Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[880]

it also feels like they are eager to show me out the door after my purchases.

Then go and see if you click with someone else. If you find someone you like better, simply start shopping with them

then they never seem to remember at the appointment what I came in for, most of the time, they will ask "what are you here to look at?" A

I wouldn’t necessarily hold this against them. They don’t have time to go through emails and texts, and they get a lot.

 

[smoothsailor]

Thank you everyone for their insights in this thread.

I've been contemplating back and forth whether I should pull the plug for a new SA or just come to terms that it is what it is with my current SA.

This is my second SA since I started shopping at my local boutique back in late 2019, my first SA was extremely lovely and I was able to get an offer of a mini evelyn (which I declined, since i didn't want black) after buying 2 slgs from them and a herbag within 2 months, both items I mentioned I was interested in. Unfortunately, they left the company shortly after that...

A few months into COVID, I was randomly assigned to my current SA after finding out my 1st SA left upon phone call appointment, this SA is friendly in person, but it also feels like they are eager to show me out the door after my purchases.

I would only reach out via email about specific items (including item reference numbers) I want to purchase every few weeks or a month or two depending on the items (I'm not a high spender, so I mainly focus on scarves, shoes, slgs), and they would reply to set up appointments. But then they never seem to remember at the appointment what I came in for, most of the time, they will ask "what are you here to look at?" Also they have always asked me to email them the specs of bags (non-quotas) I am looking for when I bring it up in person at the store...which out of 3 bags (picotin 18, mini evelyn, jige elan) I have only received one of these items from them in the past 3 years on random when I asked them if they had any on the spot at an existing appointment for another item.

I'm just not sure what to do with this "relationship" I have with Hermes atm.

Just to share with u a few points.
When there is limited relationship, my DH and I gets shown the door. Similarly, we get shown the door when stocks are low and there is no walk in Q at the door. Go figure.

H SAs are not sharing stock availability over text or email based on mine and some other experiences this year, if you peruse this thread. So, they will arrange for u to come in for an appointment. But no excuses for them not to peruse communication with a customer just before the appointment to make sure they know what the customer wants to look at.

I sent a list to my paris SA before my trip and I get no reply other than an appointment. This is similar to my SAs in other countries. When I arrived, she quickly go thru my list and told me she has other similar items to my wishlist (meaning none of what I requested for are available). I did have an enjoyable shopping trip together with my friend. We didn’t even look at many items but our appointment is more than 3 hours long and had to break for lunch since we made a restaurant reservation. Finally we paid for the 3 items we picked out before lunch.

But for my local appointments, I visit frequently and am probably less patient. I only picked up the items I requested for and rarely browse through the store (for the benefit of my wallet). My SA knows this and they don’t ask me to go unless they have the exact thing I want.

 

[umamanikam]

My store never has any stock .Three Sa s all gave me their card but none reply to the email .One did reply at the end but she said not to ask about any bags .Honestly cannot understand the hermes sales assistants.How I ended up getting my wishlist birkin is anyone's guess .My spend too was very minimal .

 

[Midge Maisel]

My store never has any stock .Three Sa s all gave me their card but none reply to the email .One did reply at the end but she said not to ask about any bags .Honestly cannot understand the hermes sales assistants.How I ended up getting my wishlist birkin is anyone's guess .My spend too was very minimal .

I mean, I think you kind of have your answer...

 

[880]

As a data point for H relationships, a great one doesn’t mean you get what you want,
even a non bag item that is technically available to be sold or ordered, that you have already
paid for in full.

we have a great relationship with my SA; I’ve been offered (and rejected two limited 25QB this year)
since that seems to be how many define a good relationship, i thought I would include this

We asked for an update on our St. Louis Oxymore glassware and stemware order (that was paid in full)
we had forgotten that we placed this order over two years ago, mainly bc the home that it is meant for
has been under construction for the past few years. But, everyone, from H to our stone mason,
knows we are hoping to be there for thanksgiving this year. When we were at the design center early this year,
we went to St Louis and were told the average wait for oxymore was 1.5 years). Recently, our SA checked with management, ETA is Sometime in Q3 2024. He is very apologetic, but there is nothing he can do except
run a world search.

we will probably have to cancel the order. Baccarat has a ton of glasses in stock, but DH doesn’t like
them as much. We might even consider waiting, but there is no guarantee we will get them.

