Lining up for Hermes - thoughts, rants, raves

[CEC.LV4eva]

Thank you for explaining the fact that China does not have strict controls like the US for individuals bringing purchases home. I had no idea! It is shocking to me that the China govt is allowing this!

You're welcome. The West is finally seeing what the frontier of Dai Gou looks like and it is this disaster. You are no longer shopping the luxury experience here.

For anyone else's interest:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/a...-help-chinese-consumers-get-luxury-goods-less
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/19/world/asia/china-personal-shoppers/
https://www.ft.com/content/0e0c6a36-330c-11e6-bda0-04585c31b153

 

[leuleu]

You're welcome. The West is finally seeing what the frontier of Dai Gou looks like and it is this disaster. You are no longer shopping the luxury experience here.

For anyone else's interest:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/a...-help-chinese-consumers-get-luxury-goods-less
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/19/world/asia/china-personal-shoppers/
https://www.ft.com/content/0e0c6a36-330c-11e6-bda0-04585c31b153

Very interesting, thank you.

 

[CEC.LV4eva]

Very interesting, thank you.

You're welcome

 

[dollybobo]

There is zero positive externality to having people sleep outside the store. In fact, if anything it just shows how incompetent the company is at managing their own store.

H is not exactly good with technology, you can easily tell by looking at their website. They simply don't have the ability to come up with a technological solution to solve this problem.

It also hints at the senior management turning a blame eye and burying their heads in the sand. After all, it is the front line SAs who suffer and are worked to the ground while they are in their cozy offices running the business remotely and counting the cash.
They also demonstrated how ignorant they are by denying any responsibility for what goes on outside their store - this is total BS. So what if the pavement caved in outside the store? Do you think they will just ignore it and let their customers fall into a hole in the ground?

What if a crime was committed on the pavement outside your home. The police turns out to ask about witnesses and take statements, will you slam the door in their face and tell them it's none of your business because it did not happen on YOUR property.

H management are behind the times and incompetent. They are simply incapable and too lazy to even attempt at solving the issue.

Mark my words, it will not be long before the SAs starts to quit. Who would want to work there???

 

[QuelleFromage]

I was going to say - I saw a special on tv (after having Millie my memory is shot), but it was about a man who started a professional line waiting service. His team is in multiple cities, you can hire them for multiple different types of 'lines', and it is a legitimate business.

This will probably happen for H store as well.

Honestly, people are just trying to get by and make money. I don't know all the information about the line sitters at H, but I know that people everywhere are trying to feed their families and take care of themselves by all means possible. They saw a market for something and enacted that. H not liking it or H customers not liking it... well what do you expect? Ask people to cue up and do things differently means others will find a way around that. I applaud people always trying to find a way to just make it by in life, really do (and line saving isn't illegal).

This is a great post. I think taking a breath and remembering the economic situation everywhere is helpful here.

I don't understand how the city allows people to sleep and sit on the street at all hours. Wouldn't it just be easier for the city to not allow anyone outside the stores until maybe an hour before? Am I being too simplistic?

There are already people sleeping on the streets of Paris, plenty in the 8th.

 

[Nerja]

You're welcome. The West is finally seeing what the frontier of Dai Gou looks like and it is this disaster. You are no longer shopping the luxury experience here.

For anyone else's interest:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/a...-help-chinese-consumers-get-luxury-goods-less
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/19/world/asia/china-personal-shoppers/
https://www.ft.com/content/0e0c6a36-330c-11e6-bda0-04585c31b153

Very interesting articles. Thank you for posting the links.

 

[Coco.lover]

Thats what I was going to say people sleeping on the streets in the 8th arr is nothing new. Police can't remove the line sitters and let the homeless continue to sleep there. The store has become nicer to shop in and less chaotic. I do understand people's frustration, especially the people who aren't regulars and have no SA's. I don't think I would but up with the line or pay someone to stay in line for me. The appointment system makes it a lot harder for newbies trying to get their first bag.

This is a great post. I think taking a breath and remembering the economic situation everywhere is helpful here.


There are already people sleeping on the streets of Paris, plenty in the 8th.

 

[Hobbiezm]

That's what I would guess. They are a large enough corporation, that if they wanted this to stop, they'd change the system. They have the power to make it end by changing how they allow shoppers in, and they aren't changing it.

I honestly am confused as to how it baffles anyone that this would happen? I mean, if I were in Paris and was hoping to get a bag and not spend half a day waiting in front of a store hoping for it, I wouldn't be opposed to having someone wait on line for me.

Do I like when people save spots etc? No. I know for some Black Friday sales you get a number - and it's good for one person. That would help being cut by multiple people at least...

I agree ... look I hate the idea of spot saving BUT if Hermes can't sort it out ( and I agree with several posts- they don't want to... it's like an exclusive club.. why let everyone in??!?) then I'd buy a spot or take my business elsewhere. In theory is it any different than paying for a fast pass in immigration?? And I definitely sympathize with ppl who have lined up night before but if your willing to drop $9K on a bag, then how about €80 to move ahead? I blame Hermes entirely for this problem and will not shop at FSH until problem is solved.

 

[creighbaby]

Do the line sitters in NYC make such a scene outside the stores or cause fights and other commotion by selling to multiple people? I'm genuinely asking a question. Is this unique to what is happening at FSH or is it a common situation? These are the elements that I find ugly and that I cannot condone supporting.

