Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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[acrowcounted]

Feeling a bit conflicted on starting a new SA relationship and would love some opinions.

I moved to New York from Hong Kong last fall. I previously had a wonderful SA in Hong Kong who have helped me acquire quota bags among many other H items and I feel like I’m quite happy with my overall collection. (H RTW doesn’t really suit me so my focus was more fine jewellery, scarves and shoes in addition to bags.) I did wander into H Madison once last fall but without a good SA by my side and l found nothing I wanted and haven’t been tempted back since.

Fast forward this past month when I wandered into H as I had some time to kill and met the nicest SA by chance who not only helped me choose a few things but pro-actively gave me his contact and did a charge-send on one purchase (I didn’t ask, never done one as Hk doesn’t really do these). He told me he’s happy to do VOX for me if I see anything in future that I want online etc. and to please go through him. He was really friendly and I enjoyed shopping with him.

So here is my dilemma. I actually have very few things I want from H right now. I’m quite happy with my bag collection and while I would not say no to a Q bag in the right specs, my prevuous spend was mostly through fine jewellery (which I love and use). My problem is I’m recently more attracted to VCA and Cartier pieces so I don’t think I’m going to be a very good customer for him. But I would love to keep him as my SA in case that changes in the future. So should I try to go in anyway and try look for things just to keep our connection alive. Or since I don’t really want anything right now, I just hold off until I do and then see if he’s still responsive to me as his client.

I think you may be too close to the situation to see how silly this question is from an outsider perspective. Keep his card and if you ever have an H itch for a particular item, contact him kindly to ask for his help. Otherwise, don’t try to force yourself to buy things you don’t want. For one, he’s probably very busy with other customers so if you aren’t buying, you’d actually be doing him a disservice and for two, they can tell clients’ motivations and will probably find it awkward to walk around the store with you searching for something to buy for the sake of buying.

 

[eckw]

I think you may be too close to the situation to see how silly this question is from an outsider perspective. Keep his card and if you ever have an H itch for a particular item, contact him kindly to ask for his help. Otherwise, don’t try to force yourself to buy things you don’t want. For one, he’s probably very busy with other customers so if you aren’t buying, you’d actually be doing him a disservice and for two, they can tell clients’ motivations and will probably find it awkward to walk around the store with you searching for something to buy for the sake of buying.

Thanks, you are right and I just needed to hear that! No point in spending for the sake of spending right?

 

[je m'adore~]

Thank you all for your input!

I recently had a baby so a trip to the store (more like a 6 hour drive) would be quite difficult at the moment. Items on my list are not only QB they are from different departments but mainly shoes.

My other question is since I can't make the drive to visit and would still like to purchase items through my SA would it be okay to call on the number we have been texting on(not sure if it's a work cell phone or not)? I sense it's a faux pas and in the year and a half i have known my SA i haven't done it but due to the lack of text responses/garnering any items that are on my list to purchase, I feel like a phone call would be a better way to touch base and more personal than a text. Thoughts?

I have tried calling the store however it rings, mentions making appointments online and goes straight to voicemail. Should I leave a voicemail for my SA at the store? Would that be more acceptable?

Thank you for all your valuable help!

 

[acrowcounted]

Thank you all for your input!

I recently had a baby so a trip to the store (more like a 6 hour drive) would be quite difficult at the moment. Items on my list are not only QB they are from different departments but mainly shoes.

My other question is since I can't make the drive to visit and would still like to purchase items through my SA would it be okay to call on the number we have been texting on(not sure if it's a work cell phone or not)? I sense it's a faux pas and in the year and a half i have known my SA i haven't done it but due to the lack of text responses/garnering any items that are on my list to purchase, I feel like a phone call would be a better way to touch base and more personal than a text. Thoughts?

I have tried calling the store however it rings, mentions making appointments online and goes straight to voicemail. Should I leave a voicemail for my SA at the store? Would that be more acceptable?

