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.

 

[hphile]

Need Advice: should I switch my SA?

I have been with a SA for about 2 years, never been offered any quota bags but Constance 2 go, Mini Lindy. My spending on Jewelry, silk, shoes is about 7k so I started to ask for quota bags about 8 months ago. I haven't been visiting very often due to work tho.

My SA seems very busy and she is not too responsive. I have been asking for jewelry, shoes, RTW but she would respond at least 7-10 days after. She did not even try hard to locate items for me.

My friend is using another SA in another local store and advised me to switch to hers (since I only spend $7k so far) because the SA she is with is very responsive. She spent 15k in 3 months and got offered a B25 in Black. My friend said her SA would "100% offer you a bag when you spend enough". I am still very frustrating as I do not want to lose my spending in my current store (but was told that mini lindy and Constance to go would eat up my spending) and feel like I can never go back to my current SA if I switch.

What would you do if you were me?

Unless I was ready to spend 10K+ in a few months and ready to burn bridges with my current SA/store, I'd probably stick with my current SA. Especially because your friend spent twice your spend in a much shorter amount of time. Or if I thought the other store just had a lot more stock or was less competitive, that might make me consider switching.

Since it's another store, your spend probably won't transfer at all... so you'll have to spend that amount again. You started to ask for a quota bag at Hermès at one of the worst times for their stock so that's probably why you haven't been offered anything. It seems like your current SA does respond, but isn't as good about text but might prefer to do things during an appointment when you do purchase in-store. I know it's not a great situation for you. It sounds like all SA's are spread thin and they're trying to do their best for their most important clients. 7K in 2 years is unfortunately not a lot these days relatively (city/store dependent) in my opinion, since it sounds like a lot of people have been buying aggressively in all categories. It also depends on the bag you want too and I hear the first quota bag is easier to get (was in my opinion). Also, Mini Lindy and Constance to Go are both very popular bags that are hard to get even if they are not quota bags!

I'd suggest going in and seeing your SA in person. And if she's not helpful even in an in-person environment, maybe then switching an SA in your store is a possibility to keep your spend somewhat applicable? Or I don't know, maybe you can see the other SA at the other store and ask her if there's any chance that your previous relationship with Hermès will help you get your dream bag at this store (not sure if they appreciate such leading questions though so that's why I've rephrased it as such). Just my two cents!

Good luck! Whether or not you switch, you'll likely have to spend more either way (and most likely by going into the store a couple of times) and still be patient. Hopefully the stock is better next year!

 

[lilmermaid264]

Need Advice: should I switch my SA?

I have been with a SA for about 2 years, never been offered any quota bags but Constance 2 go, Mini Lindy. My spending on Jewelry, silk, shoes is about 7k so I started to ask for quota bags about 8 months ago. I haven't been visiting very often due to work tho.

My SA seems very busy and she is not too responsive. I have been asking for jewelry, shoes, RTW but she would respond at least 7-10 days after. She did not even try hard to locate items for me.

My friend is using another SA in another local store and advised me to switch to hers (since I only spend $7k so far) because the SA she is with is very responsive. She spent 15k in 3 months and got offered a B25 in Black. My friend said her SA would "100% offer you a bag when you spend enough". I am still very frustrating as I do not want to lose my spending in my current store (but was told that mini lindy and Constance to go would eat up my spending) and feel like I can never go back to my current SA if I switch.

What would you do if you were me?

I agree with Hphile above.

Those bags are super hard to get, I have a Mini lindy and a constance to go on my wishlist, and have spent way more. Given, I have had quota bag offers, your offers are still appreciated by any hermes lover.

SAs work hard and sometimes it's just hard to manage. Maybe change up the way you connect, like go for a visit.

Good luck.

 

[exchangeluxury]

Unless I was ready to spend 10K+ in a few months and ready to burn bridges with my current SA/store, I'd probably stick with my current SA. Especially because your friend spent twice your spend in a much shorter amount of time. Or if I thought the other store just had a lot more stock or was less competitive, that might make me consider switching.

