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.

 

[skybluesky]

Hi there! I recently started shopping at a local Hermes boutique, where I met my SA. About a month ago, my SA offered me a Constance bag (my first offer from him), which I thanked him for, but ultimately declined. When I declined it, I told him that I really had my heart set on a Kelly bag, so I was going to hold out for that instead.

He texted me this week to let me know the store is closed indefinitely, but asked if there were any items I was interested in so that he could pull them aside for me when the store reopens. There isn't really anything I'm dying to have at the moment...should I remind him of my interest in a Kelly bag? So far, I've spent about $11k with him over the last couple months. I live in a big city. When I told him originally that I was interested in a Kelly, he didn't tell me that I needed to spend more or anything like that -- he asked what colors I like and told me they'd be getting more stock next month.

My question is, should I be forward with him and remind him of my interest in a Kelly, or do you think he already remembers and I should play it cooler? How long do you typically wait between telling them your bag interest and then reminding them if you haven't received an offer?

Echoing others...yes, remind him of a Kelly, and give him the specs you want/prefer. I know it's weird and it can be hard to wrap one's head around H games, but he just needs to be reminded in this case. You've definitely spent enough on things.

 

[attrapereve]

Hi ladies, exactly on the same boat as the lady. How often should you remind your SA? Once a month? Fortnightly? Thank you.

 

[xincinsin]

You might as well remind him. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you are fearful of appearing too eager, just do it jokingly. "Hey, you know, if you find a Kelly, you can put that aside for me too!" If there is a glimmer of hope, he might ask you again what specs you were looking for and keep that in mind.

I jokingly told my SA once that maybe perhaps someday far far in the future I may want to get a Constance. Note all the variable words. She remembers and reminds me of it now and again

 

[amandacasey]

No no don’t do it jokingly, never jokingly. Remind him by politely just engaging with him; reply honestly, humbly/kindly and confidently/assuredly that you definitely have your heart set on a Kelly and the specs that you hope for. I wouldn’t jokingly say you “may” want to get something that you really want. Don’t use loose or passive and submissive language/words. That also just furthers games, too. Be definitive and direct and nice

 

[ladybug333]

Super helpful! Thank you all so much. I will let him know.

 

[HMuse]

Keep reminding him to express your genuine interest, doesn't hurt!

 

[Etriers]

Hi there! I recently started shopping at a local Hermes boutique, where I met my SA. About a month ago, my SA offered me a Constance bag (my first offer from him), which I thanked him for, but ultimately declined. When I declined it, I told him that I really had my heart set on a Kelly bag, so I was going to hold out for that instead.

He texted me this week to let me know the store is closed indefinitely, but asked if there were any items I was interested in so that he could pull them aside for me when the store reopens. There isn't really anything I'm dying to have at the moment...should I remind him of my interest in a Kelly bag? So far, I've spent about $11k with him over the last couple months. I live in a big city. When I told him originally that I was interested in a Kelly, he didn't tell me that I needed to spend more or anything like that -- he asked what colors I like and told me they'd be getting more stock next month.

My question is, should I be forward with him and remind him of my interest in a Kelly, or do you think he already remembers and I should play it cooler? How long do you typically wait between telling them your bag interest and then reminding them if you haven't received an offer?

No no don’t do it jokingly, never jokingly. Remind him by politely just engaging with him; reply honestly, humbly/kindly and confidently/assuredly that you definitely have your heart set on a Kelly and the specs that you hope for. I wouldn’t jokingly say you “may” want to get something that you really want. Don’t use loose or passive and submissive language/words. That also just furthers games, too. Be definitive and direct and nice

Great advice.

Exactly. Clear, kind, straightforward communication will get you much closer to what you want. You don’t have to keep reminding him, but he asked what you want so give him your list and put your Kelly on it, or if you speak to him, just add, “and of course, my K28 Retourne in Noir with gold hardware remains on my list.” Or, “And as you know, I am still interested in a Kelly Sellier in a pop.color.” Or whatever your preference is.

 

[Etriers]

Hi ladies, exactly on the same boat as the lady. How often should you remind your SA? Once a month? Fortnightly? Thank you.

If your SA has written down your request and sees you regularly, there is no need to remind him/her at all unless he/she asks again for your wish list.

 

[Phiona88]

Hi ladies, exactly on the same boat as the lady. How often should you remind your SA? Once a month? Fortnightly? Thank you.

