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.

 

[momoc]

Has anyone just straight up tried saying to an SA -“ I’m willing to buy x amount in jewelry if I can ensure I’ll get a B (state your preferred size and colors and leather).” And only make the purchase of jewelry if they say yes? I’m not willing to play games and be strung along by an SA, which I felt in the past I was. I’d rather just be as upfront as possible with my intention of wanting a B. This is in the US. Thanks.

It happens regularly in some Asian countries which tend to be very blunt and straight forward. It is very dependent on the culture and style of the specific store and specific SA (and SM). So it’s probably better you be subtle and try to find out first if this is possible, maybe? It is generally speaking not common in the US I think.

ETA: like in certain Asian stores you can be straight up told “spend X you can get neutral popular color B, spend Y and you will be able to get this color or size...” and so on. But in the US it’s more like not spoken out loud, but for sure there is implicit understanding of what you are trying to do.

 

[acrowcounted]

Has anyone just straight up tried saying to an SA -“ I’m willing to buy x amount in jewelry if I can ensure I’ll get a B (state your preferred size and colors and leather).” And only make the purchase of jewelry if they say yes? I’m not willing to play games and be strung along by an SA, which I felt in the past I was. I’d rather just be as upfront as possible with my intention of wanting a B. This is in the US. Thanks.

You could try but it likely won’t work. SAs don’t like this bargain because if they agree and produce the bag, there is nothing stopping you from saying “oh awesome! Love the bag! Actually forget the bracelet, I’ll just take the bag please.” And then their usual defenses of “nothing is available” etc don’t work if you turnout to be a difficult customer and make a scene.
Honestly, this mid pandemic time has been the easiest in recent (past five years? At least) history to get a quota bag. I’m sure if you make a 7k+ fine jewelry purchase and make your wishlist very clear, you will have no problem being offered something within a month or two (ie when they get something to your specs in). If not sooner depending on your ask.

 

[classybags4ever]

You could try but it likely won’t work. SAs don’t like this bargain because if they agree and produce the bag, there is nothing stopping you from saying “oh awesome! Love the bag! Actually forget the bracelet, I’ll just take the bag please.” And then their usual defenses of “nothing is available” etc don’t work if you turnout to be a difficult customer and make a scene.
Honestly, this mid pandemic time has been the easiest in recent (past five years? At least) history to get a quota bag. I’m sure if you make a 7k+ fine jewelry purchase and make your wishlist very clear, you will have no problem being offered something within a month or two (ie when they get something to your specs in). If not sooner depending on your ask.

I live in a very high income area, and 7k may not be enough. I don’t appreciate the unspokenness of their game nor the uncertainty and won’t put up with being strung along. (Have experience in my home store where I felt that was happening). I had actually sworn off my home store and was determined to try in Paris again bc I’ve had such great luck there. But given how travel is unlikely for US citizens anytime soon if I walk into my home store and if an SA gives me the time of day I will likely be straightforward with her.

 

[acrowcounted]

I live in a very high income area, and 7k may not be enough. I don’t appreciate the unspokenness of their game nor the uncertainty and won’t put up with being strung along. (Have experience in my home store where I felt that was happening). I had actually sworn off my home store and was determined to try in Paris again bc I’ve had such great luck there. But given how travel is unlikely for US citizens anytime soon if I walk into my home store and if an SA gives me the time of day I will likely be straightforward with her.

In my experience, USA SAs don’t enjoy open acknowledgment of “the game” and tend to shut down and/or get defensive when directly asked (or even deliberately string you along “no that’s not how it works! Watch me as I take your wishlist right now (and never call you back) even though you’ve not purchased anything!”) By all means try it if you feel comfortable but I would temper my expectations. Bags have been flying off the shelves this past month, and in good sizes/colors, so my continued advice is to kindly and humbly play the game to the best of your budget’s ability and offers will follow. Good luck and please report back if you have any success!