Since it's another store, your spend probably won't transfer at all... so you'll have to spend that amount again. You started to ask for a quota bag at Hermès at one of the worst times for their stock so that's probably why you haven't been offered anything. It seems like your current SA does respond, but isn't as good about text but might prefer to do things during an appointment when you do purchase in-store. I know it's not a great situation for you. It sounds like all SA's are spread thin and they're trying to do their best for their most important clients. 7K in 2 years is unfortunately not a lot these days relatively (city/store dependent) in my opinion, since it sounds like a lot of people have been buying aggressively in all categories. It also depends on the bag you want too and I hear the first quota bag is easier to get (was in my opinion). Also, Mini Lindy and Constance to Go are both very popular bags that are hard to get even if they are not quota bags!

I'd suggest going in and seeing your SA in person. And if she's not helpful even in an in-person environment, maybe then switching an SA in your store is a possibility to keep your spend somewhat applicable? Or I don't know, maybe you can see the other SA at the other store and ask her if there's any chance that your previous relationship with Hermès will help you get your dream bag at this store (not sure if they appreciate such leading questions though so that's why I've rephrased it as such). Just my two cents!

Good luck! Whether or not you switch, you'll likely have to spend more either way (and most likely by going into the store a couple of times) and still be patient. Hopefully the stock is better next year!

Thank you and I agree with you. I am ready to spend more but just very frustrating about her not responding sometimes. I should just visit in person

 

[exchangeluxury]

I agree with Hphile above.

Those bags are super hard to get, I have a Mini lindy and a constance to go on my wishlist, and have spent way more. Given, I have had quota bag offers, your offers are still appreciated by any hermes lover.

SAs work hard and sometimes it's just hard to manage. Maybe change up the way you connect, like go for a visit.

Good luck.

I truly agree with you. I m feeling a little guilty

 

[biorin]

Thank you and I agree with you. I am ready to spend more but just very frustrating about her not responding sometimes. I should just visit in person

Sometimes my SA is pretty unresponsive, but when I go in person, my SA has already put in the orders I asked for, searched for things, etc. Other times they've been forgotten, but I realize that they're very busy right now and it's probably better to ask in person, where they've never been anything but helpful and accommodating.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

Need Advice: should I switch my SA?

I have been with a SA for about 2 years, never been offered any quota bags but Constance 2 go, Mini Lindy. My spending on Jewelry, silk, shoes is about 7k so I started to ask for quota bags about 8 months ago. I haven't been visiting very often due to work tho.

My SA seems very busy and she is not too responsive. I have been asking for jewelry, shoes, RTW but she would respond at least 7-10 days after. She did not even try hard to locate items for me.

My friend is using another SA in another local store and advised me to switch to hers (since I only spend $7k so far) because the SA she is with is very responsive. She spent 15k in 3 months and got offered a B25 in Black. My friend said her SA would "100% offer you a bag when you spend enough". I am still very frustrating as I do not want to lose my spending in my current store (but was told that mini lindy and Constance to go would eat up my spending) and feel like I can never go back to my current SA if I switch.

What would you do if you were me?

Have you expressed to your SA that you want a quota bag? Nowadays competition is strong and most people just go in and hit their quota aggressively within short period of 2 to 3 months, buying whatever in the shop that catches their eye. Which customer would you attend to if you are your SA?

 

[needmoneyforbirkins]

Hi all, is it possible to have a remote relationship with an SA? I lead a pretty nomadic lifestyle (frequent trips, always moving locations, no home-base as of yet) and was wondering if I would be able to maintain a relationship with a SA through phone orders. Would they be able to mail items to me? I'm not an aggressive shopper, I just see things I like and buy things here and there - and I'm not in a hurry for quota bags.

I like my wandering lifestyle but at the same time I'd also like to have a boutique I can assign as my home store. Are these two mutually exclusive or is it possible to have both?

