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.

 

[biorin]

I came into H a good few times in 2013 and developed a relationship with a really kind and thoughtful SA over the course of maybe 6-7 months. I then didn't go into H at all for several years, until I walked past him outside H in 2017, and he immediately remembered me and told me to come in. I STILL didn't go back until a few months ago, and he remembered me, immediately asked what my wishlist was, etc. I've been fairly regular since, but I was hugely impressed that he not only remembered me, but treated me as if I just hadn't been in for a few months. For what it's worth, my spend in 2013 was mostly across RTW and home goods, but absolute pennies compared to the average H customer.

Maybe my SA just has the world's greatest memory, but that kind of customer service felt like a true luxury experience, and made me feel like fretting over whether you need to come in once a week or once a month is totally silly. At the end of the day, Hermes is still a shop, and you are the customer, and if you are truly there to enjoy the brand and be a long-term customer, then it should be a pleasurable experience and not a worrisome one. The goodies will follow!

 

[880]

How many times a month should I visit/text my SA to maintain the relationship to um, buy H stuff?

whatever feels natural? My SA knows what DH and I are looking for, so he‘s good at texting when he thinks stuff will be there to see and to buy. But the majority of my spend is homeware and RTW, and a lot of stuff is back ordered or still in the process of trickling in

 

[tinkerbell68]

Reading the past few pages of posts resonated with me in a way that I hadn't expected. I am a major gift officer with a local nonprofit. My job is to develop and nurture relationships with major donors to my organization. These relationships are authentic...they know that I am their 'handler' or SA and I do not purport to be anything else. Occasionally, with some donors, the relationships develop into friendships, but not always. I think about my donors often...I know how they like to be contacted, I know which areas of the organization's work inspires them and I know how often and how much they've given to support the work. I know that they think of me (and the organization) less often...they have busy lives and while they may feel passionate about the work that we are doing, they think of the organization only occasionally, and that is to be expected. I can also tell when a donor's giving is purely transactional...they are only interested in seeing their name on a donor wall or having other people know that they have given $X to support the cause. When they ask for special favors or access, I always roll my eyes! My favorite donors are those who feel as passionate and excited about the work that my organization is doing as I do...

Having read all the previous posts, I have a new appreciation for my SA. She is lovely and has helped me add some treasures to my collection. I hope that she recognizes that I feel excited and inspired by the various H pieces that I have purchased through her...particularly the scarves but I bet she also has many clients who are purely transactional: they want only to obtain their quota bag that cost $X.

I think that the best way to maintain an Hermès relationship is to remember that your SA is a real person and, as with all the other people in your life, build an authentic (yes, totally overused word) relationship with them.

 

[litostar]

Presuming you have a decent, relatively honest relationship with your SA (that allows her to advise the above) and a decent spend ratio, is it possible your Home store just be super competitive and also low in stock? If there is very little coming in, or if there are long-standing large customers taking up the quota allocation for that store, there may be very little left? Unfortunately for new customers, it’s much more likely to be offered quota bags once you’ve established a history of prior offers and a strong likelihood of continued spending. Of course, there is also the possibility that another SA could have a different outcome for you.

I would say in this case, unless you love everything else you are purchasing and are in absolutely no rush, it may be easier and cheaper to buy a neutral sized quota bag from a reseller. This is solely my opinion; others are free to differ; and YMMV

Thank you kindly for your response! I’ve been with my SA for 1.5years and she’s gotten me my first quota which was a b25 black ghw with a 1:1 spend so I’m just patiently waiting for my second quota for this year. I’ve thought of reseller route just so I can get specific specs but I do enjoy buying H things. I just don’t think my SA is a fairy as I’ve heard from peoples experience although knowing well a comparison cannot be made. It’s just strictly business between us and the occasional chat when I go in. It just bums me out once in a while to hear about people’s offers from my store, but I’m trying to learn and wait patiently although of course still would love offers haha as we all do.

