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.

 

[Jem131]

I must confess that as someone who works in luxury retail with a phone supplied by my employers I actually think its great that H only allow staff to communicate or use their phones during business hours.
I always put an out of office message on my cell phone when not in work but because I have the phone with me at home always check it and find messages from clients wanting things which because I value my clients and dont want to let them down I find myself trying to help them out, messaging colleagues, and one way or another end up working via the phone when i'm supposed to be on a rest day.
My fault I know for turning the phone on!-

I totally understand so never bug my SA’s during their time off. Just like I wouldn’t want my office calling on a Saturday night while I’m eating popcorn and watching Netflix.

 

[corgimom11]

I think the first SO is a way for your SA to let you know he or she truly values your business. My boutique is newer so there are not that many clients waiting for one - I got it merely because I proved myself a returning customer that likes what H has to offer (I didn't spend that much, just across different categories, and I probably showed up every two weeks?). Me and SA do get along well but at the point of SO we had just known each other for a few months. It's okay to let your SA know you would like to be considered for that opportunity so he or she can plan ahead of time. I know mine likes to give each long-term customer a chance if she can.

Hope you don't mind me chipping in. I had the same experience, was offered the first SO in the very first year of my relationship (but also first year of the boutique existence) and the boutique is also small. I bought from possibly every category including (inexpensive) RTW, tableware, blankets etc. and was also known to the team as massive H enthusiast coming quite often (I lived a block away) even with my dog. Also - I never asked for the SO. I have some friends who stalk SAs with that, I didn't at all so possibly they appreciated I wasn't intense.

My experience mimics both of yours, however I did let my SA know I was interested after some encouragement on the forum here -- but I will have to admit I am a little embarrassed after looking at my 2020 credit card summary! lol. I enjoy shopping at H and it has brought me a lot of happiness this year, and I am glad that my boutique saw that as authentic - but my 2021 will definitely be a bit quieter if you know what I mean!! 2020 has definitely been the definition of the year of teaching PATIENCE, not only in real-life but in H terms as well!!

 

[angelz629]

I know it varies by store, location, SA, etc.... but does anyone have any idea how much you need to spend to be considered VIP? And does that amount include quota bags?

 

[frenchcitygirl]

Very interesting question!! From what I know for the main boutiques in London and Paris (FSH, Sevres, Bond and Cadogan) is that if you're not 'famous', VIPs are spending WELL OVER €100k or £100k a year (one of my friends is VIP in Paris and she's been spending upwards of that every year for years, but I don't know whether it's €150k or €500k...)

That said, if you're famous or an 'influencer' a different set of rules seems to apply. See Tamara Kalinic on Instagram or YouTube who's been able to purchase a handful of B, K & Cs this year alone, gets invited to special events, receives expensive gifts from her SA, and unlikely spends more than €10k on non bag items a year!

 

[angelz629]

Very interesting question!! From what I know for the main boutiques in London and Paris (FSH, Sevres, Bond and Cadogan) is that if you're not 'famous', VIPs are spending WELL OVER €100k or £100k a year (one of my friends is VIP in Paris and she's been spending upwards of that every year for years, but I don't know whether it's €150k or €500k...)

That said, if you're famous or an 'influencer' a different set of rules seems to apply. See Tamara Kalinic on Instagram or YouTube who's been able to purchase a handful of B, K & Cs this year alone, gets invited to special events, receives expensive gifts from her SA, and unlikely spends more than €10k on non bag items a year!

Just wondering if it's better to spend a lot in the first year to build up the status/relationship and then slow it down afterwards.... Or take it easy and slow but consistent.

 

[madameLV]

I need advice. Last time I visited to the store in November my SA told me as I left "Maybe i'll have something special for you soon" with a cheshire grin attached. I have only ordered an Oran for curbside pickup since. Should I just be patient? I was hoping "soon" meant within a month, but I don't know if I should try to buy a few more things and try to get an offer before the tariffs kick in, or just sit tight since I don't know if it'll make a difference. I honestly don't think i'll be buying bags in the US if the 25% tariffs take effect. The savings would be too great in Europe and would be worth waiting for when I can actually go back to Paris.

 

[Suncatcher]

Just wondering if it's better to spend a lot in the first year to build up the status/relationship and then slow it down afterwards.... Or take it easy and slow but consistent.

I think it really depends on your financial situation. Some people can drop $20k in short order in an attempt secure a bag. Others need to pace out their spending because they need time to save up. Shopping at Hermes is not for the faint of heart pocket book wise.

