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.

 

[BagsofOC]

Start with your local store. Most Airports don’t carry the B/K/C. Start going to you local store and find an SA you connect with and take it from there.

 

[Hanna Flaneur]

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.

I'd not bother with an airport and instead invest in a boutique. London is definitely better, but the competition is bigger. I have never been to Prague, but in the end it all boils down to SA and your relationship with them.

 

[louise_elouise]

hiya! question for you ladies:
My SA has been great this year. I wanted to get her a small thank you for Christmas... i have already dropped off macarons and chocolates throughout the year when she's ordered stuff in. Is it trite to do that again for Christmas? Can I get her a bottle of champagne or something else?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Luvbolide]

hiya! question for you ladies:
My SA has been great this year. I wanted to get her a small thank you for Christmas... i have already dropped off macarons and chocolates throughout the year when she's ordered stuff in. Is it trite to do that again for Christmas? Can I get her a bottle of champagne or something else?

Thanks in advance.

The only gifts that the SAs can accept are those that can be shared. Chocolates again sound perfect. In my experience they always go over well. I would consider sending them at/after New Years to avoid the pre-Christmas rush!

 

[Gen_lux]

hiya! question for you ladies:
My SA has been great this year. I wanted to get her a small thank you for Christmas... i have already dropped off macarons and chocolates throughout the year when she's ordered stuff in. Is it trite to do that again for Christmas? Can I get her a bottle of champagne or something else?

Thanks in advance.

I brought my SA a gift from Paris (laduree charm) but she refused to take it per company policy. But she appreciated the effort.

 

[SPBiaes]

People need to understand that giving your SA's non-shareable gifts... that's unfortunately called a bribe... No company in the world would allow this. A gift that your SA's can share with others, well, that's called a party lol.

 

[ladysarah]

People need to understand that giving your SA's non-shareable gifts... that's unfortunately called a bribe... No company in the world would allow this. A gift that your SA's can share with others, well, that's called a party lol.

Great line.

 

[ladybug333]

I’ve been doing tonssss of H research over the past couple weeks and now feel pretty well-versed in the process of either buying H products in Paris or in my home city (Los Angeles). But I have a question about which route to go in...

I find myself in Europe a couple times a year for vacation, and could likely swing by Paris to see if I can purchase a bag, and to purchase any other items I want. The nice thing about buying in Europe is it’s cheaper overall and Paris seems more likely to give bags with less purchase history. However, I have to BE in Paris to build a relationship with an SA and buy things, so obviously that’s a barrier.

On the other hand, I don’t live far from the Beverly Hills store in LA and could start building a relationship with an SA. There are things I’m interested in purchasing from H besides bags — shoes, jewelry, and scarves — but H isn’t my absolute favorite brand for those things, and I know I’d kind of be buying things to get a bag. (Though I do like some things!) The nice thing about a local relationship is that I can request the exact bag I want (vs Paris where I’d be at the mercy of their stock).

Do you have any thoughts about which route I should go? I’m going to Paris next month (for vacay) and will try to get a bag then, but I also have a few thousand dollars worth of non-bag items I’d like to buy and I’m trying to decide if I should just get them in Paris OR get them in Beverly Hills and start building an SA relationship (even if I’d save on their cost in Paris). I do foresee building a collection of bags over time, which is why I’m considering building a local relationship (but perhaps I could also do this with 2x trips to Europe per year?!).

 

[westcoastgal]

I’ve been doing tonssss of H research over the past couple weeks and now feel pretty well-versed in the process of either buying H products in Paris or in my home city (Los Angeles). But I have a question about which route to go in...

I find myself in Europe a couple times a year for vacation, and could likely swing by Paris to see if I can purchase a bag, and to purchase any other items I want. The nice thing about buying in Europe is it’s cheaper overall and Paris seems more likely to give bags with less purchase history. However, I have to BE in Paris to build a relationship with an SA and buy things, so obviously that’s a barrier.

On the other hand, I don’t live far from the Beverly Hills store in LA and could start building a relationship with an SA. There are things I’m interested in purchasing from H besides bags — shoes, jewelry, and scarves — but H isn’t my absolute favorite brand for those things, and I know I’d kind of be buying things to get a bag. (Though I do like some things!) The nice thing about a local relationship is that I can request the exact bag I want (vs Paris where I’d be at the mercy of their stock).

Do you have any thoughts about which route I should go? I’m going to Paris next month (for vacay) and will try to get a bag then, but I also have a few thousand dollars worth of non-bag items I’d like to buy and I’m trying to decide if I should just get them in Paris OR get them in Beverly Hills and start building an SA relationship (even if I’d save on their cost in Paris). I do foresee building a collection of bags over time, which is why I’m considering building a local relationship (but perhaps I could also do this with 2x trips to Europe per year?!).

I think you should try for an appointment in Paris and develop a relationship locally (and spend money locally) so that you can eventually get a specific bag spec and not just what Paris has on the day you go. Some purseforum members also have an SA at more than one location (including in Paris and Beverly Hills) and maybe they will chime in. You could also spend a bit in Paris, and see if you click with anyone, and then also do that locally. You could also go the reseller route if there is not a ton from hermes that you want to buy.

