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.

 

[SPBiaes]

I have a questions regarding what to do about SA and a store in particular. I spent 45k plus and have been waiting for a QB for 15 months. Took 2 non QB in the meanwhile. I mentioned to the SA that now I would like to wait for a QB before buying other items that I am interested in. I asked for one item that I needed now and radio silence. The SA had promised a bag would arrive for me soon but then started acting strange when I approached the subject. I went to the store, I talked to the person’s manager. “Nothing is guaranteed, everyone is waiting…” You know, the same story. Then started saying maybe during summer a bag , or the end of year. I mentioned I thought it would be a good idea to switch associates. The person mentioned that I’ve been a year with the SA, that should keep the same. If I wanted another one, should be mindful that this new SA would have his/her own clients. To say I was disappointed with the treatment I received is an understatement after dropping 45k there. The SA’s manager mentioned he would tell the SA to keep an eye out for the bag. As everyone is well aware, there are always bags available. I don’t feel like contacting the SA to order anything from him (who knows if he would reply) nor to keep coming to ask if the bag arrived. At the same time, I don’t want to lose 45k prespend there. Honestly, I just feel they will string me along. A friend suggested I should return my last big purchase to another store and buy everything again with an SA that is nice to me. Another suggested I should pass or text every two weeks to check on the bag. Also, send one small thing here and there to this SA that I am stuck with saying I want it and just get that small thing and follow up on the bag. If this SA doesn’t reply, that I should go to the store manager. What do you suggest I do in this situation?

You telling your SA and manager that you won’t shop anymore unless you get a QB kinda put out a signal that you are only here for QBs and has only pretended to have interest in other categories just so you can get QBs. Ofc I’m not saying that’s how you really shopped as I can only offer my opinions based on what you commented. I believe H knows why the majority of their customers shop at their stores, but it’s also true that H prefers to offer QBs to people that they think will be generally loyal to the brand (consistent interest and spending) instead of just here to chase after a bag (shower H in aggressive attention + spending and then stop).

Depending on where you are and how long you have shopped with your store, 45k (assuming USD) may not be that big of a prespend as some long time, more established clients can also drop 45k in one or two visits at some of the more competitive locations such as Madison and BH. How long did the non QB offers take in the 15-month wait for a QB offer? Were they any bags in demand (style, size, color)? What does your spending pattern look like? What is your QB spec? When did you share your wishlist? Not asking you to give us any more personal details but just trying to explain that a lot of things can influence a QB offer. It could be that the store really has not received anything in your spec, or a few might have came since you mentioned your wishlist but the store has decided that you are still on the waitlist.

 

[HermesHabit]

I think we all need to remember that prespend has never been confirmed by Hermes as a necessary factor for being offered a QB. Everyone here is sharing their opinion and their personal experience but just because someone has spent x times the price of a QB and been offered a bag/bags doesn’t mean that is a guarantee of success. In order to rack up that sort of spend those individuals will be visiting their SA in store quite often in addition to texting and have built a great rapport - who’s to say which aspect has more weight … the money spent or the relationship that has been built. I’d wager it’s the latter but that’s just my personal opinion.

 

[SPBiaes]

I think we all need to remember that prespend has never been confirmed by Hermes as a necessary factor for being offered a QB. Everyone here is sharing their opinion and their personal experience but just because someone has spent x times the price of a QB and been offered a bag/bags doesn’t mean that is a guarantee of success. In order to rack up that sort of spend those individuals will be visiting their SA in store quite often in addition to texting and have built a great rapport - who’s to say which aspect has more weight … the money spent or the relationship that has been built. I’d wager it’s the latter but that’s just my personal opinion.

Yes I wanted to say if you ask H HQ, they will 100% deny that a prespend is real, but then I remembered that at some locations in Asia, SAs might just tell you how much you need to spend to get a certain bag, especially if you are a tourist haha. It really depends and is a true mystery.

 

[Deleted 793791]

If you want to have a meaningful & healthy relationship with your SA, do what is courteous & respectful
with your SA which is to be candid.
I would not think that your SA would not like you to have your non quota bag but unfortunately you
have to look at the total perspective of what your SA has to deal with, specifically limited inventory
& want lists that are miles long. SA's don't have the final say as to who get what & when, as unpleasant
as that is, it is what it is.
IMO, you should deal with your SA in person. If there isn't awkwardness when you do this deposit refund
with another SA, be assured there will be awkwardness when you have a future dealing with your SA
& if you are looking to continue to build your profile, this is not the best way to go forward, JMO
When you go to Paris have an open mind.. ENjoy your shopping at FSH it's glorious to shop there

Thank you! But, as I stated in my earlier post, I am no longer wanting to have a relationship with my SA. I am just tired of it. hah. But, I agree with you and @880 that I will directly reach out to the SA and have a 1-on-1 conversation for refunds, etc. I also agree that I don't have to do anything to burn the bridge, but just to keep distant with the SA gradually over time so that I don't have to hurt anyone or have negative consequences at all.

