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.

 

[acrowcounted]

Interesting, in Europe there is no commission for the respective SA...

They also have personal and storewide sales goals/quotas from which they receive bonuses and accolades.

 

[Chrismin]

Question: There is no H store in my city so most of my purchases have been via phone order at the nearest store which is in Chicago. I have been working w a particular SA and have reached a point where i have made a wish list recently. however, next month i will be going to DC where there is a Hermes store near by and I will probably be there every 6 months for at least the next 1-2 years. I am curious to make an appt and try the Dc store (and honestly, just to be in a store that isnt grocery related) but is that not ideal to purchase from DC since I have a history w Chicago?
Would appreciate your thoughts!
TIA!

 

[Tingeling]

I will report as soon as our new flagshipstore in Stockholm opens. Promise!

Yes, please do

 

[iamberrytastic]

It’s pretty cool that you can go for lunch and drinks with your SA. In most places there are rules forbidding Hermés SAs from socializing with their clients outside of work.

Really? Is this a real official rule? I don’t see why you can’t grab coffee outside of work.
What if you fall in love with your SA and you guys end up getting married? Does that mean you have to find a new SA because of conflict of interest or your SA have to quit Hermes? Asking for a friend.

 

[momoc]

Really? Is this a real official rule? I don’t see why you can’t grab coffee outside of work.
What if you fall in love with your SA and you guys end up getting married? Does that mean you have to find a new SA because of conflict of interest or your SA have to quit Hermes? Asking for a friend.

Yep as a matter of fact. In fact all first order relatives of an SA cannot get quota bags (in their own country), meaning their husband/wife and parents, siblings. This is an official rule at least in the USA. I know this because my SA is very sad that her husband can’t buy her any Bs or Ks within the USA - he once did before she became an Hermes SA. The SAs within a country can actually be quite familiar with each other since they go to trainings together and when she met the SA who sold her husband the B in the past she had to assure the other person that it was before she worked for Hermes. Otherwise they would both be very much in trouble.

Note that the rule is only first order relatives. Cousins for example are ok. Also you can go to a different country to buy (my SA still does when she travels to Europe).

And like all rules I’m sure those who are with status and power and $$$$ can bend things...we’ve heard some crazy stories such as people bringing their SAs on their private jets...

Oh also you often hear the advice to not give any gift that’s for your SA personally (besides say a thank you card). Those who follow rules will often not accept gifts that are worth some monetary value which are considered bribes. Which is why the common advice is to gift a box of cookies / food / treats that is meant to be shared by the entire store and not individually to your SA.

 

[surfchick]

Really? Is this a real official rule? I don’t see why you can’t grab coffee outside of work.
What if you fall in love with your SA and you guys end up getting married? Does that mean you have to find a new SA because of conflict of interest or your SA have to quit Hermes? Asking for a friend.

My store, in the US, the SA's have been told no lunches, coffee's, etc with clients. Also my SA's sister-in-law shops at my Hermes but with a different SA. Yes, it is a conflict of interests so she can't have her sister-in-law as a client.

 

[iamberrytastic]

Yep as a matter of fact. In fact all first order relatives of an SA cannot get quota bags (in their own country), meaning their husband/wife and parents, siblings. This is an official rule at least in the USA. I know this because my SA is very sad that her husband can’t buy her any Bs or Ks within the USA - he once did before she became an Hermes SA. The SAs within a country can actually be quite familiar with each other since they go to trainings together and when she met the SA who sold her husband the B in the past she had to assure the other person that it was before she worked for Hermes. Otherwise they would both be very much in trouble.

Note that the rule is only first order relatives. Cousins for example are ok. Also you can go to a different country to buy (my SA still does when she travels to Europe).

And like all rules I’m sure those who are with status and power and $$$$ can bend things...we’ve heard some crazy stories such as people bringing their SAs on their private jets...

Oh also you often hear the advice to not give any gift that’s for your SA personally (besides say a thank you card). Those who follow rules will often not accept gifts that are worth some monetary value which are considered bribes. Which is why the common advice is to gift a box of cookies / food / treats that is meant to be shared by the entire store and not individually to your SA.

