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.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

But that's just kind of another version of what happened with this SA. (And MASSIVE CAVEAT that OP has not been super clear on what happened.) SA had another appointment bleed into OPs appointment time and told her that she would be late. Because then the lateness was going so long, the SA did what she thought was the next best option (send another SA to assist). I don't think the SA could have known that the new SA would try to take credit, but I have no idea.

One other thing that we haven't discussed, but could speculate about is that the first customer was a VIP who was just more valuable to the original SA. If I were the SA, I sure as heck would have stayed with my VIP client.

Sure.

Anyway, I just recalled an occasion that my SA txt me about an hour in advance to postpone our appointment to half an hour later as she was still with another customer. That works for me as well. It’s a matter of respect.

 

[Crapples]

That

Sure.

Anyway, I just recalled an occasion that my SA txt me about an hour in advance to postpone our appointment to half an hour later as she was still with another customer. That works for me as well. It’s a matter of respect.

That is the right level of service for sure. Anyway, I have probably beat this topic to death so I am ready for the next tale of H woe to dissect. Keep em coming TPFers!

 

[FaubourgTropical]

I wonder if this is cultural? I believe some Justlikewhatilike shops in Singapore where the rest of the posters in this topic shop in the US? I can see that in Asia, service requirements are more demanding and in US or Europe more pragmatic. I would suggest that the discussion is also viewed from this lens rather than judging it black and white as acceptable or not.

I am an Asian in Europe but I love how my store's motto is 'we will find a solution' to all shopping questions: whether it is to shop strictly with my SA, buying online or not, item transfers etc. What’s important for them is that I get what I want (outside B and K, of course), which I appreciate as it makes my shopping much more enjoyable.

 

[Crapples]

I wonder if this is cultural? I believe some Justlikewhatilike shops in Singapore where the rest of the posters in this topic shop in the US? I can see that in Asia, service requirements are more demanding and in US or Europe more pragmatic. I would suggest that the discussion is also viewed from this lens rather than judging it black and white as acceptable or not.

I am an Asian in Europe but I love how my store's motto is 'we will find a solution' to all shopping questions: whether it is to shop strictly with my SA, buying online or not, item transfers etc. What’s important for them is that I get what I want.

Love this perspective.

 

[carrie8]

I wonder if this is cultural? I believe some Justlikewhatilike shops in Singapore where the rest of the posters in this topic shop in the US? I can see that in Asia, service requirements are more demanding and in US or Europe more pragmatic. I would suggest that the discussion is also viewed from this lens rather than judging it black and white as acceptable or not.

I am an Asian in Europe but I love how my store's motto is 'we will find a solution' to all shopping questions: whether it is to shop strictly with my SA, buying online or not, item transfers etc. What’s important for them is that I get what I want (outside B and K, of course), which I appreciate as it makes my shopping much more enjoyable.

I think it is cultural. I am in europe. My SA totally forgot our appointment from couple weeks ago. I was a bit surprised, but 2 other SA stepped in and cared for me. And last week i had another appointment with my original SA and asked if i could place an SO
No biggie!

 

[Beachbunny_chanel]

I cannot agree. I live in Europe and it is very unpolite to let people wait long or forget appointments. It can happen of course, we are all humans, but then you apologize. The store in my city reserves 1 hour for every appointment/customer. And when the time is over my SA gives a hint politely... And she does the same to the customer before me. So i also think that an appointment is managable.

@carrie8: congrats about the SO.Then it was worth the hassle i guess

 

[Classiclover]

Try using the online appointment system next time so you can avoid any confusion, but I want to stress you didn't do anything wrong.

Thank you so much for this reassurance, you have no idea how bad I felt haha, all for H

 

[twinzluvagrl]

I wonder if this is cultural? I believe some Justlikewhatilike shops in Singapore where the rest of the posters in this topic shop in the US? I can see that in Asia, service requirements are more demanding and in US or Europe more pragmatic. I would suggest that the discussion is also viewed from this lens rather than judging it black and white as acceptable or not.

I am an Asian in Europe but I love how my store's motto is 'we will find a solution' to all shopping questions: whether it is to shop strictly with my SA, buying online or not, item transfers etc. What’s important for them is that I get what I want (outside B and K, of course), which I appreciate as it makes my shopping much more enjoyable.