I personally prefer Paris and have had great experiences there before.

 

[Angiebbb]

You telling your SA and manager that you won’t shop anymore unless you get a QB kinda put out a signal that you are only here for QBs and has only pretended to have interest in other categories just so you can get QBs. Ofc I’m not saying that’s how you really shopped as I can only offer my opinions based on what you commented. I believe H knows why the majority of their customers shop at their stores, but it’s also true that H prefers to offer QBs to people that they think will be generally loyal to the brand (consistent interest and spending) instead of just here to chase after a bag (shower H in aggressive attention + spending and then stop).

Depending on where you are and how long you have shopped with your store, 45k (assuming USD) may not be that big of a prespend as some long time, more established clients can also drop 45k in one or two visits at some of the more competitive locations such as Madison and BH. How long did the non QB offers take in the 15-month wait for a QB offer? Were they any bags in demand (style, size, color)? What does your spending pattern look like? What is your QB spec? When did you share your wishlist? Not asking you to give us any more personal details but just trying to explain that a lot of things can influence a QB offer. It could be that the store really has not received anything in your spec, or a few might have came since you mentioned your wishlist but the store has decided that you are still on the waitlist.

Thank you so much. They know that is not the case bc I have been a shopper outside the U.S. for almost 10 years and I have lots of products from all categories you can imagine. I spent almost 50k in 9 months and barely went to the store bc I spend a lot of time abroad. I have a few QBs from outside the U.S. In all honesty, spending in the U.S. is not worth for me unless I get items that I cannot find outside the country and I do not get QBs, or if I need to buy last gifts. It is more convenient for me now bc I live in the US, but I have always been very kind and honest and the SA knows I love the brand. In my case in particular I think I was just unlucky with the SA and I am stuck with the person. My wishlist is broad, so they could have found me a bag if they wanted to. What is important to me is that my business is appreciated, and it is now clear to me it is not. The way I see is - if they appreciate someone’s business they will offer a bag the person truly wants. But dropping plus than 30k in a visit and then not hearing back when I asked for another item (which I needed right then) just because I asked if a bag arrived for me I don’t think it is ok. That is basic customer service. I work hard for my money so it is important to me to feel the appreciation. For example, I always go to the same glasses store, and the owner yesterday told me - thanks for coming back to us, we truly appreciate your business. Thank you so much for all your help, I truly appreciate it. What would you do if you were me? Would you just drop this store and move on and research well the next store or just wait around for a couple of months? I have things to buy, but nothing is urgent. Thank you so much for all your help. ❤️

 

[Deleted 793791]

Yes I wanted to say if you ask H HQ, they will 100% deny that a prespend is real, but then I remembered that at some locations in Asia, SAs might just tell you how much you need to spend to get a certain bag, especially if you are a tourist haha. It really depends and is a true mystery.

In China and some other Asian countries, the SAs are very specific in terms of how much clients need to spend across different departments before the QBs are offered. The SAs' pre-spend recommendations are quite specific depending on which QBs you are looking for.

It is also very common that SAs even recommend items that clients don't want but the clients buy those items anyway to get the QBs, because they all know the hierarchy is out there.

PS. "Relationship with an SA" often means "financial relationship with the SA" in many cases. SAs are not your friends. They do this to make money (as trained by the Corporate) as employees, and you do this to get the items you want.

Edited: Mod

 

[Angiebbb]

I think we all need to remember that prespend has never been confirmed by Hermes as a necessary factor for being offered a QB. Everyone here is sharing their opinion and their personal experience but just because someone has spent x times the price of a QB and been offered a bag/bags doesn’t mean that is a guarantee of success. In order to rack up that sort of spend those individuals will be visiting their SA in store quite often in addition to texting and have built a great rapport - who’s to say which aspect has more weight … the money spent or the relationship that has been built. I’d wager it’s the latter but that’s just my personal opinion.

I think in the US how much you spend counts a lot. In a lot of countries SAs do not work on commission, so I think relationship matters more in those countries. I also think in the US they see how much they can get away with. I am not talking about clients that have been shopping in the US for long, because those get offered multiple bags a year even if they don’t spend much.

