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.

 

[880]

Ah how I do want to go into detail about the watches but don't want go off topic in this thread. I am actually interested in some of the mens watches as a woman. But did not see a thread for H watches here actually. Is there one?

there is a search button (magnifying glass icon) on the top right of thr screen

Hermes watches - Official Thread

Hey all! :smile: For ladies who bought Hermes watches (especially the ones with diamond setting).... Besides loving the watch design, may I know the other reasons/ factors that steered you to make the purchase? I’m in dilemma because I love the Cape Code watches with diamonds but this same...

forum.purseblog.com

if you would like to slow your spend, @DME explains how to develop an SA relationship in a very relaxed and sensible way

 

[WhiteBus]

I was going to pull out bits and pieces of your post to comment on, but I realized I was getting close to the whole post anyway, so…

This. This 1000%. I’m not a huge spender and I was terrified of/intimidated by Hermes for a long time, so it took me ages to even by an enamel bracelet. I had one SA reach out to me after what I’m sure was a small sale for her, just to let me know she was there to help if I needed anything. This was not even in my home store, either, but a place we vacation at least once a year. I do most of my spending with her now. I did get an offer for a B30 in Etain back in March with a less than 1:1 spend (and not all with her, either) and was thrilled. But I’m patient, enjoy the brand, buy things I love, take the time to get to know my SA, etc. I also bring my bag to every appointment with her now to show appreciation and to drive home that I’m not a reseller, which she seems to really like based on her comments. I chalk that offer up to all of those things! At the end of the day, SAs are people, too. A little kindness and loyalty go a long way. And for us shoppers, taking the time to relax and enjoy the experience also goes a long way.

You have got to be the client that every SA values.
You just go and shop; you don't count up every amount and call it 'pre-spend'; you don't obsess about some list or other.
Would that all the posters, asking for shortcut advice, on how to get a quota bag, read the accounts of all the posters like yourself and learnt from them.

your words are the best:
At the end of the day, SAs are people, too. A little kindness and loyalty go a long way. And for us shoppers, taking the time to relax and enjoy the experience also goes a long way.

read, learn, inwardly digest and have a Happy New Year

 

[Itinerantd]

There are also plenty of people posting who bought only what they wanted at a snails pace and were not taken seriously by their sa too, they are not given priority in stuff they want and if interested in a quota bag many times are getting no luck. Simply having an appreciation and shopping like that can go either way! It’s no guarantee the rapport with their sa. I don’t like how it’s assumed that the people having anxiety like me are rude, do not treat their sa like a human and have no true appreciation for the brand. Hello I am here stressing out about having wasted their time and have an endless list of H products I would love to have!

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

There are also plenty of people posting who bought only what they wanted at a snails pace and were not taken seriously by their sa too, they are not given priority in stuff they want and if interested in a quota bag many times are getting no luck. Simply having an appreciation and shopping like that can go either way! It’s no guarantee the rapport with their sa. I don’t like how it’s assumed that the people having anxiety like me are rude, do not treat their sa like a human and have no true appreciation for the brand. Hello I am here stressing out about having wasted their time and have an endless list of H products I would love to have!

dont over-think.
dont stress.
only buy what you can afford
only buy what you love.
make this your mantra.

 

[880]

My personal comfort point is the level/rate I've spent so far, not much beyond that (1:1 every 2 months),

I don’t like how it’s assumed that the people having anxiety like me are rude, do not treat their sa like a human and have no true appreciation for the brand. Hello I am here stressing out about having wasted their time and have an endless list of H products I would love to have!

@Itinerantd, if you are filled with anxiety, there’s no problem with stopping for a while. This should be fun. Your spend is fine. Just tell your SA what you want, when you want it. If he or she cannot understand that, then he or she doesn’t deserve your patronage. I personally think with your rate of spend you should eventually be able to get what you want regardless of your geographic location. @maxroxxherhandbags and other have said: do not buy anything you don’t adore

also, pls remember the written word can come across more seriously, so just remember to take any post in the spirit it’s given. If we were all having coffee and cake together and I said to you, hey, just tell your SA that this was your long term list, it wouldn’t come across nearly as seriously as in print. BTW, I would have no issue saying to my H SA, I’m stopping now bc I want to appreciate what I bought/ bc I’m waiting for the chanel private sale next week/ bc I want to wait for the item to transfer in to see it IRL, or for no reason at all, it wouldn’t be a problem (but I haven’t had to say that yet bc there isn’t enough for me to buy at H that I want). it’s their job to sell. It’s your job to put the brakes on, or accelerate, or do whatever you want, Lol

 

[tinkerbell68]

I was going to pull out bits and pieces of your post to comment on, but I realized I was getting close to the whole post anyway, so…

This. This 1000%. I’m not a huge spender and I was terrified of/intimidated by Hermes for a long time, so it took me ages to even by an enamel bracelet. I had one SA reach out to me after what I’m sure was a small sale for her, just to let me know she was there to help if I needed anything. This was not even in my home store, either, but a place we vacation at least once a year. I do most of my spending with her now. I did get an offer for a B30 in Etain back in March with a less than 1:1 spend (and not all with her, either) and was thrilled. But I’m patient, enjoy the brand, buy things I love, take the time to get to know my SA, etc. I also bring my bag to every appointment with her now to show appreciation and to drive home that I’m not a reseller, which she seems to really like based on her comments. I chalk that offer up to all of those things! At the end of the day, SAs are people, too. A little kindness and loyalty go a long way. And for us shoppers, taking the time to relax and enjoy the experience also goes a long way.

