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.

 

[acrowcounted]

Hi All!

I wanted to ask for some advice. I have an SA that I always make an appointment with every time I shop. I need to possibly exchange something ASAP, it’s a gift and time sensitive, however my SA is away and I don’t want to be a bother on vacation. Would there be any issues if I walked into the store today and asked for someone else to help me, but still put my SA’s name on the sale/exchange? I did reach out to him about it first a little while back, but I think my message got lost, as I’m sure he’s very busy and it’s a small thing.

Thank you in advance!

Just go in and explain “I usually work with Bill but I believe he’s not in today? Could someone else help me with this exchange?“ They’ll understand and help you, no big deal.

 

[QuelleFromage]

While I can’t definitively answer for H, I do know from personal experience this is very much possible at other luxury brands (and retailers in general where you have a customer profile with a specific store). During the early days of the pandemic, an SA I had never worked with at another luxury brand reached out to see how things were going, etc.; they were just pulling profiles of customers who had worked with that particular store to stay busy. In all honesty, this worked out well for me (and the SA), since this SA, who has since moved on to another luxury brand, has become my regular SA. But yes, as long as you have a profile with a store, any SA can likely access it, even if they aren’t your SA.

Exactly!
It's definitely possible at Hermès; just like any brand, there's a database that any SA can see.
Examples:
US: I returned some gifts at Madison recently and just took care of it on the ground floor with a scarf SA. He could see my profile.
France: If my regular SA isn't available, I can make an appointment with someone assigned to me, and they will be able to see my profile. Similarly, if someone gets a lottery appointment in Paris, that SA to whom they are assigned will be able to see their history with Hermès.

Kind of a strange question (from the OP I mean) tbh - it's a transactional relationship and SAs come and go, so of course your info is available to the entire store. (BTW, the reason you are now usually asked to input your own info is due to data privacy laws.)
Of course for celebrities and UUHNWI, profiles may be restricted, but usually their assistants are doing the shopping anyway 🤷‍♂️

 

[fashionE7]

How often is too often to directly bring up a QB that has been “coming soon” since August?

I usually get a follow up at check out after my monthly visit but since my Dec visit, I’ve been thinking of sending a message asking directly.. not sure if too forward or aggressive to simply say “just wanted to check if there was a possibility for x coming soon, would love to have it for some upcoming events”.

I’m still too reserved to be the one to bring up QB even though I’ve been with my SA almost 2 years now…

 

[acrowcounted]

How often is too often to directly bring up a QB that has been “coming soon” since August?

I usually get a follow up at check out after my monthly visit but since my Dec visit, I’ve been thinking of sending a message asking directly.. not sure if too forward or aggressive to simply say “just wanted to check if there was a possibility for x coming soon, would love to have it for some upcoming events”.

I’m still too reserved to be the one to bring up QB even though I’ve been with my SA almost 2 years now…

There’s no point to doing it in writing because the SA can’t really write anything helpful back. Wait until your next visit and then bring it up at the beginning of your appointment to try to have a full conversation about it.

 

[Crapples]

How often is too often to directly bring up a QB that has been “coming soon” since August?

I usually get a follow up at check out after my monthly visit but since my Dec visit, I’ve been thinking of sending a message asking directly.. not sure if too forward or aggressive to simply say “just wanted to check if there was a possibility for x coming soon, would love to have it for some upcoming events”.

I’m still too reserved to be the one to bring up QB even though I’ve been with my SA almost 2 years now…

Have you been asking monthly or has your SA been saying it for several months? What’s your spend?

 

[fashionE7]

Have you been asking monthly or has your SA been saying it for several months? What’s your spend?

She asked in August what my next wish was. I said mk. She said sure, it can happen Oct nov. Then, every month since she says supply is low but next month let’s try. I don’t bring it up, she mentions at check out or while I’m trying on stuff. Spend is currently at 3.5:1. I know this is not too high for a MK but assuming she said it was possible a few months ago, I don’t know if spend is the reason….


Edit: not that there is a reason! We know no true rules exist! Just trying to see what other peoples perspectives are on bringing it up more often or not.

 

[Deleted 793791]

She asked in August what my next wish was. I said mk. She said sure, it can happen Oct nov. Then, every month since she says supply is low but next month let’s try. I don’t bring it up, she mentions at check out or while I’m trying on stuff. Spend is currently at 3.5:1. I know this is not too high for a MK but assuming she said it was possible a few months ago, I don’t know if spend is the reason….


Edit: not that there is a reason! We know no true rules exist! Just trying to see what other peoples perspectives are on bringing it up more often or not.

This is a very typical SA that plays the game with the clients at Hermes. You are not alone. Fingers crossed until you get the bag. (It would be good to be outcome-driven.)

PS. 3.5:1 is already enough. It's just about luck now.

 

[Crapples]

She asked in August what my next wish was. I said mk. She said sure, it can happen Oct nov. Then, every month since she says supply is low but next month let’s try. I don’t bring it up, she mentions at check out or while I’m trying on stuff. Spend is currently at 3.5:1. I know this is not too high for a MK but assuming she said it was possible a few months ago, I don’t know if spend is the reason….