 

[Mrs.Hermess]

As a data point for H relationships, a great one doesn’t mean you get what you want,
even a non bag item that is technically available to be sold or ordered, that you have already
paid for in full.

we have a great relationship with my SA; I’ve been offered (and rejected two limited 25QB this year)
since that seems to be how many define a good relationship, i thought I would include this

We asked for an update on our St. Louis Oxymore glassware and stemware order (that was paid in full)
we had forgotten that we placed this order over two years ago, mainly bc the home that it is meant for
has been under construction for the past few years. But, everyone, from H to our stone mason,
knows we are hoping to be there for thanksgiving this year. When we were at the design center early this year,
we went to St Louis and were told the average wait for oxymore was 1.5 years). Recently, our SA checked with management, ETA is Sometime in Q3 2024. He is very apologetic, but there is nothing he can do except
run a world search.

we will probably have to cancel the order. Baccarat has a ton of glasses in stock, but DH doesn’t like
them as much. We might even consider waiting, but there is no guarantee we will get them.

Oh no. I feel your pain. I love St. Louis and recently ordered the colored mixed glasses…and now we wait. Baccarat is also wonderful, this is indeed a difficult decision. Hope it comes in before you cancel

 

[880]

Oh no. I feel your pain. I love St. Louis and recently ordered the colored mixed glasses…and now we wait. Baccarat is also wonderful, this is indeed a difficult decision. Hope it comes in before you cancel

Thank you! Fingers crossed that you get your colored glass

 

[Minnis]

I have been blessed with 2 wonderful SAs ever since starting my H journey

My first SA was an older French lady who decided to take an early retirement after 13 years with Hermes. With her it's all about efficiency, I know she is very busy (I've seen her VIP clients coming to the store with their Himalayans), she shows me items that she thinks I might like, I go yes yes no no done, and she is no-nonsense when it comes to bags for me, I got all my bags in the exact colour/size/configurations I asked for. She's not good with tech so she hardly replies email except to book appointments, but I know she reads them. The best part is she doesn't give me bullshits, once I tried to ask for a ML one week after getting a C18, she said and I quote "you know I can't give you that now, enjoy your Constance and let others have a chance of getting bag". I was heart broken when she told me she was leaving, but we worked together before she left and settled on my current SA.

Current SA is also French, of similar age with me, she's with Hermes for about 5 years now, very chatty very bubbly, she often says she's still learning the rich history of Hermes herself so she loves to talk about it. We discuss leathers, fabrics, design inspiration, perfume notes anything everything basically. She likes to get me to try different styles of RTW but would tell me if something doesn't suit me. She's very passionate about Hermes about her job and is eager to show it, and she would also tell me ridiculous stories of how some people treat the SAs our appointments can go for 2 hours. Sometimes I feel bad about taking too much of her time, and she would tell me not to worry about that. I started shopping with her June this year, and just yesterday she made my dream come true! (BBK25 Sellier ghw)

I consider myself very lucky and hope everyone finds and maintains quality relationships with Hermes!

 

[NightCat1313]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what to do about my SA relationship. I used to shop at the Madison Ave store and had a great SA I really clicked with. Then I left the city for about a year, which I had mentioned to her and even tried to reach out about placing some orders with her while I was out of town, but she wasn't very responsive. This was last year when I feel like the Kelly craze really took off online so I'm sure she was busy. I'm now back in the city and have been trying to reconnect with her for weeks without avail. I finally got a text back, and she said she's been out and is booked the next few weeks. I sort of feel like she's giving me the brush off, but also appreciate maybe she is just busy. Should I keep trying to schedule an appointment with her? Should I mention the specific items I'm looking for (a few home items, some small leather goods, generally interested in winter boots/coats/scarves)? Or should I try to find a new SA? Any recommendations?

 

[FrenchNewbie]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what to do about my SA relationship. I used to shop at the Madison Ave store and had a great SA I really clicked with. Then I left the city for about a year, which I had mentioned to her and even tried to reach out about placing some orders with her while I was out of town, but she wasn't very responsive. This was last year when I feel like the Kelly craze really took off online so I'm sure she was busy. I'm now back in the city and have been trying to reconnect with her for weeks without avail. I finally got a text back, and she said she's been out and is booked the next few weeks. I sort of feel like she's giving me the brush off, but also appreciate maybe she is just busy. Should I keep trying to schedule an appointment with her? Should I mention the specific items I'm looking for (a few home items, some small leather goods, generally interested in winter boots/coats/scarves)? Or should I try to find a new SA? Any recommendations?

