Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[addiCCted]

+1 These are very possible reasons.

My SA has said something similar to me before regarding someone else being available to help me. I had only shopped with him for a few months but he had offered me a few non-quota bags. I assumed it was a test lol and told him something along the lines of “no, it’s okay. I’d rather shop with you/come into the store when you’re available.”

Oh a loyalty test. Mmm didn’t even think about that. Makes sense too.

 

[aa_]

+1 These are very possible reasons.

My SA has said something similar to me before regarding someone else being available to help me. I had only shopped with him for a few months but he had offered me a few non-quota bags. I assumed it was a test lol and told him something along the lines of “no, it’s okay. I’d rather shop with you/come into the store when you’re available.”

+2

I have been working with my amazing SA for a little over a year, always in store and shop what's available in stock since I prefer it also that way. I still haven't received any QB offers but he has kindly source and put a non-quota bag on hold for almost 3 weeks for me since I was traveling.
I exclusively email him for in store appointments to shop and once after 7 months of working together he replied he wasn't available and I could shop with someone else if I wished. I am very straight forward so I simply said I prefer to shop with him and he should let me know his availability. I think his intention was really to give priority to the time slot I had requested. But for me it think it was a sign of loyalty to him and to show him I am a flexible and reasonable client.
Our relationship just got better from that point. He now definitely goes above and beyond to accommodate my appointment requests and even more surprising is that a couple of times he has asked trainees to check out other clients if I my appointment time is due and I'm definitely not a high spender or VIP.

SORRY FOR THE LOOONG POST IN SHORT:
I think that open communication and mutual respect really help a lot in building a relationship.

Not a full answer to OP question. Just to say that imo is better to ask or clearly state your wants, rather than play guessing games.

 

[880]

his intention was really to give priority to the time slot I had requested.

Agree with @aa_ above. I don’t think of it as a loyalty test so much as the SA prioritizing our joint schedules. I am fortunate in having a flexible enough schedule to really only shop with my SA at my home store

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

Random thoughts and as @880 would say YMMV

I think it’s important to go into the store regularly (whatever that means for you) to learn your SA and vice versa to take the edge off. I read some of these threads and think “omg is my SA ghosting me?” “is she just playing around with me to make me spend (let’s be honest, no one can make me spend money if I don’t want to)?” “Is she lying to me?” And then I go in the store on Mondays and she says all of the right things lol. Today I asked for an update on my craie b and she said, “oh trust me this one is easy. Everyone wants 25s and you want 30 or 35. We just need the shipment.” She’s also reminded me that she prefers to be a straight-shooter which works best for my personality. I REALLY want the Kennedy loafers and she’s like, “no! Those are too masculine for you. Stick with the Destin.” I’m going with that.

I typically go in early Mondays so today when I went there were ZERO other clients in the store. My SA jokingly says to me, “you see we closed the store down for you to shop privately, take your time!” We had a good laugh about that while I shopped like it was closed for me for real She’s so funny and over time we are learning each other more!

 

[Fixxi]

+1 These are very possible reasons.

My SA has said something similar to me before regarding someone else being available to help me. I had only shopped with him for a few months but he had offered me a few non-quota bags. I assumed it was a test lol and told him something along the lines of “no, it’s okay. I’d rather shop with you/come into the store when you’re available.”

Im not an OG like some folks here, so just sharing my experience. Similar thing happened to me also. I dont know if it was a loyalty test per se, but she canceled on me the day of our appointment (this was months ago, and at that time I had only been buying from her for 4 months - small things only) and I wondered if she was passing me off because I'm not a big spender like some of her longer tenured clients, but I told her I'm happy to reschedule and stick with her because i really liked our relationship, and if she's willing to keep helping me. Turns out she was sick that day week, and she didnt want me to miss out on anything and was more than happy to keep our relationship going. I've gotten a few non QB bags from her since then. Though, I think it's also important you don't base the success of your relationship solely on whether you get offers - I think that's going to be a quick way to burn out.

Although I'd be taken back, I'd let the SA know I'd love to continue the relationship you'd already begun, if that works with their schedule (unless you just aren't clicking).

 

[hnewbiecw]

+1 These are very possible reasons.

My SA has said something similar to me before regarding someone else being available to help me. I had only shopped with him for a few months but he had offered me a few non-quota bags. I assumed it was a test lol and told him something along the lines of “no, it’s okay. I’d rather shop with you/come into the store when you’re available.”

It didn’t even occur to me that it could be a test lol. As someone in a service industry myself, I’m still getting used to this (clearly!). Thank you for your insight!

