Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[_queenbee]

I’m sure this has been asked before in this giant thread so apologies if this is redundant..

I started my H journey in 2019 in an area where there’s a few H stores. I worked with an SA at a flagship store and just recently switched to a smaller store because I just didn’t feel like my relationship mattered to my old SA and I was conveniently coming back from a break. The old SA never went out of their way to help me find items I was looking for unless they were high ticket items, never felt comfortable shopping with said SA, and just overall sometimes uncomfortable, unfriendly, pressure vibes. I could tell whenever my SA was annoyed during appts and felt treated as such. Because I was younger and didn’t know any better I kind of just took it and stuck with it. I was lucky enough to be offered 1 QB (B30) within my first year after spending 1:1.

However, my last appt prior to that first QB offer, was one of the times I caught my SA on a bad day. I was pretty upset because I was treated poorly like I was a waste of time and decided I was going to give up on the relationship. Then literally a week later I got the first QB and was shocked because at that point I thought my SA could care less about me haha. Anyways it felt like a very unpredictable, hard to read, hot and cold kind of relationship. After the first QB, I thought maybe my SA does care about our relationship and kept spending >$16K in a variety of categories including FJ and RTW on pieces I truly loved, but there were no more offers.

TBH, I know I probably didn’t compare to my old SA’s high spending clients so I kind of think it was meant to be. Plus, I ended up taking a break a couple years ago because I got really busy with work and I started grad school. So I’ve accepted it and I think it really worked out for the best.

I’m now back from my H hiatus and recently met a really sweet SA at the smaller store which reignited my H journey. I wasn’t expecting to meet someone so kind and just went in to try on a new RTW item I was eyeing. Ended up buying the RTW and a couple other things that day. It’s just so nice to shop with someone who is nice, gives good / honest recommendations and doesn’t pressure you to buy things if it’s not a good fit, is responsive, and actually looks out for all the items you’re asking for. I feel so taken care of 🥲.

Anyways sorry this is so long, but I think switching stores in the same area might be political because they likely have to talk to each other to make the switch official. At this point, I’m curious about the prespend I had post QB offer (>$16k) at my old store — does this mean this doesn’t count at the new store? I figured I’d be starting over from scratch but wonder if the new store takes into account that I’m not a brand new H customer, just someone that is coming back after a hiatus. Now that I’m about to graduate from grad school and I’m also relocating to the same city as the smaller store for a new job, it makes the most sense for me to switch stores. Plus I lucked out on finding an SA that actually wants to work with me.

Has anyone had trouble switching stores in the same area or did it work out for you? Did switching stores impact your ability to get future offers? I’m hoping to get a QB (B25/K25) as a grad gift to myself this summer. Appreciate any insights or advice! Thank you all in advance

 

[880]

I think this was asked on another post about the SAs having access to your name, address, and phone number. Do you think SAs or store managers have a habit googling their clients?

No, not SAs, nor managers. I believe client relations is a separate department . I’m speaking of my experience in the US and Eu. I’ve read here that SAs from Asia do read TPF and perhaps they google, idk.

@_queenbee ,I don’t think a switch in the same area has to be a problem, as there is no accounting for personalities and styles. You are entitled to shop wherever you are most comfortable. I was a relatively small client moving between Madison (my local) and wall st from 2008-2012. I ended up bonding with my WS SA, and the switch was organic and natural. I got a QB from WS with very little spend. I actually stopped shopping Hermes boutique and fell off TPF for many years when that SA left. Post covid, I didn’t have a problem changing back to Madison boutiques, though I was introduced to my current SA by a person I knew. It helped that the SA was originally from Wall St. and knew some of the staff that I remembered from years past. While my actual spend did not transfer, I think my SA was able to relax in the sense that I wasn’t simply there for QB offers; I wasn’t a reseller; or someone crazily high maintenance.

 

[Crapples]

I’m sure this has been asked before in this giant thread so apologies if this is redundant..

I started my H journey in 2019 in an area where there’s a few H stores. I worked with an SA at a flagship store and just recently switched to a smaller store because I just didn’t feel like my relationship mattered to my old SA and I was conveniently coming back from a break. The old SA never went out of their way to help me find items I was looking for unless they were high ticket items, never felt comfortable shopping with said SA, and just overall sometimes uncomfortable, unfriendly, pressure vibes. I could tell whenever my SA was annoyed during appts and felt treated as such. Because I was younger and didn’t know any better I kind of just took it and stuck with it. I was lucky enough to be offered 1 QB (B30) within my first year after spending 1:1.

However, my last appt prior to that first QB offer, was one of the times I caught my SA on a bad day. I was pretty upset because I was treated poorly like I was a waste of time and decided I was going to give up on the relationship. Then literally a week later I got the first QB and was shocked because at that point I thought my SA could care less about me haha. Anyways it felt like a very unpredictable, hard to read, hot and cold kind of relationship. After the first QB, I thought maybe my SA does care about our relationship and kept spending >$16K in a variety of categories including FJ and RTW on pieces I truly loved, but there were no more offers.

