Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[WhiteBus]

I thought it’s more common and polite to reply in a reasonable amount of time that there is no stock rather than not reply.

frankly, there r so many times my SA didn’t reply me when I asked for a certain items a couple of times. Until she recently requested me to order some items. I repeated 1 item I asked a couple of times but gotten no reply. She thought I got it already.

I would agree that some acknowledgement would be polite, but that is not the commercial world in which we live.

Some people don't like to accept that a failure to get a response is a brush off.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

I would agree that some acknowledgement would be polite, but that is not the commercial world in which we live.

Some people don't like to accept that a failure to get a response is a brush off.

That’s so paradoxical LOL
Not saying for everyone…but to certain extend, when one buys luxury, one is also trying to buy some respect. And then meet some SAs who brushes one off instead!

Alas….woe to the one who did not manage to get their desired items and in the process kinda lost a bit of respect as well.

 

[RitaLA]

I was intending to highlight the uncertainty.
As you are in the position of your SA going to be on maternity leave and that, all being well for your SA, she will not be at work for some months,
will you suspend purchasing in the hope of her return? or make other arrangements?
You SA has advised you of what will be happening.

In the case of the OP, her SA was suddenly not there.
Had the reason been maternity it is unlikely that OP would not have noticed her SA becoming great with with child. My suggestion was not seriously that maternity was the reason, but an example of how the length if absence would be uncertain.

I was just chatting with you. We never know what kind of turns life takes us. She might mot come back. Who knows?? She asked me to wait for her and not make any purchases with other SA . That will give the bank account a breather hahaha
Regarding OP, I don’t think maternity is the reason either. I had a SA in Denver who left on leave unexpectedly and when she came back she said she had a death in the family and health issues of her own. She didn’t want to share at the time. She wanted to keep her privacy. So go figure….
people just have stuff going on like we all do.
thank you for the reply. Enjoy your weekend

 

[RitaLA]

That’s so paradoxical LOL
Not saying for everyone…but to certain extend, when one buys luxury, one is also trying to buy some respect. And then meet some SAs who brushes one off instead!

Alas….woe to the one who did not manage to get their desired items and in the process kinda lost a bit of respect as well.

That’s some great psychological insight here. We should have a thread “Psychology and H shopping: how to keep your mental health in check while shopping with Hermès.” This thread brings out all kindS of relationship patterns that we have developed over a life time. As well as self-esteem issues and so on. It’s an emotional can of worms

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

That’s some great psychological insight here. We should have a thread “Psychology and H shopping: how to keep your mental health in check while shopping with Hermès.” This thread brings out all kindS of relationship patterns that we have developed over a life time. As well as self-esteem issues and so on. It’s an emotional can of worms

That’s right! Well, some relationships are healthy, some not so healthy and some down right abusive…..lol

 

[periogirl28]

I have realised that shopping in Asia and Europe, where by and large the SAs do not earn individual commission but have targets to hit, may have taken away from me all of this anxiety over "maintaining a relationship". As I shopped over the years I have always gotten to know the SMs and the colleagues of my SAs at various stores, I am introduced to them gradually and while waiting for my own SA, I do sometimes chat with the others in their team. This is something I have always done, as for example in France, Switzerland and Netherlands where I lived, customers always greet the shopkeeper on entering a store. It is a cultural thing and a given to acknowledge at least the SAs who recognise you.

On occasion when I pop by, perhaps to collect a reservation and my own SA happens to be on leave, their colleagues might have been asked help me and as they do not earn commission, it doesn't matter if I do buy something extra with them. This happens as I do not always expect an text or email response ASAP on a request and neither do I panic when I don't get one back in 5 seconds. I pop by either on a whim or sometimes it takes a 13 hour flight to visit the store. At the end of the day purchases are still put under my SA's "number" and the credit goes to the overall department/ store sales. All my purchases have remained in the system except when they did one overhaul at FSH and restarted everything at some point a few years ago.

