Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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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.

 

[HKsai]

How much is too much? Having read through the thread, I know to let things develop organically but I feel like I need to rein myself in with what I want to buy. I'm new to H (been buying a little over a year, established with my current SA less than a month ago), so I have a long list of what I'd like to purchase that include scarves, fashion jewelry, RTW, and home goods. That said, buying like I'm inclined to right now isn't sustainable long-term. I bought a piece of fine jewelry I wanted and have fallen in love with a piece of RTW I'd like to buy next, but this won't be the norm for my purchases. I also don't want to come off as desperate or set myself up for a headache if my SA leaves.

Long-term, my cadence would probably be a few pieces (mostly scarves and enamel bangles) each semester; however, there are some more limited pieces from the AW2019 I'd like the opportunity to buy as well, so I'm not sure if that's too infrequent. Is 1-2 items about once a month appropriate or would that come on too strong? Should I make a scarf purchase next and wait for a bit before the RTW piece to balance my purchases out?

I'll also add I don't live near a boutique, so these purchases will generally be done via email/phone.

It really depends on the store as well. Have you made it explicit that you would like a BKC (I assume). It also depends on the size and color.

 

[GoldFish8]

How much is too much? Having read through the thread, I know to let things develop organically but I feel like I need to rein myself in with what I want to buy. I'm new to H (been buying a little over a year, established with my current SA less than a month ago), so I have a long list of what I'd like to purchase that include scarves, fashion jewelry, RTW, and home goods. That said, buying like I'm inclined to right now isn't sustainable long-term. I bought a piece of fine jewelry I wanted and have fallen in love with a piece of RTW I'd like to buy next, but this won't be the norm for my purchases. I also don't want to come off as desperate or set myself up for a headache if my SA leaves.

Long-term, my cadence would probably be a few pieces (mostly scarves and enamel bangles) each semester; however, there are some more limited pieces from the AW2019 I'd like the opportunity to buy as well, so I'm not sure if that's too infrequent. Is 1-2 items about once a month appropriate or would that come on too strong? Should I make a scarf purchase next and wait for a bit before the RTW piece to balance my purchases out?

I'll also add I don't live near a boutique, so these purchases will generally be done via email/phone.

I think it depends on the specs of the bag you are trying to buy. If it’s a bag with really desirable specs like b25/k25 your spend is going to be much higher (of course there at exceptions) but for larger bags I think your spend will be lower. Also, first time bag clients typically require higher spends to get approval.

If I were you, I would make it known specifically what you are in the market for (specs for bag) Then, Say, you are in the market for some RTW and a few other items in your wishlist as well. Then, ask whether your SA can find the bag over the next few months because you are planning a trip and would like to buy it all at the same time since you would really prefer to buy your RTW in person due to sizing etc. See what your SA says. You will have your answer about what you “need” to do.

 

[Glazedchicken]

Met a really nice SA in one of the 3 stores in Paris but he/she will no longer work in Paris shop. We clicked, but that’s all that I click with.
But i have spent nearly 15,000€ in all 3 stores in paris this month but have no luck at all. and I didn’t know that maintaining relationship with just ONE sa is very important. Now i cant remember other SA’s name who helped me. Some are nice, some are really2 snob

I need help here, do you guys think i will still need to “spend” again with another SA that I want to build my relationship with? I am just really2 sad and disappointed right now.

 

[leechiyong]

It really depends on the store as well. Have you made it explicit that you would like a BKC (I assume). It also depends on the size and color.

I think it depends on the specs of the bag you are trying to buy. If it’s a bag with really desirable specs like b25/k25 your spend is going to be much higher (of course there at exceptions) but for larger bags I think your spend will be lower. Also, first time bag clients typically require higher spends to get approval.

If I were you, I would make it known specifically what you are in the market for (specs for bag) Then, Say, you are in the market for some RTW and a few other items in your wishlist as well. Then, ask whether your SA can find the bag over the next few months because you are planning a trip and would like to buy it all at the same time since you would really prefer to buy your RTW in person due to sizing etc. See what your SA says. You will have your answer about what you “need” to do.

