Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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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.

 

[getthebag]

I’m shocked they directly told you it’s not time yet. That tells me that they either aren’t interested in working with you or your spend is VERY low. Expect to spend upwards of $20k non bags before being taken seriously for a quota bag request.

I actually appreciated their transparency when they said this.

Is it like that across the board or in a specific state/location? Also not including bags is excluding SLGs as well? Thank you for your help.

 

[getthebag]

I don’t and I wouldn’t. I don’t have a wish list, but my SAs all know my taste. So, if something comes up that they thin would suit me, they approach me. My spend is 5X plus (but I don’t really count) at my home flagship NYC, and I’m not exactly in a rush either. This year I rejected a 25B quadrille and a 25K padded from NYC and a 25B from FSH. I have almost no prespend at FSH, but I was fortunate to meet an SA who has become my regular one there. I don’t recommend tying a bag offer to a birthday or holiday. While it’s not all about spend in the US, a healthy prespend and being relaxed about timing seems to help.

ETA: If ones SA said point blank that it wasn’t time yet, are you in Asia? Bc if you are, perhaps simply ask what would put you in the running this year. But, it sounds like it might be a while. JMO

Nope. I’m in the US. I’m close to 1-1 but I guess that’s not enough to even be considered?

 

[acrowcounted]

I actually appreciated their transparency when they said this.

Is it like that across the board or in a specific state/location? Also not including bags is excluding SLGs as well? Thank you for your help.

Yes, 2:1 minimum is pretty standard in the US these days. Sometimes people get lucky but I’ve heard far more stories recently of 5+:1 than 1:1 or less.

 

[880]

Nope. I’m in the US. I’m close to 1-1 but I guess that’s not enough to even be considered?

Agree with @acrowcounted , but in this case, I personally think that 2X is low for certain bags. In theory the US doesnt approve of linked selling and there is no prespend, but in actuality, there are simply too many clients who have significantly higher spends. At Madison, Im not a top client (but, I try to make uo for it by being easy going and charming lol). I’m not even sure if 1X could guarantee a 35B in the years right before covid. But, I can only speak as to my personal experience.

ETA: as I define it, prespend does not include my leather purchases and comprises RTW and home.5X is kind of when I stopped counting. My SA says how about x,y, or z (they aren’t live offers yet, but he’s asking if he should throw his hat into the ring for anything). When you are close, I’m sure your SA will reach out as to what your preferences might be. Until then, it seems premature. You asked if this was all the US. I think Madison is probably more competitive, but it also gets the most stock, save perhaps for BH? I assume this evens the playing field in the US, but IDK for certain.

 

[FrenchNewbie]

Nope. I’m in the US. I’m close to 1-1 but I guess that’s not enough to even be considered?

I would just be honest and upfront with your SA about your wishlist, and perhaps nonchalantly bring it up as often as you feel comfortable.

I was at less than 1x spend when I got offered my QB...and I like to think that was possible by being very memorable to my SA, being kind and appreciative (to the point of being almost super humbling and passive), by bringing up my wishlist almost every single time we spoke or I shopped, and by "playfully" explaining that I am serious about shopping with the brand and meeting my "target".

That might not work for everyone, but it worked for me; my SA even recently joked with me "we have to find you a companion for your Birkin".

 

[pinksandblues]

I would just be honest and upfront with your SA about your wishlist, and perhaps nonchalantly bring it up as often as you feel comfortable.

I was at less than 1x spend when I got offered my QB...and I like to think that was possible by being very memorable to my SA, being kind and appreciative (to the point of being almost super humbling and passive), by bringing up my wishlist almost every single time we spoke or I shopped, and by "playfully" explaining that I am serious about shopping with the brand and meeting my "target".

That might not work for everyone, but it worked for me; my SA even recently joked with me "we have to find you a companion for your Birkin".

YES. Your comment struck me. I completely agree with the notion that there is not one size fits all. Everyone thinks, acts and speaks differently. Same with SAs. So what works for you, might not work for me, and vice versa. I think people get caught up in the Hermes frenzy and forget that it’s about spend, yes, but also about human connection. And human connection can’t exactly be explained, nor generalized.

 

[withsriracha]

This resonates with me as well. When I started working with one dedicated SA after a few years of scattered random purchases, I was convinced it would be completely inappropriate to bring up a K or B offer until I got close to 1:1 (understanding that's not a guarantee of a bag offer, but felt like a benchmark for starting the conversation). After a few months and only a very small amount of purchases actually through her, I bought a pair of twillies I loved and mentioned I wanted two because I thought they'd look great on a Birkin someday. I was shocked when her immediate reaction was "why didn't you say anything? you've been so patient!" and to immediately ask for my wishlist. I'm not yet at 1:1 with her (taking things at my own pace!) so don't expect anything in the near term, but she does engage with me about my wishlist when I come in; the last time we saw each other she mentioned she's been keeping an eye out for one of my favorite colors but hasn't seen it in quite some time. That may or may not actually be 100% true, but my biggest worry was that she'd think I was presumptuous and cool off towards me and that certainly hasn't been the case.

This obviously isn't a "how to get a bag offer" story - and we have other valued forum members who clearly know more about that than I ever will! - but figured it might be helpful to share an anecdote for anyone in my former shoes, worried that if I even said "I want a Birkin someday" my SA would roll her eyes. Insert all the ymmv disclaimers, of course!

