Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[storytotell]

I’ve heard that Canadian locations are extremely competitive. I also agree that you should look at a 1 year or longer time horizon. Don’t settle on a mini lindy or even a K28 if a B25 is what you want ultimately. Hopefully, you can enjoy the RTW, home and jewelry pieces you already have and maybe slow your spending if you think you need to.

I agree on not settling on something else. I am very honest with myself and don't really want to "apply" my accumulated pre-spend on something I do not truly want.
With regards to a year wait, this indeed sounds a long time, however as I am not ready to drop an order for a sofa or something similar. I sincerely hope there is less competition for larger sizes (like K28) as compared to K25 and MK.

 

[880]

At the trunk show (re -see) and cocktail off site yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to the women’s RTW manager; a manager of a different location (my friend introduced me); and some SAs of friends who couldn’t make it. The women’s manager introduced DH to the men’s one. (Not sure why the men’s one was at this event, but they ended up talking for a while about a bunch of different things.
The topic of lifestyle clients came up in DHs conversation. Apparently it’s pretty common to have a client shop a variety of metiers. But it’s not just whether someone buys a big ticket item. It’s also about the potential for future spend. What seems obvious now, in retrospect, is that the ideal scenario from a premier big brand’s point of view is to get two spouses to shop a variety of metiers together with their SA. As it turns out, we actually do this with our SAs at various brands which helps the relationships. (Though DH tends to get along better with the SAs than I do lol). It’s easier for them bc if I strike out and don’t find anything, there is always the possibility that DH will be lucky. Meanwhile, we benefit from the collective good taste from the SA and spouse. In our shopping, we don’t plan that much, and serendipity plays a major role.

 

[Deleted 793791]

At the trunk show (re -see) and cocktail off site, I had the opportunity to talk to the women’s RTW manager; a manager of a different location (my friend introduced me); and some SAs of friends who couldn’t make it. The women’s manager introduced DH to the men’s one. (Not sure why the men’s one was at this event, but they ended up talking for a while.
The topic of lifestyle clients came up in DHs conversation. Apparently it’s pretty common to have a client shop a variety of metiers. What is obvious now, but was anctually spelled out was that the ideal scenario from a premier big brand’s point of view is to get two spouses to shop a variety of metiers together with their SA. As it turns out, we actually do this with our SA which I think helps the relationship. BC if I strike out and don’t find anything, there is always the possibility that DH will be lucky. In our shopping, serendipity plays a major role.

I dislike this post (and this is my opinion). What's the point of instigating other TPFers to spend more money to H, emphasizing strong SA relationships? Any relationships with the SAs are, at the end, business relationships. It is all about buyer-seller relationships, period.

My take-home messages here:
1) While I understand that it is completely your opinion, it should not be taken as a fact. Also, it may not be always good to make a spouse engaged in one's shopping habits.
2) There are a lot of good clients who spend less than typical clients and still have strong SA relationships. I know someone from here who has a solid, strong relationship with the SA; That person has got 4-6 QBs with a pre-spend ratio of 0.2 to 0.4 : 1 on average.

 

[Veritybelle]

At the trunk show (re -see) and cocktail off site yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to the women’s RTW manager; a manager of a different location (my friend introduced me); and some SAs of friends who couldn’t make it. The women’s manager introduced DH to the men’s one. (Not sure why the men’s one was at this event, but they ended up talking for a while about a bunch of different things.
The topic of lifestyle clients came up in DHs conversation. Apparently it’s pretty common to have a client shop a variety of metiers. But it’s not just whether someone buys a big ticket item. It’s also about the potential for future spend. What seems obvious now, in retrospect, is that the ideal scenario from a premier big brand’s point of view is to get two spouses to shop a variety of metiers together with their SA. As it turns out, we actually do this with our SAs at various brands which helps the relationships. (Though DH tends to get along better with the SAs than I do lol). It’s easier for them bc if I strike out and don’t find anything, there is always the possibility that DH will be lucky. Meanwhile, we benefit from the collective good taste from the SA and spouse. In our shopping, we don’t plan that much, and serendipity plays a major role.