Edit: not that there is a reason! We know no true rules exist! Just trying to see what other peoples perspectives are on bringing it up more often or not.

Specifically did your SA said that it could happen or that it would happen in one of the aforementioned months? If the latter, I think that you’re just stuck in a bit of a waiting game bind. If the former, I think your SA may have just been being nice. MK is the most highly sought after bag (don’t ask me why different strokes) and may just be keeping you in consideration if one becomes available in your specs and if your spend is up.

 

[Deleted 793791]

Question: For those who switched an SA in the same store - If I switch my SA to the other within the same store, my pre-spend history would continue, right? Is there any disadvantages regarding the "pre-spend"?

Alternatively, the "pre-spend" is store-specific, not SA-specific. Right?

Thanks,

 

[acrowcounted]

Question: For those who switched an SA in the same store - If I switch my SA to the other within the same store, my pre-spend history would continue, right? Is there any disadvantages regarding the "pre-spend"?

Alternatively, the "pre-spend" is store-specific, not SA-specific. Right?

Thanks,

Apparently Madison allots bags to SAs who then (with SM approval) offer from their personal allotment to clients. Since each SA has a small personal allotment, they will prioritize within their clients who have helped them the most with commission and sales goal fulfillment. Thus, while your prespend technically stays with the store and may help with getting the SM approval, you will essentially be starting at zero with a new SA and the SA is always the first gate.

 

[Meta]

I overheard that someone got a B40 offered but declined in NYC. Please see: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/share-your-recent-bag-offers-thread.1057915/post-35905210. This also made me realize how my SA is a complete liar and manipulative. My real question is if all SAs at H are trained like this to play the game with the clients.

My only hope for now is to find a honest SA that I can trust and shop w/... Is it possible though?

There are 3 stores in NYC. Do you know for a fact that the other member was referring to the store that you shop at?

Question: For those who switched an SA in the same store - If I switch my SA to the other within the same store, my pre-spend history would continue, right? Is there any disadvantages regarding the "pre-spend"?

Alternatively, the "pre-spend" is store-specific, not SA-specific. Right?

Thanks,

Yes, pre-spend is store specific but there are other nuances/factors to be taken into account which @acrowcounted has already covered.

 

[FrenchNewbie]

Question: For those who switched an SA in the same store - If I switch my SA to the other within the same store, my pre-spend history would continue, right? Is there any disadvantages regarding the "pre-spend"?

Alternatively, the "pre-spend" is store-specific, not SA-specific. Right?

Thanks,

That would be the hopeful and preferable way, but as @acrowcounted stated, there are sometimes other variables/nuances.

Apparently Madison allots bags to SAs who then (with SM approval) offer from their personal allotment to clients. Since each SA has a small personal allotment, they will prioritize within their clients who have helped them the most with commission and sales goal fulfillment. Thus, while your prespend technically stays with the store and may help with getting the SM approval, you will essentially be starting at zero with a new SA and the SA is always the first gate.

Yes, that is what happened with me, I built a rapport (e.g. prespend, connection) with my new SA from scratch...and I was able to score a QB fairly quickly by doing so.

 

[Deleted 793791]

There are 3 stores in NYC. Do you know for a fact that the other member was referring to the store that you shop at?

Only Madison Maison has Maxi Kelly (K42). No other stores in NYC, as well as stores in CT, MA, and NJ got it.

 

[Bdbunny]

Only Madison Maison has Maxi Kelly (K42). No other stores in NYC, as well as stores in CT, MA, and NJ got it.

Hi, for the record, the offers I posted about did NOT take place at Madison, so whoever told you that only Madison received a maxi kelly was incorrect. My SA even joked that the maxi Kelly was "soooo big!" He also asked if we were interested in the HAC that was on display, but I was so peeved by this point I did not ask if he was being serious or joking.

ETA: I just wanted to amend my statement that it's also possible stock has changed since when you were told the maxi Kelly was only available at Madison. It may have been an accurate statement at the time, but as of this past weekend, the maxi Kelly was also available at another location.

 

[katkayrgb]

Hi all. I’ve been shopping with my US SA since Q1 of 2022. My first introduction, I was offered a Picotin. When my SA later asked for my wishlist, I gave MK as my option for my first QB—risky, I know. The SA signaled that it would be difficult, and a long wait, but not impossible to get a MK. (I’m curious if this is a company line).

Fast-forward to today. I have not been offered any bags but have been in the store at least once a month since July 2023 and have spend in a wide range of categories. I’d guess a 2:1 spend ratio to the MK?

Here’s the gut punch: My SA messaged a month ago that they would be leaving the store and directed me to a new sales associate. The new sales associate is LOVELY. When they asked for my wishlist, I gave the inevitable “I know this is a very difficult bag to get…”. They responded that a MK was not as hard to get as I would think, and that many people in this particular store turn MK down for how tiny they are.

This is long winded, but my question for you guys is this: Is all of my spend since 2022 out the window for a mini Kelly since my previous SA left? Or should I hold out some hope since the new SA made it seem not as difficult as I imagined?

Thanks in advance!