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.

 

[GabrielleS]

I have a new SA and I have a list of items on my H.com wishlist. Do I just show this to my SA on our first meeting? I only bought a couple of twillies last year from a different SA before they left. In my heart, I really want a mini Kelly but do I keep that to myself first?

Depends what is on your list. I would start by expressing an interest in or purchasing some non-bag items before asking for the extremely popular mini Kelly.

 

[GabrielleS]

I am starting to notice less traffic in my main store and it seems like certain categories are a harder sell. Bags are still very hard to get but more availability in other categories. I am getting more “suggestions” for more frequent visits. I wonder if supply is getting better or the economy is starting to hit. Anyone else notice this?

 

[DME]

I am starting to notice less traffic in my main store and it seems like certain categories are a harder sell. Bags are still very hard to get but more availability in other categories. I am getting more “suggestions” for more frequent visits. I wonder if supply is getting better or the economy is starting to hit. Anyone else notice this?

Not so much at H, or so my SA says, but definitely at other luxury stores. SAs are reaching out more and are readily available for appointments. Waiting lines are mostly gone (at least in the U.S.) and stores are relatively empty. Stock is more plentiful outside of the in-demand items. I suspect supply is getting better, yes, but I think the worsening economy is starting to factor in. We travel to Las Vegas at least once a year and even our resort offers have improved. In early April, my H SA said she was just as busy and had no shortage of appointments. However, the store was empty, which did make me wonder. It hasn’t been busy in since COVID, but there were lines to get in, so the number of shoppers was strictly controlled; that system is gone, so anyone could walk in, but no one was there. She is located in one of the three Vegas boutiques and I was there over spring break, so I was expecting a lot more foot traffic in all the stores, not just H. It was definitely a (welcome) change of pace from the last two years!

 

[880]

I am starting to notice less traffic in my main store and it seems like certain categories are a harder sell. Bags are still very hard to get but more availability in other categories. I am getting more “suggestions” for more frequent visits. I wonder if supply is getting better or the economy is starting to hit. Anyone else notice this?

I am not getting more suggestions (I am in NY) but my girlfriend, who already has a healthy prespend is getting such suggestions from her BH store in LA). NY H is selling a lot of very expensive home furnishings these days, (think six figure chandeliers and sofas more than teapots), and the store is pretty busy.

Chanel is also very busy, with not much available in RTW, though one can skip the line by making an appt. I do get the impression that Hermes and chanel are tailoring their purchase orders to their clientele, so spur of the moment shoppers may not always get what they want. But, there is a nice selection of H RTW and shoes (not entirely picked over). Dior is quiet and doesn’t seem to have as much. A few friends and I are getting more suggestions to visit dior.

 

[BreezyE]

I am starting to notice less traffic in my main store and it seems like certain categories are a harder sell. Bags are still very hard to get but more availability in other categories. I am getting more “suggestions” for more frequent visits. I wonder if supply is getting better or the economy is starting to hit. Anyone else notice this?

Hi I feel the same way. Every time I go into Hermes the store is mostly empty (maybe one other customer). Even on a Saturday the store maybe has 6-7 other people in it. And my SA has been a lot more communicative about purchase suggestions (reaching out to me a few times a month) when I used to only hear from them when I reached out.

 

[jbeans]

I (NYC) also have not received any "suggestions" to visit more frequently. My SA mostly only texts me to come in when things previously on order arrive at the store.

 

[addiCCted]

My sa seems busier than before. Couldn’t even get the time slot I wanted

 

[momoc]

I am starting to notice less traffic in my main store and it seems like certain categories are a harder sell. Bags are still very hard to get but more availability in other categories. I am getting more “suggestions” for more frequent visits. I wonder if supply is getting better or the economy is starting to hit. Anyone else notice this?

I do think it’s about the economy but how it specifically affects you may depend on your store’s location (and their clientele tendencies) if that makes sense. For example if stores are in an area where there are many clients in some of the industries that’s been hit harder with the current economy - for example the massive big tech layoffs which makes me wonder if the Silicon Valley stores are seeing less traffic and sales; I read an SNS post some time ago from someone who shops in that area saying that their SA has told them some people who ordered fine jewelry before have cancelled orders. In comparison stores located to have more clients who have an abundant source of funds which isn’t too affected by the economic downturn, I think they will keep doing well. If anything, I personally feel like H (and those closer to the higher end of luxury brands) will have more clients in that latter category than some others (I was in a Prada store recently and they were basically dead empty). Also all the recent news about department stores not doing great, some resale price trends…I think generally speaking the economy is for sure having an effect. It really makes logical sense to me and I think this is probably just a natural phenomenon following economic cycles. The top top won’t get affected much but the upper middle gets hit harder (I’m not expert in this field so just personal observations and anecdotes!)

 

[BreezyE]

I do think it’s about the economy but how it specifically affects you may depend on your store’s location (and their clientele tendencies) if that makes sense. For example if stores are in an area where there are many clients in some of the industries that’s been hit harder with the current economy - for example the massive big tech layoffs which makes me wonder if the Silicon Valley stores are seeing less traffic and sales; I read an SNS post some time ago from someone who shops in that area saying that their SA has told them some people who ordered fine jewelry before have cancelled orders. In comparison stores located to have more clients who have an abundant source of funds which isn’t too affected by the economic downturn, I think they will keep doing well. If anything, I personally feel like H (and those closer to the higher end of luxury brands) will have more clients in that latter category than some others (I was in a Prada store recently and they were basically dead empty). Also all the recent news about department stores not doing great, some resale price trends…I think generally speaking the economy is for sure having an effect. It really makes logical sense to me and I think this is probably just a natural phenomenon following economic cycles. The top top won’t get affected much but the upper middle gets hit harder (I’m not expert in this field so just personal observations and anecdotes!)

