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.

 

[justdennis84]

It was only because my sa was busy with a client that ran over into my appointment. He was helping her out, not to bond or anything!

Ah ok I thought you meant something like flirting

 

[BB8]

Oh, I thought she meant helping @jimmyshoogirl check out or pay lol. Bc my SA always personally rings us up and doesn’t hand off to the cashier (mainly bc we are busy talking to each other) . I think managers today are very hands on. The men’s manager was always by the door greeting, and the women’s RTW manager is often on the floor.

+1

 

[Bdbunny]

Hey @880 sorry to bring up a post from 2022 . I am curious about the part in the beginning where you said that over time you will know your SM.

I haven’t met nor do I know who the SM of my local store is. How did you get to know yours?

I also wanted to add that I've met 2 SM's inadvertently, so maybe you already met yours! In one store, the SM asked me if I had been helped and complimented me on my outfit, and we struck up a short convo. It was later, maybe even my next visit, that my SA told me she was the SM. In another store, the SM asked us if we wanted a beverage, and when she brought it over, we started chatting about the new store, and that's when she introduced herself to us as the new SM. That was a surprise! I also think SM's have different styles, and some are on the floor a lot more than others. At my previous local boutique, the SM was never on the floor. My SA said to me that I should meet her, but it took weeks before we could find a time that worked. Also some of the larger stores may have a store director and a floor manager. My SA explained that the store director was more involved in the admin/ordering/etc and the floor manager was actually the one who approved the bags. This could be store dependent. I guess in theory it's helpful to know the store manager/director/floor manager, but not necessary.

 

[jimmyshoogirl]

Oh, I thought she meant helping @jimmyshoogirl check out or pay lol. Bc my SA always personally rings us up and doesn’t hand off to the cashier (mainly bc we are busy talking to each other) . I think managers today are very hands on. The men’s manager was always by the door greeting, and the women’s RTW manager is often on the floor.

Yes, exactly this lol

 

[justdennis84]

I also wanted to add that I've met 2 SM's inadvertently, so maybe you already met yours! In one store, the SM asked me if I had been helped and complimented me on my outfit, and we struck up a short convo. It was later, maybe even my next visit, that my SA told me she was the SM. In another store, the SM asked us if we wanted a beverage, and when she brought it over, we started chatting about the new store, and that's when she introduced herself to us as the new SM. That was a surprise! I also think SM's have different styles, and some are on the floor a lot more than others. At my previous local boutique, the SM was never on the floor. My SA said to me that I should meet her, but it took weeks before we could find a time that worked. Also some of the larger stores may have a store director and a floor manager. My SA explained that the store director was more involved in the admin/ordering/etc and the floor manager was actually the one who approved the bags. This could be store dependent. I guess in theory it's helpful to know the store manager/director/floor manager, but not necessary.

Great insight, thank you. I just checked out the person for my store on LinkedIn

 

[periogirl28]

If one is a regular client who visits reasonably frequently, it's normal for the SAs to introduce their Department/ Floor/ Store manager etc. I have for example been introduced to the FSH store manager who then spontaneously suggested that my SA take us to hang out at the garden, I also meet store managers at events eg cocktails, launches etc, eventually they get to know you well and will ask for feedback to help them adjust their orders. I once happened to be at a store in Asia when the CEO was visiting and he complimented my bag. That was unforgettable!

 

[LVLVLVOE]

Hi cuties… I have a question I don’t know what to do, would really appreciate some expert advice…

So I have been spending 11k since February on non-bag items, and another 3k for a Picotin at my home store. I told my SA my goal of anything Birkin Kelly or Constance. Waited for a few months and no response. So I decided to buy a few more items and also see if there’s any updates. Went to the store and she didn’t remember me (or appeared not to). And told me nothing she could do and told me to buy shoes elsewhere.
It was pretty rude so I contacted the manager through email last week (not to make my SA feel bad, simply to look for a solution to buy those pairs of shoes and inquire on the bag situation, because I think it’s not right to just switch to another SA?). The manager also doesn’t respond anymore.

I’m moving to another city now, but don’t know if I could still hope for a quota bag with my 14k prespend at the first store? Or I should just let it go… regardless, if I still want those pairs of shoes, should I shop with the previous store? If so, how to actually get in touch with the manager or my SA, since they are not responsive. Or should I shop at the store in the new city that I’m moving to? If so, with a brand new profile? Or continue using the same profile? I worry that the previous store might see I switched store and never offer me any quota bag in the future (which maybe at this point, is already never gonna happen?)

