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]

@smiley13tree , @Crapples , and @partialtopink , my understanding was that it is not just the SA but also the store that determines client loyalty. Even if you have switched stores, i would find it quite difficult to give up so many years of history. If you remain with one store, perhaps ask the manager for some kind of assistance in finding a new SA who is the right fit?

On the other hand, it may also be the case that in this time of very low stock, the new store‘s SA simply does not wish to respond if he has little or nothing to offer. And, there are many SAs who spend all of their time with customers on the floor or by appt, and who seem to respond less to texts. It’s also possible that things may improve when stock becomes more plentiful. I joke with my SA that even though I’ve gotten QBs, I’m not senior or VIP enough to get a specific pair of shoes or that I have to wait ages for simple home ware. You are not alone

 

[fice16]

Long or not, always appreciate your insight! I leave big tip for services during the holidays, but didn't know about luxury shopping (I've never shopped consistently or long term enough to have one SA with any brand, even Chanel), and I just started my Hermes experience early this year. I am very happy with my SA, with absolutely no QB expectation any time soon. Just last visit, the SA and I shared personal stories. I told her about my baby's 1st bday, and she showed me photos of her dog's bday party, so I was thinking it would be nice to get her some doggie treats, and just wanted to see (even though the holidays aren't for a while) if that would be construed nice or crass.

Always nice to hear feedback from those who have been shopping for much longer than I have to learn proper etiquette! Thanks so much! And always love your OOTD pics!

Hi Fixxi, I want to share with you an extra datapoint from my personal shopping etiquette at Hermes. From my years of shopping at Hermes, I have only brought once - one box of chocolate for my SA to share with other SAs after holiday, when I was picking up my Special Order (SO) Birkin. Other than that, I have not brought anything for my Hermes SA during holidays, because I normally avoid the busy holiday shopping seasons. I personally prefer a more relaxed & leisure environment when I do my Hermes shopping.
However, I have been a consistent good customer for the boutique, and always be nice to SAs and others. Hope it will let you know that gifting is not needed to establish a good relationship with SAs and the boutique.

 

[Crapples]

@smiley13tree , @Crapples , and @partialtopink , my understanding was that it is not just the SA but also the store that determines client loyalty. Even if you have switched stores, i would find it quite difficult to give up so many years of history. If you remain with one store, perhaps ask the manager for some kind of assistance in finding a new SA who is the right fit?

On the other hand, it may also be the case that in this time of very low stock, the new store‘s SA simply does not wish to respond if he has little or nothing to offer. So, it’s also possible that things may improve when stock becomes more plentiful. I joke with my SA that even though I’ve gotten QBs, I’m not senior or VIP enough to get a specific pair of shoes or that I have to wait ages for simple home ware. You are not alone

Mine is already a done deal so there's no going back. I sent several replies out the the new SA and it's pretty difficult to get a line in at the store so I just went the path of least resistance, particularly because Vegas is only a vacation destination for me.

 

[partialtopink]

@smiley13tree , @Crapples , and @partialtopink , my understanding was that it is not just the SA but also the store that determines client loyalty. Even if you have switched stores, i would find it quite difficult to give up so many years of history. If you remain with one store, perhaps ask the manager for some kind of assistance in finding a new SA who is the right fit?

On the other hand, it may also be the case that in this time of very low stock, the new store‘s SA simply does not wish to respond if he has little or nothing to offer. And, there are many SAs who spend all of their time with customers on the floor or by appt, and who seem to respond less to texts. It’s also possible that things may improve when stock becomes more plentiful. I joke with my SA that even though I’ve gotten QBs, I’m not senior or VIP enough to get a specific pair of shoes or that I have to wait ages for simple home ware. You are not alone

Do you suggest that I should reach out to the SM in the next month or so? How would I reach out? By calling the store and asking to speak with the SM? TBH, I don't even know who it is. I was never introduced.

 

[880]

I'm in a similar situation, except my SA is leaving the company/moving. He told me he would refer me to a new SA at the store, and I could contact them before traveling for wishlist items. I reached out one last time, but no response from my SA with a referral. I don't know what to do. Am I really held to a higher degree at this high traffic, "home" store with my purchase/QB history, or do I just find a new SA/store? It's pretty discouraging, because I feel like I'm back to square one.

