Hermes shipping policy for scarves?

[bostonbirkin]

Am I being too picky???
I purchased a cashmere scarf today, and I felt that the scarf in the shop looked a little "shelf worn;" it was on display and had been tried on by multiple customers. I asked to have a new one shipped, the store policy is that I pre-pay, AND it can only be shipped to my home and NOT the store. I have no problem with this because I assumed I was guaranteed a fresh, never-sampled scarf. However, when the receipt was emailed to me, the scarf was being shipped from NY Madison Ave, which is a significantly busier store than where I shop. I now have no control over whether the scarf I receive is also shopworn. I feel like I should have ordered from the website. At least if I ordered from the website, I could return it if it isn't "new." I don't know what to think. As a long-time shopper, I always try to buy in-store via my SA. I am no longer working towards a B or K so I have no reason to shop in-store; except sometimes I find things I never knew I needed. Anyway, my question is why didn't they allow shipping to the store, so I could see the condition, and why would they order from NY Madison vs the warehouse?

 

[c18027]

Have faith! Busier boutiques have larger inventories, so it is more likely that they have multiple pieces in back stock. Requesting an item from a smaller boutique with less inventory is more likely to result in an item that has been on the sales floor. Unfortunately, ordering from the website does not always guarantee a pristine piece as I have previously received a few scarves that were obvious warehouse returns. Nonetheless, Hermès has always stood by their products and I have had no problem with returns or exchanges. I hope it works out for you!

 

[880]

As a long-time shopper, I always try to buy in-store via my SA

Since you are very particular about condition, I would recommend only buying where you can physically inspect each item as is your practice above. It is possible your scarf was not available at the warehouse, and that particular colorway only was available from Madison. However, I wouldn’t borrow trouble unless the scarf you receive is not to your standard.

The requirement of prepaying and sending to your home, may be the reluctance of the transferring store to lose credit for the sale. It also may be to discourage returns and prevent transfer of merchandise to your home boutique that the latter may not be able to sell to someone else should you refuse it. Boutiques prefer to sell their own buy. In general (I’m not referring to your particular situation), Hermes may restrict or make it more difficult to to return if there is growing demand for pristine items that have never been worn, bc such returned items may be harder to resell.

 

[bostonbirkin]

I'm probably being neurotic. lol. Great point about NYC being bigger having more stock!!