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]

The last time I saw my SA was back in February and I spent a good amount (fine jewelry) on that visit. She said she will be looking out for my specs for the quota bag. Recently, we only texted back and forth about bringing certain items in but I still didn’t get to visit the store yet. Now she just went MIA on me for 3 weeks. Did that ever happen to anyone?

Call the store during open hours and ask for her. They’ll tell you if she is around and then you can make an appointment to visit. I assume this is not the Chicago store.

 

[Etriers]

thanks a lot! i appreciate your took the time to reply. needless to say i was so pissed about their approach that I bought a stupendously triple-priced bag from a concierge service. So, i could have maybe spent it on gold
jewels and still gotten my bag? meeew!

Birkin and Kelly bags are highly desired bags. Most people don’t just walk in and get one because they say they want one, because everyone wants one. Basically, these bags go to Hermes clients. If there is no record of having been a Hermes client, the desired bags go to those who are. You have to find a SA that you like working with and be loyal. The shopping experience gets very fun then. And expensive, because they take very good care of you!

 

[Etriers]

I thought other handbags did not count for quota bags ?

I think there is a confusion about the question. B/K/C are “quota” bags, meaning there is a quota to how many you can buy per year, or whatever the current policy is in your country. It seems to vary.

As for what purchases count toward spend, the answer is all of your purchases count, even leather goods and bags, but some purchases make you more desireable to SM’s (who are ultimately the ones who make the decision about when and if your quota bag appears), RTW, housewares and china and fine jewelry among them. But being a good, solid, core client is really appealing to a manager. That means generally spending across all categories over time and being enjoyable to work with. You’d be surprised how much just being nice counts. If you do that, they really will take care of you and you will get so much from this “experience“ that everyone says they want to have.

 

[Etriers]

I've actually been hearing that recently fine jewelry is becoming less, shall we say, "useful", as many people have figured out that is what they should go for (and it's also easy to find one piece that is basically the same price as a bag, so it's a single transaction instead of a lot of small purchases). If I remember correctly, the first quarter results actually show very resilient trend in the Jewelry category, while RTW and silk declined greatly. So I've actually heard that RTW is a good category to buy in for now.

In the end though...just buy what you love & let things happen naturally! IMO when it happens that way that's what makes you feel the best (as opposed to feeling like you were forced to do something...is the bag really worth it for you in that case?).

The thing my SA has told me is that...it is *very easy* for them to tell what the customer is there for & how desperate they are for that bag. They've seen all the "tricks" you can think of, sometimes people feel like they've fooled the SA with their "acting" but in reality the SA probably knows exactly what you are doing (again, they've seen it all before) and are more than likely just playing along. Just be a good customer, be polite, show your love for the brand, and yes I know it's hard but...be patient! Pushy and demanding customers (which there are apparently a LOT of) are never anyone's favorite even when you shove money in their face...and finally, try to get a read on what your particular SA / SM's style is and how they work, because again it can vary greatly. If you think they are not a good fit for you (definitely happens), then that's when you think about other options & the helpful people here are always happy to give you advice!

This. There are so many good posts in this thread by @momoc, @acrowcounted @lulilu @Classy Collector and others that should be stickies.

In general quota bags go to clients. There is just no way to be a client without actually being a client. Then just settle down and believe me, the offers will appear. SMs and SAs are people, usually intelligent, elegant people who got their jobs by being at the top of their profession. Treat them with respect, treat them like people, and the “H relationship“ will be self-sustaining.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

The last time I saw my SA was back in February and I spent a good amount (fine jewelry) on that visit. She said she will be looking out for my specs for the quota bag. Recently, we only texted back and forth about bringing certain items in but I still didn’t get to visit the store yet. Now she just went MIA on me for 3 weeks. Did that ever happen to anyone?

She may be on holiday..do please remember that sales associates DO have lives.
or perhaps she or a family member is unwell?
My advice would be (if you haven't done so already?) to message her just checking that she is Ok.

 

[ladysarah]

In general quota bags go to clients. SMs and SAs are people, usually intelligent, elegant people who got their jobs by being at the top of their profession. Treat them with respect, treat them like people, and the “H relationship“ will be self-sustaining.

