Luxury Shopping is just Too Complicated?

[etoile de mer]

Do you sometimes just think that luxury shopping (experience) is too complicated?

Some people love and live shopping. I read here, how they've just bought one thing and then they're on with their next HG. Thrill of the chase etc. I absolutely heave a sigh of relief if I pay, have 'thing', and done. The prices we pay, literally thousands £€$, you would think it would be more pleasurable.

In store: You have to (know to) ring ahead for appointments, be assigned an SA, make 'friends', know which member of staff is a specialist in whichever dept, know store policies on everything better than the staff, know the stock better than the staff, know procedure with staff. Make sure they're not adding your purchase history to your sister's account (same initials). All for emptying your bank account and receiving a fake smile from a SA who thinks you're a mug/privileged B./cheap B./time-waster.

Online: Be home all day or have your precious jewellery thrown at the local dumping ground for negligent shoppers, remember to take ID collecting, ring to find what happened to parcel, remember to tick boxes not leaving with your klep-to-neighbour, panic over whether you'll believed for being sent odd-shoe sizes or damaged goods, worrying about the intricacies of returns, working out the intricacies of refund - if it ever comes.

Rather than feel shopping was never more pleasurable, I find it non-stop hassle. I've always found new shopping stressful, which is why in many ways I still like going to markets and vintage stores with cash and a carrier. The prices, expectations (promises) of luxury shopping hardly ever add-up - the only thing that makes it worth it is that (hopefully) amazing product in my hands after all is done and is finally mine.

What's your take atm?

Yes, I feel the same! For so many of the reasons you note, I'd rather put my time and energy elsewhere. Especially at Hermes, I miss just being able to pop-in and browse with nothing in mind. I'd often be delighted and surprised by things I'd not known of, and come home with something wonderful. I've always received great service there, but miss that serendipity.

Possibly making things easier, currently, there just aren't a lot of luxury items that really appeal to me. There are a few things I need, but I have a hard time finding simple, beautifully crafted items that I like.

 

[lurketylurk]

Do you sometimes just think that luxury shopping (experience) is too complicated?

Some people love and live shopping. I read here, how they've just bought one thing and then they're on with their next HG. Thrill of the chase etc. I absolutely heave a sigh of relief if I pay, have 'thing', and done. The prices we pay, literally thousands £€$, you would think it would be more pleasurable.

In store: You have to (know to) ring ahead for appointments, be assigned an SA, make 'friends', know which member of staff is a specialist in whichever dept, know store policies on everything better than the staff, know the stock better than the staff, know procedure with staff. Make sure they're not adding your purchase history to your sister's account (same initials). All for emptying your bank account and receiving a fake smile from a SA who thinks you're a mug/privileged B./cheap B./time-waster.

Online: Be home all day or have your precious jewellery thrown at the local dumping ground for negligent shoppers, remember to take ID collecting, ring to find what happened to parcel, remember to tick boxes not leaving with your klep-to-neighbour, panic over whether you'll believed for being sent odd-shoe sizes or damaged goods, worrying about the intricacies of returns, working out the intricacies of refund - if it ever comes.

Rather than feel shopping was never more pleasurable, I find it non-stop hassle. I've always found new shopping stressful, which is why in many ways I still like going to markets and vintage stores with cash and a carrier. The prices, expectations (promises) of luxury shopping hardly ever add-up - the only thing that makes it worth it is that (hopefully) amazing product in my hands after all is done and is finally mine.

What's your take atm?

Yes to all of this. I find it to be such a hassle to visit stores. The traffic, the parking, the other people...sometimes the lines to actually get into the store. Plus, I have social anxiety and am a people pleaser. I don't find that I make the best decisions when faced with an SA. I wind up buying things because someone is nice to me and then I regret it.
That's why I buy online but it does limit what's available to me and it is a hassle dealing with the deliveries. I would LOVE an Instacart-style experience but with luxury boutiques!

 

[FaubourgTropical]

Oh, how timely. I was writing a lengthy post in the Hermes forum about how shopping becomes really tiresome but deleted it as I wasn’t sure which thread to put it.

I like to visit Hermes stores on my travel, just to see things my home store doesn’t have and pick up little souvenirs to remember the trip by.

I was recently at Bordeaux. I told the person at the door that I wanted to browse and would ask again if I needed help. But they assigned me an SA anyway who was following me.
I told he SA I wasn’t looking for bags, no Birkin or Kelly for sure. I would love if he had some SLG in heritage leather. He said he couldn’t sell ANYTHING leather. Pointed me to Garden Party and Herbags. Sigh…. I left.

I was at Le Tanneur afterwards. Not the same league, of course, but the interaction was pleasant and simple. There was a bag. We were shown the bag. We could touch and try the bag. And in between, we chatted about where we came from and how long we were staying in Bordeaux. Easy. Luxury shopping was once like that.

I felt everyone in most Hermes stores was on edge. SAs are suspicious that customers only want Birkin or Kelly and customers are suspicious SAs are lying. Gone are the days when we can just browse and it’s ok to find something or not. Gone are the days when the customer go in relaxed and SA friendly. So much pressure all around.

