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.

 

[westcoastgal]

Just wanted to add an especially nice experience I had recently. I went home before Christmas to meet up with family and friends and dropped by to say Hallo to my previous homestore SA and SM. I last shopped with them 6 years ago before I relocated and have not bought a thing since. Even then, after a while chatting about our families, the SM asked if I would like something special for Christmas. I honesty said I had just visited Paris and FSH and didn't think I was considered a current customer. Anyway she kindly offered me a choice of 2 Kelly 25, a Birkin 25 and Constance 18 in Black Box, RH Box and MS. I was completely delighted and shocked and my SA said it was due to a good relationship which they considered important enough. This really made my day and I hope it helps to show that unlike others, some stores still value and want to keep their regular customers.

Great story. This is exactly what I hope H continues to be.

 

[peonies13]

I would work with the SA you think you can have a long term relationship with and I would only from that SA going forward.

Work with the SA you feel comfortable with and let that SA what you are looking for. It will take time if you really looking for a certain item that is popular.

Thank you very much both @CMilly @nsolanki for the input. I'm torn but based on what you've said I'll go with my gut on this one.

How do you and others handle shopping on days when your SA isn't in? I generally make appointments, but it isn't always practical and I don't live so close to my home store so if there's a day I'm nearby for something else and I have extra time (happens occasionally) I do want to be "able" to drop in without hurting my SA relationship. Interested to know how you/others handle this type of situation.

I assume nobody works with two SAs right?

 

[Phiona88]

How do you and others handle shopping on days when your SA isn't in? I generally make appointments, but it isn't always practical and I don't live so close to my home store so if there's a day I'm nearby for something else and I have extra time (happens occasionally) I do want to be "able" to drop in without hurting my SA relationship. Interested to know how you/others handle this type of situation.

I assume nobody works with two SAs right?

No, I wouldn't recommend working with two SAs, especially not within the same store! I almost always make appointments, but if it just so happens that I drop by into my home store and my SA isn't around, I just browse and take note of things I'm interested in buying and let my SA know. I think she appreciates that I "save" my purchases with her so she can earn commission.

 

[momoc]

Thank you very much both @CMilly @nsolanki for the input. I'm torn but based on what you've said I'll go with my gut on this one.

How do you and others handle shopping on days when your SA isn't in? I generally make appointments, but it isn't always practical and I don't live so close to my home store so if there's a day I'm nearby for something else and I have extra time (happens occasionally) I do want to be "able" to drop in without hurting my SA relationship. Interested to know how you/others handle this type of situation.

I assume nobody works with two SAs right?

I mean if you are VVVIP maybe I can see having multiple SAs in the same store not hurting but generally speaking no, don’t do it. Neither of them would like it. Besides commissions and bonuses and sales target numbers that each SA has to carry, which is already more than enough reasoning to only work with one SA, in many places SAs have quotas on what they can get allocated to them when it comes to hard to get items or bags. How do you think it will work out if you try to take both of their quotas? (Someone did this at my home store and the SAs after finding out were not happy because they wasted their bag request on her. And no it’s not B/K/C)

Pick one - I would recommend the one you feel more connected to - and work with them. Only try to switch when something is obviously wrong or not working...doesn’t sound like that’s the case at all. Remember SAs do talk to each other...

 

[ladysarah]

...some stores still value and want to keep their regular customers.

it is Reassuring to read this, thank you for sharing the story.

 

[westcoastgal]

Thank you very much both @CMilly @nsolanki for the input. I'm torn but based on what you've said I'll go with my gut on this one.

How do you and others handle shopping on days when your SA isn't in? I generally make appointments, but it isn't always practical and I don't live so close to my home store so if there's a day I'm nearby for something else and I have extra time (happens occasionally) I do want to be "able" to drop in without hurting my SA relationship. Interested to know how you/others handle this type of situation.

I assume nobody works with two SAs right?

I think you should try really hard to only shop with your SA. They will appreciate it. But of your SA is not there and you have to buy something, the SM can ring it up for you.

 

[peonies13]

No, I wouldn't recommend working with two SAs, especially not within the same store! I almost always make appointments, but if it just so happens that I drop by into my home store and my SA isn't around, I just browse and take note of things I'm interested in buying and let my SA know. I think she appreciates that I "save" my purchases with her so she can earn commission.

Good call - I've been "saving" my purchases too. What do you do if you go into the store on a day when your SA isn't there but you want to actually see something that requires assistance? I usually pop in when I want to try on something specific. Maybe I must adjust my habits

I mean if you are VVVIP maybe I can see having multiple SAs in the same store not hurting but generally speaking no, don’t do it. Neither of them would like it. Besides commissions and bonuses and sales target numbers that each SA has to carry, which is already more than enough reasoning to only work with one SA, in many places SAs have quotas on what they can get allocated to them when it comes to hard to get items or bags. How do you think it will work out if you try to take both of their quotas? (Someone did this at my home store and the SAs after finding out were not happy because they wasted their bag request on her. And no it’s not B/K/C) Pick one - I would recommend the one you feel more connected to - and work with them. Only try to switch when something is obviously wrong or not working...doesn’t sound like that’s the case at all. Remember SAs do talk to each other...