Thanks so much for any advice…

Yikes that feeling of your SA maybe not remembering you must have been rough. I’m sorry that happened. It sounds like she has been very helpful to you in the past though so I would definitely give her the benefit of the doubt. I agree with the others that said it is very normal for SA’s to suggest trying somewhere else (meaning online or if you’re traveling abroad) when they can’t source something for you. And when that’s the case then the SM can’t make them appear either. In fact it’s kind of like getting your SA’s blessing to buy something online, which we might normally avoid bc we want to stay loyal to our SA’s. Regarding a QB, your request needs to be very specific, otherwise it’s impossible for your SA to know what to offer you. Did you make a wishlist with an exact bag, size, color, hardware, etc?

I would recommend keeping your existing profile when you move to your new H store. Don’t start a new one. It gives off sneaky vibes even though that’s not the intention of course. There is just no need for it and no need to overthink it. It is very common for H clients to relocate cities and even countries, and if there is any good reason for switching your home store it’s this one. The shoes you’re looking for sound like the perfect opportunity to walk in and find your new SA.

Your prespend at your old store won’t count at the new one but your history with H will help build trust between you and a new SA quicker. It is definitely not a loss of any sort. I know it may feel disappointing to leave it behind, but try to focus on the lovely memories you made with the goodies you found there, and how your love for H must have gotten deeper each time. That’s truly such a special feeling! The possibilities at a new H store in another city with a new SA are all very exciting too.

 

[step2005]

After buying here and there for 15 years (!), I've shopped at same boutique since 2021, and have received wishlist bags from 3 different SAs. I'm not a big spender, in a competitive city. Each time, when first two SA left and I was not clicking with third, I was tempted to switch to larger location. Thanks to advices here, I stayed put. Fourth and current SA offered bag the day after we met and I bought one t-shirt. They said they and their director (whom I haven't met) were excited when able to reward authenticity, patience post-pandemic, and more importantly, loyalty to 'home' store throughout turnovers. Also, that my list is specific (no neutrals, no mini k, no b25 ect). Everyone's experience will be different but maybe this will help or give hopes!

 

[justdennis84]

After buying here and there for 15 years (!), I've shopped at same boutique since 2021, and have received wishlist bags from 3 different SAs. I'm not a big spender, in a competitive city. Each time, when first two SA left and I was not clicking with third, I was tempted to switch to larger location. Thanks to advices here, I stayed put. Fourth and current SA offered bag the day after we met and I bought one t-shirt. They said they and their director (whom I haven't met) were excited when able to reward authenticity, patience post-pandemic, and more importantly, loyalty to 'home' store throughout turnovers. Also, that my list is specific (no neutrals, no mini k, no b25 ect). Everyone's experience will be different but maybe this will help or give hopes!

Thanks for sharing. Do I understand correctly, that you mentioned your ab wish first or did your current SA asked you about it?

 

[BourgeiosBabe]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to start my Hermes journey for a B or K. But whenever I go into the store I do often feel intimitated and unsure of what to do to begin a relationship with an SA. As I live in London, the stores are always overcrowded, so how do I go about navigating this.

 

[justdennis84]

Hey everyone,

I am looking to start my Hermes journey for a B or K. But whenever I go into the store I do often feel intimitated and unsure of what to do to begin a relationship with an SA. As I live in London, the stores are always overcrowded, so how do I go about navigating this.

I am still new with Hermes. What I learned from my first visit: Call the central number for your store, know which department you want to shop from. Then ask for an appointment for you.

That guarantees that your SA has enough time. You could then by letting the SA in the beginning know what you like about Hermes and ask questions about the brand and it’s history.

 

[step2005]

Thanks for sharing. Do I understand correctly, that you mentioned your ab wish first or did your current SA asked you about it?

They were commenting on the bag I was wearing so I just asked if we could update my wishlist

 

[BourgeiosBabe]

I am still new with Hermes. What I learned from my first visit: Call the central number for your store, know which department you want to shop from. Then ask for an appointment for you.

That guarantees that your SA has enough time. You could then by letting the SA in the beginning know what you like about Hermes and ask questions about the brand and it’s history.

Thank you! I will definitely will try arranging an appointment for my next visit, should make it easier. So overwhelming when I just walk in

 

[justdennis84]

They were commenting on the bag I was wearing so I just asked if we could update my wishlist

Smart I guess you have to grab it, when an opportunity presents itself!

 

[justdennis84]

Thank you! I will definitely will try arranging an appointment for my next visit, should make it easier. So overwhelming when I just walk in

That felt exactly the same during my first visit. My experience was also, when something was not in the store, they where still super friendly but quickly refer you to by online. So extra hard to build that relationship.

I actually missed one detail. My first scheduled appointment was to pick up the online order at the store. In hindsight that might help as well, because then it’s immediately obvious that you are likely to spend money with the local SAs as well.