 

[cravin]

Hi all, is it possible to have a remote relationship with an SA? I lead a pretty nomadic lifestyle (frequent trips, always moving locations, no home-base as of yet) and was wondering if I would be able to maintain a relationship with a SA through phone orders. Would they be able to mail items to me? I'm not an aggressive shopper, I just see things I like and buy things here and there - and I'm not in a hurry for quota bags.

I like my wandering lifestyle but at the same time I'd also like to have a boutique I can assign as my home store. Are these two mutually exclusive or is it possible to have both?

I guess anything is possible if you find the right SA. I will just tell you that our SAs have been told to get people into the boutique for shopping and to do less via text, emails and calls.

 

[Itinerantd]

H and forum newbie here. Not sure if this is right place to post. What bags besides birkin kelly would “reset” your spending history? I’m interested in a roulis or lindy but would hesitate if that resets spending.

 

[biorin]

H and forum newbie here. Not sure if this is right place to post. What bags besides birkin kelly would “reset” your spending history? I’m interested in a roulis or lindy but would hesitate if that resets spending.

I don't think you need to worry for either of these bags. A mini Lindy is in pretty high demand, but even then, I can't imagine it'd be detrimental towards building towards a B/K if that is your concern. My understanding is that while purchases of other bags aren't going to be seen as favorably as purchases of homeware, jewelry, etc. when building a profile, they certainly don't hurt!

 

[Etriers]

Hello! I see the items that I was looking for online. I asked my sa if she can get them and she says it’s sold out. I just want to get it online if I can get it that way but I am worried that my sa will be able to see my online purchases and get upset. Is there a good solution to this? Or the website is saying the items are in stock when it’s not? Thank you in advance for your help!

Text your SA and tell her you’re going to buy the “whatever-it-is” online. Ask her, Do you prefer to get that for me, or would you prefer I just order it myself?

 

[Etriers]

I know I asked and she says she can’t get it. It’s sold out she says. She says online info must be incorrect. So which info is right?

Go online and order it. If your order goes through, then it is available. If not, then your SA was correct.

 

[lala_retro]

Thank you and I agree with you. I am ready to spend more but just very frustrating about her not responding sometimes. I should just visit in person

Disclaimer: not a seasoned client at all, only started buying H 5 months ago, located in the US, mid-size city, non-competitive but store is tiny.

If it's any consolation to you, my SA sometimes will not respond to my text asking about item availability or sourcing requests until I send a second follow up text a week later. Attempts at sourcing items from other stores have 100% been unsuccessful (as in I've asked for around 5-6 items, ranging from boots, scarves, to non-quota bags, none have been successful). I visit the store at a frequency of about once a month, ~2k/visit, my SA is always nice and attentive during these in-person visits.

I'm definitely getting the vibe that she 1) wants me to come into the store in person to shop 2) prefers I buy existing stock rather than items that have to be ordered/transferred.

So maybe try visiting in person instead of only communicating/purchasing over text?

 

[momoc]

So iirc I texted my SA my wishlist of AW2021 scarves at the end of June/beggining of July. Today she gave me one of the scarves I texted her about way back then (and we haven't talked about it at all since). Just want to give another datapoint that sometimes they do remember your requests even if they don't give you many updates, or I think in this case she may have put my name down for this scarf for whenever it comes in, and it took this long for it to arrive!

For most people, patience is a necessity for shopping Hermes, and that is extra true this year (obviously as all things Hermes, there are exceptions yada yada yada). I was at my store (to pick up aforementioned scarf), and the shelves were very empty it was sad. The shelves that normally house (less popular / out in the open) handbags now have shoes and belts on them with like only 1 or 2 men's and travel bags, just to make them not appear empty. The section for SLGs was 80% empty space and there were like zero wallets. I was pleasantly surprised to see the twilly section being stocked (compared to my last visit, during which there were like 2 to 5 twilly boxes in all the twilly drawers). Tableware shelves were also very empty and that has been the case for a long, long while now (she did say there may be some more in the back, but none in the particular set/series I was collecting otherwise she'd have saved for me). So yeah, stock level is definitely not great.

