Lifers, When Will You be Done With Hermes?

[Buildingprofile]

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 sole 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!

Wow! You wear and style with your b so many diff ways in the “space for guys” thread that I thought you had tons of them! Bravo!

 

[carrie8]

I am back on the forum after many, many years. I don’t post much because English is not my first language, sorry.
So I guess, I am an old and new member. Back in the day, the atmosphere was warm and friendly. The stories of saving, Starbucks, mani/pedi... Wealthy or not, it didn't matter. The love for the brand was the common bond.
Now, it's like a quest to collect as many possible Pokemoncards worldwide. Hopping on a plane just to get the bags.
The obsession reminds me of the KFC toys wich caused food waste.
I very much enjoy the contribution of a lot of members. And you guys still cracks me up. So thank you

 

[frou frou]

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.

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.

I’m never completely through with any brand , and scarves still interest me in an academic way; I’m curious to see new designs and join the fun of seeing new season, the artistry and colourations are always fascinating. I still buy the occasional one and love seeing others find joy with new purchases,
In my case I dipped back into tpf because I’m on an extended break with sweet 0 to do , constant heatwave , lousy local shopping and idle hands

 

[etoupebirkin]

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!

QF,
Thank you!!!
I’ve always tried to be kind and considerate to all my SAs. I like to make it fun for everyone involved. Up until the current DC SM, I’ve had close relationships with all of them. In fact, when one SM was looking to move to another brand, I was the only client of hers who wrote a (glowing) review on her LinkedIn page. It helped her get her next job. I sat next to the SM at the Hermes DC store opening.

Hermes has turned into a global brand powerhouse. Great. It means that they are chasing the bottom line. Hermes, while their products are beautiful, the brand no longer has a niche feel.

That’s why I adore brands like Verdura/Belperron. It’s niche, very exclusive, and correspondingly expensive. I’m not their biggest customer, but I buy consistently and am very low drama. I love their beads inordinately. Verdura sourced a one of a kind Australian Opal bead strand. So Verdura strung the beads with my taste and budget in mind. My SA had the beads brought in as a surprise and she came to my house to show them to me. Of course I bought them. I don’t expect this kind of service from other brands, but it’s hard not to make comparisons.

 

[saskiamoet]

I am 43 now, and fell in love with Hermes as a 15 year old when I saw photos of Jane Birkin (in Vogue) carrying her soft slouchy handbag. I thought she was the coolest woman I had ever seen with her easy and relaxed style. I also had developed a strong love of everything French (I still feel that way) and quickly learned everything I could about French style, brands, the language etc.
Back to Jane, once I learned everything I could about Hermes and the perfect Birkin bag…well that was it. I started with scarves because I’ve always collected scarves in my travels. And slowly moved on to SLG, perfume, bracelets etc. I didn’t get my first Birkin until 4 years ago, and even though I had the money years before, I never felt adult enough to carry my holy grail Birkin. Can the shopping be silly sometimes…yes. But I have a life long love for the brand and so far nothing has tarnished it. I go in to the store when I can truly enjoy the process. And I still have a few bags I’d like to add to my collection, but I enjoy the process so much.
As far as this forum. I discovered it way before I officially joined and was a silent admirer. I usually take breaks and go years between coming back. But it’s always fun to come back to it.

 

[birkel]

This will be basic post from me.*not a rant*

HERMES IS NO LONGER HERMES !

Im just happy i got to see what it once was, Because well......... it was glorious, it was fantasy and restraint all in one.it was truly a venerable house .......that said, i wish this new company, this new concept well, in fact i wish it all the best..... and i will treasure the memory of what was....... once...... a shop, family, a lifestyle... what once was...... HERMES.

 

[QuelleFromage]

QF,
Thank you!!!
I’ve always tried to be kind and considerate to all my SAs. I like to make it fun for everyone involved. Up until the current DC SM, I’ve had close relationships with all of them. In fact, when one SM was looking to move to another brand, I was the only client of hers who wrote a (glowing) review on her LinkedIn page. It helped her get her next job. I sat next to the SM at the Hermes DC store opening.