 

[hazelshopper]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows if the directors and managers of Hermes boutiques have their own clients that they regularly work with? Recently, I have had one appointment with the director and one with the manager on another day, since my store is by appointment only, and I wanted to start a relationship with one of them. Is it possible to start a relationship with a director/manager and continually shop with them? I have read that some directors/managers pass off new customers to sales associates/specialists so I just wanted to double check!

 

[momoc]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows if the directors and managers of Hermes boutiques have their own clients that they regularly work with? Recently, I have had one appointment with the director and one with the manager on another day, since my store is by appointment only, and I wanted to start a relationship with one of them. Is it possible to start a relationship with a director/manager and continually shop with them? I have read that some directors/managers pass off new customers to sales associates/specialists so I just wanted to double check!

I believe we’ve had members who shared that their SA is also their SM, but also others whose SM does not have clients personally. So I’m pretty sure it’s yet another “it depends” on how your specific store works type of thing, as almost everything is with H. And since nobody knows how your store works better than the SM, why not just go ahead and ask them?

Let them know that you’d love to start building a long term relationship with the brand, but are confused as to how it might work, and if they can take you on as a client or if you should work with an SA. If the latter, I’m sure they will help introduce you to someone.

 

[CMilly]

What are people in lockdown doing about buying clothes? My store allows exchanges for credit notes but they haven’t had fittings rooms open for nearly a year. If I buy on the web I can do a return if it doesn’t work out. I don’t want to upset my SA by ordering online but I don’t want to buy a bunch of clothes to try and then return for store credit. So far I have refrained from buying clothing in lockdown.

 

[Suncatcher]

What are people in lockdown doing about buying clothes? My store allows exchanges for credit notes but they haven’t had fittings rooms open for nearly a year. If I buy on the web I can do a return if it doesn’t work out. I don’t want to upset my SA by ordering online but I don’t want to buy a bunch of clothes to try and then return for store credit. So far I have refrained from buying clothing in lockdown.

I don’t shop from any retailer that doesn’t make it easy to get a full refund for clothes purchased online, H or otherwise. Now, I am not buying clothes online since I am WFH and don’t have a need to dress up for calls. So I have traded my former work attire of Alaia, Chanel and Balmain for sweatshirts and other athleisure wear already existing in my closet. (I like H RTW but it doesn’t like me back.) If the online H store allows you to return goods whereas store purchases only allow in store credit, I would do the former. I know people always say that their SA would be upset that they were shopping online but my SA has never ever said that to me. In fact my SA has steered me to the online store and encouraged me to shop overseas from time to time for items my SA could not source. This has never affected my status in the store.

 

[cloee]

What are people in lockdown doing about buying clothes? My store allows exchanges for credit notes but they haven’t had fittings rooms open for nearly a year. If I buy on the web I can do a return if it doesn’t work out. I don’t want to upset my SA by ordering online but I don’t want to buy a bunch of clothes to try and then return for store credit. So far I have refrained from buying clothing in lockdown.

Same here. So I haven’t bought any RTW from H. So far my SA has only suggested purchasing end exchanging it if it doesn’t fit. I don’t like to opt for store credit or go back to return items so I’ve held off. I did take ask measurements on a tshirtdress I wanted but still haven’t figured out if I should go for it. Would love to know what you end up deciding. Thanks

 

[Coconuts40]

I apologize if this is a repeat question, my SA recently left and I had built a great relationship with her over the past couple of years. Unfortunately I did not purchase any quota bags last year although I purchased enough items last to have at least a 2.5:1 ratio of non quota items to the cost of a B/K/C. I will apparently have a new SA reach out to me. Before I speak to the new SA, how is this loyalty with my previous SA handled with the new SA? I want to know how I can tastefully mention my loyalty with my previous SA and if my new SA can still get me these items I have been waiting for despite having no purchase history with her. Thank you in advance.

 

[cravin]

I apologize if this is a repeat question, my SA recently left and I had built a great relationship with her over the past couple of years. Unfortunately I did not purchase any quota bags last year although I purchased enough items last to have at least a 2.5:1 ratio of non quota items to the cost of a B/K/C. I will apparently have a new SA reach out to me. Before I speak to the new SA, how is this loyalty with my previous SA handled with the new SA? I want to know how I can tastefully mention my loyalty with my previous SA and if my new SA can still get me these items I have been waiting for despite having no purchase history with her. Thank you in advance.

Your purchase history is with the brand and boutique, not the SA. Just have a chat with the new SA about what you’ve loved and what you’re looking for going forward.

 

[Coconuts40]

Your purchase history is with the brand and boutique, not the SA. Just have a chat with the new SA about what you’ve loved and what you’re looking for going forward.

Thank you @cravin, I appreciate your reply, that helps put me at ease.