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.

 

[Crapples]

If this were AITA, I'd be voting NAH (no *******s here), noting:

• It was definitely appropriate to tell the new SA that they had an SA so she didn't get her hopes up
• However, they should've clarified that this was the only day they could come in and appreciated this SA pinch hitting for them
• The SA went way overboard in her response. I get being caught off-guard, but a simple smile and "okay, thanks for letting me know" should've sufficed
• OP shouldn't have wasted the SA's time by looking at other things

There was artlessness on both sides, but no one really did anything horribly wrong.

100% agree. Sounds like more awkwardness abounding and nothing to dwell on.

 

[Miss Al]

So I had an off putting experience at my store, and not sure if I was in the wrong here. My SA was off but I needed to do an even exchange for something for my partner that particular day. We both had the day off (super rare) and partner needed to be there to try on a different size of the item. A different SA helped us find the right size, and then I revealed to her I’m a normal customer of ___ and i would be coming back later this week, so if it’s ok to do the exchange with her (bc I wasn’t sure with an exchange, who would get the credit for the time). The SA then said “wow this is so awkward and so inappropriate, we normally do not discuss these things with clients. Since you are here I will do the exchange for you.” Then she asked if i needed help with anything else. I probably should have said no but i wanted to see what stock they had of something else. Then she showed me a couple things and said “you know why don’t u just ask (my SA name)”. Felt super awkward and left right away. I did notice she did give my SA credit for the exchange though.
Looking back probably should have just noted the new size and left without mentioning that I already had an SA.

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be upfront in my opinion.

Once I went to the store as a walk in as I suddenly felt like getting something. I approached SA 1 and asked for my SA. She told me my SA is not working today and she can help. I said I usually buy from my SA and would want to put the item purchased in her account. SA 1 said she can help since my SA is not in today. Ok so I asked for a few things... including 2 exotic leather bracelets. She had all that I wanted and I decided to purchase all the items. Suddenly I saw my SA entering the store... apparently she went for her lunch break... 😲. I told SA 1 to put all the items under my SA's account and then SHE SAID NO! I was like wat... but that was not what you said earlier. She left to check something and came back to tell me that only the non exotic leather purchase could be under my SA's account. I went to look for my SA to explain what happened and my SA said it's ok gal... just make the purchase. People here are so hard up for their commission.

Imagine lying to someone that their SA is not working today when the SA is out for lunch. 😲

Also after I paid for my purchase, SA 1 gave me her namecard with her number and said she can also assist me in future.

 

[kindaklueless]

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be upfront in my opinion.

Once I went to the store as a walk in as I suddenly felt like getting something. I approached SA 1 and asked for my SA. She told me my SA is not working today and she can help. I said I usually buy from my SA and would want to put the item purchased in her account. SA 1 said she can help since my SA is not in today. Ok so I asked for a few things... including 2 exotic leather bracelets. She had all that I wanted and I decided to purchase all the items. Suddenly I saw my SA entering the store... apparently she went for her lunch break... 😲. I told SA 1 to put all the items under my SA's account and then SHE SAID NO! I was like wat... but that was not what you said earlier. She left to check something and came back to tell me that only the non exotic leather purchase could be under my SA's account. I went to look for my SA to explain what happened and my SA said it's ok gal... just make the purchase. People here are so hard up for their commission.

Imagine lying to someone that their SA is not working today when the SA is out for lunch. 😲

Also after I paid for my purchase, SA 1 gave me her namecard with her number and said she can also assist me in future.

Wow, that is WILD. I had no idea the competition was so fierce between SAs LOL!

 

[Crapples]

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be upfront in my opinion.

Once I went to the store as a walk in as I suddenly felt like getting something. I approached SA 1 and asked for my SA. She told me my SA is not working today and she can help. I said I usually buy from my SA and would want to put the item purchased in her account. SA 1 said she can help since my SA is not in today. Ok so I asked for a few things... including 2 exotic leather bracelets. She had all that I wanted and I decided to purchase all the items. Suddenly I saw my SA entering the store... apparently she went for her lunch break... 😲. I told SA 1 to put all the items under my SA's account and then SHE SAID NO! I was like wat... but that was not what you said earlier. She left to check something and came back to tell me that only the non exotic leather purchase could be under my SA's account. I went to look for my SA to explain what happened and my SA said it's ok gal... just make the purchase. People here are so hard up for their commission.