Thank you for all your valuable help!

Is your SA not responding or just responding that they don’t have the shoes/items in stock? I firmly believe management now instructs SAs to severely limit the number of texts they send to say “we don’t have the item in stock”. Likely the items are legitimately not in stock and your SA is keeping your list in her mind and waiting while inventory arrives to be able to send you a “good news, gold orans 38, just came in!” text. I would not call her and put her on the spot to say “no stock” when she’s trying to already tell you that more subtly.
As for the long distance, I hear you and yes that totally sucks but…if your SA called today to say your wishlist bag is available to you, would you figure out a way to get there? They aren’t going to ship quota bags.

 

[je m'adore~]

My SA will usually say I will check and not get back to me or not respond at all.

I guess I would try my best to find a way to make it there if it was QB. Hoping I can find a way to make it there by the end of the year at least! Long distance H SA relationships are no fun!

How often should I be contacting my SA to check up on items or add items to my list (non-QB)? I didn't want to be pushy so I only send texts once a month or so. Didn't seem to help though, because I never really received follow up texts from my SA or was offered anything I wanted. In the past month I have twice (1 every two weeks). Not sure what is acceptable.

 

[Hisunshine]

I think you should hold off until you see something you like and reach out to him after because you should enjoy the items you buy at such a luxury price tag. Just my two cents as I also prefer Cartier and VCA over H jewelry.

 

[Hisunshine]

Feeling a bit conflicted on starting a new SA relationship and would love some opinions.

I moved to New York from Hong Kong last fall. I previously had a wonderful SA in Hong Kong who have helped me acquire quota bags among many other H items and I feel like I’m quite happy with my overall collection. (H RTW doesn’t really suit me so my focus was more fine jewellery, scarves and shoes in addition to bags.) I did wander into H Madison once last fall but without a good SA by my side and l found nothing I wanted and haven’t been tempted back since.

Fast forward this past month when I wandered into H as I had some time to kill and met the nicest SA by chance who not only helped me choose a few things but pro-actively gave me his contact and did a charge-send on one purchase (I didn’t ask, never done one as Hk doesn’t really do these). He told me he’s happy to do VOX for me if I see anything in future that I want online etc. and to please go through him. He was really friendly and I enjoyed shopping with him.

So here is my dilemma. I actually have very few things I want from H right now. I’m quite happy with my bag collection and while I would not say no to a Q bag in the right specs, my prevuous spend was mostly through fine jewellery (which I love and use). My problem is I’m recently more attracted to VCA and Cartier pieces so I don’t think I’m going to be a very good customer for him. But I would love to keep him as my SA in case that changes in the future. So should I try to go in anyway and try look for things just to keep our connection alive. Or since I don’t really want anything right now, I just hold off until I do and then see if he’s still responsive to me as his client.

Can you please verify what VOX stands for?

 

[Hisunshine]

My SA will usually say I will check and not get back to me or not respond at all.

I guess I would try my best to find a way to make it there if it was QB. Hoping I can find a way to make it there by the end of the year at least! Long distance H SA relationships are no fun!

How often should I be contacting my SA to check up on items or add items to my list (non-QB)? I didn't want to be pushy so I only send texts once a month or so. Didn't seem to help though, because I never really received follow up texts from my SA or was offered anything I wanted. In the past month I have twice (1 every two weeks). Not sure what is acceptable.

Maybe you should text your SA more than once a month, perhaps once a week to check on the availability of your items. If you don't want to feel pushy you could compile a list of items you want and ask for everything to be ordered at the same time.

 

[Buildingprofile]

My SA will usually say I will check and not get back to me or not respond at all.

I guess I would try my best to find a way to make it there if it was QB. Hoping I can find a way to make it there by the end of the year at least! Long distance H SA relationships are no fun!