Hermes has turned into a global brand powerhouse. Great. It means that they are chasing the bottom line. Hermes, while their products are beautiful, the brand no longer has a niche feel.

That’s why I adore brands like Verdura/Belperron. It’s niche, very exclusive, and correspondingly expensive. I’m not their biggest customer, but I buy consistently and am very low drama. I love their beads inordinately. Verdura sourced a one of a kind Australian Opal bead strand. So Verdura strung the beads with my taste and budget in mind. My SA had the beads brought in as a surprise and she came to my house to show them to me. Of course I bought them. I don’t expect this kind of service from other brands, but it’s hard not to make comparisons.

I'm in complete agreement, EB (surprise!).
I remember I used to visit my SA just to "play", and he would call me if he'd had a bad day with difficult clients and ask if I would come over. At that time I didn't have so much money - I could buy a bag here and there, scarves, and small jewelry - and we would try on diamond Birkins and millions in jewelry just as a lark. At a huge flagship, everything was hugs and warm hellos.

I miss those days. Meanwhile even Net-a-Porter comes to my house and gives me a personal shopper. Cartier sends delivery people in tuxes (to bring a Juste un Clou, not big jewels). Graff and Tiffany pour champagne recklessly and will scour the world for special things.

SMs do come and go, so maybe DC will have a shift. (And you are always welcome in Paris!). XOXO.

 

[DR2014]

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.

@allanrvj, love this post and your attitude and postings too. Plus the Volynka Plume!!!

 

[ilovemykiddos]

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.

I think what gets me though, as time goes on, is a lot of these new clients -- a lot of them just turn around and sell anything and everything that they are getting from the store, completely brand new, with tags -- within days, minutes, or often proposing to others that they'll go buy what they want from the store and just immediately sell it to them (glorified personal shopper). It all degrades my perception of the products and the brand, and even more so when you then see these same folks getting coveted items, bags or regardless. It's all just a little oxymoronic for a brand that will tell you it's about your "love" for the brand, loyalty to store/brand, etc to me. It sometimes can feel that H takes advantage of those truly loyal customers, and they firmly place their bet that they will just continue shopping, because heck -- the reality is that most of us do.

As far as when I will be "done" -- I have a specific list of items that I do want to still acquire, over time. But my desire for adding bags has really quickly waned, especially this year due to the above and I do see my shopping interests continuing to wander elsewhere the longer this all goes on.

I can completely agree to this.

 

[LamborghiniGirl]

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.

logged back in for the first time in so many years, nice seeing familiar lifer Hermes names! Things have changed so much since 2011/2012. Just felt sentimental and wanted to chime in

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

I actually first joined this forum years and years ago .....I cant remember the exact year but between 1998-2007 (I can work that out because I remember where I was living at the time!)...
I forgot my log in and user name for that account way back when and now have a different email so during early 2020 pre lockdowns I decided to re-join and here I am!
Its the only social media group/forum that I am a member of and I'm addicted!
As previously stated many times I've been Hermes crazy since around 1990 although my awareness of the brand started in the 1970's (yes I'm OLD).
What I love about this forum is the eye-candy the knowledge (which actually was my main reason for joining..I wanted to learn MORE)
The supportive camaraderie of the members, the 'friends' I've made though we've never met!
And I enjoy the gossip.
Like many I do get worn down by the repetitive questions about spend, categories to purchase in, Hermes 'relationships' etc.
Though I will admit I'm rather entertained by the obsessive overthinking and handwringing I read in the relationships thread.
Will I ever be 'done' with Hermès?
I doubt it because I'm more into the archive pieces and nobody can take away the rich design history of the brand or its creativity when it comes to advertising and windows.
If money were no object (one can but dream....)
I would buy some of the furniture and seek out clothing from the JPG and Margiela years as well as some of the quirkier homeware offerings (Yes..I admit I am obsessed with and still hanker after the leather encased pebble paperweight but could not succumb to spending so much on it!).
And I do LOVE the HV (high value) fine jewellery designs, and chunky silver pieces though NOT the silly pave kelly bracelets and rings.
Its the creativity of the house that interests me I guess (as a creative woman with a design training).
I do however get frustrated by what I see as some recent ugly gimmicky variations on the Kelly and Birkin, and the stupid kelly pendants and stuff.
I love this forum and I love the knowledgeable stylish beautiful regulars who post on it.
I will add here that I re-joined the forum in 2020 because I was considering going to work for Hermes (my SA actually kept suggesting I do and planted that seed).
Thankfully I have decided that I'd be driven to distraction by people constantly asking for quota bags, and since my specialisation would be RTW I'd find it soul destroying selling lots of t-shirts and obviously branded 'stuff' and not getting my teeth into helping clients do beautiful runway based looks.
So i'm staying where I am.
Apologies for the long post!

