Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

Please focus on the title of this thread rather than each other, TY

If you find it very hard to ignore certain people, please feel free in adding them to your 'Ignore' list.

For advice on how to obtain a B/K/C please go to the reading room in the Reading Room The Newbie's HOW DO I GET A BIRKIN (or other bag) Reading Room

For advice on how to shop at your local store please do a search in Hermes Shopping sub-forum and look for your store/region/country.

 

[catin]

Working with a new SA and I want to place an order for shoes. She told me I have to go into the store to place it. Can this really be the case? Can’t she just ship them to me?

If it's an online order from the website yes. They always have to do that from the store because of some rules. The stocks of the stores and the website are very distinct from each other and they are not allowed to do those transactions unless you are physically at the store.

If it's a transfer between stores or a shipment to you from your own store's stock, they can (in theory) send a link to you through vox pay and ship it to you from that other store. But I imagine this may vary from store to store who have different house rules.

 

[Elizshop]

If it's an online order from the website yes. They always have to do that from the store because of some rules. The stocks of the stores and the website are very distinct from each other and they are not allowed to do those transactions unless you are physically at the store.

If it's a transfer between stores or a shipment to you from your own store's stock, they can (in theory) send a link to you through vox pay and ship it to you from that other store. But I imagine this may vary from store to store who have different house rules.

Thank you for clearing that up.

 

[Luvmyfamily]

Hi, how do you decide whether to continue with a SA? My SA changed in the middle of a year when she resigned. While my new SA is always courteous, I feel that I do not click as much with my current SA unlike the previous one and I am not as valued as how my previous SA treated me. However, I have been with the store for a year plus and am not sure I may click with another SA in another store. I do wish to continue with the same store if possible.

 

[smoothsailor]

Hi, how do you decide whether to continue with a SA? My SA changed in the middle of a year when she resigned. While my new SA is always courteous, I feel that I do not click as much with my current SA unlike the previous one and I am not as valued as how my previous SA treated me. However, I have been with the store for a year plus and am not sure I may click with another SA in another store. I do wish to continue with the same store if possible.

As long as the SA help me to get what I want, be it bag or other items, I will continue. We don’t need to be friends.

 

[Luvmyfamily]

As long as the SA help me to get what I want, be it bag or other items, I will continue. We don’t need to be friends.

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current SA.

 

[leechiyong]

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current SA.

It's hard to judge, honestly, between a new SA, low inventory levels, a lot of new clients, and time of year. With an SA with whom you already have a relationship, they can say that it's better to wait for your quota bag because they just don't have the bag inventory to offer you both in the near future and it's easier to accept because the trust has been built. With a new SA, that has to be rebuilt.

For me, I read through the recent pages in this thread to get a baseline of current "H normal" and adjust it relative to my spend to help me figure out what's realistic or not. It usually helps me allay my concerns.

 

[880]

Thank you - did Hermes feel a hit in 2008/2009? If there’s a recession maybe it cools off the current inventory issues

Not sure if that will matter this time around bc there are systemic differences in recessions. This one will be fed induced; historically low unemployment; inflationary (is that a word lol) cost of services; well capitalized banking system; and, high consumer spending. Even though supply was cut during Covid, and demand is still extremely high. The portion of the 1% that buys luxury is still buying. During Covid, resale prices did dip to historic lows, and H boutiques sold QBs more readily.

It's hard to judge, honestly, between a new SA, low inventory levels, a lot of new clients, and time of year.

+1

get a baseline of current "H normal" and adjust it relative to my spend to help me figure out what's realistic or not. It usually helps me allay my concerns.

+1

 

[smoothsailor]

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current SA.

U might have to give it some time. At the first few appointments with my new SA, she was even “2 timing”. Serving me and her regular customers at the same time, just because she doesn’t have the capacity. After a few months, maybe 6 months for me, that was regularised. Need to visit the store during non busy times to chat casually with her. Then I felt comfortable to ask for anything including quota bags and non quota bags over text messages. Of course, she doesn’t have everything either but said will keep a look out or order for me.

 

[GabrielleS]

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current SAthis

Pre-spend items such as rtw, definitely yes. Bags, even for non-quota bags, nil. Quite unlike my previous SA, who offered my non-quota bags twice in year. My previous SA proactively offered another non-quota bag when I rejected one, I feel she appreciates me even though I am nowhere near VIP level. On the other hand, my current SA told me I should just wait for my quota bag and not request a non-quota bag and I hadn't even had a non-quota bag this whole year. I just feel the level of service is entirely catered towards sales, there is no appreciation of my frequent visits and purchases from my current SA.