Eventually if my own SA leaves to another department, is posted out to another city or leaves the business completely, it is generally done very well with my SA handing over my account to the manager, or organically I end up with their closest colleague who has helped me in the past anyway. All previous "wishes" and SO placed remain in the system and 90% have shown up. I do realise how fortunate I am to have so little angst regarding shopping at Hermes.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

I have realised that shopping in Asia and Europe, where by and large the SAs do not earn individual commission but have targets to hit, may have taken away from me all of this anxiety over "maintaining a relationship". As I shopped over the years I have always gotten to know the SMs and the colleagues of my SAs at various stores, I am introduced to them gradually and while waiting for my own SA, I do sometimes chat with the others in their team. This is something I have always done, as for example in France, Switzerland and Netherlands where I lived, customers always greet the shopkeeper on entering a store. It is a cultural thing and a given to acknowledge at least the SAs who recognise you.

On occasion when I pop by, perhaps to collect a reservation and my own SA happens to be on leave, their colleagues might have been asked help me and as they do not earn commission, it doesn't matter if I do buy something extra with them. This happens as I do not always expect an text or email response ASAP on a request and neither do I panic when I don't get one back in 5 seconds. I pop by either on a whim or sometimes it takes a 13 hour flight to visit the store. At the end of the day purchases are still put under my SA's "number" and the credit goes to the overall department/ store sales. All my purchases have remained in the system except when they did one overhaul at FSH and restarted everything at some point a few years ago.

Eventually if my own SA leaves to another department, is posted out to another city or leaves the business completely, it is generally done very well with my SA handing over my account to the manager, or organically I end up with their closest colleague who has helped me in the past anyway. All previous "wishes" and SO placed remain in the system and 90% have shown up. I do realise how fortunate I am to have so little angst regarding shopping at Hermes.

U have been extremely fortunate to start your relationships early.

these days The H stores where I am r like a marketplace….crowded and loud…there is always a q. If I have to go into the store, I could be squeezed to a corner of the countertop where 2 different groups of customers are sharing the same countertop as well. My patience is thinner than an overstretched piece of gum.

So, I only go when I can get an appointment with my SA to pick up something I requested that has already arrived at the store. If she is busy or not at the store, I don’t go. None of her colleagues would be free to help anyways. The atmosphere can get a little tense and stressful….no time for chit chat. I don’t even know who is my store SM. It’s always beeline from the door to a chair where I can comfortably wait for my SA to finish up her last appointment. I don’t bother browsing coz it’s crowded and nothing spectacular will manage to appear on the shop floor anyway.

My SA and I are pretty task focused ppl….so she is done with us and sends us out the door within 30mins. Lol….I do make appointment during off peak times to ask certain questions to my SA. That’s the time we can chit chat. That’s usually late evening when I go way out of my routine to meet her and don’t really feel like talking to anybody else and I’m sure everybody else at the store had a long day already.

 

[FaubourgTropical]

U have been extremely fortunate to start your relationships early.

^^^^^ this
I think this is what’s maddening about Hermes: each experience is so different and it depends on so many things that are not described necessarily fully in posts.
Everyone is just so helpful in sharing their experiences but without the full story, it does create confusion.

Geography and culture do play a huge part. So sometimes receiving question without details also adds more confusion. I imagine the frustration in this board of receiving advice to shop with just any SA (European context) because it simply will not work in Asia.

 

[claritaaa27]

I had an appointment scheduled with my SA last Saturday afternoon. When I arrived at the boutique, I learned that she was out sick. Fortunately the store manager was able to help me with my purchases that afternoon. When I sent my SA a text to check in and see how she was feeling on Monday, I got an auto-responder indicating that she'd be out for the week and providing an 'emergency' contact number...presumably the store manager. I'm sure your SA @Bostonluxx21 would want you to be happy while they are out so I'd follow @maxroxxherhandbags advice and contact the SM.

I don’t mean to frighten you or anything, just going to share my story.

Something similar happened to me few months ago. My SA told me she’s on leave for a week, then the following week I texted her (Whatsapp) and didn’t get through. Few days went on and another SA from my store called me saying that she’s my new SA now as my previous one left the company..

