Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[Etriers]

Oh yes i mentioned to her my next purchase will be fine jewellry. As for the bag option, i’m really open to the colors and she knows that..

Then at this point, don’t spend any more with her. Just send her a text every 3 or 4 weeks and let her know you’re checking on your bags. Maybe ask a question about the jewelry piece you’re interested in. Give it a few more months and if nothing appears, you’ll either have to find another home store that isn’t so swamped with big spenders or buy your fine jewelry and ask for a bag when you’re on vacation at one of the tourist stores.

In any case, I would politely and in a low-key way ask the SM to assign you a different SA. You have nothing to lose. I agree with Corgimom, a Picotin should not be that hard to get in any US store.

 

[hlavie]

I'm no Hermes relationship expert, but if this SA could not even get you a picotin 18 since February 2020, why would you continue to spend, regardless of category, in hopes that a quota bag show up? If she cannot even get you non-quota bag....... I am assuming here you are following up text/e-mail to make sure she knows what you are looking for here inbetween and/or prior to your appointments. SA cannot read minds

i just added picotin to my list because im frustrated with no bag offers at all. Yes, i text her and shes just not so rensponsive when i ask her about bags. I think the reason why I stick to this SA is just because she is nice in person and she keeps giving me hope - although apparently its false hope lol.. thats why im done with my local store, which is pretty sad because this is my home store and i really wish to be able to have a good relationship here

 

[corgimom11]

i just added picotin to my list because im frustrated with no bag offers at all. Yes, i text her and shes just not so rensponsive when i ask her about bags. I think the reason why I stick to this SA is just because she is nice in person and she keeps giving me hope - although apparently its false hope lol.. thats why im done with my local store, which is pretty sad because this is my home store and i really wish to be able to have a good relationship here

Depending on the store policies/SA style, she might not be able to text about quota bags. I know that mine cannot. It seems like you both need a good heart to heart conversation, in person. If you've worked with her for over a year, she should be able to be more candid in what she believes could be possible, or where your profile is falling short. Keeping in mind, they won't literally tell you that you need to spend X to get Y, because that doesn't exist, but she should be able to give you more insight into what the SM looks for and how your profile compares to that.

I noticed you mostly have small size bags on your list... that could be part of the issue also. I am assuming if you were open to something like B35 or K32 it could be a different answer.

The stark reality (apologies, not trying to be harsh but hoping to cast some realism here) is that there's probably many in your store spending what you've spent over a course of a year and a half over a month, couple months and are still waiting patiently on those size bags. And many of them are likely spending that solely in RTW, fine jewelry, shoes, homewares -- and many are probably established clients of the store for several years. My personal experience was that even as a newly established client, I spent many times more in a very short period of time almost exclusively in the categories previously mentioned and still waited almost 6 months for a B25 offer, while being quite persistent along the way --- but that was also not my first quota bag either.

 

[hlavie]

Depending on the store policies/SA style, she might not be able to text about quota bags. I know that mine cannot. It seems like you both need a good heart to heart conversation, in person. If you've worked with her for over a year, she should be able to be more candid in what she believes could be possible, or where your profile is falling short. Keeping in mind, they won't literally tell you that you need to spend X to get Y, because that doesn't exist, but she should be able to give you more insight into what the SM looks for and how your profile compares to that.

I noticed you mostly have small size bags on your list... that could be part of the issue also. I am assuming if you were open to something like B35 or K32 it could be a different answer.

The stark reality (apologies, not trying to be harsh but hoping to cast some realism here) is that there's probably many in your store spending what you've spent over a course of a year and a half over a month, couple months and are still waiting patiently on those size bags. And many of them are likely spending that solely in RTW, fine jewelry, shoes, homewares -- and many are probably established clients of the store for several years. My personal experience was that even as an established client, I spent many times more in a very short period of time and still waited almost 6 months for a B25 offer.

yes, we chatted pretty long last month and she basically said that my profile is not strong enough. She asked me to be patient as my turn will be coming up really soon. I’ve been waiting for more than a year, and I’m generally a very patient person lol. She said I have extensive collections (i have some quota bags that I inquire somewhere else) and she does not want to offer me something that I dislike. I really want to believe it, but with no single offer for the past 18 months, I think this is a one sided relationship

oh well, I really love Hermes, but I’m just not up for the game here in my local store sadly.. what is meant to be mine, will be mine someday

 

[momoc]

yes, we chatted pretty long last month and she basically said that my profile is not strong enough. She asked me to be patient as my turn will be coming up really soon. I’ve been waiting for more than a year, and I’m generally a very patient person lol. She said I have extensive collections (i have some quota bags that I inquire somewhere else) and she does not want to offer me something that I dislike. I really want to believe it, but with no single offer for the past 18 months, I think this is a one sided relationship

oh well, I really love Hermes, but I’m just not up for the game here in my local store sadly.. what is meant to be mine, will be mine someday

I think I have an idea on where you shop (there are two stores in your area I think?) and unfortunately I think it’s one of the most competitive regions in the US…where 1.5 is probably genuinely not enough to get the hottest bags, and keep in mind sometimes non quota bags are even harder in areas with lots of big spenders and VIPs because they are not quota / not limited. It means the VIPs can snap them up whenever, whereas a quota they can only get twice a year. This is why many report waiting longer for something like a mini Lindy or a Kelly Pochette than even a B for example. A Picotin however I feel like should not be that bad. I personally would not buy anything more from this SA until they at least find you a Picotin. Do give them a little time though especially if you have one specific color / HW requirement for that Picotin because then it could just be luck and timing till they get one. And I think you may want to switch to the other store in your area if that’s possible for you.

