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.

 

[skybluesky]

Oops, sorry I quoted the wrong person.
This is why I like to shop in smaller boutiques because they don’t expect anyone really to drop big $$$. They prefer to work with local clients who stop in occasionally for various items.
I think SO usually offer to established clients but I’ve heard stories in Paris when SO is offered if spent $$$.

No worries! I shop at a smaller store too, not the best stock but just really good service. My SA is really nice to me, and I'm sure she has bigger spenders, but she treats me like I'm VIP. I did see mine offering another customer an SO but I don't feel like I've spent enough to ask (even though I've spent a fair amount). I'd love an SO, but I'm not patient, and I wouldn't pick the most exciting color combinations.

I too have heard stories about customers at FSH who were offered an SO when they bought a very special $$$ item. I've also heard that they get offered an SO there with just buying other things, so who knows. I just don't think I can deal with the rejection and hurry and crowds of FSH, even though it does sound really exciting and they have the ultimate stock.

 

[soccerzfan]

I feel the same way about my store, they don’t have much but they do let me know exactly what they have coming in and put my name down for whichever one I want including b/k/c. I am not a big spender so I’m happy they’re not playing games and treating me like you said, a VIP, which is exactly how Id imagine shopping at a luxury store.
If there’s something unique, a color/leather combo that is no long available and you really want it, then ask for an SO. Otherwise I don’t see the point of doing an SO.

No worries! I shop at a smaller store too, not the best stock but just really good service. My SA is really nice to me, and I'm sure she has bigger spenders, but she treats me like I'm VIP. I did see mine offering another customer an SO but I don't feel like I've spent enough to ask (even though I've spent a fair amount). I'd love an SO, but I'm not patient, and I wouldn't pick the most exciting color combinations.

I too have heard stories about customers at FSH who were offered an SO when they bought a very special $$$ item. I've also heard that they get offered an SO there with just buying other things, so who knows. I just don't think I can deal with the rejection and hurry and crowds of FSH, even though it does sound really exciting and they have the ultimate stock.

 

[Tomatohead]

I recently started working with a SA and would love to build a relationship with her. Does anyone know if the beauty items i.e. The lipsticks would count toward spending??
My local H store would not be carrying them but she told me she can place the order for me and have them shipped directly to me.

 

[skybluesky]

I feel the same way about my store, they don’t have much but they do let me know exactly what they have coming in and put my name down for whichever one I want including b/k/c. I am not a big spender so I’m happy they’re not playing games and treating me like you said, a VIP, which is exactly how Id imagine shopping at a luxury store.
If there’s something unique, a color/leather combo that is no long available and you really want it, then ask for an SO. Otherwise I don’t see the point of doing an SO.

You make a really good point, and I agree. I don’t want to stay off topic for too much longer, but I would love a B25 or 30 in chèvre, or a Sellier K25/28 in chèvre. But I don’t really need those, and I’m happy to be offered “normal” quota bags if that makes sense. I can see lots of other people with far more creative combinations who not only see more, but for them, only an SO satiates that hunger. I’m sure I’ll get there, but I am still dazzled by all the options.

I’m still pretty new to H, and I find that my SA knows my tastes pretty well already. If she’s not with H anymore, I don’t see myself spending nearly as much as I do now. Like you said, the luxury experience is feeling that special treatment. When something nice comes in, she lets me know. If the store doesn’t have it, she tries to bring it in.

 

[skybluesky]

I recently started working with a SA and would love to build a relationship with her. Does anyone know if the beauty items i.e. The lipsticks would count toward spending??
My local H store would not be carrying them but she told me she can place the order for me and have them shipped directly to me.

It definitely doesn’t hurt to buy the lipsticks, but I don’t think it counts as much as say, shoes or jewelry (not that you have to buy those things). Are you looking to get a quota bag? If not, then don’t worry too much about what you should buy. Do you live close enough for the lipsticks to get shipped to the store? That way, you can stop by, pick up, say hi and get to know your SA better and browse other things.