ETA: I read the postings up thread about knowing customer’s sizes, style and preference and excellent after-care services and agree completely. Those are missing from luxury shopping nowadays. It’s now just endless purchases for the newest colour/model/items and strategizing how to get them

 

[lill_canele]

Hmm. I pretty much only shop at my local boutiques. For my longtime SAs I am quite loyal and will only buy from them and even when they do eventually leave, I know the managers so things are handled well.

But I can understand the busy-ness and fatigue. I felt it a little right before the pandemic and then after it. I talked about it on this forum before. I’m not sure how it started but it also kind of ended for me around this year. I guess maybe my interest is dwindling somewhat.

I started to get more busy at work after the pandemic so I don’t window shop or shop as often as I used to. So my mind isn’t quite on top of it as before. I thought that I would miss it but for some reason I’m okay with it. So when I do go shopping it’s like a treat. I’ll probably spend half the day there and have a meal.

I pretty much dislike online shopping. I too hate returns and when clothing size is questionable I don’t even bother.
I ordered a few luxury items from Hermes because they happened to be available and I really wanted them. But the 2nd to last time I ordered something it was stolen and now I pretty much avoid luxury online orders.

In-store shopping is the way for me.
If I go into a store that I don’t have an SA for, I just tell them I’m looking and probably won’t buy anything and they just leave me alone lol.

 

[papertiger]

Hmm. I pretty much only shop at my local boutiques. For my longtime SAs I am quite loyal and will only buy from them and even when they do eventually leave, I know the managers so things are handled well.

But I can understand the busy-ness and fatigue. I felt it a little right before the pandemic and then after it. I talked about it on this forum before. I’m not sure how it started but it also kind of ended for me around this year. I guess maybe my interest is dwindling somewhat.

I started to get more busy at work after the pandemic so I don’t window shop or shop as often as I used to. So my mind isn’t quite on top of it as before. I thought that I would miss it but for some reason I’m okay with it. So when I do go shopping it’s like a treat. I’ll probably spend half the day there and have a meal.

I pretty much dislike online shopping. I too hate returns and when clothing size is questionable I don’t even bother.
I ordered a few luxury items from Hermes because they happened to be available and I really wanted them. But the 2nd to last time I ordered something it was stolen and now I pretty much avoid luxury online orders.

In-store shopping is the way for me.
If I go into a store that I don’t have an SA for, I just tell them I’m looking and probably won’t buy anything and they just leave me alone lol.

I'm so sorry that you suffered this loss, it really just adds to the headache. I very much hope it was sorted-out very quickly and there was no tussle. It's truly horrible when that kind of thing happens.

I ask myself why George Jensen (famous Danish silversmith and jewellers) use UPS that can't be bothered to send a text/ring the door bell and some rancid high-street supermarket that leave packages almost in the doorway as a drop-off point. You couldn't get closer to the definition to 'asking for it'.

ATM, I'm having on-going hassle in one of Britain's most prestigious purveyors of luxury goods and the whole things a mess (and this isn't the first time). I am going to have to send another email tomorrow. Just another thing to add to my working day .

For me the whole point of luxury shopping is as much about the service and the experience as the 'thing'. Worry, hassle and headache should not be part of the cost IMHO.

 

[lill_canele]

I'm so sorry that you suffered this loss, it really just adds to the headache. I very much it was sorted-out very quickly and there was no tussle. It's truly horrible when that kind of thing happens.

I ask myself why George Jensen (famous Danish silversmith and jewellers) use UPS that can't be bothered to send a text/ring the door bell and some rancid high-street supermarket that leave packages almost in the doorway as a drop-off point. You couldn't get closer to the definition to 'asking for it'.

ATM, I'm having on-going hassle in one of Britain's most prestigious purveyors of luxury goods and the whole things a mess (and this isn't the first time). I am going to have to send another email tomorrow. Just another thing to add to my working day .

For me the whole point of luxury shopping is as much about the service and the experience as the 'thing'. Worry, hassle and headache should not be part of the cost IMHO.

Yea, FedEx was horrible about it and pretty much didn’t want to admit it was stolen. But once I contacted Hermes they handled everything from that point on and I got refunded quickly.

I’m sorry. I can feel your stress. I’ve had enough stressful online shopping experiences that it’s not worth it for me. But part of the issue probably lies with me because I do tend to think about it a lot. While my husband is the complete opposite. He won’t bother checking for shipment status, just kind of takes it slow and doesn’t really worry about things for weeks lol. It probably has to do with his previous experience in working in the business of international shipments and he can see why certain things take so long. lol

Yes! Totally agree! Part of the luxury should be the ease and hassle free side of not worrying about orders and shipments. I hope that as things return to normal and when staff becomes less short staffed, that things will improve. But only time will tell.

