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.

 

[lovebirkinbait]

Ohhh why? Because of QBs or no stock?

I have no clue! I only caught the tail end of it when security was walking them out! I wish I had known what the fuss was about.

 

[lovebirkinbait]

I don’t think they officially will ever say openly that they are against charge sends. especially to a client who prefers to shop that way. They can also sometimes source from the warehouse. But the H business model is based on getting clients in the store in person to buy what the boutique has purchased. Its also my private opinion that this is emphasis on IRL client visits is why the website is so frigging difficult lol.

The stores are physically packed with clients. I had to wait 40 minutes for my appointment on A Saturday in the Summer which was shocking to me. Pre-covid, all Madison Avenue boutiques used to be dead in the summer. (I gave up and just look my mens side item that was reserved for me home without seeing my SA. I was thrilled for him that he was so busy during what is historically dead empty lol)

i believe that while my SA gets credit for a charge send from another store that decides to cooperate, (my SA’s name is on the receipt, my store does not.

i also know at chanel, while my SA is fine with doing a request to transfer or charge send for me, (its an occasional thing only) it requires a lot of extra work on her part. She has to send multiple email requests and sometimes horsetrade. I’ve also heard another SA flat out tell a different client to her face that they cannot transfer stock due to scarcity. . . I scurried away bc it was the exact same item.

ETA: wrote this before seeing the above responses from @acrowcounted, @haute okole etc.

I don’t think I could wait 40 min either. I typically plan my visits first thing in the morning on a weekday and ask when is the slow time to come because I can’t stand crowds.

 

[thepeanutgal]

I found a pair of shearling Orans at a different boutique while shopping with a friend. My SA is on vacation and they are hard to come by — should I just buy it?

 

[acrowcounted]

I found a pair of shearling Orans at a different boutique while shopping with a friend. My SA is on vacation and they are hard to come by — should I just buy it?

Have your friend buy them.

 

[fashionpassion7]

Hello all!
Posting on behalf of a friend who is not very tech savvy with using discussion boards/forums (hope that’s okay!).

My friend (let’s call her F) and I have the same SA and she is usually very responsive via text with the both of us. I haven’t had to reach out lately as I’ve been in and out of town and haven’t had a chance to go to my local store (and I don’t have anything in particular I’m looking for). F and the SA have had some exchanges back and forth, mainly notifying F of some items she wanted are available. F will message back and try to make an appointment to come to the store. However, every time she asks when to come by the store or if “(day) at (time)” is a good time to stop by, she’s left on read and there’s no response from our SA.

i told her it could be a variety of factors such as she’s been so busy with clients and cannot always respond and then forgets. or she’s not quite sure when is a good time or may be taking some time off soon, has personal stuff going on and doesn’t have a solid schedule, etc. And not to read too much into it. They’ve had a good relationship and F has gotten at least 2 QBs every year so I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with the relationship. She’s just concerned and wondering if she should switch SA’s which I told her no, but she wanted me to ask the forum to see what everyone thinks.

i did tell her that if it really bothers her that much, then she should switch SA’s since she’s the phone that has to be okay with it.

What do you guys think? Thanks and I’ll be sure to pass on whatever you lovely folks have to say!

 

[acrowcounted]

Hello all!
Posting on behalf of a friend who is not very tech savvy with using discussion boards/forums (hope that’s okay!).

My friend (let’s call her F) and I have the same SA and she is usually very responsive via text with the both of us. I haven’t had to reach out lately as I’ve been in and out of town and haven’t had a chance to go to my local store (and I don’t have anything in particular I’m looking for). F and the SA have had some exchanges back and forth, mainly notifying F of some items she wanted are available. F will message back and try to make an appointment to come to the store. However, every time she asks when to come by the store or if “(day) at (time)” is a good time to stop by, she’s left on read and there’s no response from our SA.

i told her it could be a variety of factors such as she’s been so busy with clients and cannot always respond and then forgets. or she’s not quite sure when is a good time or may be taking some time off soon, has personal stuff going on and doesn’t have a solid schedule, etc. And not to read too much into it. They’ve had a good relationship and F has gotten at least 2 QBs every year so I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with the relationship. She’s just concerned and wondering if she should switch SA’s which I told her no, but she wanted me to ask the forum to see what everyone thinks.

i did tell her that if it really bothers her that much, then she should switch SA’s since she’s the phone that has to be okay with it.

