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 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.

 

[acrowcounted]

Thank you for this. Do you have any advice on how to show you’ll be a long standing customer and not disappear after your first bag offer before you get your first bag? I don’t intend to do leave at all since I want more bags and other items

I’m slightly concerned about the chance of being taken advantage of since my SA knows I want a B and must know I’m eager with my recent spend on purchases I wanted. I’ve also read stories of people who received hints from their SAs that did not lead to any bag offers? I fear the worst case scenario: which is being lead on by empty promises while you stay loyal to your SA and continue shopping with her/him.

I’d also like to say that I have absolutely no interest in the resale/secondary market. To me, getting a bag offer is not just about the bag you love but the entire H experience and authenticity. I’d personally rather spend that $6-$7K markup from a B or K on the resale market on other H items I love! [emoji28]

I think you just need patience. Also, if you are afraid of looking desperate, take a small break from buying and let your SA come up with a reason for you to come back into the store. Your requested bag isn’t a crazy rare hot item so I fully believe it will be offered once it comes into stock.

 

[_queenbee]

I think you just need patience. Also, if you are afraid of looking desperate, take a small break from buying and let your SA come up with a reason for you to come back into the store. Your requested bag isn’t a crazy rare hot item so I fully believe it will be offered once it comes into stock.

Thank you! I think I should plan to take a break after my next visit tomorrow..

 

[momoc]

Thank you for this. Do you have any advice on how to show you’ll be a long standing customer and not disappear after your first bag offer before you get your first bag? I don’t intend to leave at all since I want more bags and other items

I’m slightly concerned about the chance of being taken advantage of since my SA knows I want a B and must know I’m eager with my recent spend on purchases I wanted. I’ve also read stories of people who received hints from their SAs that did not lead to any bag offers? I fear the worst case scenario: which is being lead on by empty promises while you stay loyal to your SA and continue spending with her/him.

I’d also like to say that I have absolutely no interest in the resale/secondary market. To me, getting a bag offer is not just about the bag you love but the entire H experience and authenticity. I’d personally rather spend that $6-$7K markup from a B or K on the resale market on other H items I love!

I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself and starting to worry a little too early. If you are always assuming the worst of your SA, why do you request that the SA assume the best of your intentions instead? It takes two sides.

Again my advice is to be honest, let him know how many other bags you dream about, how “maybe after this first B I would also love...” so he knows there’s more. And yes have a little patience and spread out your purchases if you feel like you are going too fast. Although - and this is an area where people may have difference experiences - my personal feeling is if you drop a higher amount in a shorter amount of time you may get an offer faster (especially if they think you can do that in the future too). I mean in the end it’s about money. But sometimes the most important thing is luck, because it will always depend on if they get inventory and shipments. It’s less likely that there are just whole racks of Birkins in the back waiting to be offered and the SAs are holding out on you; it’s more likely that they genuinely don’t have what you ask for. When they give hints, it’s quite possible that they are saying “I’m thinking of you, when you get there I will look for offers for you”, or “it’s time for offers for you so I will see what can be done”. It’s not “I’m promising to offer you your dream bag” because sometimes that’s not how it works out, especially on the first try.

 

[_queenbee]

I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself and starting to worry a little too early. If you are always assuming the worst of your SA, why do you request that the SA assume the best of your intentions instead? It takes two sides.

Again my advice is to be honest, let him know how many other bags you dream about, how “maybe after this first B I would also love...” so he knows there’s more. And yes have a little patience and spread out your purchases if you feel like you are going too fast. Although - and this is an area where people may have difference experiences - my personal feeling is if you drop a higher amount in a shorter amount of time you may get an offer faster (especially if they think you can do that in the future too). I mean in the end it’s about money. But sometimes the most important thing is luck, because it will always depend on if they get inventory and shipments. It’s less likely that there are just whole racks of Birkins in the back waiting to be offered and the SAs are holding out on you; it’s more likely that they genuinely don’t have what you ask for. When they give hints, it’s quite possible that they are saying “I’m thinking of you, when you get there I will look for offers for you”, or “it’s time for offers for you so I will see what can be done”. It’s not “I’m promising to offer you your dream bag” because sometimes that’s not how it works out, especially on the first try.