 

[leechiyong]

For me, I think it's more that my willing to put effort in has diminished comparatively to when I was younger. I've put a fair amount of work into my collection at this stage and building relationships with brands I enjoy already. I don't mind setting appointments as it makes my schedule easier and doing my own research as I know I don't spend enough to land on anyone's radar for items to keep an eye out early on, but I'm not willing to call five stores in pursuit of an item and have a low threshold for what it takes to establish myself with a brand. If it takes that much effort, I'd simply rather not.

 

[*schmoo*]

As I've gotten older, I've become less patient. I need to get in and out lickity split and I am not going to stand in line just to get into a store. It helps to research beforehand. I was able to order a bag via email despite official store policy saying they don't do that. I sent them a message and they surprisingly acquiesced. I lucked out shopping at boutique recently, but it's because I got there a few minutes after they opened and there was no line. I knew exactly what I wanted and I told them not to bother with wrapping. "Throw it in the bag" and lemme get outta there.

 

[Kevinaxx]

But the 2nd to last time I ordered something it was stolen and now I pretty much avoid luxury online orders.

They switched their packaging from the silver to the white so even with signature required (it doesn’t always get honored) I’m pretty sure it’s part of switching it up as I’m sure you’re not the only one.

For me shopping experience plays an important part of the purchase. That’s why I prefer to shop online or if in person, I’d like a bit of peace & quiet after the usual dance of pleasantries.

I find shopping in person > online but online is convenient.

 

[Christofle]

It can certainly be exhausting these days and gone are the days for the most part where browsing was possible. The local Dior store still only allows 2-3 people into the store at a time while an SA follows behind you. Not quite the way I like to shop unfortunately.

My happy medium that I've discovered is shopping via text since I can skip the aforementioned crowds and parking. Yet it still feels more personal than shopping online.

 

[880]

never had a long term SA that feels loyal to me

Lol, I’m the opposite in this regard. I can barely shop if I don’t have a relationship. I need a professional opinion as to what I’m buying from a person who is familiar with how I dress and what I already have

only place that still feels like home

Agree. I shop mainly where I can relax; feel no pressure; and feel at home.

 

[yuzulife]

The more freedom brands give me the more I'm likely to return and return. I hate to be pressured.

Yes, exactly. Freedom to browse without pressure sales tactics or up selling. How lovely that would be.

The irony of all of it is my regular instacart shoppers provide me with more of a luxury experience than most SA...but hey, when they go in the back of the store and clean them out of my favorite yogurt without me even asking...THAT to me is luxury

Totally agreed, they understand how to provide great predictive customer service  and deliver delicious yogurt! I'd keep them for sure.

I once had a request to clean out my favorite yogurt with no substitute wanted. The store was sold out of that flavor, not unheard of, but then the shopper wanted to know if I wanted x flavor instead.

But the 2nd to last time I ordered something it was stolen and now I pretty much avoid luxury online

I am so sorry

For me the whole point of luxury shopping is as much about the service and the experience as the 'thing'. Worry, hassle and headache should not be part of the cost

Very much agreed

 

[880]

Lol, I’m the opposite in this regard. I can barely shop if I don’t have a relationship. I need a professional opinion as to what I’m buying from a person who is familiar with how I dress and what I already have

Agree. I shop mainly where I can relax; feel no pressure; and feel at home.

Just wanted to add that I don’t need to be best buddies with my SA (though I am often on very good terms)
I don’t need coffee, espresso, champagne, or snacks, and in fact I don’t like these distractions when I am shopping
i don’t need fancy packaging, or gifts, or freebies, nor do I need my item to be virgin pure and hermetically sealed.
I do appreciate competent in house tailoring (though I have an excellent third party professional)
and delivery in an unmarked bag

 

[lulu212121]

Just wanted to add that I don’t need to be best buddies with my SA (though I am often on very good terms)
I don’t need coffee, espresso, champagne, or snacks, and in fact I don’t like these distractions when I am shopping
i don’t need fancy packaging, or gifts, or freebies, nor do I need my item to be virgin pure and hermetically sealed.
I do appreciate competent in house tailoring (though I have an excellent third party professional)
and delivery in an unmarked bag

Competent house tailoring is very important to me. I am disappointed at how many "luxury" brands don't offer this. Those tailors would be the ones who know the items best.

I usually have no problem buying another person's return, as long as I can't tell.

Water is all I ask for if I need it. I find the idea of eating a snack while shopping bizarre. How do you touch items?

 

[papertiger]

Competent house tailoring is very important to me. I am disappointed at how many "luxury" brands don't offer this. Those tailors would be the ones who know the items best.

I usually have no problem buying another person's return, as long as I can't tell.

Water is all I ask for if I need it. I find the idea of eating a snack while shopping bizarre. How do you touch items?

VIPs get lunch in some places. Average appointment takes 2 hours but some people double their appointments. There's usually a washroom.Yes, usually it's just water for me too.

When I'm at some places after hours of traveling to London, Im there so long because of SAs looking things up, running downstairs of in the back, there'd better be somewhere to go to the loo/wash my hands. Different at a resort destination or a smaller store.