Do you suggest that I should reach out to the SM in the next month or so? How would I reach out? By calling the store and asking to speak with the SM? TBH, I don't even know who it is. I was never introduced.

I might call Vegas and ask for the referral SA. Then explain that I’m a long-standing former customer of X. X referred you for the purpose of contact before travel for item a,b, and c. If Y is not available, you might ask to speak to a manager or someone who can help you.

But, if you can wait for these items, I imagine you would have the best results by waiting until your next trip out. That way you can also physically gauge if there is an SA you like and/or ask to speak to an SM when you are there.

I am not sure most H SAs really respond to email or text until they meet you. That doesn’t mean you have to go to the back of the line, but I think you will have the best results after you meet them in person.

Perhaps someone else who manages a long distance H SA relationship will chime in with more specific guidance?

good luck!

 

[DME]

I know it's far from the holidays, but @880 comment made me curious. Do you gift your SAs something during the holidays?

I normally don’t, but we traveled to Vegas over the holidays and my plan was to do a decent amount of shopping, so I brought each of my four regular SAs (two LV, one Burberry, one H) chocolates and a holiday card, the same one I send to family and friends. Of all the SAs, my H SA is the one who seemed the most grateful! We were back there in April and she made sure to bring it up, thanking me again for thinking of her. I’ve seen some earlier discussions on this topic, maybe in this thread, so was a bit surprised by how much of an impact it seemed to make since it almost seems discouraged at H? I was honestly a bit scared to even take her a small token, but it seemed to work out just fine.

 

[DME]

Mine is already a done deal so there's no going back. I sent several replies out the the new SA and it's pretty difficult to get a line in at the store so I just went the path of least resistance, particularly because Vegas is only a vacation destination for me.

YMMV, but my Vegas SA told me just last month how swamped she is with appointments; it doesn’t sound like she works with walk-ins anymore (which I know your are not, but sharing this because it seems relevant). I don’t think she’s doing as much remote business, either, preferring in-store sales. It took me a follow-up email to even receive a reply.

If you are in town, can you try dropping in and asking for the new SA? Or maybe try their online appointment system and request the new SA? Had I not finally received a reply from my SA last time, I would have gone the online route to secure an appointment with her. She was very nice and I had a great appointment, but scheduling has become increasingly difficult.

 

[partialtopink]

I might call Vegas and ask for the referral SA. Then explain that I’m a long-standing former customer of X. X referred you for the purpose of contact before travel for item a,b, and c. If Y is not available, you might ask to speak to a manager or someone who can help you.

But, if you can wait for these items, I imagine you would have the best results by waiting until your next trip out. That way you can also physically gauge if there is an SA you like and/or ask to speak to an SM when you are there.

I am not sure most H SAs really respond to email or text until they meet you. That doesn’t mean you have to go to the back of the line, but I think you will have the best results after you meet them in person.

Perhaps someone else who manages a long distance H SA relationship will chime in with more specific guidance?

good luck!

Thank you! He never gave me the name of a new SA. He just mentioned that there was no one good working that day. We're friendly on social media (but always keep it 100% professional and I never ask prying questions). I DMed him recently asking for the name of a good referral, but he kept me on read He made it seem like I would have no issues obtaining bags in the future, but IDK. I don't think it's a good sign that I don't have a name. I only make it out to Vegas once per year, so I don't ask for more than one QB per year.

 

[Crapples]

YMMV, but my Vegas SA told me just last month how swamped she is with appointments; it doesn’t sound like she works with walk-ins anymore (which I know your are not, but sharing this because it seems relevant). I don’t think she’s doing as much remote business, either, preferring in-store sales. It took me a follow-up email to even receive a reply.

If you are in town, can you try dropping in and asking for the new SA? Or maybe try their online appointment system and request the new SA? Had I not finally received a reply from my SA last time, I would have gone the online route to secure an appointment with her. She was very nice and I had a great appointment, but scheduling has become increasingly difficult.

I’m at 2.4:1 in nyc. I’m not going back. Thank you for these tips though. I gave it a good three or four tries with the referral and just nada so I moved on.

 

[Etriers]

Do you suggest that I should reach out to the SM in the next month or so? How would I reach out? By calling the store and asking to speak with the SM? TBH, I don't even know who it is. I was never introduced.