This is likely the case, I am in a very tech heavy area.

 

[Fixxi]

the massive big tech layoffs which makes me wonder if the Silicon Valley stores are seeing less traffic and sales... In comparison stores located to have more clients who have an abundant source of funds which isn’t too affected by the economic downturn, I think they will keep doing well. If anything, I personally feel like H (and those closer to the higher end of luxury brands) will have more clients in that latter category than some others

IMHO, i dont think majority of H customers who are slowing down shopping in the Bay Area are the tech folks that are being laid off. Sure - there are some, but not really the profile. I think the H clients who were probably impacted by the recent events are more the SVB investors (i.e. not your typical average joe whose funds were FDIC insured), or the higher up families of C-level execs or Board members (who actually benefit from layoffs because it usually drives up the stock price).

Additionally, the SF Bay Area economy is really interesting. I can remember as far back as 2018, some Board members of these tech companies were saying the bubble is going to pop soon; then we saw so many companies with revenue skyrocket during covid; then with obvious macroeconomic events (e.g. inflation) we are seeing the market correct itself with the help of Fed's extreme adjustment of rates, which also have had a significant impact on how these investors/angels/VCs are valuing companies now (e.g. it's like record low of unicorns this year).

Stock is still very low at the SF store, so I wonder how this is all really playing out at competitive stores like SF/NY/BH.

Anyway, to stick with topic... I was pretty disappointed the Bearn cardholders were available for a short second but my SA didn't think of me. I have asked for Calvi in the past, which has not been available (for me). My spending habit hasn't changed (anywhere from 2k - 10k) each time, but neither has been the offers (I've gotten a few non QB offers) and shopping for a year (not that long). We have a very amicable relationship (or so I think), I usually grab coffee for her at least and we chat like old friends. This is not to say I am disappointed about the Bearn (which I am, but it is what it is), or how "long" it's taking me for a QB (i have also been quite smitten with Cartier and VCA lately, so it's probably better for my wallet), but really that I have not noticed a significant change in the store behavior.

Edit: this is just my observation, and YMMV

 

[880]

@Fixxi , it may be OT. Or it may be indicative of stock shortages. But, I’ve been told that NY is limiting calvi access severely. And, to purchase or even show a calvi to a client, the SA must obtain SM approval. IDKW. Perhaps bearnes are equally in short supply? By the way, earlier this year, there were no calvisvor slg in manila. On,y one black box calvi in Liat Singapore ( but this was perhaps due to Chinese new year stock shortages). And, in April, FSH had almost no calvis. Maybe H craftspeople are focusing on bags lol

 

[Fixxi]

@Fixxi , it may be OT. Or it may be indicative of stock shortages. But, I’ve been told that NY is limiting calvi access severely. And, to purchase or even show a calvi to a client, the SA must obtain SM approval. IDKW. Perhaps bearnes are equally in short supply?

MY MISTAKE. I meant the R.M.S cardholders when I said the SA didn't think of me (and now they're all sold out). Either way, I totally understand SLGs are very hard to get (low supply and high demand). And I could understand stores would make these require SM approval. Plus, especially because they are new designs, I totally get it it's already sold out to higher spending VIPs or loyal clients who have been shopping with the brand for a lot longer. At the end of the day, no matter how close I am with my SA, it's still business and her livelihood, whereas for me, it's not that serious.

 

[acrowcounted]

MY MISTAKE. I meant the R.M.S cardholders when I said the SA didn't think of me (and now they're all sold out). Either way, I totally understand SLGs are very hard to get (low supply and high demand). And I could understand stores would make these require SM approval. Plus, especially because they are new designs, I totally get it it's already sold out to higher spending VIPs or loyal clients who have been shopping with the brand for a lot longer. At the end of the day, no matter how close I am with my SA, it's still business and her livelihood, whereas for me, it's not that serious.

Don’t get too hung up on this “already sold out” mindset. H inventory is constantly in flux so just because there are zero available pieces today, doesn’t mean that one or two won’t be delivered throughout the week or whenever. I assure you RMS cardholders are not forever sold out.

 

[ekbright]

@Fixxi , it may be OT. Or it may be indicative of stock shortages. But, I’ve been told that NY is limiting calvi access severely. And, to purchase or even show a calvi to a client, the SA must obtain SM approval. IDKW. Perhaps bearnes are equally in short supply? By the way, earlier this year, there were no calvisvor slg in manila. On,y one black box calvi in Liat Singapore ( but this was perhaps due to Chinese new year stock shortages). And, in April, FSH had almost no calvis. Maybe H craftspeople are focusing on bags lol

That is helpful to know re Calvi. I have been waiting for a duo for months and my SA said he would be looking out for me for one with a shipment anticipated in April and not having heard from him, I thought I was being ignored. This is in NY.

 

[withsriracha]

That is helpful to know re Calvi. I have been waiting for a duo for months and my SA said he would be looking out for me for one with a shipment anticipated in April and not having heard from him, I thought I was being ignored. This is in NY.

Not in NY, but I was making small talk with another SA back in February while waiting for my own to free up and telling him how lucky I felt to get a Calvi (!) a month prior, and he did mention that H is supposedly routing craftsperson resources to bags rather than SLGs to address the supply shortfall. Definitely didn't require any SM approval to see/get my Calvi (though again, non-NY and in January) as I just asked if any were available during an appointment without giving a prior heads up I was looking for one. However, my SA was definitely shocked to see that they had any in stock and told me next time I am after a Calvi or similar SLG, to let her know in advance.