Lifers, When Will You be Done With Hermes?

[haute okole]

Well, I told my SA that I was at purse peace and all hell broke loose. He said, Oh, no, never. And guess what,he was absolutely right! He offered me a diamond Birkin, first dibs on all the exotics that crossed the threshold and yes, I caved (not the diamond Birkin). I am a slave to Hermes and I am so fricking happy about it!

So, probably never, because my girls are now are involved and our funnest Mommy and Me dates always involve Hermes.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Perhaps frustration is what is key here. Many of us find it challenging dealing with SA's who
are trying to cultivate the up & coming client while still trying to satisfy us the long time client
with changing spending habits & wish lists that are complete or is that we just
don't want to compete with that client who is encouraged to have a significant pre-spend
in order to obtain her/his wish list? And where does that leave many of us with a history
of being a client over a period of time? Some of us were introduced to Hermes by our
grandmothers/mothers..Fast forward, we are grown up now & taking our children there.. LOL
After a period of time, your wants & wishes change as well as your lifestyle.
While many still covet their first Birkin or Kelly, we've already been there, seen it & owned it.
Hermes is now is very different from my first moment of walking through the store & seeing
it chock full of merchandise & now having to jump through hoops to get a "dream bag" with
all kinds of criteria that at times is way beyond.

 

[periogirl28]

As long as I am welcomed at FSH and my other home stores and do not have any bad experiences in future, I don't feel a need to walk away from Hermes. They are still giving me the impression that I am valued and special bags are being offered without the crazy prespend which seems to be necessary nowadays. I however would buy more slowly and carefully now, as I am fortunate to have a nicely curated collection which isn't all being used, and especially with more QC issues coming to light. I still enjoy reading and sharing (some) intel although many of my forum friends have transitioned to real life ones and are no longer active here and the general tone is now quite different. I actually find it amazing that I now get some PMs which border on rude and entitled when asking for help or advice, with no gratitude or even response in reply. If that's on a forum then no wonder there is zero success in real life forming or maintaining a sincere relationship with a real SA/ SM at a real store. That attitude actually might stop me from posting or actively participating further here.
Also have to say that alas I myself have seen good longtime customers who have spent a lot more and been customers much longer than I have being ghosted at their stores all over the world. My unpopular suspicion is that they might have been found to be letting their bags go and even after all these years, it might not be looked kindly on by Hermes Corporate in EU and Asia. Do not mean to offend anyone but I have always suspected this because they were happy to remain regular, steady customers but requests for appointments are completely ignored, messages/ emails unanswered, no response given for bag requests. This is the only point I can see which is shared in common. I am sure it might upset some, I might get flamed and many say VVIPS supply resellers and get away with it but I truly cannot understand why otherwise.

 

[880]

I'm not sure I would be considered an old-timer since I've only been shopping at my local H for about 3 years, but I am one that can see H's standpoint of prioritizing a new client that has spend potential. I think most can relate in that after your first birkin or kelly, or first special order, that you ended up spending even more with the brand after that. They have to continue to build their customer base to make up for those that, for whatever reason, are done shopping or have moved on.

You have an old timer outlook. So I vote that you are one! I agree with you

probably never, because my girls are now are involved

Your girls are so lovely, and I’m so happy for you And, I know you will rock your stuff and have a blast doing so
cannot wait to see it all

different. I actually find it amazing that I now get some PMs which border on rude and entitled when asking for help or advice, with no gratitude or even response in reply. If that's on a forum then no wonder there is zero success in real life forming or maintaining a sincere relationship with a real SA/ SM at a real store.

Yes, this exactly. Im also appalled by the lack of civility, ignorance, entitlement, and negativity on public threads. The QB limit is not a guarantee, and it’s a bit much to call an SA’s personal ethics into question for enforcement of a corporate policy. I’ve learned to use the ignore button recently, also to ignore the arrogance of members who who go on about stuff of which they have no personal knowledge. I still think there is a lot that is worthwhile here. You just have to step carefully.

I appreciate your down to earth, common sense approach, and I love the RTW and other threads you have started. Plus looking forward to your travel tips

 

[Pivoine66]

From an h perspective - and I’m not saying I agree with it - bag demand is so high the clients at the top of their qb list likely mainly include those who currently spend consistently at a certain level. There really is not much wiggle probably for longtime or loyal clients who don’t continue to spend at a certain level. As crow has said to me before, someone else will gladly to step in the place of someone who no longer wants to shop h and h probably won’t care. At the end of the day h has to run a business and there are plenty of people who will put up with the horse manure.

I have been frustrated at times as well. But after having been a client for a little while and having built trust with my sa I’ve come to accept that h is how it is. I’m no vip and will never come close to a vip status or whatever other elevated status. Sure I’ve spent over six figures (though I imagine many of us who have shopped long enough have) but I can’t kid myself thinking that I’m at all important knowing that plenty of clients will spend that in one shopping session or a year. I know I can’t expect qb when so many others spend so much more and go to the boutique frequently. The fortunate thing for me is I like a lot of the other things h has to offer. And even if bkc didn’t exist I’d still shop h. I don’t see myself shopping really anywhere else. Tbh the allure of and desire for another qb has dropped off significantly for me more recently mainly because I have the bags I really want. But the qbs to me have become so loud im mostly not comfortable with carrying them unless it’s my town. I would much prefer to be offered a bolide or gp or some other unidentifiable bag these days until the sm fervor and crime settles a bit.

