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.

 

[papertiger]

hello,

For someone who has never purchased an Hermes item, is there a secret to buying a Birkin 25 or 30 black leather bag? Is it true you cannot go to a boutique and buy one and you have to buy smaller items until you reach a certain amount ( I heard $10k at minimum) before you can buy one? Do dept stores sell the Birkin bags? Also what is the cost of a 25 vs a 30 and what color is more popular/desireable?

Sorry if these are dumb questions. I’m a guy who doesn’t know much about these things and thinking of surprising his wife.

Please follow jellyv's answer for the short answer.

Otherwise this thread will demonstrate how complicated it can be. If you don't want to spent $10 + all at once to be offered a B, you will probably need to cultivate a relationship with an H SA (which is why I've moved your thread). It should really be entitled How to Start and Maintain a h Relationship.

I will say though, you have your gender on your side. Sexist I know but men will often get offered one for their wives (or husband) more easily than a woman buying one for herself or another. I've seen it myself many times. Sad but true, but I guess good for you.

 

[lovingit74]

Good to hear that being a guy gives an edge. I’ll take anything. But I’m located in CA and people here spend money like it’s nothing. South Coast is my closest store so I’m sure they get the top clients so it won’t be easy. I don’t think department store SAs can get it can they?

 

[papertiger]

Good to hear that being a guy gives an edge. I’ll take anything. But I’m located in CA and people here spend money like it’s nothing. South Coast is my closest store so I’m sure they get the top clients so it won’t be easy. I don’t think department store SAs can get it can they?

It's the hierarchy rather than just the venue.

 

[Nerja]

I relocated cities on the east coast and have continued to shop with my original SA! We mostly discuss over email and phone, and she is currently tracking down a bag (not B or K) that she will mail to my new home address.

Same here! I live on the west coast and shop with an SA on the east coast. I have the same experiences as @cafecreme15 with shopping/shipping to the home.

 

[izaku0608]

Sorry if this has been covered already but has anyone ever tried to ask your sales associate to transfer items from the Hermes website? I recently asked to have a specific ring located and my SA is from US and he said in that specific size for all stores across US it's all sold out. However, I go on the US website and there's like a ton of sizes, more importantly, my size. So my question is, if I were to ask him to transfer... Could that happen ?

 

[acrowcounted]

Sorry if this has been covered already but has anyone ever tried to ask your sales associate to transfer items from the Hermes website? I recently asked to have a specific ring located and my SA is from US and he said in that specific size for all stores across US it's all sold out. However, I go on the US website and there's like a ton of sizes, more importantly, my size. So my question is, if I were to ask him to transfer... Could that happen ?

As of six months ago, transferring from Hermes.com was extremely unlikely and needed crazy approval. I guess H doesn't want to pay commission and inventory logistics costs for a customer to get something through their SA that they can just get via a click of the button online. However, in October, my SA said they had a big corporate meeting to discuss upcoming changes and one of them was inventory sharing with .com It was unclear to my SA whether online purchases facilitated by the SA would count toward your store profile and which return policy etc would be in effect so it sounds like they are still working out the details. I'd inquire with your SA but be prepared for a "sorry, can't"

 

[lulilu]

My SA has brought things in on several occasions -- I just call her with the number.

 

[GoldFish8]

Sorry if this has been covered already but has anyone ever tried to ask your sales associate to transfer items from the Hermes website? I recently asked to have a specific ring located and my SA is from US and he said in that specific size for all stores across US it's all sold out. However, I go on the US website and there's like a ton of sizes, more importantly, my size. So my question is, if I were to ask him to transfer... Could that happen ?

I believe you can do it in store. If you ask them to get it from online you have to be in store and they will do it. It’s relatively new process i believe.

 

[PJW5813]

My SA has brought things in on several occasions -- I just call her with the number.

Do you mean specifically from the website?
I thought that you can personally order online and collect at an Hermes store, but that is not the same as an order from the online store being made instore.
I have used the website to get the item reference number and my SM has ordered items in for me, even from other EU stores, but that has not been from the internet side of the Hermes business.

 

[lulilu]

Do you mean specifically from the website?
I thought that you can personally order online and collect at an Hermes store, but that is not the same as an order from the online store being made instore.
I have used the website to get the item reference number and my SM has ordered items in for me, even from other EU stores, but that has not been from the internet side of the Hermes business.

For example, there was a carmen keyring in a certain colorway I wanted. She didn't have it and couldn't find it at another store. I went home, looked, and called and gave her the number from the website. I didn't pay for it until I got it at the store. The exact process it went through, IDK.

 

[TeeCee77]

For example, there was a carmen keyring in a certain colorway I wanted. She didn't have it and couldn't find it at another store. I went home, looked, and called and gave her the number from the website. I didn't pay for it until I got it at the store. The exact process it went through, IDK.

I tried this when I saw trying to get a Jige and my SA said it was much easier to get from another store than online. He said he could call a store and if they have something, most of the time they can get it transferred. When it comes to online it can take longer and has lots of approval required, so often item is gone before the sale is approved.

 

[lulilu]

I tried this when I saw trying to get a Jige and my SA said it was much easier to get from another store than online. He said he could call a store and if they have something, most of the time they can get it transferred. When it comes to online it can take longer and has lots of approval required, so often item is gone before the sale is approved.

Mine was not available at another store.

 

[meowlett]

As of six months ago, transferring from Hermes.com was extremely unlikely and needed crazy approval. I guess H doesn't want to pay commission and inventory logistics costs for a customer to get something through their SA that they can just get via a click of the button online. However, in October, my SA said they had a big corporate meeting to discuss upcoming changes and one of them was inventory sharing with .com It was unclear to my SA whether online purchases facilitated by the SA would count toward your store profile and which return policy etc would be in effect so it sounds like they are still working out the details. I'd inquire with your SA but be prepared for a "sorry, can't"

If you buy and pay in store using .com inventory, it counts as a store sale. It is common practice in omnichannel commerce.

 

[jagwomen]

Yeah this sounds really stupid lol. Well here I go how do you build a relationship with an sa? Here in Scandinavia it seems like we always meet new people and it is really hard to go to the same person and that person doesn’t even recognise you. In summer I bought my hubby a belt he had a special wish and the sa (Lovely lady) bought one out from the back after a bit of talking. We really klicked well, and I was not carrying anything designer because it was almost a storm outside, so I didn’t want to ruin anything. Later I read here on the forum that that particular belt was really difficult to get hold of and was mostly only reserved for loyal costumers. Well we both love the brand, and eventually I want a Birkin or/and kelly. But we genuinely love the brand and the craftsmanship. Next time we want to buy two wallets one for me and one for him. But how can we go to the same lady and how this she recognise us?

 

[bluerosespf]

Yeah this sounds really stupid lol. Well here I go how do you build a relationship with an sa? Here in Scandinavia it seems like we always meet new people and it is really hard to go to the same person and that person doesn’t even recognise you. In summer I bought my hubby a belt he had a special wish and the sa (Lovely lady) bought one out from the back after a bit of talking. We really klicked well, and I was not carrying anything designer because it was almost a storm outside, so I didn’t want to ruin anything. Later I read here on the forum that that particular belt was really difficult to get hold of and was mostly only reserved for loyal costumers. Well we both love the brand, and eventually I want a Birkin or/and kelly. But we genuinely love the brand and the craftsmanship. Next time we want to buy two wallets one for me and one for him. But how can we go to the same lady and how this she recognise us?

I always ask for a business card from the SA if I feel like we clicked and ask the best way to contact him or her the next time I'm shopping. This is for any retail shop where people work on commission.