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.

 

[880]

By appointment. Welcome to tPF, btw! You can drop in just to say Hi, although I would not recommend doing that much if at all as a new client. If you have a good SA, he is probably busy all of the time and has appointments lined up all day. My SA is very popular, has some big-name/big-spending clients and is always swamped. When they aren’t seeing clients, they are on a break, at lunch or trying to reply to the emails and texts they get from clients, sourcing products etc. If you drop by just to say Hi, the other SA’s will go find him and tell your SA you’re there and your SA will drop what he is doing to assist. Imagine being at work, head down on a project and having clients drop by your office all day just to chat.

If you do have a list, you will also want to make an appointment. This allows your SA to find, pull or reserve items for you and make max use of your time together. Note: Be sure to be on time, but when you get there, be prepared to wait on your SA. Being easy-going will go a long way toward building a fun, friendly relationship over the long term. If your SA has become tied up or is wrapping another sale he will be grateful if you are patient. I also always follow up with a thank you text.

100% agree with this advice!

 

[olibelli]

I really hope that's the case...I've unfortunately been refusing almost everything he tries to show me (or if I don't, they literally don't have it in my size anywhere), but then ask for weird obscure stuff that he has to search high-and-low to find, which I'm sure is just a new type of annoyance for him.

For example: I've asked him to order some Men's Competition Boots and matching "Mini-Chaps" (which make them look like knee-high boots) only available in Europe, a seemingly very-hard-to-find Attache Soie bag strap kit, and some Twillions (which they stopped carrying in SF due to low-demand). I also asked him for a nice vase in the "Passifolia" or "Carnets d'Equateur" lines. AND I haven't yet told him that I'm interested in the Clic H 33 bag seemingly only available in Asia.

Where are you located? I was able to get the Nedji Competition Boots and matching half chaps no problem.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

Absolutely the same here, I'm never in a hurry (and in fact have been sure to tell him this multiple times), always thankful, and never ever ask him to waste his time searching for something I'm only "on the fence" about...if he orders it for me (and it fits), I'm almost 100% certain going to buy it (actually 100% so far...). I do also think he has had to use some favors for me too, though! That said, I'm also open to what he shows me...I assume after he knows me a while, he'll have a better understanding of my tastes and become more on-point at showing me unexpected things I'm likely to fall in love with, but I need to give him time and opportunities to figure that out.

You sound like the dream client

 

[duggi84]

Where are you located? I was able to get the Nedji Competition Boots and matching half chaps no problem.

I'm in San Francisco. He actually found them the same day for me, said the boots were available in the US, but mentioned he'd have to order the chaps from France and they currently only had Large and Extra-Large available. I have an appointment with him Thursday to try them on (he expects them in tomorrow). In all fairness, he's had no issues finding things for me as long as they're available somewhere.

You sound like the dream client

Aww thanks, I do hope =)

 

[olibelli]

I'm in San Francisco. He actually found them the same day for me, said the boots were available in the US, but mentioned he'd have to order the chaps from France and they currently only had Large and Extra-Large available. I have an appointment with him Thursday to try them on (he expects them in tomorrow). In all fairness, he's had no issues finding things for me as long as they're available somewhere.

I'm in the U.S. too and my SA was able to get in touch with an Account Executive directly from the equestrian department of H corporate who sent over four different sized pairs of half chaps to try on. I wonder if my size is more readily available? Either way hope you're able to get it soon

 

[duggi84]

I'm in the U.S. too and my SA was able to get in touch with an Account Executive directly from the equestrian department of H corporate who sent over four different sized pairs of half chaps to try on. I wonder if my size is more readily available? Either way hope you're able to get it soon

Oh wow that's a fantastic tip, I'll bring it up to him when I see him Thursday if the ones he was able to find don't fit. Thank you!

 

[pinkandroid]

Absolutely the same here, I'm never in a hurry (and in fact have been sure to tell him this multiple times), always thankful, and never ever ask him to waste his time searching for something I'm only "on the fence" about...if he orders it for me (and it fits), I'm almost 100% certain going to buy it (actually 100% so far...). I do also think he has had to use some favors for me too, though! That said, I'm also open to what he shows me...I assume after he knows me a while, he'll have a better understanding of my tastes and become more on-point at showing me unexpected things I'm likely to fall in love with, but I need to give him time and opportunities to figure that out.

I think what you've said here is so important. The last time I saw my SA, he kept apologizing to me about taking so long to respond to texts and whatnot and I told him it was fine and that no one really needed an [insert desired object here] that desperately and my bank account was happier for the delay. He laughed and told me I'd be surprised. He offered me my dream bag that day. Every time I've seen him, I also tell him what I want in the boutique in advance to save his time so it's ready when I get there. In our texts, I'm also very courteous and tell him nothing is a rush. I don't know if it matters, but I only text when I want to buy so I'm not texting him on the daily or even weekly. Maybe every other month? The way I approach it is that they're people so treat them with courtesy and respect and they will treat you the same.

 

[_kiki119_]

I think what you've said here is so important. The last time I saw my SA, he kept apologizing to me about taking so long to respond to texts and whatnot and I told him it was fine and that no one really needed an [insert desired object here] that desperately and my bank account was happier for the delay. He laughed and told me I'd be surprised. He offered me my dream bag that day. Every time I've seen him, I also tell him what I want in the boutique in advance to save his time so it's ready when I get there. In our texts, I'm also very courteous and tell him nothing is a rush. I don't know if it matters, but I only text when I want to buy so I'm not texting him on the daily or even weekly. Maybe every other month? The way I approach it is that they're people so treat them with courtesy and respect and they will treat you the same.