But on the bright side, I really get along with my current SA. I’ve grown to believe that everything happens for a reason!

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

^^^^^ this
I think this is what’s maddening about Hermes: each experience is so different and it depends on so many things that are not described necessarily fully in posts.
Everyone is just so helpful in sharing their experiences but without the full story, it does create confusion.

Geography and culture do play a huge part. So sometimes receiving question without details also adds more confusion. I imagine the frustration in this board of receiving advice to shop with just any SA (European context) because it simply will not work in Asia.

At the beginning of my journey, my SA told me directly that I can buy bags from any shop and any SA because it doesn’t count towards getting the quota bag. However, if I want to get my quota bag through her, I have to build up my purchase history through her. Very frank, very direct.

So I really encourage everyone to have open conversations with their SAs. It takes u 2 to tango to the Hermes tune. In fact, I feel it’s really team work to get to the end goal.

 

[880]

up. I do realise how fortunate I am to have so little angst regarding shopping at Hermes.

The atmosphere can get a little tense and stressful…

I quoted above bc the first quote is how I feel about my home store. the second is how I felt shopping as a tourist in a new location, like Milan or Rome. (Apologies to @Justlikewhatilike, as I realized that I’ve taken her statement out of its original context, which was when her store was busy or her SA was unavailable)
I have a great relationship with my home store, but I have the good fortune to have gotten an appt for FSH (my home SA said why not apply, nothing to lose). But, I’ve never been to FSH, so I am nervous (I don’t speak french — it took years on TPF and I owned one before I even learned how to pronounce HAC) and am obviously not a local (Milan, Rome H were both too busy to even help me in RTW, and in Milan, though they were not exactly unfriendly, they made me wait for an Asian SA). i also do not want to buy something just because I am so awestruck by being there and then have regrets. (I am determined, if anyone is unpleasant. That I won’t buy anything though).

So, my home SA, DH and I will figure out what would be great for my style that is different enough from my current bags, and what I should ask for. and, my SA promised he would be available if I need to call or text him while I’m at FSH. I know this sounds weird esp bc everyone here seems to want to ask for a 25B or mini K, but I‘m not sure those things are really me. Having said that, I’m not so high maintenance in that I can and do make up my mind very quickly. I just need a fast professional (who really knows my style) reassuring thumbs up or down. My SA did also say It’s possible they will have nothing and I will be offered a mini roulis. Which, in a way, would be less pressure lol. And, that’s why I value my home relationship.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

I quoted above bc the first quote is how I feel about my home store. the second is how I feel shopping as a tourist in a new location. (Apologies to @Justlikewhatilike, as I realized that I’ve taken her statement out of its original context)
I have a great relationship with my home store, but I have the good fortune to have gotten an appt for FSH (my home SA said why not apply, nothing to lose). But, I’ve never been to FSH, so I am nervous that the staff will be unfriendly (I don’t speak french and am obviously not a local (Milan, Rome H were both too busy to even help me in RTW, and in Milan, though they were not exactly unfriendly, they made me wait for an Asian SA). i also do not want to buy something just because I am so awestruck by being there and then have regrets. (I am determined, if anyone is unpleasant. That I won’t buy anything though).

So, my home SA, DH and I will figure out what would be great for my style that is different enough from my current bags, and what I should ask for. and, my SA promised he would be available if I need to call or text him while I’m at FSH. I know this sounds weird esp bc everyone here knows to ask for a 25B or mini K, but I‘m not sure those things are really me. Having said that, I’m not so high maintenance in that I can and do make up my mind very quickly. I just need a quick, reassuring thumbs up or down. And, that’s why I value my home relationship.

We can give u the thumbs up or down at this forum (in an appropriate thread) too! Lol….

thanks for highlighting what you appreciate about your SA!

So far I appreciate my SA for being very smart to get for me things that I want and helping me to navigate thru the hoops and loops…..haven’t really consulted her for anything else… which is so weird when I think about it….usually consulting with SAs whether item is suitable for oneself is such a natural part of a luxury shopping experience!