 

[periogirl28]

I actually first joined this forum years and years ago .....I cant remember the exact year but between 1998-2007 (I can work that out because I remember where I was living at the time!)...
I forgot my log in and user name for that account way back when and now have a different email so during early 2020 pre lockdowns I decided to re-join and here I am!
Its the only social media group/forum that I am a member of and I'm addicted!
As previously stated many times I've been Hermes crazy since around 1990 although my awareness of the brand started in the 1970's (yes I'm OLD).
What I love about this forum is the eye-candy the knowledge (which actually was my main reason for joining..I wanted to learn MORE)
The supportive camaraderie of the members, the 'friends' I've made though we've never met!
And I enjoy the gossip.
Like many I do get worn down by the repetitive questions about spend, categories to purchase in, Hermes 'relationships' etc.
Though I will admit I'm rather entertained by the obsessive overthinking and handwringing I read in the relationships thread.
Will I ever be 'done' with Hermès?
I doubt it because I'm more into the archive pieces and nobody can take away the rich design history of the brand or its creativity when it comes to advertising and windows.
If money were no object (one can but dream....)
I would buy some of the furniture and seek out clothing from the JPG and Margiela years as well as some of the quirkier homeware offerings (Yes..I admit I am obsessed with and still hanker after the leather encased pebble paperweight but could not succumb to spending so much on it!).
And I do LOVE the HV (high value) fine jewellery designs, and chunky silver pieces though NOT the silly pave kelly bracelets and rings.
Its the creativity of the house that interests me I guess (as a creative woman with a design training).
I do however get frustrated by what I see as some recent ugly gimmicky variations on the Kelly and Birkin, and the stupid kelly pendants and stuff.
I love this forum and I love the knowledgeable stylish beautiful regulars who post on it.
I will add here that I re-joined the forum in 2020 because I was considering going to work for Hermes (my SA actually kept suggesting I do and planted that seed).
Thankfully I have decided that I'd be driven to distraction by people constantly asking for quota bags, and since my specialisation would be RTW I'd find it soul destroying selling lots of t-shirts and obviously branded 'stuff' and not getting my teeth into helping clients do beautiful runway based looks.
So i'm staying where I am.
Apologies for the long post!

Ah that would be so interesting! I would be completely intrigued have you as my Hermes RTW SA.

 

[J'adoreHermes]