 

[hnewbiecw]

Random thoughts and as @880 would say YMMV

I think it’s important to go into the store regularly (whatever that means for you) to learn your SA and vice versa to take the edge off. I read some of these threads and think “omg is my SA ghosting me?” “is she just playing around with me to make me spend (let’s be honest, no one can make me spend money if I don’t want to)?” “Is she lying to me?” And then I go in the store on Mondays and she says all of the right things lol. Today I asked for an update on my craie b and she said, “oh trust me this one is easy. Everyone wants 25s and you want 30 or 35. We just need the shipment.” She’s also reminded me that she prefers to be a straight-shooter which works best for my personality. I REALLY want the Kennedy loafers and she’s like, “no! Those are too masculine for you. Stick with the Destin.” I’m going with that.

I typically go in early Mondays so today when I went there were ZERO other clients in the store. My SA jokingly says to me, “you see we closed the store down for you to shop privately, take your time!” We had a good laugh about that while I shopped like it was closed for me for real She’s so funny and over time we are learning each other more!

Love the relationship you have with your SA!

 

[hnewbiecw]

Im not an OG like some folks here, so just sharing my experience. Similar thing happened to me also. I dont know if it was a loyalty test per se, but she canceled on me the day of our appointment (this was months ago, and at that time I had only been buying from her for 4 months - small things only) and I wondered if she was passing me off because I'm not a big spender like some of her longer tenured clients, but I told her I'm happy to reschedule and stick with her because i really liked our relationship, and if she's willing to keep helping me. Turns out she was sick that day week, and she didnt want me to miss out on anything and was more than happy to keep our relationship going. I've gotten a few non QB bags from her since then. Though, I think it's also important you don't base the success of your relationship solely on whether you get offers - I think that's going to be a quick way to burn out.

Although I'd be taken back, I'd let the SA know I'd love to continue the relationship you'd already begun, if that works with their schedule (unless you just aren't clicking).

Good point! I think I was just disappointed from having my hopes up. I do really enjoy working with her, so I will definitely try to find a way forward.

 

[kerebear]

It didn’t even occur to me that it could be a test lol. As someone in a service industry myself, I’m still getting used to this (clearly!). Thank you for your insight!

Since then he hasn’t said anything like that and he knows i’ll work exclusively with him. He makes my shopping experience so enjoyable that i wouldn’t want to have it any other way. I feel he also tries pretty hard to get me what i’m looking for even though i don’t feel i’m not much of a big spender.

I think SAs definitely do throw little tests in the mix haha. Like he randomly asked me once about if I shopped at a certain location close by that i had bought an item from a year before i started shopping with him lol! I guess maybe he or his SM wanted to know if i was still considering shopping there but i told him that i decided not to keep shopping there because of the distance. H is serious about loyalty

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

Love the relationship you have with your SA!

Thank you! Me too. As a newbie myself those first few months are definitely a learning curve and can be a little rough! If you like your SA just keep going. You will get there! I’m sure last year around this time I was where you are now lol

 

[880]

If you think of an SA asking if you shop elsewhere or offering to accommodate your schedule as tests, and not simple requests for information; or, if you believe a QB offer is the only real proof of a solid relationship with your SA, then
you, as a client, will burn out very quickly. (I keep thinking of the poem “If” by Kipling lol). You have to decide for yourself if it’s healthy or productive to view your relationship with your SA or Hermes in such a fashion. Luxury shopping should be a pleasure, and part of the joy of boutique shopping are the little discoveries along the way. Part of what posts of members like @nakedmosher2of3, @tinkerbell68, and @jimmyshoogirl are communicating is try to enjoy the shopping as it progresses, and good things will follow. If you are really simply intent on the bag; view everything else as a disappointment; and the wait for it as an insult, then it is really easier (and ultimately less expensive) to go reseller. i do think it’s unfortunate that the bags have become so coveted. But the truth is that Hermes as a business prioritizes clients who can spend without as much of an eye towards prespend or calculation as to how close buying x other item gets me to a QB. Those clients aren’t always the ones with the deepest pockets or the most appreciation for other metiers, but sometimes a mix.

ETA: no SA has ever balked or looked askance or refused to offer me a bag even if I’ve said I’m not prepared to spend X on Y item, or I like this, and not that. Or I’m only free on Tuesday mornings ( though if it’s hard for the SA to schedule you then, I think you should also respect the SA’s schedule). That is, unless you are such a whale that the SA wants to reschedule her nanny, daycare, or life, to come in on her day off. If you are, I don’t think you will be posting here, but what do I know lol. If your SA on a weekend suggests you come in without an appt, it’s possibke that the boutique is slammed on weekends, and her manager wants her to prioritize walk ins. Even an SA of some seniority might sometimes called upon to cover the door or do less pleasant tasks. What I sometimes do is pencil H in among other stops and text as to availability when I am close by. If I have to wait bc another client is running over, or something else comes up, that’s life too.

