Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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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.

 

[Buildingprofile]

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.

Congrats! Can you share which boutique you shop at, and what other items you've purchased previously? I've always been curious as to whether non quota bags are considered towards "showing interest in the brand" - as we've heard different things here on these boards.

 

[880]

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 don’t think you should make yourself go in just to keep the connection alive esp if you aren’t interested in anything. Just tell him frankly that you normally love and have purchased x,y,z, but you are saddened by the fact that you honestly haven’t been enamored of recent seasons. Then ask him to let you know if anything appealing comes in. Let it unfold organically. Since you basically have your collection already, you can then decide to build things up more whenever you are ready. JMO. A bit OT, but I face the same dilemma with my VCA SA. I like him greatly and he’s spent a lot of time showing me items, and VCA ends up in second place compared to bulgari, Verdura, Foundrae, Briony Raymond, and others. I want to buy something from him; I just haven’t found much that I love. But, he does communicate semi regularly bc we always hope

ETA: wrote this before scrolling down to the other responses lol

@sheanabelle , congrats on your new gold togo 35B ghw. I’m so happy for you. For some time now, the fashion tide has been turning back towards larger bags and your 35 is a gorgeous classic.

 

[eckw]

i don’t think you should make yourself go in just to keep the connection alive esp if you aren’t interested in anything. Just tell him frankly that you normally love and have purchased x,y,z, but you are saddened by the fact that you honestly haven’t been enamored of recent seasons. Then ask him to let you know if anything appealing comes in. Let it unfold organically. Since you basically have your collection already, you can then decide to build things up more whenever you are ready. JMO. A bit OT, but I face the same dilemma with my VCA SA. I like him greatly and he’s spent a lot of time showing me items, and VCA ends up in second place compared to bulgari, Verdura, Foundrae, Briony Raymond, and others. I want to buy something from him; I just haven’t found much that I love. But, he does communicate semi regularly bc we always hope

ETA: wrote this before scrolling down to the other responses lol

@sheanabelle , congrats on your new gold togo 35B ghw. I’m so happy for you. For some time now, the fashion tide has been turning back towards larger bags and your 35 is a gorgeous classic.

I really appreciate your response as I love the relationship you have with your SA and I totally get what you mean when you said the relationship with your H SA means more to you than the actual things you got from him. I really liked my previous SA too and we connected on so many levels and it was just so fun shopping with her. I miss that.

 

[GigiPickles]

Congrats! Can you share which boutique you shop at, and what other items you've purchased previously? I've always been curious as to whether non quota bags are considered towards "showing interest in the brand" - as we've heard different things here on these boards.

Happy to. Madison NYC. I've shopped there for 10 years (shoes, bracelets, belts, 2 evelyns, shawls) But never w/ a consistent SA. I was referred to one through a friend a few months ago when I realized that was key to getting my one dream bag, a Birkin. Ive been lucky on 2 Paris trips w/ 2 Kelly's and a Pico. But honestly the stress of getting the online appt really gave me anxiety the last time around and shopping shouldn't make us feel that way. Hence, why I decided I needed to finally work with one person at my home store. Funny enough though, the SA I work with now, did sell me my first Evelyn back in 2014. Over the last 2 months with her Ive purchased a dinner platter plate, sandals, a cashmere shawl, a silk scarf, perfume, a twilly & Evie TPM. The plate, scarf & perfume were gifts for family which she knew as well. Hope that helps!

 

[stardustmd]

Honest opinions. I have been shopping at the same store for about 1.5 years now. Spend ratio closely approaching 2:1. Purchases were in the scarves, shoes, hats, one silver jewelry piece, belts, small leather goods and one mini evelyne. No other bags purchased. The SA I had worked with left midway and I had to start new with another SA who I also have a good relationship with. Recently visited the store and purchased in the shoes and makeup category. Have not received any bag offers. I truly do love all the items purchased but bummed every time I don’t get a single bag offer. On my wishlist is a b30 neutral ghw. Asked her about being offered a bag soon and she told me she hasn’t even seen garden parties and stock is very low. The store is very competitive. Told me maybe in September the stock will pick up again. Is there no chance at all of being offered ? Losing patience now..

 

[Mrs.Hermess]

Honest opinions. I have been shopping at the same store for about 1.5 years now. Spend ratio closely approaching 2:1. Purchases were in the scarves, shoes, hats, one silver jewelry piece, belts, small leather goods and one mini evelyne. No other bags purchased. The SA I had worked with left midway and I had to start new with another SA who I also have a good relationship with. Recently visited the store and purchased in the shoes and makeup category. Have not received any bag offers. I truly do love all the items purchased but bummed every time I don’t get a single bag offer. On my wishlist is a b30 neutral ghw. Asked her about being offered a bag soon and she told me she hasn’t even seen garden parties and stock is very low. The store is very competitive. Told me maybe in September the stock will pick up again. Is there no chance at all of being offered ? Losing patience now..