My SA was very happy we were able to find some stuff I like (literally her words were "I'm so happy I have stuff to sell you"). She also said that of course it's not like there is nothing. I mean, you only need to check the bag offer thread to know some offers are obviously still being made. For my particular SA, she is trying as best as she could to work through her loyal, long-time customers who have been waiting. So for new / walk-in customers, she has indeed been telling some that it might be a good idea to check back next March (I think there have been reports of "no shipments until March" in some other threads, I feel like those may stem from similar sentiments). So for those who think the SAs are lying, well, true, it probably isn't the case that they literally have 0 bags and won't get any until next spring (mine quietly checked my interest on bags today too), but maybe they are just trying to be realistic about expectations and hint at how it is perhaps not the best time to start your Hermes journey, especially if you want a very popular bag some time very soon. To quote my SA, "I want to sell people stuff and make everyone happy if I could!"

I wish everyone happy shopping for this holiday season. Luxury shopping should NOT be stressful, it should be the opposite, a treat and a happy experience! Just be patient and understand the situation right now, and if you are banking on an H bag as a holiday gift, maybe it's a good idea to have some backup plans / alternatives, but I'm crossing my fingers for all of you and wishing you all good luck!

 

[IronOak]

So iirc I texted my SA my wishlist of AW2021 scarves at the end of June/beggining of July. Today she gave me one of the scarves I texted her about way back then (and we haven't talked about it at all since). Just want to give another datapoint that sometimes they do remember your requests even if they don't give you many updates, or I think in this case she may have put my name down for this scarf for whenever it comes in, and it took this long for it to arrive!

For most people, patience is a necessity for shopping Hermes, and that is extra true this year (obviously as all things Hermes, there are exceptions yada yada yada). I was at my store (to pick up aforementioned scarf), and the shelves were very empty it was sad. The shelves that normally house (less popular / out in the open) handbags now have shoes and belts on them with like only 1 or 2 men's and travel bags, just to make them not appear empty. The section for SLGs was 80% empty space and there were like zero wallets. I was pleasantly surprised to see the twilly section being stocked (compared to my last visit, during which there were like 2 to 5 twilly boxes in all the twilly drawers). Tableware shelves were also very empty and that has been the case for a long, long while now (she did say there may be some more in the back, but none in the particular set/series I was collecting otherwise she'd have saved for me). So yeah, stock level is definitely not great.

My SA was very happy we were able to find some stuff I like (literally her words were "I'm so happy I have stuff to sell you"). She also said that of course it's not like there is nothing. I mean, you only need to check the bag offer thread to know some offers are obviously still being made. For my particular SA, she is trying as best as she could to work through her loyal, long-time customers who have been waiting. So for new / walk-in customers, she has indeed been telling some that it might be a good idea to check back next March (I think there have been reports of "no shipments until March" in some other threads, I feel like those may stem from similar sentiments). So for those who think the SAs are lying, well, true, it probably isn't the case that they literally have 0 bags and won't get any until next spring (mine quietly checked my interest on bags today too), but maybe they are just trying to be realistic about expectations and hint at how it is perhaps not the best time to start your Hermes journey, especially if you want a very popular bag some time very soon. To quote my SA, "I want to sell people stuff and make everyone happy if I could!"

I wish everyone happy shopping for this holiday season. Luxury shopping should NOT be stressful, it should be the opposite, a treat and a happy experience! Just be patient and understand the situation right now, and if you are banking on an H bag as a holiday gift, maybe it's a good idea to have some backup plans / alternatives, but I'm crossing my fingers for all of you and wishing you all good luck!

Oh man do we have the same SA and same store? The shelves at our local store is essentially empty. Minimal SLGs. Minimal silks. The belts are now where there use to be bags. Our SA has told us they haven’t gotten any shipments in a while but fingers crossed for a late Nov/Dec shipment? And they’ve also been telling new clients no bags until well into 2022. (Literally had a coworker and his wife recount their experience to me and what my SA told him - he doesn’t know that we ship there).