It really depends on your SA. I love my SA but she does sometimes forget about things I am looking for. Luckily her forgetfulness doesn't extend to quota bags (she writes those down), but she has forgotten about non-quota things I am looking for. For example, I told her to contact me if she ever sees any bag in Vert Criquet come in, and she forgot. So I was a bit irritated when I later found out she had sold a Mini Bolide in Vert Criquet to someone else. As such, I've made it a habit to message her once every fortnight or so to casually ask if any of the smaller things I'm waiting for have come in yet.

 

[eckw]

I think different SAs work differently. Mine is really great (she’s delivered a few of my dream bags) but never seems to write anything down. I’ve whatsapped her various non-bag items but she never follows up on those for me. Yet she tracked down a replacement leather piece for my O’Kelly fashion necklace which took a lot of liaising with HQ. She’s always sweet when I visit her and for things that are in stock, she can arrange store transfers sometimes.

 

[mswkk]

Just wish to hear your thoughts on how I can salvage this (if it needs salvaging)....
long story short, I have been building a rltp with a SA and I do think I am about reaching the quota for a quota bag. The answer was always a no by citing there is limited stock and plenty of other customers. I walked in to my appointment and saw a lovely quota bag sitting there with a display only sign. Out of curiosity of the size and also very stunned by the color, the sheen of the leather and hardware, I asked about the bag and my SA took it out and said I can try it on. Then I ended up asking if it is possible to buy it and after what it seems like forever, the SA got the approval from the manager. Stupidly enough, I did not ask about the price as I thought I know the approximate price for the size and bag (the leather part totally escaped me). At payment, it (and some other purchases) maxed out my limit so I had to ask for the breakdown..... and the bag was actually way more expensive! that what I thought it would be (it ended up being around USD15k for the bag)!!
So, given it was not practical to have such an expensive bag (not exotic leather as well), I ended up saying I will not be getting it at the very very very last minute.
Did it just ruin my relationship with my SA? I feel really bad considering she did obtain an approval and these bags are normally not for sale to my understanding, and perhaps making her look a bit silly??

TIA!

 

[lulilu]

Just wish to hear your thoughts on how I can salvage this (if it needs salvaging)....
long story short, I have been building a rltp with a SA and I do think I am about reaching the quota for a quota bag. The answer was always a no by citing there is limited stock and plenty of other customers. I walked in to my appointment and saw a lovely quota bag sitting there with a display only sign. Out of curiosity of the size and also very stunned by the color, the sheen of the leather and hardware, I asked about the bag and my SA took it out and said I can try it on. Then I ended up asking if it is possible to buy it and after what it seems like forever, the SA got the approval from the manager. Stupidly enough, I did not ask about the price as I thought I know the approximate price for the size and bag (the leather part totally escaped me). At payment, it (and some other purchases) maxed out my limit so I had to ask for the breakdown..... and the bag was actually way more expensive! that what I thought it would be (it ended up being around USD15k for the bag)!!
So, given it was not practical to have such an expensive bag (not exotic leather as well), I ended up saying I will not be getting it at the very very very last minute.
Did it just ruin my relationship with my SA? I feel really bad considering she did obtain an approval and these bags are normally not for sale to my understanding, and perhaps making her look a bit silly??

TIA!

What was the leather and size of the bag? Birkin? Kelly? A 35 Birkin is over 12K, so it is not all that much more. I am wondering what made it special? Was it chevre?

 

[Phiona88]

Just wish to hear your thoughts on how I can salvage this (if it needs salvaging)....
long story short, I have been building a rltp with a SA and I do think I am about reaching the quota for a quota bag. The answer was always a no by citing there is limited stock and plenty of other customers. I walked in to my appointment and saw a lovely quota bag sitting there with a display only sign. Out of curiosity of the size and also very stunned by the color, the sheen of the leather and hardware, I asked about the bag and my SA took it out and said I can try it on. Then I ended up asking if it is possible to buy it and after what it seems like forever, the SA got the approval from the manager. Stupidly enough, I did not ask about the price as I thought I know the approximate price for the size and bag (the leather part totally escaped me). At payment, it (and some other purchases) maxed out my limit so I had to ask for the breakdown..... and the bag was actually way more expensive! that what I thought it would be (it ended up being around USD15k for the bag)!!
So, given it was not practical to have such an expensive bag (not exotic leather as well), I ended up saying I will not be getting it at the very very very last minute.
Did it just ruin my relationship with my SA? I feel really bad considering she did obtain an approval and these bags are normally not for sale to my understanding, and perhaps making her look a bit silly??

