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.

 

[Luvmyfamily]

Whitebus, I might be overthinking another situation again, haha.. Can I get your views on this: I asked my SA to watch out for a houseware item for me and when it arrived, I bought it but my hubby felt that it doesn't fits in our house and I am wondering if I should exchange for another item. Usually, I will just exchange the item at other stores without thinking much, for H, I will think will I annoy the SA as she especially kept a lookout for the item for me? Wondering what will you all do?

 

[Luvmyfamily]

When I lived in a different city, the SM often came out to help me (I was her customer when she was an SA). I think it can't be bad for the SM to know you personally. It got me many bag offers. And an SA always got "credit."

You are right, oh well, miss the chance to know the SM more.. Now I know

 

[WhiteBus]

Whitebus, I might be overthinking another situation again, haha.. Can I get your views on this: I asked my SA to watch out for a houseware item for me and when it arrived, I bought it but my hubby felt that it doesn't fits in our house and I am wondering if I should exchange for another item. Usually, I will just exchange the item at other stores without thinking much, for H, I will think will I annoy the SA as she especially kept a lookout for the item for me? Wondering what will you all do?

The bottom line is you need to be honest with your SA.
Do what you would normally do.
Be appreciative that your SA was able to source the item that you wanted.
Explain how your husband feels about it and ask if you could possibly exchange it.
Obviously you don't want to get a reputation for asking for things, buying them and then returning them.
I don't believe that is the situation here.
SAs want their customers to be pleased with what they get.
Then the customers will feel able to visit again and buy more items.
I know you want a Birkin; take note of the posts where quota bags are offered to enthusiasts; disregard those that calculate what they do; spend what they think is the needed ratio; think they have an emotional relationship with their SA and become disaffected.
Be honest; be a pleasure to serve.

 

[blackbear2126]

I just need to vent a little bit! Why H is making it so hard for customer to buy stuffs
so many rules like, oh you can only have 1 account in one store per country, better not to shop online, not good for your profile. SA not necessary alway have time to transfer products or manager would not approve it. Lastly, as customer, we cannot just simply buy a bag we want (because that rarely happens), then as a customer, we also have to guess whether this SA is honest or playing game trying to get me buy more stuffs so I can get the bag I want or maybe not ever gonna get the bag even if I spend the money..
I mean what kind of business this is? They say they want their customer to appreciate their culture and their products but I feel at least in US, it is still majorly about the purchase profile...

 

[duggi84]

I just need to vent a little bit! Why H is making it so hard for customer to buy stuffs
so many rules like, oh you can only have 1 account in one store per country, better not to shop online, not good for your profile. SA not necessary alway have time to transfer products or manager would not approve it. Lastly, as customer, we cannot just simply buy a bag we want (because that rarely happens), then as a customer, we also have to guess whether this SA is honest or playing game trying to get me buy more stuffs so I can get the bag I want or maybe not ever gonna get the bag even if I spend the money..
I mean what kind of business this is? They say they want their customer to appreciate their culture and their products but I feel at least in US, it is still majorly about the purchase profile...

(in all seriousness, I feel your pain...just enjoy your shopping and let things come to you)

 

[_kiki119_]

I just need to vent a little bit! Why H is making it so hard for customer to buy stuffs
so many rules like, oh you can only have 1 account in one store per country, better not to shop online, not good for your profile. SA not necessary alway have time to transfer products or manager would not approve it. Lastly, as customer, we cannot just simply buy a bag we want (because that rarely happens), then as a customer, we also have to guess whether this SA is honest or playing game trying to get me buy more stuffs so I can get the bag I want or maybe not ever gonna get the bag even if I spend the money..
I mean what kind of business this is? They say they want their customer to appreciate their culture and their products but I feel at least in US, it is still majorly about the purchase profile...

Building a relationship is not just exclusive to H... More you buy at any luxury boutiques, more chance you get that HG bag... for example chanel, you prob won’t get the HG bag unless you have a good SA that is willing to presale on ur list.