Agree with this! Totally not judging. Just from different perspective and personal experience and how personally would handle it. No right or wrong.
For how my store has done it if SA is wrapping up if I come in (aka behind schedule) the front staff would tell me. So it’s not quite a big deal for me since it was relayed that they’ll be late. if it exceeds x amount of time. Usually the SA comes and apologizes. And gives me an expectation of how long to wait.
I personally agree with @Crapples it’s hard for luxury retail to “handle” clients in US on a timely manner. And agree with @BVBookshop that it may be cultural. I would think that NYC is a “quick paced store” so would be more similar to Asia standards. I’m Asian myself - so I’ve lived in Asia before for some period of time and it’s definitely more of a “time is money.” Snap snap environment. So I think it’s true probably most shoppers want their appointment punctual and so SAs and H stores follow that regiment. Whereas US shoppers - people usually are leisure shoppers. Like do it to enjoy shopping experience (like this is not work mentality? Can’t quite explain it well) so don’t mind the “punctual” thing. Maybe. But thanks for bringing in another perspective @BVBookshop

 

[880]

And how exactly would you like them to “manage customers”? This is luxury shopping where some people take longer than others. The boutique is looking to make money so they have to handle walk-ins as well. You’re essentially saying that if you had an appointment for 1:30 and you showed up at 1:32, that it would be acceptable for the SA to say “sorry, you missed your time as I have to manage my customers”. It’s just not how it works.

I was worried i would miss my slot, and the above scenario would happen at FSH, bc they stuck us in a corner and then forgot about us for at least 20-30 minutes lol we mournfully watched other clients sipping espresso and DH was like this isn’t going to end well. . . and yet I got my K25 (plus three dresses the next day)

I’m a fast shopper (despite the inner turmoil I post about here lol). It takes longer for me to write about the actual decision than for it to happen in real time. but I try to budget time in case my SA is running late and I end up roaming the store

if I am time crunched, I announce at the beginning, I have x amount of time and I’d like to try on these three things (usually SA already knows). Boom, boom, boom. Pay and leave. If I’m not in a time crunch and I want to discuss options, I tell my SA and ask how much time do you have. It all works out pretty easily

But, I make my appts via text for off times when the store is kind of empty

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

I was worried i would miss my slot, and the above scenario would happen at FSH, bc they stuck us in a corner and then forgot about us for at least 20-30 minutes lol we mournfully watched other clients sipping espresso and DH was like this isn’t going to end well. . . and yet I got my K25 (plus three dresses the next day)

I’m a fast shopper (despite the inner turmoil I post about here lol). It takes longer for me to write about the actual decision than for it to happen in real time. but I try to budget time in case my SA is running late and I end up roaming the store

if I am time crunched, I announce at the beginning, I have x amount of time and I’d like to try on these three things (usually SA already knows). Boom, boom, boom. Pay and leave. If I’m not in a time crunch and I want to discuss options, I tell my SA and ask how much time do you have. It all works out pretty easily

But, I make my appts via text for off times when the store is kind of empty

I think that it’s a good social etiquette to have….for the lack of a better description.

There was also an occasion which we had a payment issue. Took us sometime to figure out how to make the payment. We stayed the longest in the store ever. 45mins. I apologised to my SA and asked if she had another upcoming appointment which we might have delayed her. She was said she had an appointment but it was an hour later. Finally we could solve the problem.

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

I wonder if this is cultural? I believe some Justlikewhatilike shops in Singapore where the rest of the posters in this topic shop in the US? I can see that in Asia, service requirements are more demanding and in US or Europe more pragmatic. I would suggest that the discussion is also viewed from this lens rather than judging it black and white as acceptable or not.

I am an Asian in Europe but I love how my store's motto is 'we will find a solution' to all shopping questions: whether it is to shop strictly with my SA, buying online or not, item transfers etc. What’s important for them is that I get what I want (outside B and K, of course), which I appreciate as it makes my shopping much more enjoyable.

Thanks for highlighting this.

I am personally very very conscientious of time. I guess it’s the Japanese, Swiss side of me!

