Maintaining an H relationship

papertiger · Sep 22, 2020

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.

FaubourgTropical · Dec 23, 2021

Justlikewhatilike said:
My SA told me they are not able to tell when the goods would be delivered. She could only tell me 85% of the time, they will come.

I asked for a pair of shoes from her and she took the effort to transfer from another store, which I very much appreciate. The response that came back was that the transfer was rejected. Oh well, doesn’t matter. Taking it in my stride I purchased something else which I love as much. 2 months later she asked me to collect the shoes which had been transferred for me….I felt obligated to take those shoes then. I still like it, but the experience suffered another notch. To be completely honest, I took the shoes in order to maintain my relationship with my SA.

I hope my sharing is not taken as ranting. But just to give a flavour of what’s the reality of this relationship.

Sorry to be blunt. To me, this is part of the issue. Maybe it’s the culture of your store but if everyone does it, then shopping becomes an unpleasant game of one-upmanship.

I agree with you though: maintaining relationships have many ways and faces. One of the ways suggested is not to engage.

IronOak · Dec 23, 2021

Justlikewhatilike said:
My SA told me they are not able to tell when the goods would be delivered. She could only tell me 85% of the time, they will come.

I asked for a pair of shoes from her and she took the effort to transfer from another store, which I very much appreciate. The response that came back was that the transfer was rejected. Oh well, doesn’t matter. Taking it in my stride I purchased something else which I love as much. 2 months later she asked me to collect the shoes which had been transferred for me….I felt obligated to take those shoes then. I still like it, but the experience suffered another notch. To be completely honest, I took the shoes in order to maintain my relationship with my SA.

I hope my sharing is not taken as ranting. But just to give a flavour of what’s the reality of this relationship.

On that line, it does seem like this type of retail customer relationship is not exactly conducive for spontaneous purchases (unless you’re wealthy but that’s another matter). Like you said, for me, knowing an item won’t show up for 5 months, I had better be sure I am going to love it, because I don’t want to have bothered my SA for nothing. Hopefully, after time, your SA won’t mind doing it even if you don’t buy it, like ours, but it takes time to get there. But exactly like you said, it’s just the “reality of this relationship”.

Another thought is: how much of this is just due to COVID, and once the shortage is over, we will all look back and laugh at how silly we were for fretting over this? -shrug-

WhiteBus · Dec 23, 2021

IronOak said:
Are you referring to the book by Michael Tonello?

Yes. He just recounts what he observed and how he capitalised on it.
He did become a bit of a persona non grata as a result of his account and activities.
For anyone who has not read it, the title is:
Bringing home the Birkin

WhiteBus · Dec 23, 2021

Pivoine66 said:
In principle, I can understand that new customers feel disappointed, when SAs tell them "No stock" or similar - when they want to buy a B/K - as so infinitely many now do. But what should SAs answer to the client? "No bag for YOU! because we have so many loyal long-term customers who are also waiting for a bag and would be disappointed if YOU got it before they did? Would that make them feel better? Should Hermès flood the market with B/K - How long would so many customers still want to buy a B/K? I wonder, how are the SAs feeling who are constantly being lied to straight in their face "Oh, I've been dreaming of a B/K for sooo long especially 25 - or I want one for my wife, mother, sister, birthday, ..." and "I looove the scarves, ..."? and then they see daily on social media, VC and many many other platforms how the bags are resold for exorbitant prices, often along with everything else.
How are SAs supposed to determine who means it honestly and who is just in for making big bucks?? The sad result is: some lie successfully and get a bag - others are serious and don't get one.

Personally, I think a theoretical answer - verrrry unpopular one -: stop buying new bags from resellers for a long time until prices drop. Then it becomes uninteresting for the many professional and - yes, very many private - resellers and many more bags remain for the really interested. Those who don't have a boutique nearby can perhaps buy a bag storefresh on one of their trips because more are also available in the boutiques. But - like others have said here before - IMO, too, the trend towards "instant gratification" is worldwide and to that extent I fear it will continue for a long time, perhaps until the status of a B/K is broken.

I support your verrrry unpopular answer, as I think should be the consensus on this site.
But I fear it would impact unfavourably on too many personal interests to become the general attitude.

jenayb · Dec 23, 2021

leechiyong said:
There’s a tendency to build up H in our heads way too much.

This.