 

[_kiki119_]

there is a dedicated thread to spend threshold for B/K/C

I am such a newbie to the H journey (10 mths old), so I am no expert.. but there are so much advice/experiences out there, TBH there is just no formula to this whole game.
but would recommend looking at this whole H relationship/journey as you'd shop anywhere... be a pleasure to serve and respect SA's time. I show my appreciation to my SA for providing great service (honest opinion, not the brown-nosing way)... She and SM are just as happy to have me as a customer, even though I am not a VVVIP or crazy spender.

 

[Ethengdurst]

If I was just starting out my H journey, I know I’m gonna be super frustrated. I spend peanuts compared to alot of tpfers here (never rtw or fine jewelry). So if I was just in the beginning stage I’m pretty sure I’ll be waiting if not months, years to get a quota bag offer. It’s getting cut throat out there.

Also I’ve learned never to compare myself with others. I follow a couple of people from IG that I’m pretty sure shops in my home store, and even though I feel a bit jealous they got something I’ve been waiting for (pegase rodeo for example), I never demand to know from my SA how come I didn’t get it. I learned from H that patience is key; if not, then resellers, lol.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

If I was just starting out my H journey, I know I’m gonna be super frustrated. I spend peanuts compared to alot of tpfers here (never rtw or fine jewelry). So if I was just in the beginning stage I’m pretty sure I’ll be waiting if not months, years to get a quota bag offer. It’s getting cut throat out there.

Also I’ve learned never to compare myself with others. I follow a couple of people from IG that I’m pretty sure shops in my home store, and even though I feel a bit jealous they got something I’ve been waiting for (pegase rodeo for example), I never demand to know from my SA how come I didn’t get it. I learned from H that patience is key; if not, then resellers, lol.

PLEASE dont go the reseller route.
By taking your business to these sharks you are making it more difficult for genuine Hermes clients to buy the things they love.
Have you not realised the reason Quota bags are getting more and more challenging from the store is because of greedy resellers playing the 'game' as some like to call it.
the reasons why you may not get something and another person may are many and varied.
My assistant at work got a quota offer (28 Kelly in crae) with barely any previous spend.
I have had 2 Birkin offers in my time as a Hermes lover despite having a very low spend-I will add both were in the colour and size of my dreams...the offers came from different boutiques in London.
But I also know two other people who spend a great deal and haven't had bag offers in two years.
I believe there is no Game-just be yourself, be honest buy what you love and what is within your means and if you are so desperate for a bag buy a very good condition pre-loved one-do NOT buy BNIB from a reseller.
You are shooting yourself and many other genuine Hermes fans in the foot by doing so.
Rant over.....

 

[RuedeRivoli]

My H journey started a year ago and until now, I haven't received any quota bag offer yet. My store is in South Coast Plaza (Southern CA) and I heard it's a very competitive location. Spent more than 20k but not bag offer. Oh well, at least I love the items I bought so I would patiently wait for a little longer.

 

[closetluxe]

My H journey started a year ago and until now, I haven't received any quota bag offer yet. My store is in South Coast Plaza (Southern CA) and I heard it's a very competitive location. Spent more than 20k but not bag offer. Oh well, at least I love the items I bought so I would patiently wait for a little longer.

Has your SA offered you non-quota bags or other coveted items? My home store is also SCP. I've been shopping there since 2018.

 

[RuedeRivoli]

Has your SA offered you non-quota bags or other coveted items? My home store is also SCP. I've been shopping there since 2018.

I got 1 So Black and 1 Rose Mexico Rodeo Charm, both are PM size. I also got Jypsiere 28, not sure if that's considered a coveted item or not. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[closetluxe]

I got 1 So Black and 1 Rose Mexico Rodeo Charm, both are PM size. I also got Jypsiere 28, not sure if that's considered a coveted item or not. Any advice is appreciated.

For me the most important thing that has fostered my love and appreciation of Hermès (besides it’s obvious quality and craftsmanship) has been my relationship with my SA. My very first purchase from the store was a Bastia coin purse that another SA had set aside for me and which my now SA did not get credit for. Nevertheless he was so nice and generous with his time and so helpful that he left a big impression on me and DH.

 

[RuedeRivoli]

For me the most important thing that has fostered my love and appreciation of Hermès (besides it’s obvious quality and craftsmanship) has been my relationship with my SA. My very first purchase from the store was a Bastia coin purse that another SA had set aside for me and which my now SA did not get credit for. Nevertheless he was so nice and generous with his time and so helpful that he left a big impression on me and DH.