Ha, I'm so not a VVIP I do not want to hurt someone's feelings nor "upset the ship" so to speak. And gosh no I would never want to take on two quotas! Thanks for the tip about how it went at your home store. So... do I just ignore the second SA? Or send her a nice note thanking her for her help last week? How would you handle? Like you said, of course the SAs talk to each other. In the past 6mos I have seen this second SA on many other days when already in the store and it always felt awkward because she helped me that one time way back when... now that she's helped me twice I feel I should acknowledge it somehow and explain I'm with another SA? Would you do something like that?

I think you should try really hard to only shop with your SA. They will appreciate it. But of your SA is not there and you have to buy something, the SM can ring it up for you.

Good to know, thank you for the tip! If the SM rings it up, can they "count it" toward the quota of the SA you regularly work with even if someone else helped you that day (since there's basically no way to purchase without even a little help from some SA)?

 

[westcoastgal]

Good call - I've been "saving" my purchases too. What do you do if you go into the store on a day when your SA isn't there but you want to actually see something that requires assistance? I usually pop in when I want to try on something specific. Maybe I must adjust my habits



Ha, I'm so not a VVIP I do not want to hurt someone's feelings nor "upset the ship" so to speak. And gosh no I would never want to take on two quotas! Thanks for the tip about how it went at your home store. So... do I just ignore the second SA? Or send her a nice note thanking her for her help last week? How would you handle? Like you said, of course the SAs talk to each other. In the past 6mos I have seen this second SA on many other days when already in the store and it always felt awkward because she helped me that one time way back when... now that she's helped me twice I feel I should acknowledge it somehow and explain I'm with another SA? Would you do something like that?



Good to know, thank you for the tip! If the SM rings it up, can they "count it" toward the quota of the SA you regularly work with even if someone else helped you that day (since there's basically no way to purchase without even a little help from some SA)?

The SAs are always nice, and many are happy to take over a client and get the sales credit on one purchase, but if this is done repeatedly it will hurt your relationship with your SA - because then neither SA will see you as their own client. I don’t know if the SM can allocate the sales credit, but it’s more neutral if they ring it up as opposed to another SA. If you tell other friendly SAs that you are looking for your SA, they will understand that you are already “taken.” They can still show you something in case your SA isn’t there, but you can make it clear you will pick up the item later when your SA is in. You just have to decide if it’s worth it to you to adjust your schedule to see the SA on days she works, even if it might be less convenient at times.

 

[momoc]

Good call - I've been "saving" my purchases too. What do you do if you go into the store on a day when your SA isn't there but you want to actually see something that requires assistance? I usually pop in when I want to try on something specific. Maybe I must adjust my habits



Ha, I'm so not a VVIP I do not want to hurt someone's feelings nor "upset the ship" so to speak. And gosh no I would never want to take on two quotas! Thanks for the tip about how it went at your home store. So... do I just ignore the second SA? Or send her a nice note thanking her for her help last week? How would you handle? Like you said, of course the SAs talk to each other. In the past 6mos I have seen this second SA on many other days when already in the store and it always felt awkward because she helped me that one time way back when... now that she's helped me twice I feel I should acknowledge it somehow and explain I'm with another SA? Would you do something like that?



Good to know, thank you for the tip! If the SM rings it up, can they "count it" toward the quota of the SA you regularly work with even if someone else helped you that day (since there's basically no way to purchase without even a little help from some SA)?

Oh I wouldn’t worry too much. Also you can always ask someone else to assist you just don’t purchase with them. Friendly SAs will be nice and help you as long as they aren’t busy with their clients. I actually say hi and chat with a number of SAs at my store - one of them helped show me something once too. They are all aware of my relationship with my existing SA and even lets me know “oh XXX(my SA’s name) is over there in that section” when I get in and see one of them first. I wouldn’t say a card is necessary - the most I would do is try to subtly let her know you are working with your SA already like suggested above me! Just keep your future purchases with the one you will work with and you will be good.

 

[momoc]

Also - depends on the size of your store I’m sure... it’s not like there aren’t in-fighting among SAs and sometimes some may be more desperate for sales numbers or hitting their KPIs than others...I really do gossip a little too much with the ones I get along with, ah there are stories ...but really it’s not that different than other retail / sales and so you want to basically make your contributions all go to one person. Both SAs will appreciate it!