 

[lishukha]

Hi everyone! I am hoping to seriously hunt for my first Hermes (mini Constance or Kelly 25) later this year. I’m in the US (in the Midwest with no Hermes store - closest one is 5 hours away) and would like to know if it is necessary to visit a store to start my Hermes journey, or if anyone has the experience of being offered a bag through SA referral and phone communications?

If this has been discussed somewhere please let me know. I’m slowly going through this thread to find all the tips and tricks available. Thanks in advance!

 

[ladysarah]

No worries! I shop at a smaller store too, not the best stock but just really good service. My SA is really nice to me, and I'm sure she has bigger spenders, but she treats me like I'm VIP. I did see mine offering another customer an SO but I don't feel like I've spent enough to ask (even though I've spent a fair amount). I'd love an SO, but I'm not patient, and I wouldn't pick the most exciting color combinations.

I too have heard stories about customers at FSH who were offered an SO when they bought a very special $$$ item. I've also heard that they get offered an SO there with just buying other things, so who knows. I just don't think I can deal with the rejection and hurry and crowds of FSH, even though it does sound really exciting and they have the ultimate stock.

I ve never been offered an SO and have shopped steadily for maybe 5 or 6 years. Mostly small things, though we did buy a table ( still trying to erase the cost of my scarred memory) which was a big ticket item. I do find that if I want something I ask and it eventually materialises. I don’t know if I should ask for an SO just to see.

 

[SPBiaes]

I was able to place my SO after shopping with my SA for three or four times. Got a quota bag offer on one of those visits, too. What I can say is that you should always treat your SA the way how you normally should treat people - with kindness and compassion. They aren’t your therapists so don’t overshare your personal lives, but they are also not your enemies so don’t play games or act all fake... They have met enough people to see right through tricks like that. Be genuine and direct. They know people shop at Hermes for the holy grail of bags. But they don’t know what kind of holy grail you want if you don’t say anything. We get tired of awful SA’s who play games and the nice SA’s feel the same toward customers who like to play, too.

 

[ladysarah]

I was able to place my SO after shopping with my SA for three or four times. Got a quota bag offer on one of those visits, too. What I can say is that you should always treat your SA the way how you normally should treat people - with kindness and compassion. They aren’t your therapists so don’t overshare your personal lives, but they are also not your enemies so don’t play games or act all fake... They have met enough people to see right through tricks like that. Be genuine and direct. They know people shop at Hermes for the holy grail of bags. But they don’t know what kind of holy grail you want if you don’t say anything. We get tired of awful SA’s who play games and the nice SA’s feel the same toward customers who like to play, too.

Oh how amazing! So you were offered a Birkin and an additional special order at the same time?

 

[SPBiaes]

Oh how amazing! So you were offered a Birkin and an additional special order at the same time?

Different visits actually, but they were back to back. I got an offer to place my special order after the birkin visit. I have always been very clear and straightforward with my SA haha. Mentioned that I would like a Kelly 25 or 28 in a light color by the end of the year but said that I also understand and it doesn’t bother me one bit if I can’t get one. My SA was very considerate and just let me do a SO instead.

 

[amngu3]

Hi ladies,
I’m new here and would love to get some advice.
I’ve been shopping with an SA at my local boutique for about 4 months and have spent $10.5k with him alone. He had my wishlist but suddenly went on extended leave and won’t be back till June/July this year. I’ve shopped at the particular store since December 2018 when they opened and have spent in total $13k.
I spoke to the SM about 2-3 weeks ago when I found out about my SA being on leave. I was polite and basically said that I didn’t want to be forgotten whilst my SA is on leave. The SM took down my wishlist as well. Now I’ve also been waiting for a pair of Saint Germain booties but was told by the SA before he left that they couldn’t order it and the wait was about 3-4 months. SM said the same thing.
I visited another store in my city yesterday and met a lovely SA. He had the boots I was after in my size. He was also a lot more friendly than my previous SA.
I’m thinking of changing stores because I don’t feel like the service at my current store is that great. My current store is also newer and I feel like they might not have as much stock.
Should I buy the boots from the other SA/store or should I wait for my usual?
If I do change stores, should I seek out the SA that helped me yesterday? He was lovely but he is new. Or should I seek out a more established SA? My thinking is with a new SA who doesn’t have an established list of VIPs, he might be more appreciative of me and my purchase as compared to a more established SA who would probably have clients spending easily 50-100k in non bag items a year.
Thanks in advance!