 

[hnewbiecw]

If you think of an SA asking if you shop elsewhere or offering to accommodate your schedule as tests, and not simple requests for information; or, if you believe a QB offer is the only real proof of a solid relationship with your SA, then
you, as a client, will burn out very quickly. (I keep thinking of the poem “If” by Kipling lol). You have to decide for yourself if it’s healthy or productive to view your relationship with your SA or Hermes in such a fashion. Luxury shopping should be a pleasure, and part of the joy of boutique shopping are the little discoveries along the way. Part of what posts of members like @nakedmosher2of3, @tinkerbell68, and @jimmyshoogirl are communicating is try to enjoy the shopping as it progresses, and good things will follow. If you are really simply intent on the bag; view everything else as a disappointment; and the wait for it as an insult, then it is really easier (and ultimately less expensive) to go reseller. i do think it’s unfortunate that the bags have become so coveted. But the truth is that Hermes as a business prioritizes clients who can spend without as much of an eye towards prespend or calculation as to how close buying x other item gets me to a QB. Those clients aren’t always the ones with the deepest pockets or the most appreciation for other metiers, but sometimes a mix.

ETA: no SA has ever balked or looked askance or refused to offer me a bag even if I’ve said I’m not prepared to spend X on Y item, or I like this, and not that. Or I’m only free on Tuesday mornings ( though if it’s hard for the SA to schedule you then, I think you should also respect the SA’s schedule). That is, unless you are such a whale that the SA wants to reschedule her nanny, daycare, or life, to come in on her day off. If you are, I don’t think you will be posting here, but what do I know lol. If your SA on a weekend suggests you come in without an appt, it’s possibke that the boutique is slammed on weekends, and her manager wants her to prioritize walk ins. Even an SA of some seniority might sometimes called upon to cover the door or do less pleasant tasks. What I sometimes do is pencil H in among other stops and text as to availability when I am close by. If I have to wait bc another client is running over, or something else comes up, that’s life too.

Totally hear what you and the others are saying. It didn’t occur to me that it was a test either. I was a bit confused so I thought I’d get some perspectives. Hopefully the fact that there are 500 pages on this topic means that my confusion is not too ridiculous . Thanks for your insight!

 

[periwinklepenguin]

I exclusively email him for in store appointments to shop and once after 7 months of working together he replied he wasn't available and I could shop with someone else if I wished. I am very straight forward so I simply said I prefer to shop with him and he should let me know his availability. I think his intention was really to give priority to the time slot I had requested. But for me it think it was a sign of loyalty to him and to show him I am a flexible and reasonable client.

I had a slightly similar experience. I am still VERY new to this and only have a couple of shopping experiences under my belt, but a few weeks after meeting my SA for the first time, I sent a text asking if they'd be available on a specific date since I would be passing through town anyways (they know I live a couple of hours away, so it's not super easy for me to pop in on a whim). They responded that they won't be in that day, but that someone else would be happy to help me.
At first I worried that they were trying to pawn me off on someone else, but now I think that they were probably actually just trying to make sure that I had an opportunity to visit the boutique on a day that was convenient for me, especially since I live close by. I found another time to go in when they were working, as I'd prefer to stick with them!

 

[FrenchNewbie]

Totally hear what you and the others are saying. It didn’t occur to me that it was a test either. I was a bit confused so I thought I’d get some perspectives. Hopefully the fact that there are 500 pages on this topic means that my confusion is not too ridiculous . Thanks for your insight!

No, you're confusion is not at all ridiculous. You are well justified & within your right to think the worst, or to question something that seems suspicious. Personally I don't subscribe to all the games that the SAs play (as people have said before respect & honesty is a 2-way street), and I think it's absolutely ridiculous for them to "test" your loyalty by trying to pawn you off on another SA just to see if you will refuse it.

How can thet expect you to carry yourself a certain way, if their behavior doesn't match it? Those are the little games that gives the brand a bad name. I hope bone of that's true, but if it is & if the associates continue to play them, the brand will continue to get that bad name.

 

[GabrielleS]

Not to be a downer but personal chemistry aside, it’s a business. There’s a certain amount of spend and regularity each SA will expect regardless of how nice you are or how much you love the brand. It’s a busy job and the SAs get a lot of emails and texts and only have so many hours in the day to respond. Your SA has sales targets to meet in each category in a certain time period in addition to overall store goals and, at times, may prioritize customers that shop in categories where they need sales. Your SA may love the job, they may love you and your style and love your love and appreciation of the brand but at the end of the days it’s a job and, at times, they need to prioritize their time to the customers that will help them meet their sales or professional goals at that particular point in time.