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.

 

[in_mybag]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

 

[FrenchNewbie]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

I guess it depends on the expectations that were set when he ordered it.

Did he say something along the lines of "I can get it in a few weeks"? Or did he say "expect a few months for me to source this"?
If the former, then I would say it's ok to politely decline as your plans/choices have since changed & you were under the impression getting it would be unsuccessful. If it's the latter, then I would say it probably would go a long way in building "trust/appreciation" by following through with the purchase.

Of course I guess it would also depend on a few other factors:
-if the item is rare or being discontinued, and did he search specifically for you?
-is/was the item readily available from the website, and you were "doing him a favor" by ordering directly through him?
-the conversations (or lack thereof) that have been had in the interim. Did you guys discuss your continued interest in the item and/or were expectations set or adjusted, etc.
-just have direct and open and honest conversations with him (you might even ask "would you be upset with me if I don't purchase?") At the end of the day the SA and the client are both humans, so these interactions should not be robotic.

 

[leechiyong]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

It‘s worse to purchase something you don’t want. That said, with your purchase history, if you were your SA, how much would it bother you? It’s disappointing not to get the sale, but would you still want you as a customer? Fwiw, I think that you’re concerned about it means you’re a customer an SA would want to keep, but I know there are some really competitive stores out there too.

 

[SDC2003]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

If you don’t want it anymore don’t buy it. No need to walk on pins and needles when you’re the one spending the money. I think there’s a tendency for clients to overthink things bc they don’t want to do anything that could result in an sa disfavoring a client and then not offering a bag. You say you’re pretty good about buying things you ask for. I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[in_mybag]

thank you so much for all your insight!

I didn't follow up on the bracelet after the initial visit 6 months ago because, TBH, I completely forgot about it until he brought it up yesterday. I've bought many items since that visit and, again, I'm generally very good about going through with my purchases. I have so so much fun with my SA and he and I have a great rapport - he even offered me a K28 in December, so I think this will be OK... but as always, I appreciate all of your guidance.

EDIT: it's not a rare item. It's the CDC bracelet in gold. I couldn't try on the smallest size since the store didn't have it, so my SA ordered it for me from another store. I'm not sure how much trouble he went through for that though?

 

[acrowcounted]

thank you so much for all your insight!

I didn't follow up on the bracelet after the initial visit 6 months ago because, TBH, I completely forgot about it until he brought it up yesterday. I've bought many items since that visit and, again, I'm generally very good about going through with my purchases. I have so so much fun with my SA and he and I have a great rapport - he even offered me a K28 in December, so I think this will be OK... but as always, I appreciate all of your guidance.

EDIT: it's not a rare item. It's the CDC bracelet in gold. I couldn't try on the smallest size since the store didn't have it, so my SA ordered it for me from another store. I'm not sure how much trouble he went through for that though?

Hmmm if he did a store transfer that’s not going to look great. I’m not saying you should buy something you don’t want but his manager is not going to be thrilled.

 

[in_mybag]

Hmmm if he did a store transfer that’s not going to look great. I’m not saying you should buy something you don’t want but his manager is not going to be thrilled.

got it. I'll just take the "hit" to my profile - like @SDC2003 said, it's better for me to not buy it than end up with a ~$8K bracelet that I don't want. it's not like this is a pattern for me. lesson learned though!

 

[FrenchNewbie]

thank you so much for all your insight!

I didn't follow up on the bracelet after the initial visit 6 months ago because, TBH, I completely forgot about it until he brought it up yesterday. I've bought many items since that visit and, again, I'm generally very good about going through with my purchases. I have so so much fun with my SA and he and I have a great rapport - he even offered me a K28 in December, so I think this will be OK... but as always, I appreciate all of your guidance.

EDIT: it's not a rare item. It's the CDC bracelet in gold. I couldn't try on the smallest size since the store didn't have it, so my SA ordered it for me from another store. I'm not sure how much trouble he went through for that though?

store transfers are harder than charge sends, and my SA told me other stores are very protective over their inventory, so he likely went through some effort to have it transferred from another location. But, it is what it is---if you don't want it, no pressure to purchase.

 

[mamakay]

Wow did not know “store transfer” can take that long!

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

I had a similar thing happen however please note it was over 20 years ago when Shopping Hermes was much more relaxed than it is now.
I mentioned to my SA at the time that I really wanted the Medor watch in black but with silver hardware (Palladium), all the ones I'd seen in the store had gold.
Fast forward about a year later my SA had left to have a baby and I suddenly had a phone call from the boutique manager telling me the watch XXXXX had ordered for me had just arrived.
I was so taken aback because by this point I actually no longer wanted that model having decided it was more jewellery than watch
plus I was totally unaware of any 'order' being made because I'd mentioned the watch during a general chat about what I may want to buy in the future.
I explained I no longer wanted it and no harm was done and I continued to be well treated at that particular boutique.
As I stated this was many moons ago but even if it happened now I'd still be honest, and decline.
its not as if it was 2 weeks after the 'order' was placed after all.