Thank you Momoc for your honest feedback. I agree that I need to be more patient and stay positive! You’re right, it definitely takes two sides and he’s still probably trying to feel me out as his client. I feel like it’s so easy to feel worry and over analyze things when it comes to H [emoji24][emoji23] It’s not in my control so no need to overthink things. I will take on the approach that the bag finds the right person and not the other way around [emoji4]

 

[momoc]

Thank you Momoc for your honest feedback. I agree that I need to be more patient and stay positive! You’re right, it definitely takes two sides and he’s still probably trying to feel me out as his client. I feel like it’s so easy to feel worry and over analyze things when it comes to H [emoji24][emoji23] It’s not in my control so no need to overthink things. I will take on the approach that the bag finds the right person and not the other way around [emoji4]

No worries, I think you are doing very well! I totally understand how daunting the whole H journey is at the start; the flip side of them valuing loyalty is how intimidating it can be to newcomers. But honestly, I think if you are on PF reading and researching, learning and asking questions, you are definitely one of the good customers and any SA should be happy to have you! Good luck!!

 

[_queenbee]

No worries, I think you are doing very well! I totally understand how daunting the whole H journey is at the start; the flip side of them valuing loyalty is how intimidating it can be to newcomers. But honestly, I think if you are on PF reading and researching, learning and asking questions, you are definitely one of the good customers and any SA should be happy to have you! Good luck!!

Thank you [emoji178]

 

[westcoastgal]

I think you just need patience. Also, if you are afraid of looking desperate, take a small break from buying and let your SA come up with a reason for you to come back into the store. Your requested bag isn’t a crazy rare hot item so I fully believe it will be offered once it comes into stock.

I agree. There is give and take in this transaction of course, but if you just buy what you would have anyway, and go a bit slower, you will have a more enjoyable experience and you are more likely to keep what you buy. It’s also better to not rush buying a certain bag - preferences change sometimes even over classic bags as has been discussed recently. I think you are on a good track with your SA. Keep on explaining why you are buying certain items - why you like them. This will help to show your SA that you are a long-term customer.

 

[_queenbee]

I agree. There is give and take in this transaction of course, but if you just buy what you would have anyway, and go a bit slower, you will have a more enjoyable experience and you are more likely to keep what you buy. It’s also better to not rush buying a certain bag - preferences change sometimes even over classic bags as has been discussed recently. I think you are on a good track with your SA. Keep on explaining why you are buying certain items - why you like them. This will help to show your SA that you are a long-term customer.

Noted. Thank you for the helpful tips!

 

[Phiona88]

That B30 example I give in the original post, she did more than just rejecting an offer. First she also took a photo of the bag with her in the private room when the SA left to get her coffee, after the SA told her to not take photos and trusted her. She then posted that photo on social media acting as if she took the bag to show off, and more importantly complained about how the SA is “gaming” her and giving her undesirable bags that nobody else wants. And yep she named which boutique this was and hinted at which SA...

That’s not even the worst story I’ve heard! There’s the one that suddenly wants to return previous purchases once they got the B; the one that got offered a 30 but saw a 25 box carried into the private room for another client and proceeded to open the door(!) to the private room and cry about how they want a 25...We have a couple threads that talk about experiences with SAs, I have wondered if there’s the equivalent from the other side, like “tales from your SA”. I’m a horrible person and a hopeless gossip

Omg, these stories are shocking! How can people be so self-entitled?!

I’m a hopeless gossip too lol, what are these forums you are referring to that talk about SAs? Can you DM me if not convenient to share here please?

 

[momoc]

Omg, these stories are shocking! How can people be so self-entitled?!

I’m a hopeless gossip too lol, what are these forums you are referring to that talk about SAs? Can you DM me if not convenient to share here please?

Oh sorry I wasn’t clear! I just meant here on PF we have threads like this one and the one about treatment in H stores, both tend to have discussions on the SAs members have encountered (especially when the encounters are on the unsatisfactory side). Also sometimes people make their own threads recounting their experiences (a recent one I remember is someone who changed SA within the same store because the first one was pretty bad, and the first SA got super mad when she scored an offer with her new SA and publicly confronted her in the store when she went to get the bag?).

I was wondering if there’s any thread here for stories from the other side, stories of the more...interesting...customers that H gets. I’m sure they get many! My store isn’t even that big, I’m sure the larger ones will have even more stories. I like to visit on weekdays when things are slow, so my SA and I have plenty of time to chit chat and I learn something new every time haha.

(I do think there is a thread somewhere in this sub forum about working for H, but it’s not quite the same thing!)