 

[Lilikay]

Has anyone just straight up tried saying to an SA -“ I’m willing to buy x amount in jewelry if I can ensure I’ll get a B (state your preferred size and colors and leather).” And only make the purchase of jewelry if they say yes? I’m not willing to play games and be strung along by an SA, which I felt in the past I was. I’d rather just be as upfront as possible with my intention of wanting a B. This is in the US. Thanks.

I’ve done it more than once with success, but not so straight forward. In my Middle Eastern Store it was like already explained before, you can even negotiate the amount and say you will buy the jewelry and that’s it. You will likely walk out the store carrying the bag or they will sometimes put everything aside for you and wait for the bag.
However, I’ve done it in stores in Europe, not FSH, with previous purchase history, but with something specific in mind. I’ve said something like, “I’m looking for a nice ring to match my Jewelry, but not sure”, proceed to look at the options, and than explain, with all the passion for the brand and politeness, that I’ve been looking for something for a long time and would be more than happy to buy the ring right now if they may have it, by any chance. Of course I did buy the jewelry too! The bag is not always available straight away, so it’s a game of trust from both sides.

 

[TeeCee77]

I have to say, I have innocently browsed near customers trying to make this blunt offer to buy if a bag materializes and I have never seen it work. In fact, in at least one instance after the SA indicated the desired bag wasn’t available (which I actually believe) the customer turned up their nose and put all the RTW back. Ill
just say this behavior reflected very poorly on the potential customer.

 

[Lilikay]

I wouldn’t go for a pile of items, but for a piece of jewelry with the same price of the bag or close to it. A very nice watch maybe. Again, one needs to exercise some sensitivity and see if it won’t feel wrong. I wouldn’t recommend trying in a packed store, during weekends...and I’ve never done it in my actual store, where I do buy jewelry occasionally but not in the same context, but it’s just my experience and my opinion. I’ve never set foot in a H Store in US.

 

[olibelli]

Has anyone just straight up tried saying to an SA -“ I’m willing to buy x amount in jewelry if I can ensure I’ll get a B (state your preferred size and colors and leather).” And only make the purchase of jewelry if they say yes? I’m not willing to play games and be strung along by an SA, which I felt in the past I was. I’d rather just be as upfront as possible with my intention of wanting a B. This is in the US. Thanks.

My friend and her sisters did this in Tokyo a few years back (for context, they are also Asian, originally from Hong Kong, and my friend herself believes that worked to their advantage) and were successful in scoring five B/K in that trip alone. They very bluntly told the SA they encountered at the store to show them all available quota bags and that they would buy all of them on the spot in addition to equal spend across other categories in the store on that day. Let's say they were shown ten B/K across various szies and colors, they chose five to walk away with, and subsequently spent the corresponding ratio in jewelry, RTW, etc.

She told me that her sisters and her spoke Cantonese to each other the entire time and feigned poorer English than their actual ability, and they believe that this, in addition to their clothing and jewelry, painted them as seriously big yet unpredictable spenders as a result of racial stereotyping that sometimes occurs within Asian countries and communities.

Needless to say, they were successful given that they knew their plan was a big gamble to begin with!

 

[Classy Collector]

You could try but it likely won’t work. SAs don’t like this bargain because if they agree and produce the bag, there is nothing stopping you from saying “oh awesome! Love the bag! Actually forget the bracelet, I’ll just take the bag please.” And then their usual defenses of “nothing is available” etc don’t work if you turnout to be a difficult customer and make a scene.
Honestly, this mid pandemic time has been the easiest in recent (past five years? At least) history to get a quota bag. I’m sure if you make a 7k+ fine jewelry purchase and make your wishlist very clear, you will have no problem being offered something within a month or two (ie when they get something to your specs in). If not sooner depending on your ask.

I have a feeling it’s easier now too. They’re even unboxing B/K’s out in the open now and others congratulating the client, not in a private space/room.

