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

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#46
I like the flexibility of making returns. I think returned items should be inspected carefully before accepting for exchange, but I don't really like the idea of an absolutist line drawn. I am more willing to shop at stores that have a generous return policy.

Things change. Life happens. People aren't necessarily stupid, but they do make mistakes from time to time.
 
#48
Very interesting question Beaumonde! (At first I thought you were posting a link to an article on a new store policy!)

For the amount of money one can spend, I want the items to be brand spanking new! That's me, I'm picky!

One SA told me they sold a bag (just out of the shrink wrap, but not a special order) and the woman tried to return it the very next day claiming it wasn't the right fit or colour with her clothes. They inspected it - it had a ball point pen ink mark in it, or on it! I've seen scarves that had makeup marks (yes that may have happened in the store.) Small leather goods that looked shop worn.

I have witnessed SA's tell potential customers that they can only sell one Birkin a day / or per person. Perhaps they suspect a potential problem in the making or this "customer" is known to the store for having issues.

The SA's at my store use gloves to remove and handle the bags from the display cases. When I asked to look at a bag, I thought I too should have gloves on in order to inspect the bag!

I suspect that everyone who purchases an item and is undecided - does not necesarily have gloves on, so to speak.

THEN what about for those that live far away and buy sight unseen? If someone purchases a scarf as a gift and it turns out to be the wrong colour for the receiver? So I think leaving it up the individual SA. They must suspect potential problem shoppers. Or I hope they do!
 
#50
It is generally expected (and perhaps common courtesy) that people do not use their items out in public. At least,...that is my expectation. (Feel free to disagree. This is solely my own opinion and I do not mean to offend people)

I've always brought home items, and looked at it within the confines of my bedroom, but I've never brought items out in public to say...lunch...and pondered whether it was worth keeping.

A hair or two...that is something that you cannot control. It doesn't mean that the item was used. As mentioned, the hair could've come from anywhere...even from the Hermes artisan. (Cookie crumbs...that is not cool)

On the flip side of the coin, if you hold such a high standard for Hermes,...what about the jeans that you try on at say...the Gap or Macy's or Nordstrom? Some items that have been returned, have a return sticker on back of the tags (Macy's and Nordstrom does this), but there is no guarantee that the item wasn't at least tried on. And that is ASSUMING that someone was wearing "clean" undergarments before trying something on. Some people quite simply do not wear underwear. (I went to the Barney's Warehouse sale last week. A very charming individual was trying on a pair of paints. His underwear was...not so white, and had an extra hole or two not were not part of the original design! Ewwwww....)

At Hermes, when I purchased a scarf,...the SAs even tried on a scarf briefly to show how the item may look while being worn on a person. (I was trying on a scarf as well).

Not only that, but we've all tried on clothes in the fitting room...and you've seen how people treat clothes they've tried on (clothes dumped haphazardly on the floor, etc.).

Just one of those things in life.
 
#51
beaumonde said:
Good point!
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I have to say, though, I really didn't mean to sound high and mighty about this--- because YES, I have made H mistakes (bought an H shawl from a reseller from pics alone and it wasn't a good choice...). But I've learned to be very careful about my purchases now---and thankfully when I visit an H shop and am thinking about something (I try really hard not to buy the first time I see), I will ask for them to keep it on hold while I make sure it is the right purchase for me. Usually the SA's are nice about this. :) It also is helpful to see as much as you can and get information about the item in advance of buying. :)
 
#52
domlee said:
It is generally expected (and perhaps common courtesy) that people do not use their items out in public. At least,...that is my expectation. (Feel free to disagree. This is solely my own opinion and I do not mean to offend people)

I've always brought home items, and looked at it within the confines of my bedroom, but I've never brought items out in public to say...lunch...and pondered whether it was worth keeping.

A hair or two...that is something that you cannot control. It doesn't mean that the item was used. As mentioned, the hair could've come from anywhere...even from the Hermes artisan. (Cookie crumbs...that is not cool)

On the flip side of the coin, if you hold such a high standard for Hermes,...what about the jeans that you try on at say...the Gap or Macy's or Nordstrom? Some items that have been returned, have a return sticker on back of the tags (Macy's and Nordstrom does this), but there is no guarantee that the item wasn't at least tried on. And that is ASSUMING that someone was wearing "clean" undergarments before trying something on. Some people quite simply do not wear underwear. (I went to the Barney's Warehouse sale last week. A very charming individual was trying on a pair of paints. His underwear was...not so white, and had an extra hole or two not were not part of the original design! Ewwwww....)

