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.

 

[thelucky1]

So the old SA had an opening today and I went in earlier to speak with her. I didn't end up getting the rodeo as well but spent our time just talking about my frustrations and how we can move forward. The main points from our conversation are:

1. She had to step in as a AGM while her colleague is on maternity so she's doing operation stuff as well as sales so her time has been constrainted.

2. I told her I bought the Gold Lindy that the new store/SA offered and she said she's happy I did because it would be a long wait at her store.

3. We talked about communication and she said I feel that I'm not getting the Attention I want, she can transfer me to another colleague who is solely focused on sales. TBH, this was uncomfortable for me because it's as good as telling me that she doesn't want me as a client even though she kept iterating that she just wants me to feel valued and be happy. She also said that if I decide to move to a new store, she won't have any bad feelings about it.

4. We talked about getting a bag from my wishlist and I asked her for timeline. She basically said that it's unlikely for this month but she will try till the very end as shipments come in.

I'll check in with the new store SA and see what she says about my wishlist despite us having a fairly new relationship but that store, although bigger... Used to have more tourists than locals (and the opposite for the old store) so who knows? Maybe the new SA might fulfill my wish and allow me to be their loyal customer.

I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time with your old SA! Your description of her sounded so familiar, I wonder if we have the same SA (esp you description of the two stores and how their clientele has changed during the pandemic). If she is my SA, I am sure she harbors no hard feelings and does just want you to get the items you want. The store definitely got a few bag deliveries for the holidays, but my perception is it’s not what they would usually get for holiday which has been very tough. I’d personally go with the SA who is the most responsive and who you click with. Shopping should be fun!

 

[jourai27]

You are important! And I think you’ve been really nice and patient too. I get amazing, really amazing service from Chanel and Dior even if just browsing and they remember to text me and follow up. So I don’t make excuses for my H SA.. Our intuition is nearly always right and we do know in our hearts when we are treated poorly and it’s not like we are petty or self-important or anything like that.

I also saw one of your post below about your husband’s quip. Husbands can shed a lot of light on our situations haha. I have gotten a good number of quota bags in my (tortuous) H journey, and each bag is a hard-earned mile stone/anniversary gift. But my husband was never there with me once in store when buying the bag. He doesn’t enjoy the vibe from my current store (always too crowded and I’m always made to wait 30mins or more even if it’s my appointment time), and totally dislike my current Sa. He doesn’t understand all the nasty things I put up with from my Sa just to get a bag. My Sa had even told me point blank she has more super VVIPs to attend to first so I just have to suck it up and wait. Sometimes my husband’s comments make me feel very sad about myself.

I work with my current Sa as she had been able to get me the bags I want. But I’m have bought from resellers before when I was super mad with her and I am also shopping at other stores to find a nicer and better Sa. I am also at the point where I would buy what I want online or from resellers and only shop in store with any Sa when I really want to.

Enjoy your bag and purchases! Don’t bother too much abt SAs. I have also experienced SAs leaving before. The SA can be gone but the nice bags and things can bring us joy for a long time!

Thank you so much for your sweet message! I especially like that part where you said "Our intuition is nearly always right and we do know in our hearts when we are treated poorly and it’s not like we are petty or self-important or anything like that." Because I think some times people might think we just wanted to be treated like royalty just because we are spending money but it's totally not true!

And guess what my husband just said when I told him about my convo with the old SA earlier on? He said "oh, I think it's good she's giving you choices" and I had to tell him that I felt it was a dismissal instead. He just finds it incredulous that I enjoyed my Chanel shopping so much and always will be able to get what I want but it's so different with H and the current SA.

 

[jourai27]

I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard time with your old SA! Your description of her sounded so familiar, I wonder if we have the same SA (esp you description of the two stores and how their clientele has changed during the pandemic). If she is my SA, I am sure she harbors no hard feelings and does just want you to get the items you want. The store definitely got a few bag deliveries for the holidays, but my perception is it’s not what they would usually get for holiday which has been very tough. I’d personally go with the SA who is the most responsive and who you click with. Shopping should be fun!

I just read some of your comments and I think we both frequent the same store! I'll send you a private message if you don't mind.

 

[cravin]

A couple months ago, our SA walked me outside the boutique so that we could “talk”. Masks off she told me that the SM was retiring and that she’s going to try and get a couple bags from the wife’s wishlist before a new SM takes over the boutique because then “who knows what will happen”.

Then she drops the other shoe. She is bored with retail and is going most likely go do something else in 2021. As I pulled off my best Luke Skywalker “Noooooo” she smiled and said “Don’t worry. Everyone here loves you guys. I will make sure another person takes over where we leave off”

It will take time to re-build the relationship. Purchase history is solid, but I’ve always loved her honest feedback and candor. It will take a bit for someone else to be honest with me and say something like “At how expensive this bag is, don’t get it unless you know she will love it. I don’t think it will from all the visits we have had”.