 

[WhimsicalEndeavors]

To add to how everyone’s experience is different - this year I am working with a new SA after my SA transferred to a different store. She is the one who brings up that she is still working on getting me the bag I requested this year whenever we meet in person. I have not brought it up myself since our first experience with each other.

Some SAs are very comfortable discussing bags, others aren’t. Same with clients. I personally don’t feel comfortable bringing it up because it feels like begging, but she seems eager to provide me reassurance that I will get at least one offer this year. (I haven’t had an offer since spring 2022, which I accepted).

 

[BreezyE]

I actually appreciated their transparency when they said this.

Is it like that across the board or in a specific state/location? Also not including bags is excluding SLGs as well? Thank you for your help.

I find that in my US store it is all about the pre-spend as it seems is in your store. A bag is "very rare" or "we never get those" and as soon as I hit a certain pre-spend the exact bag I want appears in a day or two This has happened to me twice.

I find that when I hit the pre-spend, my SA will bring up my quota bag request. Until they bring it up, I know I am not in the range of a bag.

 

[getthebag]

I find that in my US store it is all about the pre-spend as it seems is in your store. A bag is "very rare" or "we never get those" and as soon as I hit a certain pre-spend the exact bag I want appears in a day or two This has happened to me twice.

I find that when I hit the pre-spend, my SA will bring up my quota bag request. Until they bring it up, I know I am not in the range of a bag.

Where are you located if you don’t mind me asking? Also what was your pre spend? My SA did ask me if there are non quota Bags I’m interested in but I heard it could even further delay a qb offer.

 

[shopinlovet]

I’m so glad I found this forum and can relate to so many people on their Hermes Journey. I was panicking a few days ago because I thought there was a red flag in my relationship with my SA (if you guys think so then please let me know). I started in March this year, and I drop in once/twice a month. Around May, I did ask my SA if I can place a Herbag on my wishlist, and she said she can add it on there. Recently, I was in the store with my friend to get her Evelyn with her SA. My SA saw me and asked if I wanted to add a non-quota onto my wishlist as well. I reiterated what I wanted, but I’m worried that maybe my relationship with her isn’t as strong as I thought since she didn’t add the bag back in May. I like my relationship with my SA and do chat with her about life beyond the store whenever I see her. Hopefully, I’ll have happy news to share with you all.

 

[leechiyong]

I’m so glad I found this forum and can relate to so many people on their Hermes Journey. I was panicking a few days ago because I thought there was a red flag in my relationship with my SA (if you guys think so then please let me know). I started in March this year, and I drop in once/twice a month. Around May, I did ask my SA if I can place a Herbag on my wishlist, and she said she can add it on there. Recently, I was in the store with my friend to get her Evelyn with her SA. My SA saw me and asked if I wanted to add a non-quota onto my wishlist as well. I reiterated what I wanted, but I’m worried that maybe my relationship with her isn’t as strong as I thought since she didn’t add the bag back in May. I like my relationship with my SA and do chat with her about life beyond the store whenever I see her. Hopefully, I’ll have happy news to share with you all.

I wouldn't worry. It's more likely she was thinking in lines of an Evelyne (I feel like they're slightly more available lately, at least at my store) and didn't remember the Herbag, not that she didn't add it. I personally lean towards thinking it's a good sign she approached you and brought up bag interest with you even if she didn't recall the one you'd mentioned previously. From here, it's just about one coming in and who else wants it. I hope you have happy news soon and do share!

 

[shopinlovet]

I wouldn't worry. It's more likely she was thinking in lines of an Evelyne (I feel like they're slightly more available lately, at least at my store) and didn't remember the Herbag, not that she didn't add it. I personally lean towards thinking it's a good sign she approached you and brought up bag interest with you even if she didn't recall the one you'd mentioned previously. From here, it's just about one coming in and who else wants it. I hope you have happy news soon and do share!

Thank you for your perspective! It makes me feel a lot better because I want to continue working with her. she’s definitely one of the nicer SA’s in the store.

 

[smoothsailor]

at what spend would you approach this? I’ve brought up the qb discussion to my SA and they said that it wasn’t time yet, meaning I didn’t spend enough yet. Since then I made 1 more purchase. How should I approach this discussion again? My bd is coming up and I would love to be offered a qb.

I don’t think u should immediately jump to the conclusion that you have not spent enough, especially if you are in the US. It could really precisely mean that your length of time as a customer is not long enough yet.

Sorry to be blunt, but Birthdays and anniversaries are really not a thing anymore. When we was in Hawaii last year for our wedding anniversary, I was told that I could get a qb next anniversary instead of this one. Lol…

 

[GabrielleS]

at what spend would you approach this? I’ve brought up the qb discussion to my SA and they said that it wasn’t time yet, meaning I didn’t spend enough yet. Since then I made 1 more purchase. How should I approach this discussion again? My bd is coming up and I would love to be offered a qb.

Be careful with the birthday card. Every time my spouse mentions my burthday, the result is an expensive suggestion which is not a QB. He has stopped asking at birthdays or for occasions and I have been fortunate to get a number of quote bags.