I would call and ask to speak to the SM. If the person that answers asks why, I would say say I am a current, long-standing client with an issue to resolve and that I’d like to speak with her or I’d be happy to make an appointment to come in.

When you talk to the SM explain (with utmost politeness, ease, and friendliness of course) that you are a long-standing client and your SA ___ is leaving and although you asked to be introduced to a new SA, it appears he may not have allocated time to transition his clients. She will likely have looked up your history or be looking you up as you talk. I don’t know how much you are spending once a year. I would think it will have to be pretty substantial. You could tell her you’d very much appreciate her advice on choosing someone new because your loyalty to the store is the most important thing to you. You can tell her how much you love her store and how beautifully it is run and how you enjoy shopping there. Tell her you’d like to make an appointment with your new SA as soon as it is convenient. But really, you might do just as well as a walk-in.

 

[Hedgehog101]

I am wondering if anyone took a break of shopping at Hermès but still successfully maintain your relationship of the SA?

So I have been shopping at Hermes since last year and I usually go in once a month. I just got offered a mini lindy but still haven't got my quota bag this year. I have hit the pre-spend (over 3:1). Becoz of other priorities in my life, I now want to take a few months break of shopping. But my only concern is that it may jeopardize my relationship with my SA and also my chance to get a quota bag this year.

When I go into the store I don't leave empty handed so to stay clean I probably won't go into the store unless my SA reaches out during the break.

Does anyone have any advice? I also try to think that it's a marathon but not a sprint but still kind of worry about my relationship with my SA. I know after all it's a business relationship but I do really appreciate my SA on many levels.

Thanks so much!

 

[BreezyE]

I am wondering if anyone took a break of shopping at Hermès but still successfully maintain your relationship of the SA?

So I have been shopping at Hermes since last year and I usually go in once a month. I just got offered a mini lindy but still haven't got my quota bag this year. I have hit the pre-spend (over 3:1). Becoz of other priorities in my life, I now want to take a few months break of shopping. But my only concern is that it may jeopardize my relationship with my SA and also my chance to get a quota bag this year.

When I go into the store I don't leave empty handed so to stay clean I probably won't go into the store unless my SA reaches out during the break.

Does anyone have any advice? I also try to think that it's a marathon but not a sprint but still kind of worry about my relationship with my SA. I know after all it's a business relationship but I do really appreciate my SA on many levels.

Thanks so much!

Does your SA know you are looking for a QB bag and specifically what is on your wishlist? If the SA knows for sure your wishlist and you are at 3:1 I would not worry about taking a few month break from shopping. I don’t think you will ruin any relationship. In fact I think it would be good to step back and let your SA get your bag and give you a big surprise! I bet you are already on their short list!

 

[Hedgehog101]

Does your SA know you are looking for a QB bag and specifically what is on your wishlist? If the SA knows for sure your wishlist and you are at 3:1 I would not worry about taking a few month break from shopping. I don’t think you will ruin any relationship. In fact I think it would be good to step back and let your SA get your bag and give you a big surprise! I bet you are already on their short list!

Thank you Breezy! I am only worried becoz I just got offered a mini lindy and am worried that would delay me getting a QB this year if I don't make any purchases in the next few months. But you are right I think stepping back will be a good idea just becoz of how much I have spent already! And it's only June

 

[880]

I am wondering if anyone took a break of shopping at Hermès but still successfully maintain your relationship of the SA?

So I have been shopping at Hermes since last year and I usually go in once a month. I just got offered a mini lindy but still haven't got my quota bag this year. I have hit the pre-spend (over 3:1). Becoz of other priorities in my life, I now want to take a few months break of shopping. But my only concern is that it may jeopardize my relationship with my SA and also my chance to get a quota bag this year.

When I go into the store I don't leave empty handed so to stay clean I probably won't go into the store unless my SA reaches out during the break.

Does anyone have any advice? I also try to think that it's a marathon but not a sprint but still kind of worry about my relationship with my SA. I know after all it's a business relationship but I do really appreciate my SA on many levels.

Thanks so much!

It’s fine to pause. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Your SA also knows you have a life outside of H. I don’t think you have to worry

 

[Hedgehog101]

It’s fine to pause. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Your SA also knows you have a life outside of H. I don’t think you have to worry

Thank you! I can take some comfort in your thought.