 

[pasdedeux1]

Here’s my hot take:

I don’t think it’s really about the spend (I have no knowledge though of this specific situation.)

rather I think the tide has turned a bit on people who are super open with their lists - I’ll take anything!! - are making it a little more difficult for the SA to choose something to offer.

let’s say you are the store manager. You have one black B30 with ghw - undoubtedly a popular item. You know some clients already have one. You know a couple clients are on the “no” list for being resellers or similar. Then you’re left with maybe a few people, one of whom has a list that has five different styles on it and pretty much any color, and two that only want black or neutral and only in a 30.

will you offer the first person who might want this bag but you don’t really know what they want, or will you offer to someone who specifically wants this bag?

conveying that you know specifically what you want may help you here. I suggest that you think through what would really make your heart skip a beat and have a conversation with your SA, cordially, to say you‘ve narrowed it down after seeing all these lovely pieces for a year and you’d really want x and your second choice is y.

having done this a long time, I have always gotten what I’ve wanted when I’ve been very specific, within the limits of stock; When I’ve left it super open, I’ve gotten offers, but not nearly as often because my SA is just kind of guessing. If she doesn’t have a specific thing to pitch for you to get - her job is more difficult.

 

[hlavie]

I think I have an idea on where you shop (there are two stores in your area I think?) and unfortunately I think it’s one of the most competitive regions in the US…where 1.5 is probably genuinely not enough to get the hottest bags, and keep in mind sometimes non quota bags are even harder in areas with lots of big spenders and VIPs because they are not quota / not limited. It means the VIPs can snap them up whenever, whereas a quota they can only get twice a year. This is why many report waiting longer for something like a mini Lindy or a Kelly Pochette than even a B for example. A Picotin however I feel like should not be that bad. I personally would not buy anything more from this SA until they at least find you a Picotin. Do give them a little time though especially if you have one specific color / HW requirement for that Picotin because then it could just be luck and timing till they get one. And I think you may want to switch to the other store in your area if that’s possible for you.

Thank you so much for your recomendation! I appreciate it

 

[pasdedeux1]

yes, we chatted pretty long last month and she basically said that my profile is not strong enough. She asked me to be patient as my turn will be coming up really soon. I’ve been waiting for more than a year, and I’m generally a very patient person lol. She said I have extensive collections (i have some quota bags that I inquire somewhere else) and she does not want to offer me something that I dislike. I really want to believe it, but with no single offer for the past 18 months, I think this is a one sided relationship

oh well, I really love Hermes, but I’m just not up for the game here in my local store sadly.. what is meant to be mine, will be mine someday

I think this comment bears out my theory that she doesn’t know what you specifically want.

 

[GreenBagsOnly]

100% agree. I don't have anything against the Hermes game - it's a business and it's understandable for them to use their most coveted bag to drive sales higher. However, seeing others without "effort"/purchase history get offered bags or even special order is just unfair and disheartening and actually makes it seem like Hermes doesn't appreciate their loyal clients. It's like a manager who decides to promote an employee who just joined but left out other employees who have worked hard for months

What you said above really hits home for introverts too. Like you, I don't have anything against what Hermès is doing, it's good business for them. But... This business relationship that is also supposed to be fun and friendly is really murky and while it can come naturally to some people (the ones who look at introverts and say, what's the problem, Dear?), it can be really confusing for others. I have a lovely friend circle... A very small, close, incredibly loyal friend circle that took decades to build. Sometimes it can be touch disheartening to hear about the squeaky wheel (aka the IG influencer who posts their whole life on social media) getting the B within months with basically no spend. But then again, most introverts are used to this!

Signed,
Proud Introvert

 

[corgimom11]

What you said above really hits home for introverts too. Like you, I don't have anything against what Hermès is doing, it's good business for them. But... This business relationship that is also supposed to be fun and friendly is really murky and while it can come naturally to some people (the ones who look at introverts and say, what's the problem, Dear?), it can be really confusing for others. I have a lovely friend circle... A very small, close, incredibly loyal friend circle that took decades to build. Sometimes it can be touch disheartening to hear about the squeaky wheel (aka the IG influencer who posts their whole life on social media) getting the B within months with basically no spend. But then again, most introverts are used to this!

Signed,
Proud Introvert

People can say anything they like on social media, whether it's true or not is another story (e.g. getting birkin within months for no spend). Those same said influencers can also limit showing off what they actually may purchase or where they even purchase it from. I mean, who cares about a pair of shoes and 5 million twillies if a "quota bag unboxing" is what gets all the views/follows, etc.

 

[880]

This is a very old post but worth bumping I think for newbies.



