in FSH, once the bag is used, strictly no return.

 

[allanrvj]

I came from a country where the "No Return, No Exchange" policy of stores has been effective until a few years ago. And even after that, the concept of being able to return anything other than underwear, food or something similar just because you changed your mind has not really entered the majority of Filipinos' consciousness. A lot of people still returned stuff just because they found a defect in the item that they didn't see in the store.

Having said that, I totally agree with your suggestion of No Return Policy at H. People should learn to be firm with their purchasing decisions.

P.S.
Can I say, "Welcome back" now?

 

[LIBRADIAMONDS]

I am fussy. For birkins and kellys, I only accept shrink-wrapped boxes. Am easy on accessories eg scarves and cadenas.

 

[Cavalier Girl]

In all my years buying Hermes, I don't think I've returned more than a few items....a purse that was too heavy.....exchanged it for a lighter leather. No reveal, put it right back in the box after trying it on, and back it went to await exchange.

I bought 8 or nine different scarves for my sister having chemo, and two weren't to her liking......sent them back after about two weeks, and the store gave me a credit. I bought a Kelly long money holder, and was sent the shorter one, sent it back after almost a month (it was during Christmas, and I was terribly busy) for exchange.

In each instance, the items mentioned were returned just as they'd arrived. I would hope that everyone would treat their items with the same respect.

I'm about two hours away from my nearest boutique, and without the ability to exchange, I'd be lost.

If I buy something from any store, and can't tell it was a return, what does it matter? Do you really care if it's been in someone's home for a few days?

 

[transcendent1]

What bugs me is that I've seen SAs try things on themselves.

Also, oniomania is more supported in the US; more flexible returns policies, I found.

Here, the Return Policy gives you store credit which you can only use once (something like that). I don't quite remember the details, but the Return Policy/store credit policies are rather specific, preventing oniomania.

 

[hermes_lemming]

I'm w/ the no returns policy. This is entirely too much $$$ to be dealing w/ used or discarded merchandise.

 

[LittleH]

I like the fact that one can change their mind... In all honesty I just never thought that anyone would use and weat a purse and then return it, to me the only returnable items are items you took home, looked at in the box, and decided they weren't for you.

I think H are quite good at spotting used items don't you?

As to making the return period shorter, I'm not sure, what if someone didn't have time to return to the shop before the 3 days limit?

 

[umamanikam]

I think return policy is fine if not used at all or not reveled on the forum ...KWIM ...Some may do the reveal and return it next day

 

[Rose100]

@Rose100 what if the bag looked brand new and had no signs of use (i.e., was a sale-able item), but you were told that a doggy slept inside it for 10 days? Would you feel differently about purchasing it?

I would say that was one lucky doggy :greengrin:
Seriously-- if something is in new condition, I have no way of knowing what happened to it before it got into my hands. If I insisted on virgin items, I would buy in shrink wrap only.

@Rose100 -- Because something is expensive, it's more difficult to decide while at the boutique that something is a keeper?

When I buy something expensive, I want no shoppers' remorse. Sometimes it takes a while to know if what you bought was because of H excitement at the store, of if this is truly a keeper.

 

[jedimaster]

I am totally with you. I do loathe the "show and tell" on tpf and then the bag gets returned.

I totally agree - especially when its clear that the bag has been taken outside the house. This strikes me as completely irresponsible and inconsiderate. I never thought of myself as a superfussy person, but seeing this happen so many times, esp on this board, has made me feel the way you do about preferring shrink wrapped, or at least, something that my SA has told me has never left the store.

Recently I bought a GM shawl that was sent from another store that arrived obviously worn, with a pull ready to happen, and smellling like perfume - it was clear that someone had this for a while, wore it, and returned it. They took it back, but it chilled my willingness to have buy anything sight unseen from another store.

I wont buy anything from a store that has an ironclad no return policy, because, frankly, you cant be really sure about the color of anything until you see it at home, next to the clothes in your closet, and in nature, non retail light. However, returns create more quality issues at Hermes than at a garden variety store. I think this is because Hermes attracts a lot of unbalanced people, mostly women. Beaumonde, you mention oniomania and you are on to something here. Check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oniomania

Online style/fashion blogs play a role in worsening serious shopping addiction disorders. Blogs allow addicts to see their behavior as healthy and relieve the anxiety which causes and results from oniomania. (Not to mention the thrill of reveals of items that are going to go back to the store, or get sold on ebay or mp two seconds later)

Why does Hermes attract oniomanias? Does the brand itself feed "perfectionism" that is correlated with the condition?