What do you guys think? Thanks and I’ll be sure to pass on whatever you lovely folks have to say!

I think anyone concerned about a lack of reply by SAs to text messages should read the last several pages of this thread. This is a near universal experience lately, should not be taken personally, and the best remedy IMO is to visit in person to be top of mind (Yes, even if that’s not perfectly convenient (H doesn’t care.))

 

[haute okole]

I love Hermes. I mean I REALLY adore Hermes, but I do not understand the impatient urgency to obtain these items. Please put yourselves in the SAs shoes and remember there are 100s of other people asking for the same things who have spent years waiting longer and tens of thousands more dollars than you or me. There, I said it. It is the same thing I tell my daughters. And always smile, say please, Thank you and be grateful.

 

[smoothsailor]

I love Hermes. I mean I REALLY adore Hermes, but I do not understand the impatient urgency to obtain these items. Please put yourselves in the SAs shoes and remember there are 100s of other people asking for the same things who have spent years waiting longer and tens of thousands more dollars than you or me. There, I said it. It is the same thing I tell my daughters. And always smile, say please, Thank you and be grateful.

To be fair, everything Hermes produces is limited in quantities. Seasonal items would be gone after the season. Classic items may not be in stock for months and months. Sometimes people need to give gifts, wear for certain upcoming occasions, have been waiting for a long time, some people don’t live near their preferred store and does not want to waste time with random walk in, etc. I don’t see anything wrong with expecting replies from a customer service point of view.

Nonetheless, I think this replying thing has been a much talked about topic that anybody can easily refer back.

 

[haute okole]

To be fair, everything Hermes produces is limited in quantities. Seasonal items would be gone after the season. Classic items may not be in stock for months and months. Sometimes people need to give gifts, wear for certain upcoming occasions, have been waiting for a long time, some people don’t live near their preferred store and does not want to waste time with random walk in, etc. I don’t see anything wrong with expecting replies from a customer service point of view.

Nonetheless, I think this replying thing has been a much talked about topic that anybody can easily refer back.

I still do not get it. Hermes has been around a long time. I have been collecting a long time. I guess because my collection and I am more seasoned, I don't understand the hurry. It appears to me that the recent popularity of Hermes has caused newer collectors to overthink the shopping process. It is just shopping for something to wear.

With that in mind, just be kind, patient and have empathy for the very busy people at Hermes, so many people want something from them.

 

[880]

she’s left on read and there’s no response from our SA

@fashionpassion7, she otherwise has a good relationship (if you use the two QB annually to measure that, which many TPFers do). perhaps she should call the store or just stop by. The stores have been crazy busy lately.

anyone concerned about a lack of reply by SAs to text messages should read the last several pages of this thread. This is a near universal experience lately, should not be taken personally, and the best remedy IMO is to visit in person to be top of mind (Yes, even if that’s not perfectly convenient (H doesn’t care.))

I don’t see anything wrong with expecting replies from a customer service point of view

+1000 with @acrowcounted . Hermes as a company does not prioritize text/emails/calls, as their focus is in-store service. i posted in more detail above.

@haute okole, I am sometimes in a hurry lol. I had a lost hat issue (I had bought a toile hat late this season that had to be charge send in due to no size availability; and I have a big head and hard time finding my size). I thought I had lost it (Found out later I had left it at a RE closing). It‘s my current favorite. Texted my SA immediately to source another one bc they may be sold out. He replied with an affirmative emoticon.

because I know him, I know this means he will do his best to source another hat for me. I don’t need more texting. If he finds it, he will send it over or he will let me know at my next appt. I would like a back up anyway. There is no rush; I do have other hats. If it doesn’t materialize, then so be it. And, yes of course this is not a true emergency. None of this is.