At Hermes, when I purchased a scarf,...the SAs even tried on a scarf briefly to show how the item may look while being worn on a person. (I was trying on a scarf as well).

Not only that, but we've all tried on clothes in the fitting room...and you've seen how people treat clothes they've tried on (clothes dumped haphazardly on the floor, etc.).

Just one of those things in life.
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Good point Domlee! I feel for the SA's in stores that spend their day picking up clothing that was dropped on the floor and rumpled on the shelves.

One shoe SA told me you even have to be careful when trying on shoes! Yikes!

I must be more obsessive compulsive than most I know. I am glad my mother always told us to wash linens, bedding, towels and the like (including undies) before using them for the first time, even if straight out of a sealed package. Actually, I do that with blue jeans too - I'm afraid the dark dye will come off on my legs otherwise!

Cheers to all those shoppers who are careful and respectful of others.:tup:

Shame on those selfish people that ruin it for the rest of us! :tdown:
 
#53
MiaT said:
...
One shoe SA told me you even have to be careful when trying on shoes! Yikes!
...
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Yep. How many times have you seen a woman try on a shoe (at say....Nordstrom's)...and they were not wearing nylon? Happens ALL the time (and usually w/ sandals). And a salesperson can't force a customer to wear the nylon. And guess what? The salesperson uses their hands to pick up the "used" nylon. The same hands used to shake your hand. The shoe department also occasionally runs out of nylon for customers.

There comes a point when you just can't control everything to your standards.
 
#54
I think the return policy at H is fine as it is now.

It is difficult to obtain many items at every H store, thus, they are sent---after purchased. You cannot know how those items are going to work without having them in your possession. Even a cadena needs to be tested on the appropriate bag, and in my case, it did not work & was returned.

Additionally, even in the H store you can't tell how the colors of items will necessarily work with your wardrobe, and the lighting in some of the stores is terrible----I once bought a shawl believing it to be an entirely different color because of the lighting in the store & regretted the purchase once I could see the true color. [I did not return it, but it is my least worn H item----a costly mistake.]

You have the option of viewing the item & deciding if it is of a high enough degree of newness for your own comfort & can choose not to buy it if it seems to have been used.
 
#55
domlee said:
Yep. How many times have you seen a woman try on a shoe (at say....Nordstrom's)...and they were not wearing nylon? Happens ALL the time (and usually w/ sandals). And a salesperson can't force a customer to wear the nylon. And guess what? The salesperson uses their hands to pick up the "used" nylon. The same hands used to shake your hand. The shoe department also occasionally runs out of nylon for customers.

There comes a point when you just can't control everything to your standards.
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Okay, I'm never leaving home! :p Too scared!

Seriously, it makes you wonder!
 
#56
Really good points domlee, I also think that the very same way people are urged to decide before buying the item at H, the same way people should also refuse any item not up to the standards one should expect this includes hair, cookie crumbs etc, I think that cookie crumbs etc are out of order and disgusting!!

If you want box fresh, request box fresh.
 
#57
Just to be clear, I'd like the option of returning as well (though I am not much of a returner), but on balance, I'd rather have a "final sale" policy than to unknowingly buy used goods.

If there was a way to guarantee that each buyer would handle the item gingerly as some of you do, I'd be happy with a "no time limitation on returns" policy.

@BlueGenes -- Things do change, but there's the H secondary market. Speaking of which, I wonder how a "final sale" policy would affect resellers' prices.

@Domlee -- Again, my issue isn't with germiness but that something used is being passed off as new.

And… I don't mean to sound all high and mighty about this either… just my $0.02 on these matters...
 
#58
LittleH said:
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?
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I totally agree with you LittleH.:tup:

And I would add that allowing the returns the way they do it's part of the charme of Hermes.
 
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#60
I agree with Costa, LittleH you also made excellent points.

Back to the original question BM, does anyone think H may change their return policies? Would it be able to work worldwide?
Another thing to consider is if you buy something in Selfridges in the H wonder room, you can return it within something like 28 days, in the UK h stores, it is 14 days with receipt.
 
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