Honest answer: in current low stock era, your prespend is not significant to be offered a quota bag (or sought after bag) - there are clients who are sending 5x and then receive offers. I am one of those clients. My 5x spent is not to get a quota bag, and my SA knows it. I have had offers of quota bags that I have passed.

If you are asking for a quote bag at 1.5x, SA may group you in the category or people that only spend to get an offer of a Quota bag. If that is incorrect, I would clarify it with your SA.

Aside all the above, and what everyone here posts, offers also depend on SA, SM, other client rejecting offer.

Good luck and if you are patient and develop/maintain a relationship with your SA and store, bags follow when they know you love the brand. I think this is the experience for most of us.

 

[880]

The store is very competitive. Told me maybe in September the stock will pick up again. Is there no chance at all of being offered ?

May I ask which store? If it’s Madison, I’m assuming there is stock reserved for the new September opening, and/or that stock will flow faster in 2023, but this is for those with a higher ratio and/or significantly longer (pre Covid) relationships. I personally don’t really count bags or slg in my prespend. If your ratio included RTW or a watch, which would signal interest in the brand as a whole, that might enable your SA to make a stronger case to her SM. I also agree with many of the points made by @Mrs.Hermess (especially as I am in a similar position), but at 5X and rising, generally the offers that we are waiting for are for a special combo and/or size 25 and smaller

These days, 2: 1 in 1.5 years is probably average for a customer whose main spend will be a QB. Years ago, a lengthy regular SA relationship with this annual spend equated to B35 offers (this was me from 2008-2012). While @acrowcounted and many others have recently pointed out that the US doesnt actually require prespend, there are simply too many customers already with 2:1 in better departments (RTW, FJ, and Home provide better return for the SA and boutique). It is not up to your SA; her SM has to genuinely believe in substantially increased, regular future spending prospects not evident in your post. An SA generally does not want clients who will reduce or stop spending after one QB offer; rather they would prefer to reward the limited QBs available to those who continue and increase regular spending. (This is a longer winded version of what @Mrs.Hermess already stated).

If you basically already have what you want from Hermes other than a QB, I recommend reseller (authenticate with @bababebi prior to purchase; buy only from recommended resellers, and not Facebook, instagram, or eBay individuals; avoid wire transfer or F&F; and use fee based payment, like PayPal verified backed with cc). In general, resale B30s are not moving at their current prices (2.5X+), and recession may yield some deals relative to current prices. Assuming a lengthy recession, i think it’s possible that 30B could drop to a few thousand above retail in a few years. Fashion trends are pointing to larger bags, and that makes the 30B a popular middle of the road choice. Unfortunately, there is usually no shortcut to getting these bags because Hermes has restricted both supply and access, and social media and Covid have caused a buying frenzy.

 

[Fertmd101]

Honest opinions. I have been shopping at the same store for about 1.5 years now. Spend ratio closely approaching 2:1. Purchases were in the scarves, shoes, hats, one silver jewelry piece, belts, small leather goods and one mini evelyne. No other bags purchased. The SA I had worked with left midway and I had to start new with another SA who I also have a good relationship with. Recently visited the store and purchased in the shoes and makeup category. Have not received any bag offers. I truly do love all the items purchased but bummed every time I don’t get a single bag offer. On my wishlist is a b30 neutral ghw. Asked her about being offered a bag soon and she told me she hasn’t even seen garden parties and stock is very low. The store is very competitive. Told me maybe in September the stock will pick up again. Is there no chance at all of being offered ? Losing patience now..

I'm pretty new to Hermes and have a specific B30 on my list I have been waiting for. I have shopped in multiple different categories (silk, fine jewelry, custom watch, shoes, dog, belts, fashion jewelry, and have some glassware coming in eventually) and have just gotten into RTW. I am also currently above 2:1 (but I have no leather items yet). I totally get feeling disappointed when you don't get offered the bag you've been waiting for, but I agree with the others that your relationship with your SA matters and their relationship with the SM matters as well. I love my SA, she always picks items for me to try on that she knows I will want to buy (even if its not what I went in to look at!!) I know my SA is working hard to get me my bag, but I go to the store at least once a month and purchase things I love and use a lot. I also do not have the buying potential I will have one day (I am a fellow currently) and my SA knows that. Don't lose hope and if you do not truly want to purchase other items from Hermes then maybe reseller is the right way to go. Again, I haven't been offered a bag yet, but just an opinion from someone else who is waiting. Good luck!!