 

[fishnumber2]

Ladies / gents I need your advice here - I was super fortunate enough to score a Kelly last week with just a walk-in and randomly assigned (super nice) SA with minimal purchase history in another location nonetheless so I feel extremely thankful and fortunate because I know it’s rare in the H world. At the time I also wanted a rodeo but the SA couldn’t find a PM and I politely declined the MM because I felt they were a bit too big for my taste. Now that I’ve had the whole weekend to gush over it and taking it out for a spin in the summer heat, I decided that I want to go back for a twilly and also check with the SA again if the PM rodeos have been restocked, plus I also want to purchase a shawl. AND of course, now that I have the Kelly, I’m starting to yearn for a Birkin as well because I’m really starting to appreciate their craftsmanship and quality! I’ve set up an appointment with him tomorrow to get the small things mentioned earlier but have not not yet mentioned the fact I want a B. My question is - should I bring it up tomorrow when I see him, or would that seem too ungrateful / greedy? For reference, I am looking for a B30 in Togo neutral color which I know are common but also extremely popular. I am not in a huge rush to get it as I already have a giant hole in my wallet after the K, but I don’t want to drag it out if they have it and can actually offer. Your advice are greatly appreciated!

 

[nicole0612]

Ladies / gents I need your advice here - I was super fortunate enough to score a Kelly last week with just a walk-in and randomly assigned (super nice) SA with minimal purchase history in another location nonetheless so I feel extremely thankful and fortunate because I know it’s rare in the H world. At the time I also wanted a rodeo but the SA couldn’t find a PM and I politely declined the MM because I felt they were a bit too big for my taste. Now that I’ve had the whole weekend to gush over it and taking it out for a spin in the summer heat, I decided that I want to go back for a twilly and also check with the SA again if the PM rodeos have been restocked, plus I also want to purchase a shawl. AND of course, now that I have the Kelly, I’m starting to yearn for a Birkin as well because I’m really starting to appreciate their craftsmanship and quality! I’ve set up an appointment with him tomorrow to get the small things mentioned earlier but have not not yet mentioned the fact I want a B. My question is - should I bring it up tomorrow when I see him, or would that seem too ungrateful / greedy? For reference, I am looking for a B30 in Togo neutral color which I know are common but also extremely popular. I am not in a huge rush to get it as I already have a giant hole in my wallet after the K, but I don’t want to drag it out if they have it and can actually offer. Your advice are greatly appreciated!

Bring in your Kelly, tell them how much you love it, buy some things on your next few trips. Don’t bring up another quota bag before then with a new relationship. It should be ok if it you mention that something you are buying would match the next color on your wishlist, but I wouldn’t go further than that at this stage.

 

[fishnumber2]

Bring in your Kelly, tell them how much you love it, buy some things on your next few trips. Don’t bring up another quota bag before then with a new relationship. It should be ok if it you mention that something you are buying would match the next color on your wishlist, but I wouldn’t go further than that at this stage.

Thank you for the advice! Yes I was feeling apprehensive as well, I don’t want him to think that I’m buying these things only to score another bag off of him when I’m fact I do want to purchase these things. And good tip on mentioning the scarf matching the next wishlist, that’s genius!

 

[nicole0612]

Thank you for the advice! Yes I was feeling apprehensive as well, I don’t want him to think that I’m buying these things only to score another bag off of him when I’m fact I do want to purchase these things. And good tip on mentioning the scarf matching the next wishlist, that’s genius!

I think your instincts are correct and well-meaning, I hope you find some things you love and the process should move along naturally!

 

[Blackgoldpearls]

Hi guys, are we allowed to buy small gifts for our SA? I have read that food is okay, but what about for birthdays? I'm in the US. Thank you!

 

[HKsai]

Hello guys! When is it okay to remind my SA of my wishlist bags? I’ve been shopping with my current SA for almost two years. When I first met him I was offered a Kelly (first day) but in a color that I am not fond of. Second offer was an exotic C (maybe a month after) I politely declined both. He told me in the beginning to not get a bag just because, but because I love it as it’s a lot of money. I also asked him if I declined, would I be blacklisted - he said no. But now I’m worried I missed my opportunity as I haven’t been offered another bag in more than a year. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you so much!!

How specific is your wishlist? Spending and preferences are usually factor for a longer wait.