Agree. I always love the brand and that’s why I don’t mind buying all different kind of thing in the store, fine jewelry, twilly, blanket, coin purses… I’m just not sure if it’s a norm that no bag offer with that much spending in 1 year. Again, it won’t stop me from buying what I like.

 

[closetluxe]

Agree. I always love the brand and that’s why I don’t mind buying all different kind of thing in the store, fine jewelry, twilly, blanket, coin purses… I’m just not sure if it’s a norm that no bag offer with that much spending in 1 year. Again, it won’t stop me from buying what I like.

Have you let your SA know of your desire for a quota bag? When I got my B my SA said he didn’t know I had even wanted one.

 

[Ethengdurst]

PLEASE dont go the reseller route.
By taking your business to these sharks you are making it more difficult for genuine Hermes clients to buy the things they love.
Have you not realised the reason Quota bags are getting more and more challenging from the store is because of greedy resellers playing the 'game' as some like to call it.
the reasons why you may not get something and another person may are many and varied.
My assistant at work got a quota offer (28 Kelly in crae) with barely any previous spend.
I have had 2 Birkin offers in my time as a Hermes lover despite having a very low spend-I will add both were in the colour and size of my dreams...the offers came from different boutiques in London.
But I also know two other people who spend a great deal and haven't had bag offers in two years.
I believe there is no Game-just be yourself, be honest buy what you love and what is within your means and if you are so desperate for a bag buy a very good condition pre-loved one-do NOT buy BNIB from a reseller.
You are shooting yourself and many other genuine Hermes fans in the foot by doing so.
Rant over.....

What I meant with my post was if I was just starting out, I think I won’t be as lucky as I have been with quota and nonquota bags. (Sorry for the confusion, I’ve started my H journey since 2014). All I meant was I’m not a big spender at all so if I were to just start now, I don’t think I’ll be getting an offer within a year. And I’ve never considered the reseller route for a bnib bag because I don’t wanna pay markup for a bag I could get from the boutique, especially since I’m no longer in a hurry to get any bag in particular. I do however won’t have any qualms purchasing from consignment shops for small items, like a twilly or scarf ring for example, if I really can’t get it from the store. But I honestly haven’t purchased anything preloved yet, even though I don’t have anything against it.

I have 2 amazing SAs, one for me and the other my DH (from another state) who try their best to give me what I ask, within reason of course. I just bought a couple of items from the out of state SA who looked all over the US to find them for me.

And even though I could technically get 4 quota bags because of my and DH’s profiles, I would be so lucky to have one from each of them each year. Normally just one (from my home store).

 

[Bereal]

PLEASE dont go the reseller route.
By taking your business to these sharks you are making it more difficult for genuine Hermes clients to buy the things they love.
Have you not realised the reason Quota bags are getting more and more challenging from the store is because of greedy resellers playing the 'game' as some like to call it.
the reasons why you may not get something and another person may are many and varied.
My assistant at work got a quota offer (28 Kelly in crae) with barely any previous spend.
I have had 2 Birkin offers in my time as a Hermes lover despite having a very low spend-I will add both were in the colour and size of my dreams...the offers came from different boutiques in London.
But I also know two other people who spend a great deal and haven't had bag offers in two years.
I believe there is no Game-just be yourself, be honest buy what you love and what is within your means and if you are so desperate for a bag buy a very good condition pre-loved one-do NOT buy BNIB from a reseller.
You are shooting yourself and many other genuine Hermes fans in the foot by doing so.
Rant over.....

I wouldn’t buy from a reseller anyway because of the markup. I’m a newbie so love reading these posts. My peeve is how do resellers get the bags then? If Hermes is so particular then it should be very difficult to get these bags as it is for genuine customers. I have a good relationship with my SA And everything I have bought I love. At this point, my store is very competitive and I am particular about the colour I want so I doubt I’ll be seeing any bag soon. I’m not in a rush, however, IMO, the amount I have spent in the store is already equivalent to what I could have spent to buy the bag from a reseller so why blame people for going the reseller route.