Is constantly walking into a store trying to get a black K with no purchase history a waste of time?

[tonkamama]

Hello dear, by reading the title of the thread, the short answer most likely is a “No”. Sorry that I may sound a little harsh here but if I am the SA and I have this customer who I have never served before chasing me ever week for a Kelly bag I honestly think he/she might be a reseller or someone who might just interested in “quota bags” nothing else and probably will run away with the Kelly bag that I worked hard to offer him/her without making any commission to support my living expenses working as a SA ....sorry that’s not happening .

OP, I won’t repeat as others have given you great and useful suggestions. However I strongly suggest that you look into the reseller market and add a little $ premium (the $ you initially would have spent with shopping at your local boutique?) to get the exact specifications of your dream Kelly bag. Good luck dear .

Hello everyone, hope you're all doing great!
I do not have a purchase history and do not plan on building one. I really like their stuff (especially some watches), but I don't have the money to build a 7~12k quota. I live near a store (I still need to drive there) and I have time to go there every week. Would you say that it's a waste of time to go there every week to see if a SA lets me buy a black K? I live in Miami.
I know people say it's very unlikely to get without a purchase history, but since I haven't seen people go to the same store for months, I decided to ask here.
Thank you in advance.

 

[AnnaE]

I don't think it is a good idea to annoy an SA every week without buying everything -- you don't want them to think of you as that crazy person. You can definitely keep trying your luck at several stores if you travel, or go to FSH and try there -- why not? FSH would probably offer you the best odds out of all stores.

I have been offered quota bags several times in the new-to-me stores, both in the U.S. and abroad -- walk in to check out scarves, chat with SA about scarves, s/he casually mentions, oh, we have some special bags today if you are interested without me saying anything about bags. But -- I know a lot about the brand and I have been a scarf collector for a long time. It probably helps that I usually have an Hermes bag / scarf with me as well. I think that is what the SAs are looking for. Your odds of success, unless you have a lot of expertise with the brand, will likely be lower.

I have a theory that many SAs can sense people's desperation for bags and are more than happy to capitalize on it to sell $10k worth of stuff and make commission before granting access to the bag. I think that is where the rumors come from of what qualifies for the quota -- I think SAs know it's often harder to move jewelry and home goods, so they push those sales towards the mythical quota.

If you really want the bag now and don't want to invest time / resources into other purchases and learning about the brand, I would plan a Paris visit and, if not successful, go to a trusted reseller.

 

[craielover]

The resellers now have brand new bags fresh from the store, and they have the best size/color/hw combos. It really makes it easier for you.

Let's put it this way - why do you think the Miami store would like to offer a small size black Kelly to you rather than their long list of loyal clients? I say this not to hurt your feelings but I use the same logic to calm myself when I feel my wait has been forever, and I've done my part to be a good client.

 

[DanBags]

Thank you for the kind messages and tips! Yeah, I was being very unrealistic, makes no sense to sell a bag to someone that's clearly there to get a quota bag and that's it. I would also rather sell to a customer that likes a variety of items from H rather than someone that stops by every week just to see if "it arrived". I guess I'm gonna try my luck in Paris when I go there or wait until I'm comfortable spending a decent amount before getting a K.

 

[BagsofOC]

You best bet would be trying at the FSH.

 

[footlocker]

Paris is your best bet as it is the only store that does not pay too much emphasis on purchase hisotry, but there is no guarantee you will be offered a black kelly with your preferred size.....good luck hunting.

Thank you for the kind messages and tips! Yeah, I was being very unrealistic, makes no sense to sell a bag to someone that's clearly there to get a quota bag and that's it. I would also rather sell to a customer that likes a variety of items from H rather than someone that stops by every week just to see if "it arrived". I guess I'm gonna try my luck in Paris when I go there or wait until I'm comfortable spending a decent amount before getting a K.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Their one and only reason to be at work every day.

Right? Sorry for being a bit OT. I hear people say that their SAs are so sweet, they are the best, they treat me so well, they send me flowers etc that they are my besties, angel blah blah blah. 99.99% the time it's because you have spent a hell deal of money with them! SAs are not your friends unless you actually socialise with them outside work, which is completely forbidden by Hermes corporate btw. Take all the sales away they will not treat you well for long. They don't treat you as VIP because you are a nice person, they do because you spend a lot in their store! And some "VIPs" are not nice but they tolerate them. I saw in my own eyes that a VIP client dropped €120K on a diamond encrusted bracelet in H store in France, who was the most obnoxious person I have seen but all the staff in the store treated her like a queen!

Sorry OP for being a bit off topic in your thread. I think FSH and resellers are the best options for you.