 

[in_mybag]

I had a similar thing happen however please note it was over 20 years ago when Shopping Hermes was much more relaxed than it is now.
I mentioned to my SA at the time that I really wanted the Medor watch in black but with silver hardware (Palladium), all the ones I'd seen in the store had gold.
Fast forward about a year later my SA had left to have a baby and I suddenly had a phone call from the boutique manager telling me the watch XXXXX had ordered for me had just arrived.
I was so taken aback because by this point I actually no longer wanted that model having decided it was more jewellery than watch
plus I was totally unaware of any 'order' being made because I'd mentioned the watch during a general chat about what I may want to buy in the future.
I explained I no longer wanted it and no harm was done and I continued to be well treated at that particular boutique.
As I stated this was many moons ago but even if it happened now I'd still be honest, and decline.
its not as if it was 2 weeks after the 'order' was placed after all.

after much reflection, I don't even know if it's a store transfer. I kind of assumed all orders were transfers but maybe not. in any event I'll be honest with my SA and hope our 2-year long relationship outweighs any potential bad feelings

 

[kerebear]

Agree about buying what you want at an H boutique!

I have only made purchases on H website and by all means not a regular customer. Recently, I have taken more interest in other categories of H items e.g. tableware, scarves and menswear for my BF etc. I read that it would be a more enjoyable shopping experience if I maintain a relationship with an SA at a boutique so that they could find me items that I am interested in.

Now, may I have some advice from fellow tpf members please? If I want to start shopping around at an H boutique (not for QB at the moment), should I tell the SA that I have been shopping on their website only and that I am not exactly looking for QB? I heard that some SAs do not try to assist you if they feel that you aren't going to spend for a QB or that you would buy online instead of exclusively from that SA etc. from where I am. I do hope to maintain a relationship with the brand as I am trying to find homeware for my new flat. I might also want a GP in another colour and some twillies and I heard some SAs don't even offer you to browse more than 2 twillies in local boutiques if they don't know you well. Am I better off staying on the website? Browsing tpf makes me really wanna try the in-store experience!
Sorry if the above doesn't make sense! And thanks to the members contributing to tpf over the years - very helpful resources indeed!

I was in a similar position when I first started shopping at Hermes. I only had a purchase from online and i had bought a pair of shoes and a belt from 2 different stores. I went into one of those stores one day and met an amazing SA that i immediately hit it off with since he happened to own the same H shawl that I was wearing that I got at an H sale. He offered me 2 non-quota bags that first day and i was only looking for shoes. Even though i wasn’t really interested in buying a BKC at the time it was beneficial for me to start buying with him and creating a profile bc he can help to source things that you might not be able to catch online bc things go quickly. I literally never mentioned a BKC but as i bought more items like every other month (i’m not a big spender) he would ask me if i was interested in a BKC and what i would want and offered to look out for my specs.

I think you should try in store and see if you meet an SA you click with and want to build a profile with. They can tell when people desperately want a BKC and bc you don’t i’m sure you’ll have a good experience and not feel pressured into buying things you don’t want or need. Until you find an SA you click with buying online won’t hurt you, and tbh if you really want something and see it on the website you should get it bc you may not see it on the website ever again and it may be hard to get in store if you don’t have an SA you’re working with.

 

[pinksugah]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

Normally there’s no obligation as my SA says when she orders stuff for me in the jewelry department.

 

[royaljelly]

Thanks for all your advice and experience sharing. Much appreciated! I guess I should give the local stores a go and hopefully there will be pleasant surprises. If not, well, the sun also rises ;D

 

[880]

hi everyone, about 6 months ago I went into my local store and my SA ordered a bracelet for me because I said I was interested. he texted to let me know yesterday that it finally arrived, but I don’t think I’m interested anymore.

would it look bad to not purchase it? he never pressures me and I’m generally pretty good about buying items that I ordered.

TIA

I won’t have my SA actually order anything unless I’m reasonably sure I want it.
Im pretty specific, at the original time of request, ie, yes, I’d like to try it on, but am not sure
versus I have to have it, pls do a search. So either way, my SA knows my level of interest
But, if it’s ordered, and I try it, and it doesn’t work, I don’t feel any pressure to purchase.