Thank you for your responses.

My SA knows the items I'd like and said she'd let me know when they had them in store. They aren't B/K/Cs, but some items from the AW2019 line that may be harder to get from what I've heard from various SAs. I'm more worried about the idea of buying too much than too little. I feel like buying fine jewelry and RTW in less a month of meeting her might come off like I'm trying too hard to get the other items, even though I'd just be buying what I like. Do RTW pieces tend to become hard to find in certain sizes or can I afford to wait?

 

[prepster]

Met a really nice SA in one of the 3 stores in Paris but he/she will no longer work in Paris shop. We clicked, but that’s all that I click with.
But i have spent nearly 15,000€ in all 3 stores in paris this month but have no luck at all. and I didn’t know that maintaining relationship with just ONE sa is very important. Now i cant remember other SA’s name who helped me. Some are nice, some are really2 snob

I need help here, do you guys think i will still need to “spend” again with another SA that I want to build my relationship with? I am just really2 sad and disappointed right now.

Hi, I’m so sorry that you’re having such anxiety. I just read your post on the Paris shopping thread as well. Re that thread, and this one, I doubt the SAs lied to you and for your mental health and happiness I encourage you to believe only the v. best of them, as you expect they will of you, so that everyone in the “relationship” finds it enjoyable and rewarding. Had the bag you wanted been available at the store you were in, on the day/time you were there, you would have been offered a bag. It is counterproductive to believe otherwise.

As far as how many “relationships” you ought to have, that’s debatable. For every tPF’er who has only one SA with whom they shop, there are as many of us who travel extensively and shop with multiple SAs worldwide. For every person who says they spent x to get a bag offer, there are as many others who had no purchase history at all. In short, I don’t think you can “game” this. Trying to do so will drive you cuckoo.

Furthermore, just as you can probably sense when you are being played, SAs are human, and they can too. Human beings are funny about resisting that kind of thing, and human nature being what it is, it might be one circumstance where a SA might not be inclined to sell. They have probably seen and heard it all.

So just take a deep breath and chill. Be yourself. Buy only what you want and enjoy the whole process, because that’s when you appreciate the luxury and fun of shopping at H. Otherwise what’s the point? Pick an SA (or two or three) that you actually like and buy from them when they have what you want. Your B/K/C will show up when it, you and your SA are all in the same place. You’re okay. Life is good. September is on the way.

 

[moderngirl]

Met a really nice SA in one of the 3 stores in Paris but he/she will no longer work in Paris shop. We clicked, but that’s all that I click with.
But i have spent nearly 15,000€ in all 3 stores in paris this month but have no luck at all. and I didn’t know that maintaining relationship with just ONE sa is very important. Now i cant remember other SA’s name who helped me. Some are nice, some are really2 snob

I need help here, do you guys think i will still need to “spend” again with another SA that I want to build my relationship with? I am just really2 sad and disappointed right now.

I haven’t shopped at the Paris stores yet, but I really think it was just bad luck that they didn’t have any bags in stock when you were there. The amount you spent should’ve easily gotten you a bag offer. I read that if you are willing to spend a large amount all at once to get a BKC, then Las Vegas and Waikiki are two cities that will most likely have bags for you because they cater to a lot of tourist clients. You might just need to be upfront with your expectations. Sorry that you spent so much and not get an offer. That would bum me out as well. Maybe think of it as at least you got the other H goodies in Paris, which means it’s on a discount compare to buying them anywhere else in the world.

 

[thelucky1]

I want to echo the last two posts, which have excellent advice. I think it was probably just bad luck that nothing on your wishlist was available at the time you visited Paris. I would pick an SA (or SAs) that you feel comfortable with and just stay in communication with them if possible. Only buy what you like/want, don't feel obligated to buy things you don't like. Your bag will come when you least expect it!