 

[Angiebbb]

In China and some other Asian countries, the SAs are very specific in terms of how much clients need to spend across different departments before the QBs are offered. The SAs' pre-spend recommendations are quite specific depending on which QBs you are looking for.

It is also VERY common that SAs even recommend items that clients don't want but the clients buy those items anyway to get the QBs, because they all know the hierarchy is out there.

I can confirm China works this way because my friend got 3 bags there in a year or so and there is even a list of how much you need to spend per category if you want a particular bag. She went with a local, not sure they do this if they see a foreigner.

 

[SPBiaes]

This is NOT true. In China and some other Asian countries, the SAs are very specific in terms of how much clients need to spend across different departments before the QBs are offered. The SAs' pre-spend recommendations are quite specific depending on which QBs you are looking for.

It is also VERY common that SAs even recommend items that clients don't want but the clients buy those items anyway to get the QBs, because they all know the hierarchy is out there.

Not sure if you misunderstood my comment by saying not true, but I was saying the exact same thing that you said regarding shopping with H in some locations in Asia. My other point is that H HQ will alway decline that they play this “prespend” game because they see it as “appreciating great client relationships”.

At the end of the day, buying things I don’t want just to get a QB is not how I personally shop and won’t be something I personally recommend because I think it takes the joy out of shopping; However, I understand different people have different wants and the way I shop is just one of the many shopping styles people enjoy.

“Are we still experiencing joy when we shop?”

 

[Deleted 793791]

Not sure if you misunderstood my comment by saying not true, but I was saying the exact same thing that you said regarding shopping with H in some locations in Asia. My other point is that H HQ will alway decline that they play this “prespend” game because they see it as “appreciating great client relationships”.

At the end of the day, buying things I don’t want just to get a QB is not how I personally shop and won’t be something I personally recommend because I think it takes the joy out of shopping; However, I understand different people have different wants and the way I shop is just one of the many shopping styles people enjoy.

“Are we still experiencing joy when we shop?”

I am so sorry that I misunderstood you! But yes, I do agree with you 10000%.

 

[acrowcounted]

Thank you so much. They know that is not the case bc I have been a shopper outside the U.S. for almost 10 years and I have lots of products from all categories you can imagine. I spent almost 50k in 9 months and barely went to the store bc I spend a lot of time abroad. I have a few QBs from outside the U.S. In all honesty, spending in the U.S. is not worth for me unless I get items that I cannot find outside the country and I do not get QBs, or if I need to buy last gifts. It is more convenient for me now bc I live in the US, but I have always been very kind and honest and the SA knows I love the brand. In my case in particular I think I was just unlucky with the SA and I am stuck with the person. My wishlist is broad, so they could have found me a bag if they wanted to. What is important to me is that my business is appreciated, and it is now clear to me it is not. The way I see is - if they appreciate someone’s business they will offer a bag the person truly wants. But dropping plus than 30k in a visit and then not hearing back when I asked for another item (which I needed right then) just because I asked if a bag arrived for me I don’t think it is ok. That is basic customer service. I work hard for my money so it is important to me to feel the appreciation. For example, I always go to the same glasses store, and the owner yesterday told me - thanks for coming back to us, we truly appreciate your business. Thank you so much for all your help, I truly appreciate it. What would you do if you were me? Would you just drop this store and move on and research well the next store or just wait around for a couple of months? I have things to buy, but nothing is urgent. Thank you so much for all your help. ❤️

I think it’s important to know which non quota bags you have received. If they were very recent and if they include things such as Kelly Pochette or Constances or even mini Lindy then your effective QB prespend is much lower than the quoted $45k and your expectations may not be reasonable.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Thank you so much. They know that is not the case bc I have been a shopper outside the U.S. for almost 10 years and I have lots of products from all categories you can imagine. I spent almost 50k in 9 months and barely went to the store bc I spend a lot of time abroad. I have a few QBs from outside the U.S. In all honesty, spending in the U.S. is not worth for me unless I get items that I cannot find outside the country and I do not get QBs, or if I need to buy last gifts. It is more convenient for me now bc I live in the US, but I have always been very kind and honest and the SA knows I love the brand. In my case in particular I think I was just unlucky with the SA and I am stuck with the person. My wishlist is broad, so they could have found me a bag if they wanted to. What is important to me is that my business is appreciated, and it is now clear to me it is not. The way I see is - if they appreciate someone’s business they will offer a bag the person truly wants. But dropping plus than 30k in a visit and then not hearing back when I asked for another item (which I needed right then) just because I asked if a bag arrived for me I don’t think it is ok. That is basic customer service. I work hard for my money so it is important to me to feel the appreciation. For example, I always go to the same glasses store, and the owner yesterday told me - thanks for coming back to us, we truly appreciate your business. Thank you so much for all your help, I truly appreciate it. What would you do if you were me? Would you just drop this store and move on and research well the next store or just wait around for a couple of months? I have things to buy, but nothing is urgent. Thank you so much for all your help. ❤️