 

[Cavalier Girl]

I've been an Hermes customer for over 35 years. Over that time I couldn't even count the number SAs I've been through. My first purchase was a gold 28cm Kelly with GHW right off the shelf. My first really good relationship was with the SM of the store. She was amazing and would send me pretty much anything for my approval. When she left, I went through at least a dozen SAs, some exceptional, most not so much. I friend gave me a recommendation for a SA at a different boutique, and she was by far the best I've ever had. After some years, she moved on, but her SM moved to what I consider my home store. He suggested a couple of SAs for me, and they were good, but when my last SA left, he assured me he'd take care of me himself. He was good for a couple of years, but hasn't found me anything in a couple of years.

I'm fortunate that I've curated my collection to a manageable level and am not in "need" of most anything. But, I miss having someone I can depend on to at least give me a second thought when they have something desirable or limited. Sometimes I think it's way easier for newbies than it is for long time clients.

 

[leechiyong]

Honest opinions. I have been shopping at the same store for about 1.5 years now. Spend ratio closely approaching 2:1. Purchases were in the scarves, shoes, hats, one silver jewelry piece, belts, small leather goods and one mini evelyne. No other bags purchased. The SA I had worked with left midway and I had to start new with another SA who I also have a good relationship with. Recently visited the store and purchased in the shoes and makeup category. Have not received any bag offers. I truly do love all the items purchased but bummed every time I don’t get a single bag offer. On my wishlist is a b30 neutral ghw. Asked her about being offered a bag soon and she told me she hasn’t even seen garden parties and stock is very low. The store is very competitive. Told me maybe in September the stock will pick up again. Is there no chance at all of being offered ? Losing patience now..

You do have a chance at being offered something, but it takes time, especially with low inventory, which many attest to in the forums. Your current spend is not enough to skip ahead in line. Unless if you have the means to spend 10:1 in a single trip, I wouldn't pursue spending more as it will only lead to additional frustration (an extra few thousand per year will not make a noticeable difference). Your best option is to be patient and continue to let your relationship progress as you're comfortable. Don't feel obligated to buy or stop in to say hi. Continue buying what you love as it becomes available where that purchase is enough to make you happy.

 

[DB8]

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.

You've been given good advice already but I'm throwing this out there - are you keeping in contact with your Hong Kong SA? It sounds like you've found one you work well with, which is hard to find in a city like HK. Unless you never plan on returning, I would be touching base once in a while.

I have a long time SA in Hong Kong that I still shop with, despite being quite part time these days (4-5 months annually). I fill the gaps with a local SA.

 

[eckw]

You've been given good advice already but I'm throwing this out there - are you keeping in contact with your Hong Kong SA? It sounds like you've found one you work well with, which is hard to find in a city like HK. Unless you never plan on returning, I would be touching base once in a while.

I have a long time SA in Hong Kong that I still shop with, despite being quite part time these days (4-5 months annually). I fill the gaps with a local SA.

Yes I kept her personal contact and do plan to shop with her when I go back for visits. Haven’t been back yet as Hong Kong has ridiculous quarantine rules currently in place but I hope to visit next summer (and will text her before I arrive). I’m pretty confident she will remember me even if we are out of touch for now and I’d rather not text her when I’m not in HK as we connect well in person and I rarely texted her in the past except when asking for items.

 

[cad33]

It is interesting to me that in some of the major markets the prespend is over 1:2 while new customers in my city recently seem to be getting quota bags for below even 1:1 right now and with less than 1 year spending. I also was approached on a recent weekend trip to become a client(declined since i don’t travel there normally)- maybe for some of the nyc customers it may make sense shifting out of state where your spend may be more valued.

 

[fice16]

It is interesting to me that in some of the major markets the prespend is over 1:2 while new customers in my city recently seem to be getting quota bags for below even 1:1 right now and with less than 1 year spending. I also was approached on a recent weekend trip to become a client(declined since i don’t travel there normally)- maybe for some of the nyc customers it may make sense shifting out of state where your spend may be more valued.

Hi cad33, it is interesting that some new clients in your city are spending below 1:1 to get the QB. However, based on past experiences of clients in other boutiques in past few years, the new clients likely need a significantly higher spend ratio next time if they intend to get a second QB. A 2:1 spending ratio will not work, likely at least 3 - 5X spending ratio before these new clients will be offered a second QB. And that is a true test if the clients would become the long-time regular clients of the boutique.

 

[in_mybag]

If your SA doesn't respond to you about whether an item is in stock, when do you decide to follow up?