About every ten pages of this thread, someone posts something similar to @DME post above…I’ve posted something similar myself…and yet apparently it bears repeating! Grocery shopping is NOT fun; luxury shopping, if you have the financial capacity, is supposed to be fun. Indulging in a beautiful silk scarf or a meticulously crafted small leather item or a tastefully designed houseware or a stylish piece of RTW should bring you joy. If, during every purchase, you are feeling anxious and stressed about whether or not you are buying the ‘right’ thing or spending the right amount, pause and ask yourself why. Are you only shopping to ‘earn‘ a QB? And remember that it is your SA’s job to help you find the items that make your heart sing…it makes them happy to make you happy…not only because they get commission but also because if you are having fun, you’ll come back.
I should add that I have not yet received a bag from my SA but we have developed a great relationship…she knows what I like and shows me things I might not have considered. I have fun shopping and eventually I’ll get something from my wishlist but that isn’t the endgame.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

There are also plenty of people posting who bought only what they wanted at a snails pace and were not taken seriously by their sa too, they are not given priority in stuff they want and if interested in a quota bag many times are getting no luck. Simply having an appreciation and shopping like that can go either way! It’s no guarantee the rapport with their sa. I don’t like how it’s assumed that the people having anxiety like me are rude, do not treat their sa like a human and have no true appreciation for the brand. Hello I am here stressing out about having wasted their time and have an endless list of H products I would love to have!

For your SA to like you as a customer, don’t give your SA additional work.
Some points you might like to take note

If you had given your SA multiples of same color of a single item, say u will take 1 and most preferably in this or that color. If u really only want 1 (in case the item is not so popular and u end up with multiples). There r ppl who are scarf collectors, Oran collectors, etc.

Just generally, Don’t return or exchange items, if possible, unless the item has a defect. I was told for watches, they have to be sent to Switzerland to be authenticated before the return or exchange takes place. So I can only guess that almost every item returned or exchange, they do have concern on authenticity. Not saying you can’t return or exchange but it will involve more work for your SA.

I think it’s great to hit 1:1 in 2 months. Then self regulate to stop buying. Then it gives the SA time to show appreciation. At 1 point I am at 4:1 without even receiving the first bag and it really sucks. I do not enjoy being taken for a ride.
Some other customers may not care but my money doesn’t grow on trees and I do want bags too besides all the other stuff I bought.

Just Thot it’s worth to mention, I do like every item I bought otherwise I wouldn’t have bought so much.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

For your SA to love you as a customer, you might even have to do more work.

self regulate your profile not to look like a reseller, u might even hv to give up on multiples even if you love the items …. I was advised by my SA not to buy certain things like twillies, clic H in multiples….the twillies almost killed me coz there are so many nice ones last season! I wanted to get a couple of clic h for my cousins as gifts (sometimes you just have to get multiples to avoid comparison who has the better gift) but was told it would hurt my profile, my SA would be questioned and jeopardise getting a bag at my store. It also involves more work for her to explain and justify.

Take advice from SA on what to buy to spread across categories. This is a very controversial point but helping the SA succeed at her job means success for the customer as well. But it doesn’t mean I buy just anything the SA show me. It means if she showed me a plate or a bowl, I take a hint to look into that category (which involves doing work online to see what is available that interest me) and ask for a porcelain to buy. Sometimes for myself, sometimes as a wedding or housewarming gift.

You could even go as far as what a reseller in Japan suggested, buy whatever/whenever the SA needs help to hit their KPI where your finances allow. This is what I would say the true test of your relationship. It means setting aside a customer’s own interests and preferences.

 

[880]

even hv to give up on multiples even if you love the items …. I was advised by my SA not to buy certain things like twillies, clic H in multiples….the twillies almost killed me coz there are so many nice ones last season! I wanted to get a couple of clic h for my cousins as gifts (sometimes you just have to get multiples to avoid comparison who has the better gift) but was told it would hurt my profile, my SA would be questioned and jeopardise getting a bag at my store.

@Justlikewhatilike, this sounds really hard wow

im not sure if I would have the stamina to shop H in Asia

 

[DME]

May i ask if that does include non quota bags or all categorys without non quota bags?

Oops! Hit the Like button when I meant to respond.