... (Ref. to bolded part above)
... that's why my DH really says quite often "Are we going to "OUR MAISON Hermès" again today?"

Yes to most of the a.m. And I too sometimes feel that I suddenly get too many looks at me - no, my bags, of course - but then maybe it's just my perception that has changed.

In any case, as others have already noted, I find like-minded people here who share my joy in these actually honestly not that necessary items without certain remarks and share information - without judging.

And yes - as I've said in perhaps too many posts here - I feel sometimes quite surprised, yes, even a bit irritated with social media influencers et al. and the new to me "hunt" for BKC, and including the often correspondingly aggressive, sometimes disrespectful and even offensive comments and statements, and believed claims as a right to one of the most coveted bags in the world.
I think it might lead to turning Hermès into a more expensive "LV". (Sorry if I have offended LV fans with this, but the masses of LV worn internationally has been IMPO quite obvious so far, though maybe just more noticeable due to the mostly obvious and really well-known logos).

And edited because by now @880's and @periogirl28's posts read:
Thank you, especially to you, who indulge us all with so many incredibly generous posts with valuable information, help, support, and last but not least beautiful wonderful photos. I appreciate all of this so so much. The main reasons I come here (likewise the ladies who share the love of scarves with so many wonderful posts and photos here, and last purchases, and wildlife sightings and windows around the world and the publishings ... love to all the shared photo goodies... and insightful information).

 

[QuelleFromage]

Not going to call anyone specific out, but I deeply admire those who've chimed in who have been with the brand for decades and decades (and yes, I can definitely see the frustration of having to "compete" for BKCs, or anything really, even with legacy-level spends).

But I'm also curious - if you think you're "done" with this H game, what is your draw to these forums? PLEASE don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing or being sarcastic - because as a relatively new H buyer/tpf reader, I've benefited tremendously from your stories and wisdom - but is it still the "love of the brand" that keeps you curious about it enough to read the current buying struggles, or maybe are you hoping for some change so you can step back in?

Well , first of all, I think we've all broken up with someone and still looked at their social media

But, seriously, even if I were finished with Hermès, I still have a collection and I still want to know what's coming out; and, if I can help someone with the few things I've learned, I am happy to do so.

 

[papertiger]

Love etoupe. Don’t have a Birkin anymore. I have a 31 Bolide and love it.
My opinion, I’ve been collecting Hermes for 40+ years.

• I have more scarves than I care to count. A scarf is going to have to blow me away for me to buy it.
• I lead a very casual lifestyle as a semi-retired consultant. Read: I am not buying $10-20K in RTW items per year any more.
• My home is furnished. No need for that. Don’t need/want any more China/crystal.
• Hermes fine jewelry doesn’t thrill me anymore; I have Hermes sterling and I don’t wear costume jewelry. I bought significant H fine jewelry in the past.

Over time, I have invested in the high six, if not seven figures at Hermes in those 40+ years of collecting. Why can’t I get a blasted 25 Kelly if I want one?!!! I inquired about said Kelly because I had a major life event and I wanted the bag as a celebration. I asked whether it was feasible from my current SA and SM. And I got the same baloney as a newbie wanting a quota bag.

Because H only cares about clients who spend money now — quid pro quo.

As a result, I’m going the bespoke bag route to complete my collection.

Bravo!

 

[papertiger]

@periogirl28 and @880 and anyone else else experiencing, receiving unwelcome PMs from newbies or otherwise, 'leave conversation' and click on 'ignore future messages'. The same members will not be able to message you again privately. If they are messages on your profile, do not feel you have answer, just delete.

If there are rude PM's, soliciting for SA's (or your own personal info) etc please report.

 

[Nahreen]

I have been an H customer for nearly 10 years now so a fair time. I still enjoy shopping at H. Our store changed from franchise to corporate owned less than 2 years ago. I was there on the day the opened. I am still learning how they operate but I am enjoying shopping there and all SAs I have met have been great. I suppose I will continue to shop as long as I find items to my liking and feel I get good service. Someone recently complained on this forum that it seemed that my store kept the popular bags for locals (repeat customers). My unpopular opinion is that I am glad if that is the case because our store is on the small side and I for one would not be able to ”compete” if they sold to tourists ready to drop a bag of money.

Regarding tpf, thanks to this forum I have found others with same interest in H, and some have become real life friends. I don’t post so much photos of what I buy apart from scarves. I suppose I feel a larger need for some privacy.

It is disheartening to read that other tpf members sends rude pm:s when asking for advice and being ungrateful for advice given. Also the constant repeat questions about the same things especially about pre spend is getting on my nerves. If you truely love an item, it does not matter if it counts or not.