In NYC, the linesitting companies require customers to pre-book and pre-pay for the services. I have read where some people will book one linesitter for a sample sale and show up with a few people, and where people will book X number of linesitters if there are going X number of people in their group. The linesitters can't prevent people from bringing extra people with them. They have a contract with one client and if that client wants to be a jerk that is on the client. However, depending on the sale, the linecutters will be called out and forced to move to the back.

Here's a link to a recent article on NYC linesitter by a public radio station.

http://www.npr.org/2017/06/25/534286483/paid-line-holders-find-worth-in-the-wait

People don't want to hear about the reality of the business of line sitters. They'd rather call it disgusting and say it's beneath them. And I'd like to know -- if you are willing to pay someone to sit in line, is it qualitatively different from hiring a concierge service to get you an appointment or to ask your hotel to do so? It's money changing hands for an opportunity to get a bag at the discounted European price, whether you do so via an appointment obtained in line or an appointment obtained in some other manner.

 

[Hobbiezm]

I was going to say - I saw a special on tv (after having Millie my memory is shot), but it was about a man who started a professional line waiting service. His team is in multiple cities, you can hire them for multiple different types of 'lines', and it is a legitimate business.

This will probably happen for H store as well.

Honestly, people are just trying to get by and make money. I don't know all the information about the line sitters at H, but I know that people everywhere are trying to feed their families and take care of themselves by all means possible. They saw a market for something and enacted that. H not liking it or H customers not liking it... well what do you expect? Ask people to cue up and do things differently means others will find a way around that. I applaud people always trying to find a way to just make it by in life, really do (and line saving isn't illegal).

Totally agree! It isn't illegal and someone found a way to make a business out of a demand that Hermes created. If a grocery store can have a simple counter issuing tickets - how can Hermes not have that!!?!! I was in Barcelona recently and visited Chanel. There was a line and my hubby and I had time so I waited 20 mins . Once we got in we found only 4 ppl in the store with SAs standing by. I asked my SA why the line and he said candidly they are copying Hermes business model... the air of exclusivity drives sales. I appreciated the feedback but other stores are starting this business model.

 

[Coconuts40]

Totally agree! It isn't illegal and someone found a way to make a business out of a demand that Hermes created. If a grocery store can have a simple counter issuing tickets - how can Hermes not have that!!?!! I was in Barcelona recently and visited Chanel. There was a line and my hubby and I had time so I waited 20 mins . Once we got in we found only 4 ppl in the store with SAs standing by. I asked my SA why the line and he said candidly they are copying Hermes business model... the air of exclusivity drives sales. I appreciated the feedback but other stores are starting this business model.

Wow, thanks for sharing this.
Personally, I find this a complete turn off. I won't beg a company to let me spend my money. So what if I don't have the best handbag, or the best jewelry, etc..... At least I have my pride and dignity and that's more important to me.

 

[Nahreen]

Totally agree! It isn't illegal and someone found a way to make a business out of a demand that Hermes created. If a grocery store can have a simple counter issuing tickets - how can Hermes not have that!!?!! I was in Barcelona recently and visited Chanel. There was a line and my hubby and I had time so I waited 20 mins . Once we got in we found only 4 ppl in the store with SAs standing by. I asked my SA why the line and he said candidly they are copying Hermes business model... the air of exclusivity drives sales. I appreciated the feedback but other stores are starting this business model.

I would have left the Chanel store if this happened to me. I find it arrogant to do this to customers on purpose.

 

[leuleu]

Totally agree! It isn't illegal and someone found a way to make a business out of a demand that Hermes created. If a grocery store can have a simple counter issuing tickets - how can Hermes not have that!!?!! I was in Barcelona recently and visited Chanel. There was a line and my hubby and I had time so I waited 20 mins . Once we got in we found only 4 ppl in the store with SAs standing by. I asked my SA why the line and he said candidly they are copying Hermes business model... the air of exclusivity drives sales. I appreciated the feedback but other stores are starting this business model.

As I wrote many times before, I will NEVER beg to pay in a store.
If a store doesn't want my money, I'll find another place where it will be welcomed.

 

[dollybobo]

Just because something is legal does not necessarily make it morally correct. It is legal to eat dog meat and horse meat in parts of the world. But do we all feel good about it and agree with it?

Hermes is not fixing the problem because senior management is not acknowledging the issues or don't have the ability to fix them. Has nothing to do with exclusivity. Graff diamonds are exclusive and I can never imagine spotseller or the homeless being allowed to sleep outside their stores.

 

[Coco.lover]

First off FSH is a public street, so they can't forbid anyone from sleeping or lining up in the streets, if that's the case they should close the store and build a mall in the middle of Paris and reopen the flagship there. Secondly homeless people are people just like us, we don't know what type of hardships they have gone through to be in that situation. They don't really bother anyone IMHO. You can stop and give them something or not.

Just because something is legal does not necessarily make it morally correct. It is legal to eat dog meat and horse meat in parts of the world. But do we all feel good about it and agree with it?

Hermes is not fixing the problem because senior management is not acknowledging the issues or don't have the ability to fix them. Has nothing to do with exclusivity. Graff diamonds are exclusive and I can never imagine spotseller or the homeless being allowed to sleep outside their stores.