 

[smoothsailor]

I still do not get it. Hermes has been around a long time. I have been collecting a long time. I guess because my collection and I am more seasoned, I don't understand the hurry. It appears to me that the recent popularity of Hermes has caused newer collectors to overthink the shopping process. It is just shopping for something to wear.

With that in mind, just be kind, patient and have empathy for the very busy people at Hermes, so many people want something from them.

The younger or new customers are used to dealing with companies who are moving a lot faster. And also a lot of companies are more straightforward than Hermes.

I don’t think there is a need to appeal for any understanding. If Hermes fails to be fast enough for such customers, they fall off the list for such customers. Hermes doesn’t care anyway.

 

[fabdiva]

I still do not get it. Hermes has been around a long time. I have been collecting a long time. I guess because my collection and I am more seasoned, I don't understand the hurry. It appears to me that the recent popularity of Hermes has caused newer collectors to overthink the shopping process. It is just shopping for something to wear.

With that in mind, just be kind, patient and have empathy for the very busy people at Hermes, so many people want something from them.

I agree 100% and I'm fairly new to Hermes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, these are luxury items, not necessities. I believe a lot of new customers are overthinking the shopping process. It's really quite simple: Buy what you love, have patience, be kind, and don't act entitled. It will eventually happen.

 

[jssl1688]

Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to H. Fortunately for me, I’m a person who values delayed gratification, makes me appreciate the things I have so much more. Every time I’ve requested for something or get my offers, it’s come sooner than expected. That’s why H works for me, I find that when I expect nothing from people, I go through life pleasantly surprised.

 

[A1aGypsy]

I agree with everyone who is essentially saying “don’t be a hosebag”. There are a lot of entitled and unpleasant shoppers who think common decency is optional when they are spending loads of money.

HOWEVER, if you choose to provide a text option to a client, then I think it is rude to ignore texts, unless you have established ground rules ahead of time. “Look, I will give you my number to allow you to text me items you are interested in as an electronic wish list. But I am sorry in advance - I have a hundred clients who text me at all hours - I cannot possible respond to each text. Please know that I see them and I will look for the item you want and if you want an appt call the store instead of texting etc.”.

It isn’t that hard to sent a thumbs up emoji just to be polite but, by setting the ground rules for the number, they would eliminate a lot of this angst.

But I still it is intentional. Whipping up the demand in lower tiered cliental

 

[acrowcounted]

I agree with everyone who is essentially saying “don’t be a hosebag”. There are a lot of entitled and unpleasant shoppers who think common decency is optional when they are spending loads of money.

HOWEVER, if you choose to provide a text option to a client, then I think it is rude to ignore texts, unless you have established ground rules ahead of time. “Look, I will give you my number to allow you to text me items you are interested in as an electronic wish list. But I am sorry in advance - I have a hundred clients who text me at all hours - I cannot possible respond to each text. Please know that I see them and I will look for the item you want and if you want an appt call the store instead of texting etc.”.

It isn’t that hard to sent a thumbs up emoji just to be polite but, by setting the ground rules for the number, they would eliminate a lot of this angst.

But I still it is intentional. Whipping up the demand in lower tiered cliental

Well supposedly they only have their phones during working hours and many SAs apparently aren’t even afforded the five minutes necessary to use the restroom between clients so, yes, I know it sounds extreme but if you get texts from 30 clients during your 10-6 shift, I really do think it would be nearly impossible to even read them all let alone give a thumbs up to each. This is a failure from far up the ladder, but at the top of the ladder they want in-person shopping to the priority so those folks wouldn’t even agree it’s a failure, much less try to fix it.