 

[peonies13]

The SAs are always nice, and many are happy to take over a client and get the sales credit on one purchase, but if this is done repeatedly it will hurt your relationship with your SA - because then neither SA will see you as their own client. I don’t know if the SM can allocate the sales credit, but it’s more neutral if they ring it up as opposed to another SA. If you tell other friendly SAs that you are looking for your SA, they will understand that you are already “taken.” They can still show you something in case your SA isn’t there, but you can make it clear you will pick up the item later when your SA is in. You just have to decide if it’s worth it to you to adjust your schedule to see the SA on days she works, even if it might be less convenient at times.

Oh I wouldn’t worry too much. Also you can always ask someone else to assist you just don’t purchase with them. Friendly SAs will be nice and help you as long as they aren’t busy with their clients. I actually say hi and chat with a number of SAs at my store - one of them helped show me something once too. They are all aware of my relationship with my existing SA and even lets me know “oh XXX(my SA’s name) is over there in that section” when I get in and see one of them first. I wouldn’t say a card is necessary - the most I would do is try to subtly let her know you are working with your SA already like suggested above me! Just keep your future purchases with the one you will work with and you will be good.

Also - depends on the size of your store I’m sure... it’s not like there aren’t in-fighting among SAs and sometimes some may be more desperate for sales numbers or hitting their KPIs than others...I really do gossip a little too much with the ones I get along with, ah there are stories ...but really it’s not that different than other retail / sales and so you want to basically make your contributions all go to one person. Both SAs will appreciate it!

Such good advice both @westcoastgal @momoc - thank you! I really appreciate it. I didn't unfortunately say the thing about "hey is X here" so now I feel awkward... I did ask her to keep an eye out for some specific bags (which obviously steps on the first SA's toes) so maybe I should email that 2nd SA and say I'm sorry I wasn't clear up front and I am working with someone else? Basically I just foot-in-mouth'd it when I went in there and now wanting to "rectify" since I do try to shop regularly and don't want to be pissing anyone off (or mainly making for awkward interactions for myself!)

 

[Baebae807]

3 yrs into the Hermes game.
I fell in love with a Constance and that is when it all started. My DH bought me one from a reputable reseller and I was thinking why do I have to pay more than retail for this bag. Then I started the frenzy of chasing the different bags going to Tokyo to line up for a walk in Birkin. No luck. Because someone was always there lining up before it opens. Went to FSH no luck there as well or maybe I am unlucky. ** I did get other bags and stuff on those visit**
After that, i decided to work my way up contacting my local store and working with a SA. It has been 8 months. Still nothing although I have spent almost the equivalent of a birkin or from what they say of my local store. My SA is nice when I see her but she never replies my emails. I feel just a little defeated. Maybe I should call it quits.. does anyone feel the same?

 

[FreddieMac]

Such good advice both @westcoastgal @momoc - thank you! I really appreciate it. I didn't unfortunately say the thing about "hey is X here" so now I feel awkward... I did ask her to keep an eye out for some specific bags (which obviously steps on the first SA's toes) so maybe I should email that 2nd SA and say I'm sorry I wasn't clear up front and I am working with someone else? Basically I just foot-in-mouth'd it when I went in there and now wanting to "rectify" since I do try to shop regularly and don't want to be pissing anyone off (or mainly making for awkward interactions for myself!)

Hi, honestly I’d suggest you stop overthinking this and beating yourself up about it.

What happened happened!

If you’re comfortable with your original SA, just ignore everything that happened with this second SA and carry on as usual. Then follow everyone else’s advice and just keep in touch with your original SA and move on. If the second SA miraculously finds a bag for you, bonus, and perhaps this is the time to politely thank her but say you have a long-standing SA who wasn’t in when they assisted you, but otherwise just continue with number one as normal.

One moment of ‘weakness’ is unlikely to be held against you forever more if you continue to just be a regular customer.

 

[londongal2009]

Hello everyone,
I am currently looking for an Evie TPM, and somehow managed to get my local SM to add it under my profile (despite being a very new customer to H) so that if one pops up with the specifications that I want, the store will contact me.
My question is: how likely is it that they will contact me if one hits the store? Or is this just a regular waiting list?
I am possibly interested in getting a K in the long term (it doesn't really fit my current lifestyle and I am only just discovering the brand) and was hoping that I could add it on my wishlist at some point now that I've established some sort of contact with the SM.

 

[disappeared]

Hey everyone, hope you all having a fab year so far[emoji3526]

Last year wasn't a great year financially for me, So haven't bought anything other than a scarf and a bolide 27. My last K/B purchase was two years ago.

I did receive a lovely Christmas card from them which gives me hope they haven't forgotten me[emoji846]

My SA is lovely but not sure how to bring up a Bag wishlist for this year with her since I've not shopped for awhile. Email or in person?

How does everyone go about their wishlist regarding bags? Are you quite straightforward about about your wishlist? Or is the softly approach the way to go?

Email wishlist (my SA goes back to it when bags come in). Also, Straightforward and specific - client since 2016