 

[De sac]

Question for this thread based on the https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-a-waste-of-time.1016117/page-3#post-33291522

Any views on how monthly visits to the home store to chat / pick up small items are viewed? I feel like I have a good relationship with my SA and I buy things I love (with some much appreciated advice), mostly silks/CGSMs, fragrances and leather jewelry.
We've discussed bags but this is a smaller topic for me.
I always feel welcome but with some of the reveals and responses on the linked thread have me a bit self conscious! I'll never be a huge spender but I'd like to think my genuine interest in the brand and my SA are appreciated. My emails always get a response!

 

[thelucky1]

Question for this thread based on the https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-a-waste-of-time.1016117/page-3#post-33291522

Any views on how monthly visits to the home store to chat / pick up small items are viewed? I feel like I have a good relationship with my SA and I buy things I love (with some much appreciated advice), mostly silks/CGSMs, fragrances and leather jewelry.
We've discussed bags but this is a smaller topic for me.
I always feel welcome but with some of the reveals and responses on the linked thread have me a bit self conscious! I'll never be a huge spender but I'd like to think my genuine interest in the brand and my SA are appreciated. My emails always get a response!

I think monthly visits, especially if you’re picking up things, are welcomed! When I’ve been too busy to visit my SA for 1-3 months she often sends me a card or a text asking when I can stop by, so that seems like a reasonable cadence even if you’re not buying every time. Would love to hear what others think.

 

[acrowcounted]

Question for this thread based on the https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-a-waste-of-time.1016117/page-3#post-33291522

Any views on how monthly visits to the home store to chat / pick up small items are viewed? I feel like I have a good relationship with my SA and I buy things I love (with some much appreciated advice), mostly silks/CGSMs, fragrances and leather jewelry.
We've discussed bags but this is a smaller topic for me.
I always feel welcome but with some of the reveals and responses on the linked thread have me a bit self conscious! I'll never be a huge spender but I'd like to think my genuine interest in the brand and my SA are appreciated. My emails always get a response!

Honestly, I don’t see the comparison at all. That thread is about someone going in weekly with no intent to buy anything but only to ask for a small black kelly. What you describe is a normal H client relationship, more or less. Monthly shopping trips, with purchases almost every time, or at least genuine interest in seeing a product, is perfectly reasonable and appreciated. My understanding is that SAs and stores have monthly sales goals so “helping” your SA each month is surely a good thing (assuming you’re buying things you actually want, etc). However, I would never stop by the store “just to say hi” to my SA. As much as I appreciate all of their efforts and offerings, they aren’t our friends and are spending their time there to earn a living by selling to people with intent to purchase.

 

[De sac]

I think monthly visits, especially if you’re picking up things, are welcomed! When I’ve been too busy to visit my SA for 1-3 months she often sends me a card or a text asking when I can stop by, so that seems like a reasonable cadence even if you’re not buying every time. Would love to hear what others think.

Honestly, I don’t see the comparison at all. That thread is about someone going in weekly with no intent to buy anything but only to ask for a small black kelly. What you describe is a normal H client relationship, more or less. Monthly shopping trips, with purchases almost every time, or at least genuine interest in seeing a product, is perfectly reasonable and appreciated. My understanding is that SAs and stores have monthly sales goals so “helping” your SA each month is surely a good thing (assuming you’re buying things you actually want, etc). However, I would never stop by the store “just to say hi” to my SA. As much as I appreciate all of their efforts and offerings, they aren’t our friends and are spending their time there to earn a living by selling to people with intent to purchase.

Thanks both. I visit my home store monthly because that's my self imposed limit given the boutique is 2min from my office!

It's true the other poster had very different motivations but some of the comments made me reflect. Indeed am aware of store goals and I always come in with a purpose (need for repair/ want to see an item) and I never leave empty handed!

However I do phrase it as 'stopping in to say hi' so I guess I was looking for a little reality check/ assurance that I'm not getting talked about! I'm sure H values all its clients but my own self doubt about not buying bags every semester makes me wonder what category client I am!