Imagine lying to someone that their SA is not working today when the SA is out for lunch. 😲

Also after I paid for my purchase, SA 1 gave me her namecard with her number and said she can also assist me in future.

WILD! I would have cancelled or returned my purchases in that very instant. So gross of that SA.

 

[haute okole]

So I had an off putting experience at my store, and not sure if I was in the wrong here. My SA was off but I needed to do an even exchange for something for my partner that particular day. We both had the day off (super rare) and partner needed to be there to try on a different size of the item. A different SA helped us find the right size, and then I revealed to her I’m a normal customer of ___ and i would be coming back later this week, so if it’s ok to do the exchange with her (bc I wasn’t sure with an exchange, who would get the credit for the time). The SA then said “wow this is so awkward and so inappropriate, we normally do not discuss these things with clients. Since you are here I will do the exchange for you.” Then she asked if i needed help with anything else. I probably should have said no but i wanted to see what stock they had of something else. Then she showed me a couple things and said “you know why don’t u just ask (my SA name)”. Felt super awkward and left right away. I did notice she did give my SA credit for the exchange though.
Looking back probably should have just noted the new size and left without mentioning that I already had an SA.

Hmmmm, is there more to this story? Why couldn’t you wait for your SA or make an appointment specifically with your SA for a simple exchange? Something sounds off with a SA saying an interaction is awkward unless there is more to this story. It just sounds illogical that you would continue to shop with the alternate SA after they told you that their interactions with you are ”awkward and inappropriate.” Excuse me, Oh no, um, no no no.

 

[Miss Al]

Wow, that is WILD. I had no idea the competition was so fierce between SAs LOL!

Yah I know. I was really angry. But my SA kept telling me to make the purchase. She later informed me that they had a chat with the SM and SM made the final decision that my SA takes the non exotic item commission as the exotic items were part of SA 1's quota or whatever. My SA just didn't want to burn bridges since SM is now involved.

WILD! I would have cancelled or returned my purchases in that very instant. So gross of that SA.

I may sound rather rude but I refused to take SA 1's card with her number. I simply declined and said I am comfortable with my SA and do not intend to work with someone else. My SA has been wonderful and getting me my QBs. Then I walked away.

 

[Crapples]

Yah I know. I was really angry. But my SA kept telling me to make the purchase. She later informed me that they had a chat with the SM and SM made the final decision that my SA takes the non exotic item commission as the exotic items were part of SA 1's quota or whatever. My SA just didn't want to burn bridges since SM is now involved.

I may sound rather rude but I refused to take SA 1's card with her number. I simply declined and said I am comfortable with my SA and do not intend to work with someone else. My SA has been wonderful and getting me my QBs. Then I walked away.

Good on you!

 

[spidermann]

Hmmmm, is there more to this story? Why couldn’t you wait for your SA or make an appointment specifically with your SA for a simple exchange? Something sounds off with a SA saying an interaction is awkward unless there is more to this story. It just sounds illogical that you would continue to shop with the alternate SA after they told you that their interactions with you are ”awkward and inappropriate.” Excuse me, Oh no, um, no no no.

Nothing more. I was there with my significant other because it was a rare day they had the day off to come. I offered to come back later but that’s when she made those weird comments and said since I’m here anyway, do the exchange now. I simply wanted to check if the store had stock of something else (which I have done before with other SAs) but clearly shouldn’t have continued any interaction with this particular one. There were only a couple other customers in the store all being helped so it’s not like she was missing out on losing commission on another customer… I was a little shocked too. It just seemed odd she would take it personally that i dare wasted her time and I wasn’t allowed to shop around on a day I happened to have off…

 

[spidermann]

You did nothing wrong. It is good to be upfront in my opinion.

Once I went to the store as a walk in as I suddenly felt like getting something. I approached SA 1 and asked for my SA. She told me my SA is not working today and she can help. I said I usually buy from my SA and would want to put the item purchased in her account. SA 1 said she can help since my SA is not in today. Ok so I asked for a few things... including 2 exotic leather bracelets. She had all that I wanted and I decided to purchase all the items. Suddenly I saw my SA entering the store... apparently she went for her lunch break... 😲. I told SA 1 to put all the items under my SA's account and then SHE SAID NO! I was like wat... but that was not what you said earlier. She left to check something and came back to tell me that only the non exotic leather purchase could be under my SA's account. I went to look for my SA to explain what happened and my SA said it's ok gal... just make the purchase. People here are so hard up for their commission.