EllenTsai · Dec 23, 2021

Or you can throw a massive hissy fit in store and see if it helps :cool:

880 · Dec 23, 2021

Justlikewhatilike said:
It’s a very exceptional shopping experience when one can’t buy something that one likes. Or in the quantities that one

Just yesterday I was told by someone that she went into a H store with family to buy some Oran sandals. It was difficult to get her size. So, once she was told there is stock, she wanted to get 3 different colours. The SA who served her refused to sell to her unless it is under 3 different profiles. So she had to get her family members to create new profiles just so she could get them after going many stores without getting any.

how normal is that?

I’m in the US, and shoes, like orans, in different colors, aren’t an issue where I am. But, during Covid especially, shops like dior, hermes, chanel, and brunello have had some stock shortages, so sometimes I have to preorder or wait for what I want (My SA will transfer) It’s not a problem for me. The new normal.

I’m SE Asian, and I do tend to accumulate a lot of sandals, espadrilles, summer stuff for that type of climate, but my home store fortunately doesn’t have an issue with multiple shoe or RTW purchase. But, if my SA couldn’t get a simple shoe transfer in for 5 months and I changed my mind, he would not have an issue with me refusing to purchase. Someone else will buy it.

Asia does sound much more difficult.

edit: DH and I preorder stuff from a variety of brands. and, sometimes the wait of months is annoying. If you truly want the item, I find it’s best to forget about it until it arrives. Then it’s a happy surprise. i did cancel my order for H deco dishwater bc we found a brand we prefer Hering Berlin. My H SA knows our taste and agreed with us, no issue.

Etriers · Dec 23, 2021

maxroxxherhandbags · Dec 23, 2021

As I see it some Posters view Hermès shopping and 'relationships' on a par to being accepted for membership at an exclusive club.
At the risk of sounding rude people do really just need to chill.
Hermès is a brand...and yes I understand that buying into that brand denotes a certain element of wealth or supposed 'good taste'.
Hermès stores are shops..the purpose of a shop is sell things-in the case of Hermès (unlike Zara or Longchamp) the items are all made in house not farmed out to factories some items are hand-made-Therefore there will always by the nature of the brand be limited supply of certain popular items.
Hermès sales associates are just that..sales people there to sell items to customers.
They are not your friend- you should not feel the need to get their 'approval' to gain admission to the 'elite club'.
Be genuine, be polite, if you love the brand and are open and honest the 'relationship' will grow.! It should be a form of relaxation
But desperation shows and do remember that some sales people will smell that desperation to 'be accepted to the club' and get offered a quota bag and string you along to boost their sales and therefore their commission.
I'm a little like a cracked record with what I am going to state next because I repeat it again and again but Its something I feel strongly some posters need reminding of.
Shopping should be joyful it should be a form of relaxation.
It shouldn't be a source of stress and handwringing and overthinking.
These are luxury goods its not life or death..relax and enjoy the shopping experience.
I will add here that during my long love affair with the brand I have had a few quota bag offers despite being a low spender.
I put this down to being open and honest and genuinely loving the brand and loving more than just the quota bags.

WhiteBus · Dec 23, 2021

Amen, sister

880 · Dec 23, 2021

Etriers said:
For fascinating topics that don’t quite fit here, there are great threads on the forum for deep diving into:

The Unfairness Of It All

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/disgusted.1001300/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...-half-the-supply.1039382/page-3#post-34312644
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/whats-your-unpopular-hermes-opinion.1028569/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/am-i-too-poor-for-hermes.1017474/

Treatment in H Stores:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/treatment-in-hermes-stores.267768/

Questioning Whether Or Not Hermes Is Worth It/Prices Etc.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/can-someone-explain-the-birkin-kelly-obsession-to-me.1036230/

Fastest/Easiest Way to Get A Quota Bag:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...et-a-birkin-or-other-bag-reading-room.505926/

How Much One Has to Spend for a BKC

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/spend-threshold-for-b-k-c.1032182/page-16#post-34913407
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/hermes-b-and-k-offer.1042406/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/the-hermes-game-should-i-keep-fighting.1037080/

Rules for Buying Quota Bags

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/new-rules-for-buying-quota-bags-uk.1032900/

Being Annoyed About Having to Make Appointments or Just Generally Being Annoyed:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/does-having-to-make-an-appointment-annoy-you.1042597/

Getting Your Dream Bag as A Walk-In:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/dream-bag-walk-in.1020741/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/paris-trip-for-hermes.457159/
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/is-b-k-c-not-that-hard-to-get-anymore.1014202/#post-33219760

Hope that helps! Enjoy!