 

[EmilyM111]

Right? Sorry for being a bit OT. I hear people say that their SAs are so sweet, they are the best, they treat me so well, they send me flowers etc that they are my besties, angel blah blah blah. 99.99% the time it's because you have spent a hell deal of money with them! SAs are not your friends unless you actually socialise with them outside work, which is completely forbidden by Hermes corporate btw. Take all the sales away they will not treat you well for long. They don't treat you as VIP because you are a nice person, they do because you spend a lot in their store! And some "VIPs" are not nice but they tolerate them. I saw in my own eyes that a VIP client dropped €120K on a diamond encrusted bracelet in H store in France, who was the most obnoxious person I have seen but all the staff in the store treated her like a queen!

Sorry OP for being a bit off topic in your thread. I think FSH and resellers are the best options for you.

Well yes and no. You are absolutely right and I am sometimes surprised when people say things you quoted. However, not every company's SA get the memo - the number of times I wasn't treated well at Chanel is high including 2 weeks ago while buying a WOC (was properly dressed, had H bag and was polite): the amount of contempt I got for unknown reason was absurd. So maybe people have mixed experiences and because H staff are properly trained it makes such a different to customers (that's my experience, H beat everybody with politeness and attentiveness). Sorry for off topic.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Well yes and no. You are absolutely right and I am sometimes surprised when people say things you quoted. However, not every company's SA get the memo - the number of times I wasn't treated well at Chanel is high including 2 weeks ago while buying a WOC (was properly dressed, had H bag and was polite): the amount of contempt I got for unknown reason was absurd. So maybe people have mixed experiences and because H staff are properly trained it makes such a different to customers (that's my experience, H beat everybody with politeness and attentiveness). Sorry for off topic.

I am afraid that I don't understand which part of my post is "no". But we don't have to agree on everything.

 

[DanBags]

Right? Sorry for being a bit OT. I hear people say that their SAs are so sweet, they are the best, they treat me so well, they send me flowers etc that they are my besties, angel blah blah blah. 99.99% the time it's because you have spent a hell deal of money with them! SAs are not your friends unless you actually socialise with them outside work, which is completely forbidden by Hermes corporate btw. Take all the sales away they will not treat you well for long. They don't treat you as VIP because you are a nice person, they do because you spend a lot in their store! And some "VIPs" are not nice but they tolerate them. I saw in my own eyes that a VIP client dropped €120K on a diamond encrusted bracelet in H store in France, who was the most obnoxious person I have seen but all the staff in the store treated her like a queen!

Sorry OP for being a bit off topic in your thread. I think FSH and resellers are the best options for you.

Not off-topic at all! It justifies the point that purely showing up there isn't the main reason that makes the SA prefer to sell the bags to a consistent client.

 

[DanBags]

The resellers now have brand new bags fresh from the store, and they have the best size/color/hw combos. It really makes it easier for you.

Let's put it this way - why do you think the Miami store would like to offer a small size black Kelly to you rather than their long list of loyal clients? I say this not to hurt your feelings but I use the same logic to calm myself when I feel my wait has been forever, and I've done my part to be a good client.

Would you suggest any reseller? The reseller you mentioned provide completely different services than companies like TheRealReal and Fashionphile, correct?

 

[chicinthecity777]

Not off-topic at all! It justifies the point that purely showing up there isn't the main reason that makes the SA prefer to sell the bags to a consistent client.

Miami is a tough spot to get a quota bag. I don't know if going to Paris is too much for you but it's worth trying if you really want one from a H store. Otherwise, among the products you listed like bracelets, watches are good type of products to build your profile. I think it's worth visit the store a few times to get a feel of the store and SAs. Don't write it off just yet.

 

[Serva1]

You are free to ask for your dreambag as many times as you like and feel comfortable. I requested an ostrich bag twice after which I felt that I will only ask a third time and then I would accept the fact that it wasn’t meant to be. Before I started to request the bag I was offered to place a PO order but when they said the waiting time could be 7 years I declined on the spot. Every time I was declined ostrich I immediately bought an ostrich agenda to compensate and make me happy, giving me strenght to request another time.

I wasn’t offered ostrich on the third time and when it finally surprisingly happened, I had stopped asking, it was wrong size and colour. I didn’t even crave ostrich anymore. I’m not saying your case is the same. You are looking for your first classic K and I have other H bags that make me happy, even a gorgeous ostrich bag from another designer. There are so many people asking for a black K, especially if they only plan to invest in one piece, so the chance is slim but I would never give up and in the end would probably buy vintage, a K from the 70s.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Would you suggest any reseller? The reseller you mentioned provide completely different services than companies like TheRealReal and Fashionphile, correct?

You can try Ann's Fabulous Finds, Baghunter and Madison Avenue Couture.

 

[craielover]

Would you suggest any reseller? The reseller you mentioned provide completely different services than companies like TheRealReal and Fashionphile, correct?

Try instagram. These resellers are mostly based in singapore and hong kong but ship worldwide. You will find them when you search #kelly25. Some pictures under those tags just stand out (they look like unboxing pictures but when you check the account it's clear it's not a personal account, and they share WhatsApp contact info in their bio).

I haven't used any. I follow them because I like to know what limited editions and rare items are out there.