 

[momoc]

This. There are so many good posts in this thread by @momoc, @acrowcounted @lulilu @Classy Collector and others that should be stickies.

In general quota bags go to clients. There is just no way to be a client without actually being a client. Then just settle down and believe me, the offers will appear. SMs and SAs are people, usually intelligent, elegant people who got their jobs by being at the top of their profession. Treat them with respect, treat them like people, and the “H relationship“ will be self-sustaining.

Aww thank you for the kind words. I actually DM'ed acrowcounted the other day to thank her & express the same feeling that some of her posts would do great as stickies, since I noticed a lot of questions being repeated recently (understandable! I think for some reason we are seeing an influx of newcomers to H) and she was so patient and answering them again and again.

I do understand feeling impatient & thinking that there's some sort of code to crack and some sort of game to beat, especially if one is just starting out and chasing for that first bag! Also sometimes I do feel like certain advice, no matter repeated however many times by others, will still take someone experiencing it themselves before it truly takes hold. For example (slightly OT for relationship thread but it's just what I saw most recently) - I know both myself and many others advice people to wait & not compromise, to pass on bag offers that are not 100% their desired bag, because it will be an expensive mistake. And I think we proably know that because we had made that mistake ourselves lol! But if someone just got their first offer after wanting that bag for so long, I don't blame them for thinking "well sure it's not 100% what I wanted but maaybbeee..." even when adviced by many to wait.

As for myself, I can't express enough gratitude for just how much tPF has helped me. Thanks to all of you who answer questions & provide great info, from this thread to just H knowledge in general (still amazes me how this forum knows more than some H SAs sometimes!).

 

[lulilu]

As always, location for these practices seems to be highly relevant. I do not AT ALL believe that spend expires at any time, end of the calendar year or not, in the USA.

Oh I didn’t know spend expires in a year. I probably spent more than 1:1 of the bag I want but have not been offered anything yet. I’m not in a rush. Just happened to like more items lately, must have been all the browsing while at home.

As acrowcounted said, there is no expiration date (at least in my experience) on spending. And I have never experienced this ratio spending requirement that people talk about.

As momoc said, just BE a client. If I ask (and I have and do ask) for a specific bag, I always say I am not in a rush and can wait until one becomes available for me. I have very specific desires at this point, and will not buy just any bag -- ever. And if I mention an upcoming podium order, I always say "if SM is able to order xxxxx, I would love to be considered for one." I always joke that of all things in life, H has taught me patience. Your bag/s will come if you just shop as you otherwise would without fretting about numbers and quotas and things to spend on. I would not be able to enjoy H if I was constantly calculating, speculating and stressing. If you enjoy your shopping, your store SAs and SM will enjoy selling to you and will remember you when something you want comes in.

 

[cloee]

As acrowcounted said, there is no expiration date (at least in my experience) on spending. And I have never experienced this ratio spending requirement that people talk about.

As momoc said, just BE a client. If I ask (and I have and do ask) for a specific bag, I always say I am not in a rush and can wait until one becomes available for me. I have very specific desires at this point, and will not buy just any bag -- ever. And if I mention an upcoming podium order, I always say "if SM is able to order xxxxx, I would love to be considered for one." I always joke that of all things in life, H has taught me patience. Your bag/s will come if you just shop as you otherwise would without fretting about numbers and quotas and things to spend on. I would not be able to enjoy H if I was constantly calculating, speculating and stressing. If you enjoy your shopping, your store SAs and SM will enjoy selling to you and will remember you when something you want comes in.

Thanks. Unfortunately I’m not in USA, so I actually intended to quote a fellow Canadian’s post. I guess I wasn’t able to include the message.
Yah I’m just enjoying the experience and just buying what I want. I’ve rejected a few items because they were not the exact things I was looking for. I will not always have many things to buy so my spend will vary each year, as it always has been.

 

[raradarling]

I've actually been hearing that recently fine jewelry is becoming less, shall we say, "useful", as many people have figured out that is what they should go for (and it's also easy to find one piece that is basically the same price as a bag, so it's a single transaction instead of a lot of small purchases). If I remember correctly, the first quarter results actually show very resilient trend in the Jewelry category, while RTW and silk declined greatly. So I've actually heard that RTW is a good category to buy in for now.