Finally at yesterday’s appointment I have nothing more I would like to buy and waiting to resolve a payment problem that we had time to share where our hometown is (after working intensively together for around 8 months!).

 

[tinkerbell68]

I quoted above bc the first quote is how I feel about my home store. the second is how I felt shopping as a tourist in a new location, like Milan or Rome. (Apologies to @Justlikewhatilike, as I realized that I’ve taken her statement out of its original context, which was when her store was busy or her SA was unavailable)
I have a great relationship with my home store, but I have the good fortune to have gotten an appt for FSH (my home SA said why not apply, nothing to lose). But, I’ve never been to FSH, so I am nervous (I don’t speak french — it took years on TPF and I owned one before I even learned how to pronounce HAC) and am obviously not a local (Milan, Rome H were both too busy to even help me in RTW, and in Milan, though they were not exactly unfriendly, they made me wait for an Asian SA). i also do not want to buy something just because I am so awestruck by being there and then have regrets. (I am determined, if anyone is unpleasant. That I won’t buy anything though).

So, my home SA, DH and I will figure out what would be great for my style that is different enough from my current bags, and what I should ask for. and, my SA promised he would be available if I need to call or text him while I’m at FSH. I know this sounds weird esp bc everyone here seems to want to ask for a 25B or mini K, but I‘m not sure those things are really me. Having said that, I’m not so high maintenance in that I can and do make up my mind very quickly. I just need a fast professional (who really knows my style) reassuring thumbs up or down. My SA did also say It’s possible they will have nothing and I will be offered a mini roulis. Which, in a way, would be less pressure lol. And, that’s why I value my home relationship.

Before we went to Paris in the fall, my SA also told me that I could text any time with questions if I were to get an appointment at FSH. When I did, she gave me great advice, including that if I were offered a B25, I should take it as they are hard to get in the US...I took her advice!!!

 

[periogirl28]

I quoted above bc the first quote is how I feel about my home store. the second is how I felt shopping as a tourist in a new location, like Milan or Rome. (Apologies to @Justlikewhatilike, as I realized that I’ve taken her statement out of its original context, which was when her store was busy or her SA was unavailable)
I have a great relationship with my home store, but I have the good fortune to have gotten an appt for FSH (my home SA said why not apply, nothing to lose). But, I’ve never been to FSH, so I am nervous (I don’t speak french — it took years on TPF and I owned one before I even learned how to pronounce HAC) and am obviously not a local (Milan, Rome H were both too busy to even help me in RTW, and in Milan, though they were not exactly unfriendly, they made me wait for an Asian SA). i also do not want to buy something just because I am so awestruck by being there and then have regrets. (I am determined, if anyone is unpleasant. That I won’t buy anything though).

So, my home SA, DH and I will figure out what would be great for my style that is different enough from my current bags, and what I should ask for. and, my SA promised he would be available if I need to call or text him while I’m at FSH. I know this sounds weird esp bc everyone here seems to want to ask for a 25B or mini K, but I‘m not sure those things are really me. Having said that, I’m not so high maintenance in that I can and do make up my mind very quickly. I just need a fast professional (who really knows my style) reassuring thumbs up or down. My SA did also say It’s possible they will have nothing and I will be offered a mini roulis. Which, in a way, would be less pressure lol. And, that’s why I value my home relationship.

I wouldn’t worry, the FSH SAs can all speak French, English and at least one other language. I value all the relationships I have with my SAs wherever they might be.

 

[rebeday]

Hi everyone! I’m a newbie here with just one H purchase (loafer pumps). The SA I worked with for my first purchase my first time into the store was ok. Not particularly friendly, but was the only one that paid attention to me when I walked in browsing haha. Second time around, she wasn’t there, there was another SA there who was incredibly friendly and I liked her a lot. I didn’t buy anything the second time because my first SA wasn’t there. Is it bad to switch SAs after one purchase? Would my first purchase be “worthless” in getting a quota bag?