 

[Phiona88]

Oh sorry I wasn’t clear! I just meant here on PF we have threads like this one and the one about treatment in H stores, both tend to have discussions on the SAs members have encountered (especially when the encounters are on the unsatisfactory side). Also sometimes people make their own threads recounting their experiences (a recent one I remember is someone who changed SA within the same store because the first one was pretty bad, and the first SA got super mad when she scored an offer with her new SA and publicly confronted her in the store when she went to get the bag?).

I was wondering if there’s any thread here for stories from the other side, stories of the more...interesting...customers that H gets. I’m sure they get many! My store isn’t even that big, I’m sure the larger ones will have even more stories. I like to visit on weekdays when things are slow, so my SA and I have plenty of time to chit chat and I learn something new every time haha.

(I do think there is a thread somewhere in this sub forum about working for H, but it’s not quite the same thing!)

I know! I can only imagine the stories they would have!

 

[Hanna Flaneur]

Hello All,
I could really use a second opinion, please.
To keep the story short...ish I had a SO from FSH that I returned, because I was dissatisfied with it. Between buying it and returning it I placed another SO at a different boutique, which meant FSH would not let me place a new one, because I already placed one in the March/April slot.
The SA asked for the SM who told me to return in September during the second slot / window / season for placing SOs, which I did. Only when the SA saw that I still had an outstanding order they got scared and refused to make a new one. Up until now, as far as I knew, you could not have two outstanding SOs, but I assumed SM could overrun it and I did receive a spoken promise. Only they were not at the boutique and I was already leaving.
I'm not a VIP customer, I do not personally know the SM, but since she was part of our conversation and we did had an agreement for me to come back in September, should I email her to let her know that I was in fact in Paris only there was a misunderstanding /miscommunication with the SA? Or is it better to talk with her in person when I'm in Paris again? What would be the savoir vivre in this situation?
Please help, any advice is appreciated.

 

[acrowcounted]

Hello All,
I could really use a second opinion, please.
To keep the story short...ish I had a SO from FSH that I returned, because I was dissatisfied with it. Between buying it and returning it I placed another SO at a different boutique, which meant FSH would not let me place a new one, because I already placed one in the March/April slot.
The SA asked for the SM who told me to return in September during the second slot / window / season for placing SOs, which I did. Only when the SA saw that I still had an outstanding order they got scared and refused to make a new one. Up until now, as far as I knew, you could not have two outstanding SOs, but I assumed SM could overrun it and I did receive a spoken promise. Only they were not at the boutique and I was already leaving.
I'm not a VIP customer, I do not personally know the SM, but since she was part of our conversation and we did had an agreement for me to come back in September, should I email her to let her know that I was in fact in Paris only there was a misunderstanding /miscommunication with the SA? Or is it better to talk with her in person when I'm in Paris again? What would be the savoir vivre in this situation?
Please help, any advice is appreciated.

What is your desired outcome for contacting the SA? It’s likely that they wouldn’t take your new SO request until you are back in Paris so I would probably wait until then to mention it again. Given their weirdness with having two SOs open at the same time, I’d guess it’s unlikely they’d take your new SO specifications remotely. For the record, many of us, myself included, have more than one open SO, however none from FSH and I do believe they have their own rules and SO acceptance timeframes. Good luck!

 

[Hanna Flaneur]

What is your desired outcome for contacting the SA? It’s likely that they wouldn’t take your new SO request until you are back in Paris so I would probably wait until then to mention it again. Given their weirdness with having two SOs open at the same time, I’d guess it’s unlikely they’d take your new SO specifications remotely. For the record, many of us, myself included, have more than one open SO, however none from FSH and I do believe they have their own rules and SO acceptance timeframes. Good luck!

Thank you!
Honestly I was thinking of emailing the SM, but not even to place SO remotely, but rather to remind her of my situation?
I don't want to be marked as an annoying /pushy customer, but at the same time I don't want to comeback in January/February and hear: "...but you where supposed to return in September?"
The thing I noticed about FSH, is that sometimes they promise you something to diffuse a situation and appear helpfull only to ...forget about it.
The mysteries of Hermes

 

[corgimom11]

If you were in my shoes, in starting your Hermes journey -- I've bought a couple of pieces (e.g. belt, Oran sandals) from the H in Heathrow, but I'm looking to build a relationship to get a B & K. Where would you start? Your local boutique --- or would you chance somewhere (e.g. Prague)? I travel to Europe at least 1X per year for work, but I'm not sure I would have enough "luck" to get a B & K from my traditional spending when I travel to Prague. My European business travels haven't traditionally landed me in France, mostly the Nordics and/or London.