Clients wanting & feeling appreciation is becoming more of a topic of discussion than I can remember
There are no right answers because it is a brand that is highly coveted by many be it a new client
or a client with a history with the brand that also has high expectations for their items & their spend
is different from yours. Spending should not be the only consideration, but unfortunately it is
At the end of the day, you are the client. You should be valued & appreciated. You should also understand
that SA's just don't always have the access or the answers we expect & that in its own way is off putting &
more challenging than it should be.
I also would not feel that I am stuck with this SA.. perhaps going into another store would be an option
to explore to see. I wouldn't share too much about your other SA, just sort of feel if you connect with someone
else.
If nothing is urgent on your to buy list, why not just take a time out & re-evaluate how you are feeling
in a few weeks/months

 

[Angiebbb]

I think it’s important to know which non quota bags you have received. If they were very recent and if they include things such as Kelly Pochette or Constances or even mini Lindy then your effective QB prespend is much lower than the quota $45k and your expectations may not be reasonable.

Thank you, it is important to know that. I actually got that, a C in exotic, but I was very honest that I would take the C which was a bag I did not request at all to see or buy and I would only take it if it would not impair chances of getting what I wanted. I was very kind and polite about it, but I made it very clear. Then I heard from a friend the exotic NQs in her opinion are used to test how much one can spend and that they don’t sell as easily. I had been offered another exotic bag at the same store and another associate was upset with me that I didn’t take it (even if I didn’t ask for that bag and she was very pushy about it), so I honestly thought I had to take the bag. I heard a few people with no prespend had NQ exotics offered to them. It had happened to me outside the US as well.

 

[acrowcounted]

Thank you, it is important to know that. I actually got that, a C in exotic, but I was very honest that I would take the C which was a bag I did not request at all to see or buy and I would only take it if it would not impair chances of getting what I wanted. I was very kind and polite about it, but I made it very clear. Then I heard from a friend the exotic NQs in her opinion are used to test how much one can spend and that they don’t sell as easily. I had been offered another exotic bag at the same store and another associate was upset with me that I didn’t take it (even if I didn’t ask for that bag and she was very pushy about it), so I honestly thought I had to take the bag. I heard a few people with no prespend had NQ exotics offered to them. It had happened to me outside the US as well.

This is a tough one. Sadly, I consider exotic Cs in the category of what I call “sucker bags” for people actually on the hunt for quota bags. They are mega expensive and don’t retain their value/often can be bought for less on resale. They are presented as though a huge favor to the client but in actuality are nearly impossible to sell and the SA receives commission (which on a $45k bag is pretty decent) so you are actually doing a favor to the store. BUT it is also seen as satisfying the client so can put you at a lower priority for a QB. I also agree with your friend that buying it put you into the much smaller category of “people we can force exotics onto” which also lowers your priority in the waitlist for non exotic bags “lets offer this to Susan because Betty might be willing to take a croc instead and I know Susan absolutely will not!” The bigger problem is that any store you switch to, will see all of this on your profile so your problems will just follow you, but starting at zero. I’d stay the course with the local store but let them miss you for a while and take you seriously that you don’t want to shop until you get the QB (I’m assuming you are asking for a somewhat normal QB and not a very specific mini K or LE bag).

 

[acrowcounted]

But dropping plus than 30k in a visit and then not hearing back when I asked for another item (which I needed right then) just because I asked if a bag arrived for me I don’t think it is ok. That is basic customer service. I work hard for my money so it is important to me to feel the appreciation.

I’d also be very curious as to exactly how this was worded. If the purchase of the “urgent” item was seen as contingent on also buying a bag at the same time, I’m not surprised that the message was ignored. (ie “Has a noir B25 come in for me yet? I’d love to grab it tomorrow along with a pair of sandals that I need for my trip this weekend.” Makes it sound like you’re offering to buy the sandals as a condition of picking up a bag.) Personally, I don’t put any bag communication in writing at all as it tends to have the entire message trail go silent/cold.