 

[skybluesky]

Hi ladies,
I’m new here and would love to get some advice.
I’ve been shopping with an SA at my local boutique for about 4 months and have spent $10.5k with him alone. He had my wishlist but suddenly went on extended leave and won’t be back till June/July this year. I’ve shopped at the particular store since December 2018 when they opened and have spent in total $13k.
I spoke to the SM about 2-3 weeks ago when I found out about my SA being on leave. I was polite and basically said that I didn’t want to be forgotten whilst my SA is on leave. The SM took down my wishlist as well. Now I’ve also been waiting for a pair of Saint Germain booties but was told by the SA before he left that they couldn’t order it and the wait was about 3-4 months. SM said the same thing.
I visited another store in my city yesterday and met a lovely SA. He had the boots I was after in my size. He was also a lot more friendly than my previous SA.
I’m thinking of changing stores because I don’t feel like the service at my current store is that great. My current store is also newer and I feel like they might not have as much stock.
Should I buy the boots from the other SA/store or should I wait for my usual?
If I do change stores, should I seek out the SA that helped me yesterday? He was lovely but he is new. Or should I seek out a more established SA? My thinking is with a new SA who doesn’t have an established list of VIPs, he might be more appreciative of me and my purchase as compared to a more established SA who would probably have clients spending easily 50-100k in non bag items a year.
Thanks in advance!

Four months is not that long, but I understand it can be frustrating to wait that long. If you go to the other store, just know that you'd have to start all over again. It could take another 4-6 months or more with the new SA/store. I'd buy the boots from the new store and see how it is with the other SA for a few small purchases before switching completely over.

Since the SM took down your wishlist, that's a good sign. Do you have very specific specs you're looking for? I've heard (and experienced) that if your wishlist is very specific, then it can take a while for it to come in.

 

[amngu3]

Four months is not that long, but I understand it can be frustrating to wait that long. If you go to the other store, just know that you'd have to start all over again. It could take another 4-6 months or more with the new SA/store. I'd buy the boots from the new store and see how it is with the other SA for a few small purchases before switching completely over.

Since the SM took down your wishlist, that's a good sign. Do you have very specific specs you're looking for? I've heard (and experienced) that if your wishlist is very specific, then it can take a while for it to come in.

Thanks so much for the reply!
My wish list isn’t very specific. Gave some broad colour options and sizes.
I ended up buying the boots from the new SA today and spoke to him about wanting a B/K. He was much more upfront about the process etc. I feel like I can communicate with him more openly than with my previous SA. Gave him my wish list and he said he’ll keep me in mind and will do his best to get me a bag from my list. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess.

 

[skybluesky]

Thanks so much for the reply!
My wish list isn’t very specific. Gave some broad colour options and sizes.
I ended up buying the boots from the new SA today and spoke to him about wanting a B/K. He was much more upfront about the process etc. I feel like I can communicate with him more openly than with my previous SA. Gave him my wish list and he said he’ll keep me in mind and will do his best to get me a bag from my list. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess.

You're welcome! Take my words with a grain of salt. I find that every country and store is different. At my store, my SA will transfer in shoes for me. I could be wrong, but from my understanding, the SA has to search manually so it's not as easy as ordering something online. Some stores won't do transfers during certain times or for certain things. Still keep it open at the other store since that's a lot of money you've spent there. I'm glad you are finding that you have a good connection with the new SA!

 

[burka188]

You're welcome! Take my words with a grain of salt. I find that every country and store is different. At my store, my SA will transfer in shoes for me. I could be wrong, but from my understanding, the SA has to search manually so it's not as easy as ordering something online. Some stores won't do transfers during certain times or for certain things. Still keep it open at the other store since that's a lot of money you've spent there. I'm glad you are finding that you have a good connection with the new SA!

Agree, it feels like if you’ve invested more than 1:1 with your current store you might as well ask them to transfer the boots so you’re not starting from $0 again.