TBH, I know I probably didn’t compare to my old SA’s high spending clients so I kind of think it was meant to be. Plus, I ended up taking a break a couple years ago because I got really busy with work and I started grad school. So I’ve accepted it and I think it really worked out for the best.

I’m now back from my H hiatus and recently met a really sweet SA at the smaller store which reignited my H journey. I wasn’t expecting to meet someone so kind and just went in to try on a new RTW item I was eyeing. Ended up buying the RTW and a couple other things that day. It’s just so nice to shop with someone who is nice, gives good / honest recommendations and doesn’t pressure you to buy things if it’s not a good fit, is responsive, and actually looks out for all the items you’re asking for. I feel so taken care of 🥲.

Anyways sorry this is so long, but I think switching stores in the same area might be political because they likely have to talk to each other to make the switch official. At this point, I’m curious about the prespend I had post QB offer (>$16k) at my old store — does this mean this doesn’t count at the new store? I figured I’d be starting over from scratch but wonder if the new store takes into account that I’m not a brand new H customer, just someone that is coming back after a hiatus. Now that I’m about to graduate from grad school and I’m also relocating to the same city as the smaller store for a new job, it makes the most sense for me to switch stores. Plus I lucked out on finding an SA that actually wants to work with me.

Has anyone had trouble switching stores in the same area or did it work out for you? Did switching stores impact your ability to get future offers? I’m hoping to get a QB (B25/K25) as a grad gift to myself this summer. Appreciate any insights or advice! Thank you all in advance

Old spend is meaningless at new store and with new SA. The only thing I’ve seen move the needle is being honest that you’ve felt much more excited about shopping in your new environment versus your previous.

I’m not a mind reader but it sounds like your old SA finally sensed your frustration and hooked you with a bag as she knew you’d be leaving without. Tactic worked.

How long was your hiatus and much much is your new spend at new store?

 

[_queenbee]

Old spend is meaningless at new store and with new SA. The only thing I’ve seen move the needle is being honest that you’ve felt much more excited about shopping in your new environment versus your previous.

I’m not a mind reader but it sounds like your old SA finally sensed your frustration and hooked you with a bag as she knew you’d be leaving without. Tactic worked.

How long was your hiatus and much much is your new spend at new store?

Sigh.. yup you are probably right haha. I had an honest conversation with the new SA because I honestly wasn't expecting to find someone to be nice to me that day hahah. So I explained how I took a break because of grad school but would like to rebuild my relationship and switch home stores to this new boutique. Also mentioned I'm moving to this city for my new job and my new job is quite demanding in terms of hours so it'll be hard for me to travel ~1 hr to my old boutique.

I just started the relationship but spent ~5K on my first visit mainly on RTW. I'm shopping with my SA again this weekend and might pull the trigger on the pave kelly chaine bracelet. I tried it on in store last time and fell in love but also want to compare it to the regular kelly pave bangle. For additional context, I took a hiatus because I was working and going to grad school part time which costs (~$160K) and I was paying out of pocket so I no longer had shopping money 😅

My hiatus was about ~2 years but I did order some things randomly in between to be delivered to my house (nothing big though like baby gifts and some shoes). I was expecting my prespend at my old store to be sunk cost and that's totally fine, no surprise there. I would love to get a QB as a grad gift but I'm also not in a rush. I'm just glad I found someone that I like working with and she seems to like me back. It makes the shopping experience so much better and I'm looking forward to building a new relationship with her and the new boutique. I also found that the store environment feels better at my new boutique. Not as intimidating as my old store. Everyone seems friendlier as well.

 

[_queenbee]

No, not SAs, nor managers. I believe client relations is a separate department . I’m speaking of my experience in the US and Eu. I’ve read here that SAs from Asia do read TPF and perhaps they google, idk.

@_queenbee ,I don’t think a switch in the same area has to be a problem, as there is no accounting for personalities and styles. You are entitled to shop wherever you are most comfortable. I was a relatively small client moving between Madison (my local) and wall st from 2008-2012. I ended up bonding with my WS SA, and the switch was organic and natural. I got a QB from WS with very little spend. I actually stopped shopping Hermes boutique and fell off TPF for many years when that SA left. Post covid, I didn’t have a problem changing back to Madison boutiques, though I was introduced to my current SA by a person I knew. It helped that the SA was originally from Wall St. and knew some of the staff that I remembered from years past. While my actual spend did not transfer, I think my SA was able to relax in the sense that I wasn’t simply there for QB offers; I wasn’t a reseller; or someone crazily high maintenance.

