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.

 

[kerebear]

Honestly I think every SA is different and has a different way of conducting business. Some lean into the whole relationship thing more than others. They ask you about your personal life, reach out just to chit chat, hug you, etc. And some are a lot more transactional and straight to the point with sales. I’ve met both kinds.

If you’re starting to work with a new SA you just have to learn how they do business and their style and that takes time. Honestly i think not taking things too seriously as well as just giving it time is the way to best understand how your SA does things rather than asking on this forum. Pick up on small things your SA says but don’t let it make you paranoid or read into it too much. Remember you could be wrong. Learn how your SA prefers to communicate. Understand that your SA will ghost you plenty of times but it’s literally probably because they’re busy. Text/email them again another time. Also something that you read as “this SA’s playing a game with me” may actually not be the case at all. They may just be trying to get to know your style, shopping habits etc too.
That’s just my opinion.

 

[hnewbiecw]

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.

It is 100% business, but I think that could also be the point, because it's business, some people might expect certain service levels and interactions in a business setting. I work in the service industry and my compensation partly depends on how much money my clients pay to my company, but it doesn't mean that I'd turn away a client who hasn't thrown as much business our way recently the next time they come knocking. Not trying to say it's comparable (I can't really think of another business that enjoys the same kind of popularity and demand as Hermes right now), but it's a point of view.

It's clear that everyone has different experiences - I absolutely believe that there are SAs who are professional and straight shooters, but have also heard many stories on the other end of the spectrum. I guess what makes it tricky (and this topic so interesting) is that we don't always know where an SA falls and that not everyone is lucky enough to find someone they work well with easily.

 

[smoothsailor]

I think there is no need to think too much about it. H sales group KPI (where it applies) seems to be bigger than single SA KPI. So, same store, different SA is not that big a deal, when in general, most purchases are with the same SA.

That’s the info I got from a few SAs. If in doubt, just ask the SA directly.

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

I’ve shopped with another sa before and my sa didn’t blink an eye. I also made it very clear to the new sa who my normal was. At the end of the transaction my SA’s name was on the receipt. The store manager has even had to check me out because my SA was busy with another client when I stopped by when she knew I was coming. Her client before me was shopping longer than she expected. Stuff happens. Again my sa name was on the receipt.

The way everyone think and act will be different. For me, I’m not entertaining shopping like I’m walking thru a minefield. I’m definitely not about to overthink shopping. Hellooooo, retail therapy

No matter how much fun I have at the store or with the SAs in the store that end bill ALWAYS remind me that it’s business.

 

[addiCCted]

I’ve shopped with another sa before and my sa didn’t blink an eye. I also made it very clear to the new sa who my normal was. At the end of the transaction my SA’s name was on the receipt. The store manager has even had to check me out because my SA was busy with another client when I stopped by when she knew I was coming. Her client before me was shopping longer than she expected. Stuff happens. Again my sa name was on the receipt.

The way everyone think and act will be different. For me, I’m not entertaining shopping like I’m walking thru a minefield. I’m definitely not about to overthink shopping. Hellooooo, retail therapy

No matter how much fun I have at the store or with the SAs in the store that end bill ALWAYS remind me that it’s business.

Right. They’re not our friends but we do need a friendly WORKING relationship.

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

Right. They’re not our friends but we do need a friendly WORKING relationship.

Absolutely!

 

[880]

No matter how much fun I have at the store or with the SAs in the store that end bill ALWAYS remind me that it’s business.

100% with @jimmyshoogirl, @addiCCted, and others. For us, it’s retail recreation or therapy. For the SA, it’s her livelihood.

at the end of the day, what matters is not whether you are best friends but the strength of your profile, and what revenue or potential for revenue you are able to generate. Hopefully, being polite and patient should be the norm.

 

[missBV]

Right. They’re not our friends but we do need a friendly WORKING relationship.

Absolutely! We should not overstep the boundary. Be respectful. Truly, @880 it’s how much revenue (current and potential) we can generate. Continue to discover various items that Hermes has to offer. Your genuine love for the brand will be reciprocated

 

[fendimonster92]

Hi everyone.