 

[_kiki119_]

More to add is that yes H wants u to buy other items than bags... but for me that part of experience and the “thrill” lol also i really love the RTW and silk pieces that i have bought in the process

If h game is not for you, there are many reputable resellers that will save all the song and dance.

 

[blackbear2126]

I also shop at Chanel, And actually other luxury brands and have never had any big problems. Maybe I’m lucky. I should’ve mentioned that I actually have variety of category Hermes items except jewelry or furniture. Personally, my shopping experience has been fine and okay.
I think it’s because I have heard and seen so many bad stories about Hermes which made me want to pause and wonder how people tolerate Hermes game and think it’s normal becuz it’s Hermes.
sorry I didn’t mean to disturb this forum!

 

[_kiki119_]

I also shop at Chanel, And actually other luxury brands and have never had any big problems. Maybe I’m lucky. I should’ve mentioned that I actually have variety of category Hermes items except jewelry or furniture. Personally, my shopping experience has been fine and okay.
I think it’s because I have heard and seen so many bad stories about Hermes which made me want to pause and wonder how people tolerate Hermes game and think it’s normal becuz it’s Hermes.
sorry I didn’t mean to disturb this forum!

Don’t get me wrong... it was def an adjustment and a shock when i just started the h journey and i have shared my “stress” and uncertainty on this thread... once i hit that sweet spot of trust and understanding with my SA, i feel the process is more enjoyable

 

[blackbear2126]

Don’t get me wrong... it was def an adjustment and a shock when i just started the h journey and i have shared my “stress” and uncertainty on this thread... once i hit that sweet spot of trust and understanding with my SA, i feel the process is more enjoyable

That’s great to know! I’m really looking forward for that day

 

[SPBiaes]

Personally I have never pushed my SAs and they have never pushed me. In fact, the one SA that I cut communication with was a random one that tried to push me into purchasing furnitures during my second visit... That was a long time ago... I have never been a people pleaser so that probably is a major reason why I didn’t like that interaction. I know what I want! If my next HG shows up and I’m there, awesome! If I can’t get it when it shows up, I’ll just wait for the next time. I got enough handbags in my closet anyway haha.

Shopping should be fun. If the process of trying to get a certain item is taxing, and the moment of receiving that item becomes a huge relief.... then what’s the fun? That’s too much stress to deal with. Your SAs have dealt with enough people to know whom they are dealing with, and they know the majority of (if not all) people shopping at H hope to get a B or K. I often like to think that the company or SAs never made it stressful to begin with. The media and internet created this frenzy so people would fight over a handbag and the company just went with it (Perfect publicity, truly!). It never helps when we fret ourselves about a situation simply due to our desires. It’s never easy to force a relationship to work out in your favor... Take it slow, respect each other, and be true to yourself!

 

[WhiteBus]

I just need to vent a little bit! Why H is making it so hard for customer to buy stuffs
so many rules like, oh you can only have 1 account in one store per country, better not to shop online, not good for your profile. SA not necessary alway have time to transfer products or manager would not approve it. Lastly, as customer, we cannot just simply buy a bag we want (because that rarely happens), then as a customer, we also have to guess whether this SA is honest or playing game trying to get me buy more stuffs so I can get the bag I want or maybe not ever gonna get the bag even if I spend the money..
I mean what kind of business this is? They say they want their customer to appreciate their culture and their products but I feel at least in US, it is still majorly about the purchase profile...

The root of the difficulty is Resellers.

Hermes does not mass produce its goods.
there is a limited supply:
this means that for the most desired items there is a ready market to resell brand new items at a premium;
as a consequence Hermes introduced systems to screen buyers.
This was recognised a few years ago (read the book 'Bringing Home the Birkin) and buyers started to play Hermes at its own game. In some countries this fuelled the problems that upset you.