 

[allanrvj]

I think I'm in the minority here in that, in the 14+ years of my Hermès admiration and being a member of this forum, I've only bought two bags (a HAC 40 epsom and a Volynka Plume), some scarves, and a shawl. It's because I have more time to research than money to buy lol. But I keep coming back because of my own fault: I always browse the stores and I am always surprised at what Hermès is up to. I'm always like, "they're making what now? a decent backpack for men? a very tiny Kelly? leather from a sunken ship? Bolide with a skateboard base?"

And so because this forum has usually more intel than staff at H, and I don't have any friends near me who share my fascination for H, I go here and see if people have been talking about what I've seen in stores (or instagram). And then I see that my TPF friends from more than a decade ago are still active here, and it's kind of seeing your old schoolmates. Some of them I've even met in person, and it all feels lovely and playful.

 

[periogirl28]

I think I'm in the minority here in that, in the 14+ years of my Hermès admiration and being a member of this forum, I've only bought two bags (a HAC 40 epsom and a Volynka Plume), some scarves, and a shawl. It's because I have more time to research than money to buy lol. But I keep coming back because of my own fault: I always browse the stores and I am always surprised at what Hermès is up to. I'm always like, "they're making what now? a decent backpack for men? a very tiny Kelly? leather from a sunken ship? Bolide with a skateboard base?"

And so because this forum has usually more intel than staff at H, and I don't have any friends near me who share my fascination for H, I go here and see if people have been talking about what I've seen in stores (or instagram). And then I see that my TPF friends from more than a decade ago are still active here, and it's kind of seeing your old schoolmates. Some of them I've even met in person, and it all feels lovely and playful.

Who else would I send to hug our SA for me?

 

[frou frou]

I no longer get much pleasure from buying stuff ; I’ve more bags , scarves and jewellery from Hermès than I need and am very picky about buying more.
If I buy another bag it’ll be non Hermès , I’m far more casual and the styles aren’t really what I fancy.
I’ve always hated this bag buying shenanigans, fortunately I’ve never wanted the sort of bags that require schmoozing SAs , but it makes me cross to hear EB ‘s experience , I think it shows lack of respect.

 

[Prada Prince]

For me, my first Hermes purchase, a toile Aline, was back when I was 15. Since then, I've slowly immersed myself in "Le Monde du Hermes", with a few pieces here and there throughout my history with the brand. I've always been judicious with my purchases, and I've always been grateful for being able to get my Birkins (2 40s which have now been rehomed, and my B35 now) relatively easily without the ridiculous hoops so many have had to go through.

I would love to build out a balanced collection (B35, B30, K28, C18/24 and ML) eventually (but only at retail). But I also tell myself that if it doesn't happen, to treasure what I do have, and be thankful.

Even if I were never to buy another piece from Hermes going forward, having been a member of TPF since the very beginning, I love the camaraderie from fellow posters, and participating in discussions of what too many dismiss as frippery.

It's part of being a community, and being able to celebrate what we love about our bags, (whilst also trying to block out the constant posts of how to get a QB, or interrogating people about their pre-spend, or who their SA is) is something that I will always treasure and hopefully be a part of, for many years to come.

Sorry guys, you'll have to put up with my constant posts with my beloved sole B35 until they bury me with it... LOL!

 

[QuelleFromage]

I don't think that long-term clients getting ghosted has anything to do with reselling. It's much more related to:

- staff turnover - we've all seen how many SAs leave, and a number of major boutiques have changed SMs in the past 2 or so years - so the keepers of history and relationships are literally gone

- new clients coming in and demand is through the roof, while product level is not just artificially but genuinely low right now

- related, the huge luxury boom during and post-pandemic; this is already beginning to subside

- overall higher visibility of the brand

I've been ghosted by, or at least lost the level of service I was used to at, a boutique here and there, and have always just formed a new relationship. Most recently I know it was literally due to massive spenders "in line" ahead of me (and I do mean massive, millions in a visit - I will never spend that much anywhere at once, I just don't shop like that) and that a particular SM prioritizes in a very specific way. It bothered me, and then I replaced that relationship with another store that gave me my exact bag request within days, because that particular store manager values understanding of heritage very highly.

It's an ebb and flow. In the end it's just retail and one can't take it too seriously.

That said, I do think any boutique worth its salt should be bowing and scraping when EB comes in the door. I know I would!

 

[eckw]

Love this post! It’s so interesting to read about the different experiences and feelings about H.

I’m not OG by any means and only been a regular H customer for about 5 years but I feel lucky to have started before the current wave of crazy pre-spend and lack of stock. Also I never saw myself as loyal to H but I was lucky to have met a wonderful SA when I started. I was also really into their fine jewellery in the early days so the “journey” (sorry!) was relatively smooth for quota bags. From recent posts, it seems that even the popular H fine jewellery pieces are low stock and/or hard to get now which is crazy to me.

Having moved countries and starting over with a new SA in a highly competitive store, I am just happy to see that generally stock seems good here. BKC is not something I’m actively after now so I don’t worry about keeping up with spend. But whether I’m actively shopping H or not, I love this H sub forum as it’s so full of life! I don’t necessarily agree with all the views but I’ve benefited so much from the advice of many OG members in the past and I try to be open-minded with some of the new members and their approaches to acquiring H bags.