Call her and have a conversation with her.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what to do about my SA relationship. I used to shop at the Madison Ave store and had a great SA I really clicked with. Then I left the city for about a year, which I had mentioned to her and even tried to reach out about placing some orders with her while I was out of town, but she wasn't very responsive. This was last year when I feel like the Kelly craze really took off online so I'm sure she was busy. I'm now back in the city and have been trying to reconnect with her for weeks without avail. I finally got a text back, and she said she's been out and is booked the next few weeks. I sort of feel like she's giving me the brush off, but also appreciate maybe she is just busy. Should I keep trying to schedule an appointment with her? Should I mention the specific items I'm looking for (a few home items, some small leather goods, generally interested in winter boots/coats/scarves)? Or should I try to find a new SA? Any recommendations?

I would walk into the store & just have a friendly spontaneous conversation if you are able to with her
or just look for a new SA..
You have been out of her radar for a period of time so your expectations of picking up where
you left off has changed & since you haven't been able to connect with her, time to move on.
Sounds like she is busy & not able to give you the time/attention you'd like to have, JMO

 

[Minnis]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what to do about my SA relationship. I used to shop at the Madison Ave store and had a great SA I really clicked with. Then I left the city for about a year, which I had mentioned to her and even tried to reach out about placing some orders with her while I was out of town, but she wasn't very responsive. This was last year when I feel like the Kelly craze really took off online so I'm sure she was busy. I'm now back in the city and have been trying to reconnect with her for weeks without avail. I finally got a text back, and she said she's been out and is booked the next few weeks. I sort of feel like she's giving me the brush off, but also appreciate maybe she is just busy. Should I keep trying to schedule an appointment with her? Should I mention the specific items I'm looking for (a few home items, some small leather goods, generally interested in winter boots/coats/scarves)? Or should I try to find a new SA? Any recommendations?

I would drop her an email/message with those specific items see if that sparks her interest to schedule an appointment. If not probably best to start looking for a new SA.

It sucks but just gotta understand the SAs are in a pretty competitive environment and likely have some ridiculous numbers to meet, it's only natural for them to prioritise clients who can help them to meet those numbers better.

It might be an unpopular opinion, it's important to shop with an SA who is at least slightly impressed with your spending power and categories you like to spend on, that way they know they can count on you when needed and are probably more willing to fight for that dream bag of yours for you.

 

[880]

Many SAs get so many texts, that they don’t have time to respond. Corporate wants them to prioritize in store clients.
I would go and see if you still click. If not, search for another SA you like better. But, I would not count on getting responsive service via electronic means.

 

[Deleted 793791]

I would look for a new SA. If I were that SA and wanted to continue working with you, I would have acted differently. That SA is already signaling you something negatively. I also don't believe that SAs are busy. I mean, they are busy, but they should be responsive. If you cannot get along with the SA, try to find a better match. For instance, I shopped at Greenwich, CT and spent more than $15K with the male SA and he was a jerk. So, I switched the store (to Madison) and the SA in Madison and I am so much happier. This is just my opinion and I hope you make a good judgment call!

 

[smoothsailor]

Hey everyone, looking for some advice on what to do about my SA relationship. I used to shop at the Madison Ave store and had a great SA I really clicked with. Then I left the city for about a year, which I had mentioned to her and even tried to reach out about placing some orders with her while I was out of town, but she wasn't very responsive. This was last year when I feel like the Kelly craze really took off online so I'm sure she was busy. I'm now back in the city and have been trying to reconnect with her for weeks without avail. I finally got a text back, and she said she's been out and is booked the next few weeks. I sort of feel like she's giving me the brush off, but also appreciate maybe she is just busy. Should I keep trying to schedule an appointment with her? Should I mention the specific items I'm looking for (a few home items, some small leather goods, generally interested in winter boots/coats/scarves)? Or should I try to find a new SA? Any recommendations?

I think you are better off looking for a new SA. Whether we like it or not, there is limited stock allocated to each SA. So, if your SA is non responsive, she probably doesn’t have what you want. Probably she also has grown her clientele base while you were away and it would be tough for her to meet your shopping needs.