 

[litostar]

Quick question here - I spent too much too fast but was finally offered my first quota. I happily accepted it and now told my SA What I wanted to work towards next which will be K25 or K20, however I mentioned that I’d take it slow especially because I know there’s a bit of a wait for these sizes. Especially given the current covid landscape and I just had a baby, is it okay to pop by once every 2-3 months or even 3-4 months? I’m not aiming to get an offer in 2021. I’m just wondering if spreading it out so far apart makes my SA “forget” about me and now I’m on her lower priority list? I just want to take it slow but not forgotten as I do want my bad eventually.

 

[momoc]

Quick question here - I spent too much too fast but was finally offered my first quota. I happily accepted it and now told my SA What I wanted to work towards next which will be K25 or K20, however I mentioned that I’d take it slow especially because I know there’s a bit of a wait for these sizes. Especially given the current covid landscape and I just had a baby, is it okay to pop by once every 2-3 months or even 3-4 months? I’m not aiming to get an offer in 2021. I’m just wondering if spreading it out so far apart makes my SA “forget” about me and now I’m on her lower priority list? I just want to take it slow but not forgotten as I do want my bad eventually.

Sounds perfectly fine to me

 

[litostar]

Sounds perfectly fine to me

Thank you! I think there’s all this overthinking in my head as I’m still new!

 

[Nycgirl813]

I'm in NY as well (I'm guessing based on your handle but correct me if I'm wrong ) and my SA mentioned to me a few months ago that they are unable to accept non-perishable items.

That said, I was able to drop off pastries for the staff last month, but was then told by the Ops Manager that they couldn't accept anything more than $100. I showed up with several boxes so had to take some back with me as it surpassed this limit, but was glad they accepted as I knew food would be a gamble. I did show them that the boxes were pre-packaged by the vendor and that the seal was still intact, so I don't know if that made a difference or not.

Hope that helps though!

Yes I'm in NY this was very helpful. I didn't know about the non-perishable rule and the cash limit which are great to know could be a possibility (im at the Madison store). Thank you!

 

[BBINX]

Hi, I'm new to H (well new to focused profile spending, rather than a casual purchase here and there while on vacation) and have questions regarding online spend vs. in store spend. I understand that in store spend is better because it allows me to establish a relationship with my SA and she will get commission on my spend. I also think online spend does not count towards my 'quota', is that correct?

I like my SA, but she seems to encourage me to buy online. Last time I was in the store, I bought some RTW and scarves. There was one scarf I really wanted but she said they don't have it in the store and I can just go ahead and buy online. It's a $1200 scarf and I'd rather have it count towards my profile, etc. (not a twilly or something negligible, imo). I asked her if she could order it to the store and she said she'd just order it to my house and it doesn't matter to her and she repeated 'just click it online'. I found that rather odd and now I feel I'm putting her out if I ask her to order it to the store so I can get credit. Am I making too much out of this?

I also asked about a Roulis (she showed it to me on a previous visit but I was not ready to purchase - I need to think my handbag purchases through to make sure I'll actually wear it) and she just said 'sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't'. Again, I thought that was odd because I'd like to be notified when they do get one in the color I'm looking for. This was after she told me to go online and purchase so I wasn't going to pursue this further because I figured she'd tell me to buy it online. What are your guys' thoughts on this? Much appreciated.

In the US (west coast). Only one H store in my state.

I had the opposite happen where the boutique did not have some items I wanted but I saw them online. When I mentioned I could just purchase them online the SA and her manager were quick to say they could find almost anything and discouraged me from buying online. I wanted a pair of sneakers and then a wallet. For Each, I texted a picture of the item to my SA and she searched and found them and had them shipped from the store where they were in stock to my house. When I looked at the receipt it showed my SA got credit for the sale and I got credit as well. This SA is newer so there is more interest in building her client base. I would say if your SA really valued your business, they would not be pushing you toward online.

 

[Chrismin]

Yes that is a bit odd
I’m fairly new to this -my nearest store is 5 hours away so often if I see something on line I will forward to my SA and ask if she can get for me - and she has it transferred to the store and then shipped to me or shipped directly from another store . There was one time where She told me to get it on line bc I needed it by a certain date. But that’s basically how I shop since I can’t stop it and browse ... just seems like there are so many nuances to Hermes .. it can be mind boggling!

Hi, I'm new to H (well new to focused profile spending, rather than a casual purchase here and there while on vacation) and have questions regarding online spend vs. in store spend. I understand that in store spend is better because it allows me to establish a relationship with my SA and she will get commission on my spend. I also think online spend does not count towards my 'quota', is that correct?