 

[westcoastgal]

Question for this thread based on the https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-a-waste-of-time.1016117/page-3#post-33291522

Any views on how monthly visits to the home store to chat / pick up small items are viewed? I feel like I have a good relationship with my SA and I buy things I love (with some much appreciated advice), mostly silks/CGSMs, fragrances and leather jewelry.
We've discussed bags but this is a smaller topic for me.
I always feel welcome but with some of the reveals and responses on the linked thread have me a bit self conscious! I'll never be a huge spender but I'd like to think my genuine interest in the brand and my SA are appreciated. My emails always get a response!

It sounds like you have a great relationship with your SA. I don’t think the SAs are always the most impressed with who spends the most - they know that not everyone has limitless discretionary income. Yes, their job is to sell, but I think a good SA can properly judge the clients who really likes the brand overall (even if the client can’t buy everything).

 

[De sac]

It sounds like you have a great relationship with your SA. I don’t think the SAs are always the most impressed with who spends the most - they know that not everyone has limitless discretionary income. Yes, their job is to sell, but I think a good SA can properly judge the clients who really likes the brand overall (even if the client can’t buy everything).

Thanks @westcoastgal. I feel like I do have a great (commercial - not personal hahaha) relationship with my SA. Part of it is pure rapport.

Appreciate you pointing out that not all clients spend the same amount. If it were me running a sales team, I'd appreciate the small, consistent multiple purchase client just as much as the large purchases one. But in the midst of H, I start to become unsure.

At any rate I travel enough to find beautiful things but a good SA helps with selecting things I might not consider as well as one day tracking down desired items.

 

[prepster]

Thanks both. I visit my home store monthly because that's my self imposed limit given the boutique is 2min from my office!

It's true the other poster had very different motivations but some of the comments made me reflect. Indeed am aware of store goals and I always come in with a purpose (need for repair/ want to see an item) and I never leave empty handed!

However I do phrase it as 'stopping in to say hi' so I guess I was looking for a little reality check/ assurance that I'm not getting talked about! I'm sure H values all its clients but my own self doubt about not buying bags every semester makes me wonder what category client I am!

The thing to keep in mind is that a store is a place of business, so as long as you are conducting business in it you are behaving appropriately. Even @DanBags, however pointless and misguided some may feel his actions would have been to inquire on a regular basis about a bag that he wants which the store ostensibly sells, (good heavens, the audacity!) would still have been, in fact, conducting business. Whether he was aware of the unwritten “rules” of B/K/C buying (whatever those are) or blissfully unaware of his place in life or naive enough to believe he could just, you know, ask about a product the store sells and then follow up, is another subject. The point is that like it or not, walking into a store, yes, even on a weekly basis during normal store operating hours to inquire about a product the store sells, is, by definition conducting business. If a sales associate finds that hilarious, then perhaps they are in the wrong line of work.

It is the shoppers that go into a store expecting to be entertained by the staff—either by engaging the SA’s in idle chit-chat or asking them to haul out items to inspect knowing full well they have no intention of buying that are behaving inappropriately.

 

[De sac]

It is the shoppers that go into a store expecting to be entertained by the staff—either by engaging the SA’s in idle chit-chat or asking them to haul out items to inspect knowing full well they have no intention of buying that are behaving inappropriately.

Indeed. Small giggle about some of your other points.

I'm always conscious that sales is about time per spend and if my time veers into chat (can do) and the store gets busy I quickly wrap up with my SA so they can make more sales. Also, my work schedule only permits so much downtime during business hours, so there is a limit to my time too, particularly if I've stopped in between meetings ('Oh, I have an errand to run ')...

Last visit we started to discus cactus croc and while my SA had a Kelly wallet in this, we both realized that although I'd like to see it, I wouldn't be buying it and it wasn't worth her going into stock to get it. If it had been on the floor she would have gladly shown me. No problem with this at all.

Suppose I was curious to hear any views about 'internal client categories', specifically non VIP. Get that (V)VIPs will get access to coveted bags but I wonder how the SMs view non VIP relationships- local customers who buy smaller items. From my sales experience- we need those customers too!