Thank you! This reading list will alleviate boredom during the holidays with my extended family! :biggrin:

Justlikewhatilike · Dec 23, 2021

WhiteBus said:
I support your verrrry unpopular answer, as I think should be the consensus on this site.
But I fear it would impact unfavourably on too many personal interests to become the general attitude.

Pivoine66 said:
In principle, I can understand that new customers feel disappointed, when SAs tell them "No stock" or similar - when they want to buy a B/K - as so infinitely many now do. But what should SAs answer to the client? "No bag for YOU! because we have so many loyal long-term customers who are also waiting for a bag and would be disappointed if YOU got it before they did? Would that make them feel better? Should Hermès flood the market with B/K - How long would so many customers still want to buy a B/K? I wonder, how are the SAs feeling who are constantly being lied to straight in their face "Oh, I've been dreaming of a B/K for sooo long especially 25 - or I want one for my wife, mother, sister, birthday, ..." and "I looove the scarves, ..."? and then they see daily on social media, VC and many many other platforms how the bags are resold for exorbitant prices, often along with everything else.
How are SAs supposed to determine who means it honestly and who is just in for making big bucks?? The sad result is: some lie successfully and get a bag - others are serious and don't get one.

Personally, I think a theoretical answer - verrrry unpopular one -: stop buying new bags from resellers for a long time until prices drop. Then it becomes uninteresting for the many professional and - yes, very many private - resellers and many more bags remain for the really interested. Those who don't have a boutique nearby can perhaps buy a bag storefresh on one of their trips because more are also available in the boutiques. But - like others have said here before - IMO, too, the trend towards "instant gratification" is worldwide and to that extent I fear it will continue for a long time, perhaps until the status of a B/K is broken.

frankly, it probably won’t happen. It’s a vicious cycle as some genuine customers gets so frustrated at that they are buying bags and other items from resellers to spare themselves the trouble.

Also, I’m pretty sure some of the resellers are long time customers that H values.

880 · Dec 23, 2021

Justlikewhatilike said:
Also, I’m pretty sure some of the resellers are long time customers that H values.

I would agree this ^ is quite likely

Re the issue of whether this rat race is unique to H. . . I would say it’s not exclusive to H by any means. The scarcity of product and two year + waitlists are the new reality for many premier luxury brands. At one such luxury niche brand, the wait list is two years for a popular watch for current customers (customers have purchased a prior watch or more, average usual price around 50k+). The SM will admit that this process is not up to the management or staff. The watches are literally made in such limited quantities that there is barely enough for the current customers. In fact, the wait list is closed on one particular model bc the company cannot guarantee fulfillment no matter the wait. It’s a very one percent problem

papertiger · Dec 23, 2021

880 said:
I would agree this ^ is quite likely

Re the issue of whether this rat race is unique to H. . . I would say it’s not exclusive to H by any means. The scarcity of product and two year + waitlists are the new reality for many premier luxury brands. At one such luxury niche brand, the wait list is two years for a popular watch for current customers (customers have purchased a prior watch or more, average usual price around 50k+). The SM will admit that this process is not up to the management or staff. The watches are literally made in such limited quantities that there is barely enough for the current customers. In fact, the wait list is closed on one particular model bc the company cannot guarantee fulfillment no matter the wait. It’s a very one percent problem

I agree. I also think it has been ever thus. Affordable luxury from dept store goodies aside, I can never remember being sure that I'd get anything at H I wanted until I'd finished paying for it at the till. If it hadn't been for this forum, I may never have even known what to ask for and we are going back more than 10 years.

I cannot ever remember a time when H sold whatever the customer wanted, even if said customer could see it in front of them. Very often to the question of I'd like to buy 'x' was "non". I think the whole thing this is all a new game and purposely done is complete nostalgia.

My mother would complain how rude lux SAs were way back in the day. They could look down their noses at customers and pretend they didn't hear/understand if someone spoke less the 100% perfect French/Italian including pronunciation. I've heard H could be literally be frightening from other ladies and gents who used to (try) and shop in the '80s/'90s.

If you ask me, we have it lucky now. Make a connection, know what you want, be willing to wait and enjoy what you've got already.

Justlikewhatilike · Dec 23, 2021

Until now, after spending boatloads of cash. I finally know how to get the small items I want. I would say that now I have a working relationship with my SA.

Even now my SA is still telling me that people who are not VIPs wont be able to get the new season shoes.

How candid is that….lol. I supposed this is what comes out of a genuine relationship with mutual respect.

Maintaining an H relationship

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