I assume my SA is busy but professional, so he will work as fast as he can. He does not have time to send me updates about what he is looking for and I wouldn’t expect that. I suppose if I told him that I was desperate for some item and needed it ASAP, he would make it his highest priority, but I can’t think of anything I have ever been desperate about. I also think one needs to be careful about demanding everything right this instant. H does not work like that. I don’t want my SA to get stressed and burned out every time I communicate with him. Needing a luxury item isn’t exactly an emergency.

Thank you for reposting/bumping this post. I think it’s a nice reminder to all of us, not just newbies to Hermes.

@pasdedeux1, I think you are right about communicating with your SA esp if you are really focused on specific quota items; my current SA is new to me, and he laughingly told me that I would have gotten my latest 30B sooner had he known I wanted that combo. (I still don’t have a wishlist bc I wanted to focus on house ware and home furnishings this year, and I want some degree of serendipity, but that way is certainly not for everyone)

@LVinCali, I love your post below

 

[GreenBagsOnly]

People can say anything they like on social media, whether it's true or not is another story (e.g. getting birkin within months for no spend). Those same said influencers can also limit showing off what they actually may purchase or where they even purchase it from. I mean, who cares about a pair of shoes and 5 million twillies if a "quota bag unboxing" is what gets all the views/follows, etc.

Good points. I guess I was trying to take the 'Maintaining a H Relationship" thread in a different direction. For instance, in the business world, there are people who really excel at in aspects like sales and communications and those who excel working with data or strategy. If you transfer this to a customer-SA relationship at Hermès and spend is equal, who is getting the quota bag?

 

[Etriers]

Here’s my hot take:

I don’t think it’s really about the spend (I have no knowledge though of this specific situation.)

rather I think the tide has turned a bit on people who are super open with their lists - I’ll take anything!! - are making it a little more difficult for the SA to choose something to offer.

let’s say you are the store manager. You have one black B30 with ghw - undoubtedly a popular item. You know some clients already have one. You know a couple clients are on the “no” list for being resellers or similar. Then you’re left with maybe a few people, one of whom has a list that has five different styles on it and pretty much any color, and two that only want black or neutral and only in a 30.

will you offer the first person who might want this bag but you don’t really know what they want, or will you offer to someone who specifically wants this bag?

conveying that you know specifically what you want may help you here. I suggest that you think through what would really make your heart skip a beat and have a conversation with your SA, cordially, to say you‘ve narrowed it down after seeing all these lovely pieces for a year and you’d really want x and your second choice is y.

having done this a long time, I have always gotten what I’ve wanted when I’ve been very specific, within the limits of stock; When I’ve left it super open, I’ve gotten offers, but not nearly as often because my SA is just kind of guessing. If she doesn’t have a specific thing to pitch for you to get - her job is more difficult.

Great point!

 

[GreenBagsOnly]

"Maintaining a H Relationship" also punishes those with a more nomadic lifestyle. In the last decade, 5 moves/3 different countries for me and one city that had no Hermès within thousands of km.

Not trying to stir the pot too much, just want those who are struggling a bit and trying to make sense of this thread (basically, blaming themselves if they don't get a quota bag and getting more confused by coming here) to know that they are not alone.

 

[Etriers]

Good points. I guess I was trying to take the 'Maintaining a H Relationship" thread in a different direction. For instance, in the business world, there are people who really excel at in aspects like sales and communications and those who excel working with data or strategy. If you transfer this to a customer-SA relationship at Hermès and spend is equal, who is getting the quota bag?

If spend is equal, it depends on many things: How long the client has been a customer, how likable she is to deal with and her rapport with the staff, the categories of the spend, where the store is located, timing, and which bag the client has requested- a B35 vs. a pink B25 for example. There is no formula, which I think is why H newcomers get so upset. IMO strategy also plays a very small role if any because SAs have seen and heard it all. People are always looking for how to game the system thinking there must be some catch or trick to it. There really isn’t and being an introvert or extrovert doesn’t matter. The situation is basically this, if one wants only a quota bag as a walk-in and has no intention of becoming a long-term H client, the best place to get it is FSH, a tourist store (Although she’ll likely have to make a large purchase in another category at the same time) or through a reseller. If one intends to be a long-term client, then she needs to settle down, just buy what she loves when she feels like it, give her SA her specific quota bag wish and assume it will appear when it’s available. The most important thing is that one really must be clear with oneself about what one actually desires. Then it is easy-peasy because one can shop at the most appropriate place to meet that desire.

The confusion sometimes in this thread is that sometimes those who say they intend to be long-term H clients really mean they only want quota bags, and they don’t so much want to know about maintaining a relationship as they want to know the secret formula for extracting as many quota bags as possible from their SA in the least amount of time while spending as little as possible. No judgement here by any means, but the point is, if that is how a client feels, her SA will read her like a book and will respond by withholding the holy grail until she feels she has made enough on the client to justify letting the bag go and likely never seeing the client again. I can always tell when I overhear people at my store (talking to their SAs) who is a normal client and who just wants a BKC. If I can ascertain that with no experience, certainly SAs can tell in a heartbeat.