Gotcha, this is helpful insight. Thank you! I'm glad you had a great experience switching stores and also coming back from a hiatus. 🙂

 

[BreezyE]

No, not SAs, nor managers. I believe client relations is a separate department . I’m speaking of my experience in the US and Eu. I’ve read here that SAs from Asia do read TPF and perhaps they google, idk.

@_queenbee ,I don’t think a switch in the same area has to be a problem, as there is no accounting for personalities and styles. You are entitled to shop wherever you are most comfortable. I was a relatively small client moving between Madison (my local) and wall st from 2008-2012. I ended up bonding with my WS SA, and the switch was organic and natural. I got a QB from WS with very little spend. I actually stopped shopping Hermes boutique and fell off TPF for many years when that SA left. Post covid, I didn’t have a problem changing back to Madison boutiques, though I was introduced to my current SA by a person I knew. It helped that the SA was originally from Wall St. and knew some of the staff that I remembered from years past. While my actual spend did not transfer, I think my SA was able to relax in the sense that I wasn’t simply there for QB offers; I wasn’t a reseller; or someone crazily high maintenance.

That makes sense, I'm sure that I'm not on client relations radar

 

[justdennis84]

I tried once and another time.. then gave up. Can tell my SA simply doesn't want to say much.. Just one or two liners about her family or where how she spent her holidays, then stopped. Sometimes, I secretly wish my SA will leave after my quota bag arrives, and I can be assigned another SA whom click better with me.. So bad, I know.. I try to convince myself that my SA is also doing a job to support her family, so maybe that's why my SA is so sales-focused.. Oh well, I will give us both some time, see whether our relationship gets better, though it's already been a few years..

It might also be culture related. I am German working for an American company and I can tell you the struggle to socialize is real

 

[addiCCted]

My hiatus was about ~2 years

That spend probably would be toast in your og store anyways due to it being awhile ago...I think its just better to begin with someone who you actually like bc that means they probably like you back too.

ETA: More importantly which store do you prefer to shop at long term, bc in the end thats the most important relationship. SAs can come and go but the store carries your spend.

 

[Crapples]

It might also be culture related. I am German working for an American company and I can tell you the struggle to socialize is real

On behalf of us, I am sorry! I am surprised too. Unless you are PNW- or LA-based it's usually fairly easy to make friends. We are usually overly friendly for some peoples' tastes. If it is any comfort, you have handbag homies!

 

[mmmv_W]

A lot of Resellers buy from individual that want to sell their bags. No prespend involved and sometimes people sell their bags at a loss or same price they got their bags.

That makes a lot of sense!

 

[smoothsailor]

What do you mean?

Set up another profile.

 

[tadad]

I was in similar situation with my birkin sellier. It was boxy and bumped into things just walking around the house. It sat on my shelf about a year and a half and I decided to let it go. I had a problem with H soon after that as H found out I sold this bag. It was a difficult situation and pretty much end of H relationship for me but somewhat it’s a better and healthier option to stop playing H game. Without that unpleasant situation, I might carry on spending £10-£20k per year on bags I don’t need. Now I have the fund I saved in 2023 and I know 2024 will be quite a good financial year. I no longer have to worry about “What if I get offer a bag this month? Do I have enough saving to pay?”

If you don't mind, please dm me what happened

 

[tadad]

Turning down bags is generally fine. Make sure you give a reason (wrong size, wrong hardware, wrong leather, whatever it is) and it shouldn‘t prohibit getting another offer later for the specs that weren’t “wrong”. My one caveat is turning down a bag that specifically matched your request. So let’s say you ask for a B25 Noir Togo GHW and are presented one that’s exactly a B25 Noir Togo GHW….but turn it down…that’s going to be a bit of a buzz kill for the SA and s/he will likely wonder if it’s worth the bother to offer you what you’re asking for again in the future.

What's your view on turning down bags because timing isn't right? Like close to when I know I have big purchases or trips coming up? Thanks!

 

[acrowcounted]

What's your view on turning down bags because timing isn't right? Like close to when I know I have big purchases or trips coming up? Thanks!

Never buy something that is going to put you in a financial bind, but do understand that turning down a bag that exactly matches your request will likely make it less likely to be offered again in the future. It will leave the impression that you are not a serious client. My advice would be to not ask for a bag unless you are sure you will have the funds to purchase it whenever that may be and to update your SA if your life circumstances change such that a bag is no longer financially in the cards for you for the next x months/years.

 

[tadad]

Never buy something that is going to put you in a financial bind, but do understand that turning down a bag that exactly matches your request will likely make it less likely to be offered again in the future. It will leave the impression that you are not a serious client. My advice would be to not ask for a bag unless you are sure you will have the funds to purchase it whenever that may be and to update your SA if your life circumstances change such that a bag is no longer financially in the cards for you for the next x months/years.

Makes sense... Thanks!