I like my SA, but she seems to encourage me to buy online. Last time I was in the store, I bought some RTW and scarves. There was one scarf I really wanted but she said they don't have it in the store and I can just go ahead and buy online. It's a $1200 scarf and I'd rather have it count towards my profile, etc. (not a twilly or something negligible, imo). I asked her if she could order it to the store and she said she'd just order it to my house and it doesn't matter to her and she repeated 'just click it online'. I found that rather odd and now I feel I'm putting her out if I ask her to order it to the store so I can get credit. Am I making too much out of this?

I also asked about a Roulis (she showed it to me on a previous visit but I was not ready to purchase - I need to think my handbag purchases through to make sure I'll actually wear it) and she just said 'sometimes we have it, sometimes we don't'. Again, I thought that was odd because I'd like to be notified when they do get one in the color I'm looking for. This was after she told me to go online and purchase so I wasn't going to pursue this further because I figured she'd tell me to buy it online. What are your guys' thoughts on this? Much appreciated.

In the US (west coast). Only one H store in my state.

 

[Aquaamyca]

I had the opposite happen where the boutique did not have some items I wanted but I saw them online. When I mentioned I could just purchase them online the SA and her manager were quick to say they could find almost anything and discouraged me from buying online. I wanted a pair of sneakers and then a wallet. For Each, I texted a picture of the item to my SA and she searched and found them and had them shipped from the store where they were in stock to my house. When I looked at the receipt it showed my SA got credit for the sale and I got credit as well. This SA is newer so there is more interest in building her client base. I would say if your SA really valued your business, they would not be pushing you toward online.

I am sorry...how can you tell from the receipt that your SA got credit for the sale? And you got it counted towards your profile? Thanks!

 

[tanne0312]

So I recently wanted to purchase a pair of sterling silver cufflinks for DH that was not in my store. My SA told me that it is easier for her that I come into the store so she can order it online and I paid her directly, so the cufflinks can be shipped to me than for her to search at other stores and send a link to me to check out myself... But if this is the case, would she get credit and would I get credit?

 

[acrowcounted]

So I recently wanted to purchase a pair of sterling silver cufflinks for DH that was not in my store. My SA told me that it is easier for her that I come into the store so she can order it online and I paid her directly, so the cufflinks can be shipped to me than for her to search at other stores and send a link to me to check out myself... But if this is the case, would she get credit and would I get credit?

Yes. Shes just doing a charge send rather than a transfer.

 

[cravin]

I am sorry...how can you tell from the receipt that your SA got credit for the sale? And you got it counted towards your profile? Thanks!

It’s all on the receipt.

I agree with others that if they’re pushing you towards online shopping, that it’s not a great relationship.

 

[880]

A couple months ago, our SA walked me outside the boutique so that we could “talk”. Masks off she told me that the SM was retiring and that she’s going to try and get a couple bags from the wife’s wishlist before a new SM takes over the boutique because then “who knows what will happen”.

Then she drops the other shoe. She is bored with retail and is going most likely go do something else in 2021. As I pulled off my best Luke Skywalker “Noooooo” she smiled and said “Don’t worry. Everyone here loves you guys. I will make sure another person takes over where we leave off”

It will take time to re-build the relationship. Purchase history is solid, but I’ve always loved her honest feedback and candor. It will take a bit for someone else to be honest with me and say something like “At how expensive this bag is, don’t get it unless you know she will love it. I don’t think it will from all the visits we have had”.

@cravin, I am so sorry. This has happened to me. All I can say is trust your SAs judgment and do the in depth transition/introduction before she leaves (hopefully with the two SAs) So that the second one can really get a sense of your likes and rhythm of shopping. That may be possible if they are on the same covid team schedule. If the second relationship doesn’t work out you can always split your custom between preloved and boutique, until you click with someone else. The SAs and SM can look up your entire history, including past addresses e5c etc, so nothing is actually lost.
@mariatd, re getting a scarf ordered, it’s like shooting a fish in a barrel. in my case, I needed a CSGM as a gift. the SM and SA offered to do a search and ordered it from the warehouse bc they knew it wasn’t on line. But, even though the warehouse showed it existed, they didn’t want to charge it, until it was in the boutique (bc they said, you never know). I asked them to try my only other option was H Saudi had a store display one that they refused to send to my buyer bc the tag fell off and they didn’t want to deal with the customs form. The buyer was going to be there in January and they did tell him they would try to hold it. . . But again they said no guarantees bc who knows. Happy ending, even though it went missing in the boutique, it was eventually found and I bought it! It’s like H doesn’t feel it needs to sell stuff