It was fashion jewelry, shoes, Twilly scarves and one small piece of table wear. The B30 is my one and only H bag (at the moment). And, until just recently, it was also my only leather item outside of shoes.

 

[DME]

You have got to be the client that every SA values.
You just go and shop; you don't count up every amount and call it 'pre-spend'; you don't obsess about some list or other.
Would that all the posters, asking for shortcut advice, on how to get a quota bag, read the accounts of all the posters like yourself and learnt from them.

your words are the best:
At the end of the day, SAs are people, too. A little kindness and loyalty go a long way. And for us shoppers, taking the time to relax and enjoy the experience also goes a long way.

read, learn, inwardly digest and have a Happy New Year

So I am posting from Las Vegas right now. There are three H locations and I’ve been to them all. And bought from them all. I started with my regular SA first and gave her a list in advance, with the caveat that I know it may be difficult to find anything I’m interested in. I bought two small items from her, neither on my list, but I liked them when I saw them in the store. We chatted a bit about items for the new year, but nothing concrete. The second location I visited had even less stock, but I did find one small item. The SA there actually told me when I said I could be patient in all the things that she wished others took my lead! I had to laugh. The third location had the best selection of silks, so I purchased a few from there. I’m not worried about damaging my relationship with my SA because I didn’t buy all items from her; I made it clear I’ll be back to see her, likely in the spring, and she knows I keep to my word. Are there items I want? Sure. Am I going to get mad that I can’t purchase them at the moment? I don’t need that stress and anger!

 

[nzilbz98]

For your SA to love you as a customer, you might even have to do more work.

self regulate your profile not to look like a reseller, u might even hv to give up on multiples even if you love the items …. I was advised by my SA not to buy certain things like twillies, clic H in multiples….the twillies almost killed me coz there are so many nice ones last season! I wanted to get a couple of clic h for my cousins as gifts (sometimes you just have to get multiples to avoid comparison who has the better gift) but was told it would hurt my profile, my SA would be questioned and jeopardise getting a bag at my store. It also involves more work for her to explain and justify.

Take advice from SA on what to buy to spread across categories. This is a very controversial point but helping the SA succeed at her job means success for the customer as well. But it doesn’t mean I buy just anything the SA show me. It means if she showed me a plate or a bowl, I take a hint to look into that category (which involves doing work online to see what is available that interest me) and ask for a porcelain to buy. Sometimes for myself, sometimes as a wedding or housewarming gift.

You could even go as far as what a reseller in Japan suggested, buy whatever/whenever the SA needs help to hit their KPI where your finances allow. This is what I would say the true test of your relationship. It means setting aside a customer’s own interests and preferences.

This is honestly where I would draw the line. At the end of the day, a customer is there to spend their money however they please. To go to those lengths of buying stuff to help your SA is weird. You don't work for them- they work for you (in a respectful way.) It's degrading as a person to play the Hermes game to that extent. Buy what you like and want. Not because an SA is pushing you to and not because you think it will help you get a "dream" bag. The last thing I'd want to do is buy something and spend a lot of money on things that I don't like and won't ever use.

 

[880]

This is honestly where I would draw the line. At the end of the day, a customer is there to spend their money however they please. To go to those lengths of buying stuff to help your SA is weird. You don't work for them- they work for you (in a respectful way.) It's degrading as a person to play the Hermes game to that extent. Buy what you like and want. Not because an SA is pushing you to and not because you think it will help you get a "dream" bag. The last thing I'd want to do is buy something and spend a lot of money on things that I don't like and won't ever use.

Agree that you should only buy what you love. But as per @Justlikewhatilike, she does buy what she loves when she is able to do so. I did find it shocking that this kind of quid pro quo transparent buy this, for that, is kind of standard for some parts of Asia. (I have read through some of the Singapore threads for chanel and hermes, and it sounds impossible to those of us who live and shop elsewhere. I’m just very grateful that my local H doesn’t make me go through that.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

@Justlikewhatilike, I’m so sorry this sounds really hard wow

im not sure if I would have the stamina to shop H in Asia

Yeah. It’s really tiring. And I’m truly buying the things I like but it involves a lot of work and research. it is no small feat.

No offence to those who enjoy their shopping journey and have nice things put on a platter for them.

but I don’t see that this is sustainable for myself. Too much work.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

This is honestly where I would draw the line. At the end of the day, a customer is there to spend their money however they please. To go to those lengths of buying stuff to help your SA is weird. You don't work for them- they work for you (in a respectful way.) It's degrading as a person to play the Hermes game to that extent. Buy what you like and want. Not because an SA is pushing you to and not because you think it will help you get a "dream" bag. The last thing I'd want to do is buy something and spend a lot of money on things that I don't like and won't ever use.

There are various forms of relationship and it’s different for every culture.

Anyway, for those who don’t enjoy it. They will choose to go to a reseller.