This is the reality of supply now. For most, a desirable non QB will significantly delay a QB esp if you want desirable colours. Your SA is just being honest with you.

 

[Fixxi]

Not sure if that will matter this time around bc there are systemic differences in recessions. This one will be fed induced; historically low unemployment; inflationary (is that a word lol) cost of services; well capitalized banking system; and, high consumer spending. Even though supply was cut during Covid, and demand is still extremely high.

You hit the nail on the head!

 

[Jsh88]

My question is a bit more nuanced, see history below.

History:

My wife and I are big Hermes spenders (well into the six figures), all on my account until recently. We have historically shopped in one store with a specific SA, however that store requires travel and not convenient. We also must regularly remind our SA about our wish list and requests (she has treated us well with multiple bags and SOs, but the constant follow up is exhausting, and the store has limited inventory and we regularly are not able to buy everything we want in RTW, shoes, and other categories.) For example, both my wife and I requested numerous RTW FW22 pieces before the store even did their buy, and we received none of them after multiple follow ups. On the other hand, our SA has a Horizon order in for us. Our gut feel is that because we are not local and come to make purchases every quarter or so, that we aren't really prioritized. We see others shopping with the same SA in the store that regularly get more offers (even more than the supposedly two quota bags per year!) They are local to the city and can easily go to the store.

We recently relocated and are within walking distance of a high-volume Hermes (this is dangerous!) This is also on the other side of the country from our previous store. We have been working with an SA in our local store, but we essentially are building a new relationship from scratch. She has been very responsive and accommodating and we have been able to get a lot of our SS 2023 requests fulfilled through her. No quota bags yet as we are new clients (but our spend is rapidly increasing so I expect some offers in 2023 if we continue to shop with her.)

Both SAs are "Selling Supervisors" if that matters.

Our goal is to develop/continue a great relationship with our SA(s) and continue to grow our bag collection and hopefully get some collectors' pieces eventually.

Our debate is should we:
1) continue to work with both SAs at different stores - but this feels a bit awkward. I can use my account in our old store and my wife can use her account in the new store to keep things separate (we have always done our purchases this way).
2) work exclusively with our existing SA on the other side of the country given the existing relationship and spend, and likely less "competition", but less options given it's a smaller volume store and we can't regularly visit;
3) work exclusively with the SA at our new store given that we can easily go into the store, but more "competition" with more options given it's a higher volume store?

Interested in everyone's thoughts and if anyone has previous experience here.

Thanks, and happy new year!

 

[880]

Honestly the long distance relationship doesn’t sound fun or easy. Shop where you are happiest and the offers will come in due course. All things being equal, stores do seem to prioritize clients who are local and who come in regularly. It doesn’t sound like QBs are the end all be all for you anyway (as I have a good sized collection, they aren’t for me); if QBs were the primary goal, I might answer differently. I shop my local US flagship and also travel to FSH twice a year, mainly bc FSH has more varied RTW at better prices. My local SA and FSH SA are well aware of my shopping habits and no one seems to mind (I do think FSH gets a pass bc it’s the original flagship. Between the two locations, I received multiple QB offers last year and took 3 QBs and also two non QBs. My acct profile is under the same name in both locations.

ETA: it’s possible that RTW will become more available as stores begin to order more merchandise, but I still think you should do whatever makes you most comfortable and happy

 

[acrowcounted]

Since COVID, the company policy seems to be to give HEAVY favor to clients during in person transactions. The demand for H items across the store has gone through the roof so SAs no longer need to spend the extra time maintaining remote relationships when face to face clients are walking through the door in larger numbers than they can even keep up with. If I were in your shoes, I would put my full monetary weight into the local relationship, only reaching back out to the prior relationship if there is an item which my local SA is unable to obtain.

 

[J'adoreHermes]

Personally, I would shop at both as they seem complimentary at the moment. The farther one is doing your horizon project and offers you bags you like, and the closer one gets you accessories.

I mostly shop at two stores in another continent and have never had any issues with the remote relationship. I shop where I feel most valued, and the store a walking distance away from me doesn’t do that. A relationship is much more than monetary so that is also important to take into account.

 

[cravin]

There has been a push to get customers back into the boutiques and for SAs to do less via phone and text. Hope that helps you.