 

[hollyhoquee]

i am guilty of eating into the next client's time by half an hour. My SA and I just lost our sense of time while picking out stuff. I apologised personally to the next client as I could see her standing there waiting while my SA was wrapping up my stuff. The next lady was quite jovial about it so it all ended well. Guess we should all be understanding of each other especially now that the SAs are ever so busy.

 

[fiantoduri]

I have a question that might not be applicable to many on this forum, but figured I would ask anyway:

Has there been anyone that has taken their time (as in, several years) to ask for and receive a quota bag? I would love to purchase a Birkin in the future, but realistically, it wouldn't be for another 3-5 years from now as I have other large purchases that take priority (wedding and house funds). I have made VERY small purchases at Hermes (Oran sandals, Herbag, 2 twillies, and a belt) and will likely continue making very small purchases over the next few years; I don't purchase things often at all (maybe once every 9 months). If someone else has been in this scenario, did you let your SA know that you'd love to be considered for a quota bag in the far future and did you spend in small amounts as well? I will never be a big spender by any means because I don't want to purchase things for the sake of building a profile, nor do I want to purchase things that I do not love or care for. I recognize the chances of receiving a quota bag will be extremely small simply based on my small spend (and I am in a very competitive location), but I do wonder if purchases over several years equate to showing 'brand loyalty,' even if the spend is small. Obviously, I know spend is not the end all be all as there are plenty of people who have extremely small spend but were offered a quota bag, but I would love to know if anyone else on this forum has lived through my scenario. My relationship with my SA is pretty great, but I just have concerns about waiting 3-5 years for a quota bag purchase because he may leave the store within that time frame and my small purchase history would not be seen as favorable if I were to be paired with a new SA.

 

[880]

My relationship with my SA is pretty great

That’s all you need. You can just say maybe someday you will want a QB but you re not ready now.
take your time; buy only what you love; the QB will happen when it’s right. Just make sure your SA knows your general taste. Even if your SA leaves, after several years, you will get to know the SM. your SA will also set you up with some one nice to work with. Another TPFer told me that she got her QB shortly after her SA left that store, and she credits him with laying the groundwork with the new SA. Essentially setting it up.

I agree with @hollyhoquee. This isn’t a life or death, it’s shopping; if my SA is running late with someone I try to be understanding (and other clients have been very gracious to me when I am the cause of the delay)

I also agree with @lulilu that the SAs wait to allow you to browse and let you approach them. At madison, they are relatively reticent. you may be the client of another SA Or what, some SAs at Hermes, chanel and brunello call museum clients. Those just want to browse and don’t need or want help. How an SA approaches a prospective client or museum client can be in part the culture of that store. If I am lucky, at Hermes Madison, there is perhaps a greeting at the door (no SA ever wants door duty), and then I go find my SA.

It’s my own observation that the contact varies by department. On the first floor, and seocnd floor jewelry, or for any item in a glass vitrine, the SAs wait to be approached. On the second floor RTW, the SAs will approach you. On the third floor, you say hi at the cashier and ask for help. ive never had luck in shoes if my SA isn’t there; it’s like flagging down a taxi at rush hour.

the one time I visited MP, during Covid, they said, you can come in, but there is no SA free to help you as you didn’t make an appt. (I said no worries, my home store is Madison and I just wanted to see what MP looks like. So literally no one spoke to us at all lol.

at dior, the bouncer and the SAs at the door tell me oh my SA is in the back, downstairs, or by the jewelry; let me text him for you.
at brunello, the doorman says hello And he thinks my SA is by the bar (store center) or on the mens side. He leaves the door and gets my SA personally.

at chanel, the bouncer (once he got to know me) would say SA called him and she says to meet her on 3.

i think it’s part of the stores rhythm and nothing to take personally

 

[_kiki119_]

I have a question that might not be applicable to many on this forum, but figured I would ask anyway:

Has there been anyone that has taken their time (as in, several years) to ask for and receive a quota bag?

well not exact situation but i am at the point that i am not longer chasing bags (both for mental and financial health reason). When my SA wanted to offer me around holiday time, i just told her i am just not ready for one until later half of year. She told me that she just wanted to offer me something but would be happy to find me special when i am ready. Since your relationship is pretty good with your SA, i think it is ok to have these conversation.

it is good for both of you. You won’t be stress out about it and your SA can focus on offering other clients