This!!!! I def had my moment of being impatient... but i always remind myself the above and many said that having a H relationship is a marathon not a sprint.
I think all SA are trying their best right now and they do feel bad that they are not as responsive as they’d like ... we are all human here and work life balance is so important

 

[Bereal]

I have been going through all the posts as I’m new to buying at Hermes. It’s kind of disappointing to know that you have to spend as much as the bag costs or more to get a Kelly. I’m happy with my SA and am just buying a few things that I like. It’s difficult as it is with lockdowns to go into the stores for us. I did want a Bolide but it’s not available in the colours I like. I positively cannot afford to spend a lot to get a bag. I guess I will just have to be happy without one of the 'desired' bags. I’m happy to just go in and browse when I get a chance. I must agree that my SA has been super sweet and the service has been excellent as compared to any other luxury brands.

 

[Bereal]

I also wanted to add that this thread is really informative so thanks to all the experts.

 

[WhiteBus]

I have been going through all the posts as I’m new to buying at Hermes. It’s kind of disappointing to know that you have to spend as much as the bag costs or more to get a Kelly. I’m happy with my SA and am just buying a few things that I like. It’s difficult as it is with lockdowns to go into the stores for us. I did want a Bolide but it’s not available in the colours I like. I positively cannot afford to spend a lot to get a bag. I guess I will just have to be happy without one of the 'desired' bags. I’m happy to just go in and browse when I get a chance. I must agree that my SA has been super sweet and the service has been excellent as compared to any other luxury brands.

It does depend where you live - but don't get put off by posters obsessed with establishing relationships, purchasing profiles and second guessing everything. Take more note of the posts from people who seem to have got bags by just being good customers: enthusiastic, informed and generally a pleasure to serve.

 

[duggi84]

I have been going through all the posts as I’m new to buying at Hermes. It’s kind of disappointing to know that you have to spend as much as the bag costs or more to get a Kelly. I’m happy with my SA and am just buying a few things that I like. It’s difficult as it is with lockdowns to go into the stores for us. I did want a Bolide but it’s not available in the colours I like. I positively cannot afford to spend a lot to get a bag. I guess I will just have to be happy without one of the 'desired' bags. I’m happy to just go in and browse when I get a chance. I must agree that my SA has been super sweet and the service has been excellent as compared to any other luxury brands.

I was offered a REALLY NICE Birkin 35 last week, and I haven't spent "80% of the value" or even close to it yet. Everyone's experiences are different, just enjoy your own and don't worry about when/what everyone else may be getting offered. =)

 

[_kiki119_]

I was offered a REALLY NICE Birkin 35 last week, and I haven't spent "80% of the value" or even close to it yet. Everyone's experiences are different, just enjoy your own and don't worry about when/what everyone else may be getting offered. =)

oh this gives me hope when i hear amazing outcome like this!

 

[momoc]

I have been going through all the posts as I’m new to buying at Hermes. It’s kind of disappointing to know that you have to spend as much as the bag costs or more to get a Kelly. I’m happy with my SA and am just buying a few things that I like. It’s difficult as it is with lockdowns to go into the stores for us. I did want a Bolide but it’s not available in the colours I like. I positively cannot afford to spend a lot to get a bag. I guess I will just have to be happy without one of the 'desired' bags. I’m happy to just go in and browse when I get a chance. I must agree that my SA has been super sweet and the service has been excellent as compared to any other luxury brands.

What Kelly are you after? A large size / less popular specs can certainly be easier to get. (I did see that you are in Toronto and that is unfortunately a competitive store generally speaking, but again if it’s not say, a K25 in popular colors, you will have less competition).

Also yes it’s always *possible* to get lucky / really connect with your SA. You just never know. I think the best is to not expect it and buy things like it doesn’t matter if there is a bag or not - aka things you just love by themselves. This way if it happens it’s a very happy surprise. Sounds like that’s how you are treating it so I’d say you are going about this correctly

 

[Bereal]

What Kelly are you after? A large size / less popular specs can certainly be easier to get. (I did see that you are in Toronto and that is unfortunately a competitive store generally speaking, but again if it’s not say, a K25 in popular colors, you will have less competition).

Also yes it’s always *possible* to get lucky / really connect with your SA. You just never know. I think the best is to not expect it and buy things like it doesn’t matter if there is a bag or not - aka things you just love by themselves. This way if it happens it’s a very happy surprise. Sounds like that’s how you are treating it so I’d say you are going about this correctly

Thanks so much for the support. Unfortunately, If I ever did get a Kelly it would be either 25 or 28 Togo retourne in the classic colours black deep blue or tan with GHW. I’m not too tall and I usually carry medium sized bags. I love the look of the Togo retourne. I am actually at purse peace which is why I even thought about going to the Hermes store. My SA is truly a very nice lady. She calls me back whenever I email her. Even though I always tell her I’m not in any rush. I think it helps being older LOL. I told her I’m retiring in two years and that’s my year for getting a Kelly. She was so sweet about it. Or my 40th wedding anniversary end of this year. In the meanwhile there is always window shopping in the Pf. So much eye candy.