How often should I be contacting my SA to check up on items or add items to my list (non-QB)? I didn't want to be pushy so I only send texts once a month or so. Didn't seem to help though, because I never really received follow up texts from my SA or was offered anything I wanted. In the past month I have twice (1 every two weeks). Not sure what is acceptable.

I'm really liking where this conversation is going and to get others' perspectives. I too have not been getting good text responses, even when asking to order something, but I've chalked it up to "they're too busy" and don't think I'll be better off looking for another SA (yet).

I have not found the right cadence to text my SA(s) yet, but also don't feel qualified to be that pushy when I'm asking about a twilly or a charm - not to order expensive jewelry or housewares that would help them make a big commission check

 

[Hisunshine]

Hi everyone, is stationery ( notebooks, mouse pads and desk trays ) considered home goods? Also do SAs get commissions with apple watch bands? I'm guessing so but wanted to confirm.

 

[eckw]

Can you please verify what VOX stands for?

I believe that’s for online orders. So if I see something online, I can ask him to order it for me and he can send me the payment link via email. That way it saves me a trip to the store but actually I live within walking distance of Madison H store so I really don’t mind going there. In the case of VOX sales, the SA will get the commission but your home store won’t get the credit for the sale.

 

[Hisunshine]

I believe that’s for online orders. So if I see something online, I can ask him to order it for me and he can send me the payment link via email. That way it saves me a trip to the store but actually I live within walking distance of Madison H store so I really don’t mind going there. In the case of VOX sales, the SA will get the commission but your home store won’t get the credit for the sale.

got it, thanks for clarifying. Does that mean the amount spent thru vox would not be included in pre-spend since the store will not get the credit?

 

[acrowcounted]

I believe that’s for online orders. So if I see something online, I can ask him to order it for me and he can send me the payment link via email. That way it saves me a trip to the store but actually I live within walking distance of Madison H store so I really don’t mind going there. In the case of VOX sales, the SA will get the commission but your home store won’t get the credit for the sale.

got it, thanks for clarifying. Does that mean the amount spent thru vox would not be included in pre-spend since the store will not get the credit?

VOX is just the name of the payment processor they use (like PayPal eg). Where the item originates determines which store gets credit. People really need to get away from this idea that there is a prespend number they need to calculate to. That’s not how it works in the US. You just need a better profile, including your personality, than anyone else wanting the bag in the eyes of the SM to get the bag approval. If you’re Prince Charming, it’s likely you could get exactly what you want after buying a Twilly.

 

[Buildingprofile]

VOX is just the name of the payment processor they use (like PayPal eg). Where the item originates determines which store gets credit. People really need to get away from this idea that there is a prespend number they need to calculate to. That’s not how it works. You just need a better profile, including your personality, that anyone else wanting the bag in the eyes of the SM to get the bag approval. If you’re price charming, it’s likely you could get exactly what you want after buying a Twilly.

Really love and appreciate your reminders on this point... especially gives hope to the 90% of us who think we're more charming than the average client

 

[GigiPickles]

People really need to get away from this idea that there is a prespend number they need to calculate to. That’s not how it works in the US. You just need a better profile, including your personality, than anyone else wanting the bag in the eyes of the SM to get the bag approval. If you’re Prince Charming, it’s likely you could get exactly what you want after buying a Twilly.

Very true, I just lived this much to my own surprise...I was not even at a 1:1 when I received my first QB offer today. And it wasn't pure luck or money obviously. But a genuine interest in the brand throughout different departments (no fine jewelry or RTW) and likability I suppose? I've put no pressure on the SA. I've been kind, respectful and grateful for everything she's helped me with so far. We had only talked about my wishlist at the first meeting, I never followed up on the wishlist during my 4 shopping trips or via text because that was only 2 months ago and I planned on being extremely patient as I'm in no rush. It could also be the bag I was offered was a larger size and less desirable? Not sure. But as soon as it came into the store she asked the SM if she could show it to me and to me that alone meant a great deal. She wants to make her clients happy. They really can see through a lot. Be kind, patient and real.