TIA!

Well... I wish there were a nicer way of saying this, but what happened was a bit disastrous. I understand that in your excitement of getting an offer, you forgot to ask for the price - it can happen to anyone caught up in the moment. I think the cringe-worthy part is when you decided not to get it after your card got declined. It's not everyday an SM approves the sale of a "Display Only" bag, so the fact that you declined to purchase it at the very last minute will be etched in the SM's and SA's minds for a while...

You've got a lot of sunk costs already, so I can see why you wouldn't want to switch stores now and prefer to salvage the relationship instead. My suggestion is to bring in some chocolates for everyone to share next time you drop in, apologize again to your SA about the incident and just chat to her. Try to get a read on her - is she acting distant towards you? Less friendly? Keep in mind it could take a while before she gets her SM's approval again to offer you another quota bag.

The silver lining is that if your card had NOT been declined, you would have been stuck with a bag that was too expensive for your needs. If you look at it that way, what happened might have actually been a positive thing.

Good luck! I do hope things work out for you in the end with your SA and SM.

 

[GoldFish8]

Was it box or Barenia?!? Gosh. I feel for you. Truly I do. I would be feeling the same worry too. Seems silly to have to feel these things especially when we are the customer and paying... but this is just the nature of shopping with hermes. I think the idea of some chocolates is a great idea. Personally, I do it for holidays anyway because I know a lot of them are working through the holidays (Christmas day, etc) and the treats help brighten their day. Just be a nice person, and be honest. For most people, 15k is a lot to spend. I’m so curious as to leather and size though. The only non exotic leather I can think of that would cost a few k more is Barenia and box.. or maybe tadalakt... Plus you said it had a sheen..

Just wish to hear your thoughts on how I can salvage this (if it needs salvaging)....
long story short, I have been building a rltp with a SA and I do think I am about reaching the quota for a quota bag. The answer was always a no by citing there is limited stock and plenty of other customers. I walked in to my appointment and saw a lovely quota bag sitting there with a display only sign. Out of curiosity of the size and also very stunned by the color, the sheen of the leather and hardware, I asked about the bag and my SA took it out and said I can try it on. Then I ended up asking if it is possible to buy it and after what it seems like forever, the SA got the approval from the manager. Stupidly enough, I did not ask about the price as I thought I know the approximate price for the size and bag (the leather part totally escaped me). At payment, it (and some other purchases) maxed out my limit so I had to ask for the breakdown..... and the bag was actually way more expensive! that what I thought it would be (it ended up being around USD15k for the bag)!!
So, given it was not practical to have such an expensive bag (not exotic leather as well), I ended up saying I will not be getting it at the very very very last minute.
Did it just ruin my relationship with my SA? I feel really bad considering she did obtain an approval and these bags are normally not for sale to my understanding, and perhaps making her look a bit silly??

TIA!

 

[skybluesky]

Just wish to hear your thoughts on how I can salvage this (if it needs salvaging)....
long story short, I have been building a rltp with a SA and I do think I am about reaching the quota for a quota bag. The answer was always a no by citing there is limited stock and plenty of other customers. I walked in to my appointment and saw a lovely quota bag sitting there with a display only sign. Out of curiosity of the size and also very stunned by the color, the sheen of the leather and hardware, I asked about the bag and my SA took it out and said I can try it on. Then I ended up asking if it is possible to buy it and after what it seems like forever, the SA got the approval from the manager. Stupidly enough, I did not ask about the price as I thought I know the approximate price for the size and bag (the leather part totally escaped me). At payment, it (and some other purchases) maxed out my limit so I had to ask for the breakdown..... and the bag was actually way more expensive! that what I thought it would be (it ended up being around USD15k for the bag)!!
So, given it was not practical to have such an expensive bag (not exotic leather as well), I ended up saying I will not be getting it at the very very very last minute.
Did it just ruin my relationship with my SA? I feel really bad considering she did obtain an approval and these bags are normally not for sale to my understanding, and perhaps making her look a bit silly??

TIA!

Others have given good advice. Try not to beat yourself up over it and let it be a lesson to always ask for the price before buying. Better to have not spent that money on something you'll regret. Also really curious about what the specs were. A birkin 30 in togo where I live is over $12K after taxes, so it's going to be expensive no matter what, so just...prepare for that.