 

[BagsofOC]

Try your luck at Paris and build a relationship here also. IMO the cost does work out the same as US as you still have to calculate the fare to Paris, hotel cost and other things. But you also go get more variety in Paris so it’s a toss up. Good luck in Paris and let us know if your lucky.

 

[moderngirl]

Same as above. Try your luck at Paris this time. If you are specific with the bags you want, I’d start a relationship with a local SA. I love my SA from the Beverly Hills store. She’s always come through for me and is always honest and upfront.

I’ve been doing tonssss of H research over the past couple weeks and now feel pretty well-versed in the process of either buying H products in Paris or in my home city (Los Angeles). But I have a question about which route to go in...

I find myself in Europe a couple times a year for vacation, and could likely swing by Paris to see if I can purchase a bag, and to purchase any other items I want. The nice thing about buying in Europe is it’s cheaper overall and Paris seems more likely to give bags with less purchase history. However, I have to BE in Paris to build a relationship with an SA and buy things, so obviously that’s a barrier.

On the other hand, I don’t live far from the Beverly Hills store in LA and could start building a relationship with an SA. There are things I’m interested in purchasing from H besides bags — shoes, jewelry, and scarves — but H isn’t my absolute favorite brand for those things, and I know I’d kind of be buying things to get a bag. (Though I do like some things!) The nice thing about a local relationship is that I can request the exact bag I want (vs Paris where I’d be at the mercy of their stock).

Do you have any thoughts about which route I should go? I’m going to Paris next month (for vacay) and will try to get a bag then, but I also have a few thousand dollars worth of non-bag items I’d like to buy and I’m trying to decide if I should just get them in Paris OR get them in Beverly Hills and start building an SA relationship (even if I’d save on their cost in Paris). I do foresee building a collection of bags over time, which is why I’m considering building a local relationship (but perhaps I could also do this with 2x trips to Europe per year?!).

 

[Love Of My Life]

You can have the best of both worlds. Since you swing by Paris, you can take your chances that you will
find an SA that you will connect with.
There are many clients who live in the US & other destinations abroad & travel to Paris throughtout
the year. SA's know & understand all of this
Since you will be in Paris next month (January it sounds like) inventory may be low . &
there are several locations to try
The holiday rush more likely will be over but the couture shows are in January & many VIP clients are there
during that time. So, you will just have to take your best shot. You never know
Since you are close to Beverly Hills, why not see if you can find a lovely SA & share your wishes for what
you want.You just may be pleasantly surprised..

 

[Sofiko]

I’ve been doing tonssss of H research over the past couple weeks and now feel pretty well-versed in the process of either buying H products in Paris or in my home city (Los Angeles). But I have a question about which route to go in...

I find myself in Europe a couple times a year for vacation, and could likely swing by Paris to see if I can purchase a bag, and to purchase any other items I want. The nice thing about buying in Europe is it’s cheaper overall and Paris seems more likely to give bags with less purchase history. However, I have to BE in Paris to build a relationship with an SA and buy things, so obviously that’s a barrier.

On the other hand, I don’t live far from the Beverly Hills store in LA and could start building a relationship with an SA. There are things I’m interested in purchasing from H besides bags — shoes, jewelry, and scarves — but H isn’t my absolute favorite brand for those things, and I know I’d kind of be buying things to get a bag. (Though I do like some things!) The nice thing about a local relationship is that I can request the exact bag I want (vs Paris where I’d be at the mercy of their stock).

Do you have any thoughts about which route I should go? I’m going to Paris next month (for vacay) and will try to get a bag then, but I also have a few thousand dollars worth of non-bag items I’d like to buy and I’m trying to decide if I should just get them in Paris OR get them in Beverly Hills and start building an SA relationship (even if I’d save on their cost in Paris). I do foresee building a collection of bags over time, which is why I’m considering building a local relationship (but perhaps I could also do this with 2x trips to Europe per year?!).

I would suggest Paris. Good luck!

 

[ladybug333]

You all are amazing! Thank you so much for the quick responses and helpful thoughts. I think I'll try for Paris on this upcoming trip and subsequent trips, but will start building a relationship with a BH SA as well.

Question about building an SA relationship...do you just go to the store and randomly get paired with whichever SA helps you during your visit? And that becomes your SA moving forward? Is there any choice in the matter or do you just kind of hope you get a good one?

 

[sunyeo78]

I have shopped at a healthy handful of Hermes stores in the tristate area and I have never been asked about a preference of a sales associate so I am lead to believe you aren't paired with someone based on similar style - essentially it is who is first available. Through shopping I FINALLY met this wonderful SA and just asked (maybe some will think it is tacky) whether she could be my sales associate going forward as I have shopped many a times in Hermes and that is how our relationship began. I trust her honesty, taste and opinions. She really helps me narrow down my selections because I like pretty things but not all pretty things look nice together (although in my head it does). Hahaha...