The willingness or otherwise of staff to source items that are not in stock (especially at the moment when time is limited) will depend on how shoppers interact with them.

You question the business model.
Some consultants would advise Hermes to increase the retail price of its items to a point where demand more closely matches supply: the $10,000 Birkin might become $50,000+

 

[duggi84]

That’s great to know! I’m really looking forward for that day

You will get there! Just have fun shopping, let them know what you're interested in, and be patient...we don't always have to have everything now! Hermès definitely doesn't operate on a "now" timeline anyway

Shopping should be fun. If the process of trying to get a certain item is taxing, and the moment of receiving that item becomes a huge relief.... then what’s the fun? That’s too much stress to deal with.

THIS.

The willingness or otherwise of staff to source items that are not in stock (especially at the moment when time is limited) will depend on how shoppers interact with them.

This too...just focus on enjoying yourself and having fun shopping when you're interacting with your SA and you'll see things come around your way...when they're available

 

[periogirl28]

Breaking all the rules
After being a slow but steady Hermes customer in Europe and Asia for about 15 years, I started a new relationship 3 years ago at my local stores because of our constant moving all over. My home store is still Paris and due to travel restrictions, they have reserved items including SLGs and quota bags, for more than a year waiting for me. This is a real privilege and I acknowledge it. Even though my SA offered to ship everything I declined for various very good reasons including customs issues in my current country of residence (not straightforward, things go missing, not risking an exotic quota bag).
I have been happily supporting my 2 local stores simultaneously, just buying shoes, RTW and homeware to use and enjoy, especially when I find that they have the items in the sizes I need. I do not request transfers between the stores and they are certainly aware that I shop in Paris. Everthing else they cannot find, I request direct from Paris. I began here as a newbie, as what I call a Bolduc level client, so far both stores have offered me bags which I tend to use now, TPM Evelyns, Mini Roulis, Aline, mini Lindy, (small crossbody bags) etc as they know I carry much less in this current climate. Both SA have also reached out recently to ask for my wishlist as they seem to be doing allocations around this time of year. My point is taking it easy and just enjoying the odyssey with Hermes makes it generally a much more pleasant experience with zero stress. Perhaps it is the stage at which I am now that I was offered and accepted my smooth Fauve Barenia C18 here (apparently no one appreciates smooth Barenia and Box here so I have first dibs) and have declined all other bags so far. Let's see how it goes from now. Best of luck to everyone.

Edited to update that I was offered a Rose Shocking Birkin 25 in Jonathan at my local store, which I declined.

 

[blackbear2126]

Personally I have never pushed my SAs and they have never pushed me. In fact, the one SA that I cut communication with was a random one that tried to push me into purchasing furnitures during my second visit... That was a long time ago... I have never been a people pleaser so that probably is a major reason why I didn’t like that interaction. I know what I want! If my next HG shows up and I’m there, awesome! If I can’t get it when it shows up, I’ll just wait for the next time. I got enough handbags in my closet anyway haha.

Shopping should be fun. If the process of trying to get a certain item is taxing, and the moment of receiving that item becomes a huge relief.... then what’s the fun? That’s too much stress to deal with. Your SAs have dealt with enough people to know whom they are dealing with, and they know the majority of (if not all) people shopping at H hope to get a B or K. I often like to think that the company or SAs never made it stressful to begin with. The media and internet created this frenzy so people would fight over a handbag and the company just went with it (Perfect publicity, truly!). It never helps when we fret ourselves about a situation simply due to our desires. It’s never easy to force a relationship to work out in your favor... Take it slow, respect each other, and be true to yourself!

Yes shopping should be fun! I think I just got a bit frustrated because it’s my first time working with a SA who does not want to transfer anything at all ( I’m not asking twilly or small items). I guess it’s bizarre that my SA is saving money for me
I totally agree and support the idea that the company or SAs never made it stressful to begin with.