In the end though...just buy what you love & let things happen naturally! IMO when it happens that way that's what makes you feel the best (as opposed to feeling like you were forced to do something...is the bag really worth it for you in that case?).

The thing my SA has told me is that...it is *very easy* for them to tell what the customer is there for & how desperate they are for that bag. They've seen all the "tricks" you can think of, sometimes people feel like they've fooled the SA with their "acting" but in reality the SA probably knows exactly what you are doing (again, they've seen it all before) and are more than likely just playing along. Just be a good customer, be polite, show your love for the brand, and yes I know it's hard but...be patient! Pushy and demanding customers (which there are apparently a LOT of) are never anyone's favorite even when you shove money in their face...and finally, try to get a read on what your particular SA / SM's style is and how they work, because again it can vary greatly. If you think they are not a good fit for you (definitely happens), then that's when you think about other options & the helpful people here are always happy to give you advice!

Hi there! Thank you for this. You are very right - the whole Hermes experience is to be enjoyed and buying items I don’t really want would sour it for me. Each time I find an item online that I think I should settle on and ask my SA for, I feel uneasy. Plus, my SA is so lovely and seems to be much more focused on whether her clients are interested and knowledgeable about the brand, rather than purchasing loads of extra things. Your advice has reminded me to stick with the items I do love and to get those regardless of the which category they fall in. ))

 

[raradarling]

Well.. Today I visited my local boutique for the first time!

My friend brought me to her appointment today to introduce me to her SA. Her sa was really sweet! At the end of the appointment she told me to send her my specific bag wishlist! I sent it to her and she said she'll keep me in mind if she receives something I'll like, and that it's great that I'm pretty open to options, and that it typically only takes a long time if people are extremely specific (only open to one color, size etc) fingers crossed that truly means something??? LOL!

I really hope I have a chance in scoring my dream bags I'll be popping in again by myself to pick up a few items for our house ! Oh Hermes, what a slippery slope you are..

Good luck!! So exciting!

 

[ChanelCelineLaurentLover]

Hi all! Im looking for advice/intel. I left NYC end of July to come to Charleston SC since we have a home here and my husband could not continue working in our small apartment any longer. There are no hermes stores here and I have an SA in NYC with whom I enjoy working. I have a few items I’d like to purchase along with another B. I am wondering if I even bother asking about the B since I’m down here and do not wish to travel right now due to Covid. Are SAs able to ship the bags now without clients coming into the store first? This might have been answered here or another thread but hopefully you all can answer this for me. Thank you in advance!

 

[lulilu]

Hi all! Im looking for advice/intel. I left NYC end of July to come to Charleston SC since we have a home here and my husband could not continue working in our small apartment any longer. There are no hermes stores here and I have an SA in NYC with whom I enjoy working. I have a few items I’d like to purchase along with another B. I am wondering if I even bother asking about the B since I’m down here and do not wish to travel right now due to Covid. Are SAs able to ship the bags now without clients coming into the store first? This might have been answered here or another thread but hopefully you all can answer this for me. Thank you in advance!

I have had a NY store ship bags to me. I imagine that the rules aren’t enforced strictly right now, at least in every case.

 

[oohshinythings]

Hi all! Im looking for advice/intel. I left NYC end of July to come to Charleston SC since we have a home here and my husband could not continue working in our small apartment any longer. There are no hermes stores here and I have an SA in NYC with whom I enjoy working. I have a few items I’d like to purchase along with another B. I am wondering if I even bother asking about the B since I’m down here and do not wish to travel right now due to Covid. Are SAs able to ship the bags now without clients coming into the store first? This might have been answered here or another thread but hopefully you all can answer this for me. Thank you in advance!

Yes, but depends on the store, your history, and the bag. So, like most H things, no consistent application of "rules" really, and you're best to just reach out to your SA directly.

 

[ChanelCelineLaurentLover]

I have had a NY store ship bags to me. I imagine that the rules aren’t enforced strictly right now, at least in every case.

Thank you for the info!!!