Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

Please focus on the title of this thread rather than each other, TY

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[acrowcounted]

New to Hermès. My first visit to the H boutique I purchased a Picotin. Almost two months later I recently returned, although I had kept in touch with my nice SA via text in-between visits. I made a smaller purchase, but while I was there she asked if there was anything else I'd like to see. I asked about a 24/24 which she went in the back because she recalled seeing one, but came back saying someone had just bought it. She went ahead and updated my profile to include this bag with the specs I was looking for, in addition to the Evelyn TPM already on my list. I then asked if by chance she has a mini Lindy, which I was not surprised to be told she has not seen one in the boutique for a long time, and if I see one online to just grab it right away. I asked if she could add it to my profile, and she said she could not because the system would not even let her. I have a great SA and I trust her: I am not questioning her. Just want to ask all of you experienced Hermès ladies and gents for your insight: I thought you could put anything you are pining-after on your wishlist? As I understand it, people are adding Birkins and Kelly to their wishlist, which are not readily available/have to be made, either. At first I thought the system would not allow her to add it due to my "newness" as an H client and therefore small spend, but the mini Lindy isn't a quota bag, besides which, I believe the 24/24 costs more and was able to be added to my profile. I have also heard of the not-all-that-common luck of some people being offered a hard-to-get bag (B or K) before even spending all that much. Any insight? I'm in the U.S. btw, if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

Are you in the USA?

 

[880]

I just restarted the boutique relationship after a long hiatus. (Original SA left for another career years ago). Since then, I’ve collected vintage reseller heritage leather — vache natural, box, barenia bags, including B30 and K28 and others (excellent condition, well below list prices). DH and I decided to restart boutique shopping bc we are seriously interested in specific H special order furniture; modular leather wall coverings; and certain lamps (we are closing on a second apartment requiring complete gut restoration and furnishing) as well as specific types of jewelry.
I received a few referrals and cross referenced them (staff side — the luxury retail world is small, so there is overlap — and client side) to find someone who would be compatible with us: knowledgeable about H, but also enjoyable to work with and easy going and friendly.
We’re in early stages, but it’s pretty clear this should work out well for all parties. a successful H relationship (or any retail relationship) has to be first about a genuine love of the design house and an open mind and an eagerness to explore. If you just want to check off of items on a wish list, it’s faster and easier, and can be cheaper, to go the reseller route.
P.S. re the queries above re small gestures (cookies) when we develop a good personal rapport with anyone, it’s not unusual for me to bake something homemade (cinnamon rolls with crushed chocolate covered almond streusal or a savory gougere) for them to share with colleagues in their break room or, if covid restrictions, take home. But that has been my natural inclination for decades, and only once I get to know them personally so it cannot be misinterpreted as as a bizarre quid pro quo.

 

[BB8]

Are you in the USA?

Yes

 

[Hikitten]

I just found out my SA of the past year is leaving H in a couple months. Just curious on what the process is now. Will she refer me to a new SA? Or do I need to ask?
also I haven’t received a quota bag from her yet. I’m on the waitlist. Should I try to ask her to get it before she goes? Or should I wait for the new SA?

 

[DR2014]

I just restarted the boutique relationship after a long hiatus. (Original SA left for another career years ago). Since then, I’ve collected vintage reseller heritage leather — vache natural, box, barenia bags, including B30 and K28 and others (excellent condition, well below list prices). DH and I decided to restart boutique shopping bc we are seriously interested in specific H special order furniture; modular leather wall coverings; and certain lamps (we are closing on a second apartment requiring complete gut restoration and furnishing) as well as specific types of jewelry.
I received a few referrals and cross referenced them (staff side — the luxury retail world is small, so there is overlap — and client side) to find someone who would be compatible with us: knowledgeable about H, but also enjoyable to work with and easy going and friendly.
We’re in early stages, but it’s pretty clear this should work out well for all parties. a successful H relationship (or any retail relationship) has to be first about a genuine love of the design house and an open mind and an eagerness to explore. If you just want to check off of items on a wish list, it’s faster and easier, and can be cheaper, to go the reseller route.
P.S. when we develop a good personal rapport with anyone, it’s not unusual for me to bake something homemade (cinnamon rolls with crushed chocolate covered almond streusal or a savory gougere) for them to share with colleagues in their break room or, baring covid restrictions, take home. But that has been my natural inclination for decades, and only once I get to know them personally so it cannot be misinterpreted as as a bizarre quid pro quo.

Ummmm... can I have some of your homemade cinnamon rolls, @880????

 

[IronOak]

I then asked if by chance she has a mini Lindy, which I was not surprised to be told she has not seen one in the boutique for a long time, and if I see one online to just grab it right away. I asked if she could add it to my profile, and she said she could not because the system would not even let her.

Forgive me for misreading but when you were talking about 'adding' the mini Lindy to your profile, did you mean add it to the wishlist or add it to your profile after you have bought it online yourself sans SA? From the way I read your post, it seemed like you were asking the SA to add your mini Lindy to your 'purchases' profile, not as a wishlist.

I have also heard of the not-all-that-common luck of some people being offered a hard-to-get bag (B or K) before even spending all that much. Any insight? I'm in the U.S. btw, if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

If you read through this thread, there's no magic formula. I think it depends on a variety of a factors - your SA, stock, market (what part of US), and certainly your spend.