Imagine lying to someone that their SA is not working today when the SA is out for lunch. 😲

Also after I paid for my purchase, SA 1 gave me her namecard with her number and said she can also assist me in future.

That’s so crazy!! She must have been so desperate to meet her exotic quota. I can’t believe the SM approved of that behavior. At least it didn’t affect your relationship with your SA, but geez !

 

[Miss Al]

That’s so crazy!! She must have been so desperate to meet her exotic quota. I can’t believe the SM approved of that behavior. At least it didn’t affect your relationship with your SA, but geez !

I have been shopping with my store for a long time and I know both my SA and SM well.

Once I was invited to an event and it happened to be on my SA's day off. I told my SA that I will put my purchase under her account. On that event day the store was so busy and I was attended by the SM. I bought quite a number of stuff and told the SM to put the purchase under my SA's account. SM said... you know that your purchase is tagged to the store and not to your SA. Haven't we been giving you all your wishlists.

I said I know but it would be great if it was tagged to my SA since she was the one who invited me to the event.

When it came to making payment, SM asked another SA to assist. Again I had to inform them to put this into my SA's account... the SA raised her eyebrow at the very mention of it. Completed the transaction and didn't mention anything.

I came back home and messaged my SA on the items I purchased. I told her abt the encounter and she was like... did they eventually do it? I said I dunno. So I sent her a picture of my receipt and then she confirmed that it was tagged under her name. So much politics 🙄...

 

[spidermann]

I have been shopping with my store for a long time and I know both my SA and SM well.

Once I was invited to an event and it happened to be on my SA's day off. I told my SA that I will put my purchase under her account. On that event day the store was so busy and I was attended by the SM. I bought quite a number of stuff and told the SM to put the purchase under my SA's account. SM said... you know that your purchase is tagged to the store and not to your SA. Haven't we been giving you all your wishlists.

I said I know but it would be great if it was tagged to my SA since she was the one who invited me to the event.

When it came to making payment, SM asked another SA to assist. Again I had to inform them to put this into my SA's account... the SA raised her eyebrow at the very mention of it. Completed the transaction and didn't mention anything.

I came back home and messaged my SA on the items I purchased. I told her abt the encounter and she was like... did they eventually do it? I said I dunno. So I sent her a picture of my receipt and then she confirmed that it was tagged under her name. So much politics 🙄...

Wow that’s kind of an awkward position you were put in!!! But it’s so sweet of you to stick up for your SA who wasn’t there to make sure she gets the credit

 

[?uestions]

Question: as my SA was ringing up my purchase today, she mentioned that she would to offer me a QB. I mentioned a few colors/sizes I liked and she said one would be easier for her to get. How long do you think this will take?

 

[acrowcounted]

Question: as my SA was ringing up my purchase today, she mentioned that she would to offer me a QB. I mentioned a few colors/sizes I liked and she said one would be easier for her to get. How long do you think this will take?

No way to tell just from that. In my opinion, it sounds like a typical early-on wishlist conversation and not that anything is eminent in any way. Read around the subforum on what to expect for your precise location but expect months of being a client, or longer, and at least 2:1 spend on other non-bag items before your profile is competitive enough to perhaps get approved for a bag offer. Good luck.

 

[A1aGypsy]

There does seem to be some unfairness to asking a SA to help you but then having them put the purchases on your SA’s commission. I understand the importance of the relationship to your decision to make Hermes purchases but the system that they encourage makes this all unnecessarily complicated and impacts the consumer and the experience.

To my mind, a luxury house should mean you can shop when you like and not have to wed yourself to your SA’s hours. It’s nice to be able to spend time with them and form that relationship but it isn’t always going to be ideal. And the needs of the client, within reason (and to me, this is reason) should come first.

In reality, these “I was in the neighbourhood or I need a sudden gift” type experiences will all work out in the wash. So, if another SA works with you on your SA’s day off and they get the commission they earned, so be it.

 

[880]

It’s part of an SAs job to do work and cover for colleagues that does not pay them direct commission. While I try to on,y shop with my SAs and I don’t waste the time of others, any professional SA will be willing to help out, if only for the sake of her team mates. They will do the same for her. Often an SA is particularly good buddies with another, so it’s helpful to ask who is recommended if you need something on their day off. At FSH, my SA‘s out of office email soecifies a colleague to ask for in case she is unavailable.