I have a question regarding same household accounts (husband/wife). My husband got a QB for me a little while back after some spending. His spend is much higher than mine. We really like one particular SA, but the SA is primarily his. After he got the QB, I wanted to buy something and I asked the SA if I could use him also as my SA. We’re thinking of dropping in the store sometime soon to make some purchases. Is it better that I use my account this time? Or because we’re married it’s gonna fall under joint account so it doesn’t matter?

 

[880]

Hi everyone.

I have a question regarding same household accounts (husband/wife). My husband got a QB for me a little while back after some spending. His spend is much higher than mine. We really like one particular SA, but the SA is primarily his. After he got the QB, I wanted to buy something and I asked the SA if I could use him also as my SA. We’re thinking of dropping in the store sometime soon to make some purchases. Is it better that I use my account this time? Or because we’re married it’s gonna fall under joint account so it doesn’t matter?

DHs acct in NY and FSH covers both of us. We never officially asked our SA. I don’t think it makes much difference unless you plan to spend large enough amounts to get around qb limits (and the second acct is suggested by your SA. Some tpfers do open second Accts at the SAs suggestion, others report SAs consolidating them)

 

[GabrielleS]

Hi everyone.

I have a question regarding same household accounts (husband/wife). My husband got a QB for me a little while back after some spending. His spend is much higher than mine. We really like one particular SA, but the SA is primarily his. After he got the QB, I wanted to buy something and I asked the SA if I could use him also as my SA. We’re thinking of dropping in the store sometime soon to make some purchases. Is it better that I use my account this time? Or because we’re married it’s gonna fall under joint account so it doesn’t matter?

Ask your SA about this as it varies by store. Some stores have separate accounts for couples but the same address means that product limits is per household. Other stores allow truly joint accounts that would enable purchases and exchanges to be made by either person.

 

[mee3]

Hello,I have an SA that I worked with once and got a wishlist item I have been wanting. Whenever I go in to browse, I don't really say hi because they're busy and might have forgotte about me, and I don't have anything to buy. Not sure if not saying hi is a bad impression or not. Also, I feel like they might think I am working with my friend's SA since they see me with them when they were buying something. I want to buy something, but not sure if I should contact the same SA or find a new SA?

 

[Lychee_Apple]

Hello,I have an SA that I worked with once and got a wishlist item I have been wanting. Whenever I go in to browse, I don't really say hi because they're busy and might have forgotte about me, and I don't have anything to buy. Not sure if not saying hi is a bad impression or not. Also, I feel like they might think I am working with my friend's SA since they see me with them when they were buying something. I want to buy something, but not sure if I should contact the same SA or find a new SA?

In general, I think transparent and honest communication does good in any relationship you're trying to build. In your case, you might consider just telling them that you've been browsing and something has caught your eye so you'd like to make an appt.. you can also ask (for future reference) if they recommend you give them a heads up when you're planning to browse. Of course, it's ultimately your choice as to whether or not you actually want to continue working with this SA...

 

[addiCCted]

Hello,I have an SA that I worked with once and got a wishlist item I have been wanting. Whenever I go in to browse, I don't really say hi because they're busy and might have forgotte about me, and I don't have anything to buy. Not sure if not saying hi is a bad impression or not. Also, I feel like they might think I am working with my friend's SA since they see me with them when they were buying something. I want to buy something, but not sure if I should contact the same SA or find a new SA?

I bought something from an SA once and he never remembered me when I shop with my current SA. But do you plan on working with that SA in the future? Also, how will they remember your wishlist? Is it something you just order and they call you when it comes in?

 

[meursault_h]

Hi all! I've met a lovely SA in Paris (my prespend is +/- 60K) and she told me to let her know if I like something so she can check if it's in stock. However, what I've noticed is that she only replies on RTW, home/porcelain and fine jewelry requests. She ignores other requests like sandals and belts. I have two beautiful quota bags so that's not my priority but obviously I want to purchase other leather items that are on my wishlist too. She wants me to shop with her but if she keeps ignoring my other requests I feel like checking the stock of other stores too? Especially because we're not talking about bags at all. Does your SA reserve leather items for you? She's very friendly btw! Thanks for your help