 

[acrowcounted]

Yes

In the USA, my understanding is that wishlists are just personal unofficial lists made by the SA to help them remember what a client wants when the client calls/visits. It’s not any kind of mechanism that actually lines you up for the item or orders it in anyway. I don’t think other SAs/SMS can view it either, it’s just a personal note jotted down. I’ve never had any kind of wishlist with any SA, they just know I like size 25 and PHW only, but that’s from knowing them and working with them for years. The SA probably knows that the mini lindys are so limited that writing it down is kind of pointless. It seems to me that some SAs just go along with whatever the client thinks is how H works rather than bother with correcting and having to explain stuff they don’t want to explain. Keep shopping and the bag offers will come.

 

[BB8]

Forgive me for misreading but when you were talking about 'adding' the mini Lindy to your profile, did you mean add it to the wishlist or add it to your profile after you have bought it online yourself sans SA? From the way I read your post, it seemed like you were asking the SA to add your mini Lindy to your 'purchases' profile, not as a wishlist.





If you read through this thread, there's no magic formula. I think it depends on a variety of a factors - your SA, stock, market (what part of US), and certainly your spend.

Sorry, newbie here: I mish-mashed the terms as I learn more. I was using "add to my profile" to mean add the items I want to my "record." I guess profile and wishlist are two distinct things. I'm learning, slowly but surely. Thanks @IronOak !

 

[BB8]

In the USA, my understanding is that wishlists are just personal unofficial lists made by the SA to help them remember what a client wants when the client calls/visits. It’s not any kind of mechanism that actually lines you up for the item or orders it in anyway. I don’t think other SAs/SMS can view it either, it’s just a personal note jotted down. I’ve never had any kind of wishlist with any SA, they just know I like size 25 and PHW only, but that’s from knowing them and working with them for years. The SA probably knows that the mini lindys are so limited that writing it down is kind of pointless. It seems to me that some SAs just go along with whatever the client thinks is how H works rather than bother with correcting and having to explain stuff they don’t want to explain. Keep shopping and the bag offers will come.

Thank you for the detailed insight @acrowcounted ! When I asked my SA the first time she talked about my "profile" and added the Evelyn TPM to it, she said she would get notified when it becomes available and she could then order it for me. So much more to learn about the nuances of the House of Hermès and the process than I have ever had to with Chanel or any other high end designer. But, not complaining: I think it will be well worth it. Thanks again!

 

[soccerzfan]

So could it be that your SA took your question as adding it to your profile after you’ve purchased it online?
From my experience at my boutique, there are two kind of lists to be on. One is my informal list to my SA which may include anything I want and from what I gather it’s just a list my SA use to gauge what I like and what I would be interested in. Another list is the formal list which my SA will tell me what will come in and if I want to put my name under it. Certain hard to get bags including quota bags and recently mini Lindy, might need SM approval to be placed on this list. If your SA took your question to mean getting approval from SM, she might feel your profile is not as competitive to request for a mini Lindy?

Sorry, newbie here: I mish-mashed the terms as I learn more. I was using "add to my profile" to mean add the items I want to my "record." I guess profile and wishlist are two distinct things. I'm learning, slowly but surely. Thanks @IronOak !

 

[BB8]

So could it be that your SA took your question as adding it to your profile after you’ve purchased it online?
From my experience at my boutique, there are two kind of lists to be on. One is my informal list to my SA which may include anything I want and from what I gather it’s just a list my SA use to gauge what I like and what I would be interested in. Another list is the formal list which my SA will tell me what will come in and if I want to put my name under it. Certain hard to get bags including quota bags and recently mini Lindy, might need SM approval to be placed on this list. If your SA took your question to mean getting approval from SM, she might feel your profile is not as competitive to request for a mini Lindy?

She had just finished asking me if I was willing to go with other specs for the Evelyn TPM and updated this info on her phone, and then added the 24/24 with my specs right after, which then prompted me to proceed to ask her if she could also add the mini Lindy at that point. So I think she understood I was asking to add it to my growing list of things I would like.

 

[IronOak]

She had just finished asking me if I was willing to go with other specs for the Evelyn TPM and updated this info on her phone, and then added the 24/24 with my specs right after, which then prompted me to proceed to ask her if she could also add the mini Lindy at that point. So I think she understood I was asking to add it to my growing list of things I would like.

It seems @soccerzfan knows more about lists so will defer on that topic. Per our SA, certain things are hard to come by in the boutiques and so if you really want them, we were told to get them online. Perhaps that’s what your SA was saying and setting realistic expectations for certain items?

 

[acrowcounted]

She had just finished asking me if I was willing to go with other specs for the Evelyn TPM and updated this info on her phone, and then added the 24/24 with my specs right after, which then prompted me to proceed to ask her if she could also add the mini Lindy at that point. So I think she understood I was asking to add it to my growing list of things I would like.

She may have been looking at the next incoming shipment and making a note to try to grab a specific item for you. Some stores let their SAs see what’s in the next delivery, some don’t, and some deliveries are complete surprises. I haven’t seen much new mini lindy stock these past couple of weeks so if there was nothing on the incoming list...

 

[BB8]

It seems @soccerzfan knows more about lists so will defer on that topic. Per our SA, some things are hard to come by in the boutiques and certain things, if you really want them, we were told to get them online. Perhaps that’s what your SA was saying and setting realistic expectations for certain items?

Yes, I think you may be right. Makes sense. Thank you.

 

[BB8]

She may have been looking at the next incoming shipment and making a note to try to grab a specific item for you. Some stores let their SAs see what’s in the next delivery, some don’t, and some deliveries are complete surprises. I haven’t seen much new mini lindy stock these past couple of weeks so if there was nothing on the incoming list...

Ohh I see, thank you.