I actually first joined this forum years and years ago .....I cant remember the exact year but between 1998-2007 (I can work that out because I remember where I was living at the time!)...
I forgot my log in and user name for that account way back when and now have a different email so during early 2020 pre lockdowns I decided to re-join and here I am!
Its the only social media group/forum that I am a member of and I'm addicted!
As previously stated many times I've been Hermes crazy since around 1990 although my awareness of the brand started in the 1970's (yes I'm OLD).
What I love about this forum is the eye-candy the knowledge (which actually was my main reason for joining..I wanted to learn MORE)
The supportive camaraderie of the members, the 'friends' I've made though we've never met!
And I enjoy the gossip.
Like many I do get worn down by the repetitive questions about spend, categories to purchase in, Hermes 'relationships' etc.
Though I will admit I'm rather entertained by the obsessive overthinking and handwringing I read in the relationships thread.
Will I ever be 'done' with Hermès?
I doubt it because I'm more into the archive pieces and nobody can take away the rich design history of the brand or its creativity when it comes to advertising and windows.
If money were no object (one can but dream....)
I would buy some of the furniture and seek out clothing from the JPG and Margiela years as well as some of the quirkier homeware offerings (Yes..I admit I am obsessed with and still hanker after the leather encased pebble paperweight but could not succumb to spending so much on it!).
And I do LOVE the HV (high value) fine jewellery designs, and chunky silver pieces though NOT the silly pave kelly bracelets and rings.
Its the creativity of the house that interests me I guess (as a creative woman with a design training).
I do however get frustrated by what I see as some recent ugly gimmicky variations on the Kelly and Birkin, and the stupid kelly pendants and stuff.
I love this forum and I love the knowledgeable stylish beautiful regulars who post on it.
I will add here that I re-joined the forum in 2020 because I was considering going to work for Hermes (my SA actually kept suggesting I do and planted that seed).
Thankfully I have decided that I'd be driven to distraction by people constantly asking for quota bags, and since my specialisation would be RTW I'd find it soul destroying selling lots of t-shirts and obviously branded 'stuff' and not getting my teeth into helping clients do beautiful runway based looks.
So i'm staying where I am.
Apologies for the long post!

I absolutely love (and mostly only like) the chunky and statement jewelry. My favorite gold piece is the large full Parade bracelet in rose gold that was especially made for me. My favorite necklace is my silver tie Etcetera, which I don’t wear too often due to it being 500+ grams, but thoroughly love seeing it in its gigantic box. Years ago, my Paris SA surprised me with the silver meteorite medor géante ring that is a 2cmx2cmx2cm cube with a medor on each side. Not for everyone, but I absolutely love it as a cocktail ring.

The last jewelry collection that I truly liked was the Punk Chaine d’Ancre collection. Paris had shown and offered me some of the larger pieces nearly a year before it was offered in the US. This now feels distant. Their new releases and majority of product line is simply too dainty. I tried and bought a few over the years of the newer and daintier gold jewelry, but they have all gone to Fashionphile. Hermes has fully embraced the small and “cheaper” prespend bait. I remember when my SA showed me a pair of those diamonds finesse earrings. The funniest part is that my SA was trying to sell me those and costed only around $4k then. Now, Fashionphile is flooded with them, and they cost $8.5k!

I think we have similar Hermes preferences as I, too, adore rtw under JPG and Margiela. I am currently trying to find that shearling stole with the pockets. I remember back when Hermes released the quick sneakers under Margiela that was the it sneaker. I still love my pairs! I also miss the clochette necklace of that time especially the exotic ones. That was a great moment in Hermes history that I find is lost currently; at least, I struggle to find.

 

[Handbag1234]

I am a long time H customer. Not a big spender but buy throughout the year regardless of bag offers. My particular store looks after regulars and I get a good level of service. If I was shopping at a much larger store it would really put me off. Who wants to be on a waitlist for 2 hours just to even talk to a SA? The latter caters for the big spenders and VIP’s mainly.

I personally find LV much more loyal to long term clients, and I’m treated like a VVIP even though my spend is nowhere near. Even if I haven’t bought anything in a year I still get invited to cool events and socials with no expectations of me spending. I also get the desirable pieces I request. LV’s customer ethos comes from Paris. Paris personally approve sales for very rare/desirable pieces. They do keep an eye on resellers though, and if any VIP is found /suspected of reselling rare pieces quickly for profit they are banned.

To answer the question- I’m done with Hermes when customer service drops and I am expected to spend more to be offered quota bags.

 

[Classy Collector]

I’m certainly not a lifer like others here in TPF. However, sometimes I’d think “I’m done now, I have everything I need”. Then of course the inevitably happens. I see something or I need a replacement and I get it. When will I be done? Never! lol