This is super helpful. I was kidding of course. I just want to be nice like I would with the person who deliver my mails etc... I have done the cookie things.

 

[surfchick]

This is super helpful. I was kidding of course. I just want to be nice like I would with the person who deliver my mails etc... I have done the cookie things.

I brought cupcakes for my store when I went to pick up my SO. Figured they could always use an afternoon sugar rush!

 

[Tingeling]

Interesting, in Europe there is no commission for the respective SA...

I think you are right about this. My husband went in to our local Hermes store and talked to one of the new SA's. They usually have very limited stock, but this time even worse than usual. He was looking for a wallet, a tie and a cardholder. He also asked about a cashmere shawl for me and the rivoli loafers. They did not have my size in the loafers, and not the colorway I wanted in the scarf. He then asked if they could order the scarf, loafers and a cardholder he liked and then come by the store again. The SA said yes, but...you are better off just buying from the website, it's much faster. My husband said it would be no problem for him to come buy again, but he insisted because it would take only a few days if he ordered the items online. My husband felt quite awkward at this point and left the store emptyhanded. I think this will confirm that they make no commission in Europe!

 

[acrowcounted]

I think you are right about this. My husband went in to our local Hermes store and talked to one of the new SA's. They usually have very limited stock, but this time even worse than usual. He was looking for a wallet, a tie and a cardholder. He also asked about a cashmere shawl for me and the rivoli loafers. They did not have my size in the loafers, and not the colorway I wanted in the scarf. He then asked if they could order the scarf, loafers and a cardholder he liked and then come by the store again. The SA said yes, but...you are better off just buying from the website, it's much faster. My husband said it would be no problem for him to come buy again, but he insisted because it would take only a few days if he ordered the items online. My husband felt quite awkward at this point and left the store emptyhanded. I think this will confirm that they make no commission in Europe!

I’ve shockingly seen this in person in the USA with other SAs and other customers and have been given this advice at USA stores that aren’t my store. I think some SAs don’t want to be bothered with a handful of “small ticket” items for new customers. Now if someone new were requesting a diamond bangle rather than a Twilly or a calvi, I doubt they’d have been told to “check the website”.

 

[Tingeling]

I’ve shockingly seen this in person in the USA with other SAs and other customers and have been given this advice at USA stores that aren’t my store. I think some SAs don’t want to be bothered with a handful of “small ticket” items for new customers. Now if someone new were requesting a diamond bangle rather than a Twilly or a calvi, I doubt they’d have been told to “check the website”.

LOL, I can see that in the USA, but this is the only store in my country,and there are like no-one in this store ever, and he is not a new customer. The SA would potentially made a sale of about $6000 in a quick visit, not a huge inpact, but still.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Really? Is this a real official rule? I don’t see why you can’t grab coffee outside of work.
What if you fall in love with your SA and you guys end up getting married? Does that mean you have to find a new SA because of conflict of interest or your SA have to quit Hermes? Asking for a friend.

Yes the rule definitely exists at least for stores in UK and France that I frequent.

 

[thunderbird314]

Does anyone know if SA’s can see your online purchase history? I bought a few things online during quarantine that I’d normally go through my SA for. Wouldn’t want her to be upset I didn’t use her, but also, how could I have if the store was closed? Additionally, most of it were items from previous seasons with presumably low stock! Any thoughts appreciated

 

[acrowcounted]

Does anyone know if SA’s can see your online purchase history? I bought a few things online during quarantine that I’d normally go through my SA for. Wouldn’t want her to be upset I didn’t use her, but also, how could I have if the store was closed? Additionally, most of it were items from previous seasons with presumably low stock! Any thoughts appreciated

Yes they can see it. I assume she’ll understand under these circumstances.

 

[Liberté]

LOL, I can see that in the USA, but this is the only store in my country,and there are like no-one in this store ever, and he is not a new customer. The SA would potentially made a sale of about $6000 in a quick visit, not a huge inpact, but still.

I'm not sure how that would work to the customer's advantage with them putting such an emphasis on purchase history for certain items... But I guess if everyone's purchase history is gone, maybe they've just given up? The H site does work really well though!