Thank you for this insightful post.

 

[haute okole]

I dislike this post (and this is my opinion). What's the point of instigating other TPFers to spend more money to H, emphasizing strong SA relationships? Any relationships with the SAs are, at the end, business relationships. It is all about buyer-seller relationships, period.

My take-home messages here:
1) While I understand that it is completely your opinion, it should not be taken as a fact. Also, it may not be always a good habit to make a spouse engaged in one's shopping habits.
2) There are a lot of good clients who spend less than typical clients and still have strong SA relationships. I know someone from here who has a solid, strong relationship with the SA; That person has got 4-6 QBs with a pre-spend ratio of 0.2 to 0.4 : 1 on average.

Whether you dislike @880’s very relevant observation of fact, it is fact. I may not be in the enviable position of having a spouse who can rock Hermes RTW like some lucky shoppers or their joint buying power, good for them. Especially in stores like Madison and BH, there will always be someone richer, hotter, thinner and wiser. Be happy for them and grateful with what you have instead of bemoaning that someone has more. Why worry about what someone else has if you are satisfied with your situation. We are all recounting our own tales of success or disappointment. I can tell you without reservation that families shopping together are treated very well at Hermes and encouraged. My SA always invites my two daughters to the Hermes events and inevitably we all take something home. My SA knows my husband and also encourages him to join me and the girls on our outings. But that will not happen because Hermes is just for us girls.

 

[Deleted 793791]

Be happy for them and grateful with what you have instead of bemoaning that someone has more. Why worry about what someone else has if you are satisfied with your situation.

Sure, I am well aware of that there are and will always be more successful and richer people than I am, and I am happy for them. (I'm sorry if I sounded like I was bemoaning, but I was not. lol) Oh, I am not worried about someone's bragging all over the individual threads of H all the times. That clearly is not my business. Like I said, it was my opinion.

ETA: PS. Do you really think it is just Hermes that would love families shopping together? It applies to any luxury brands as they can generate more revenues that way.

 

[kerebear]

Yes of course Hermès would love spouses and families to shop together, they can make more money off you that way! 🤣
Imo why concern yourself so much about Hermès’ ideal customer or even SA commissions etc? That’s not much of my business because I don’t work for them. 🤷‍♀️
I care about shopping and buying what i want, love, and enjoy.
All that extra stuff just adds pressure to what should be an enjoyable shopping experience.
If it benefits you, use that information to get what you want from the brand.
But don’t go above and beyond or stress yourself trying to please your SA or SM.
They’re not your besties no matter how good of a relationship you think you have. And they don’t really care about you. They care about sales goals.

 

[Deleted 793791]

Yes of course Hermès would love spouses and families to shop together, they can make more money off you that way! 🤣
Imo why concern yourself so much about Hermès’ ideal customer or even SA commissions etc? That’s not much of my business because I don’t work for them. 🤷‍♀️
I care about shopping and buying what i want, love, and enjoy.
All that extra stuff just adds pressure to what should be an enjoyable shopping experience.
If it benefits you, use that information to get what you want from the brand.
But don’t go above and beyond or stress yourself trying to please your SA or SM.
They’re not your besties no matter how good of a relationship you think you have. And they don’t really care about you. They care about sales goals.

Very well said. Love it! This is exactly my point.

 

[FaubourgTropical]

What's the point of instigating other TPFers to spend more money to H, emphasizing strong SA relationships? Any relationships with the SAs are, at the end, business relationships. It is all about buyer-seller relationships, period.

Yes of course Hermès would love spouses and families to shop together, they can make more money off you that way!

I am a bit confused at these. Of course H is a business and of course SA wants as many reliable customers as possible to spend. It’s also not said blatantly but H shopping requires SERIOUS financial power which to a certain degree we all are fortunate to have. And of course there’s always someone better /richer/more influential/etc. But we are here to share our very diverse experiences.

I find @880's sharing of experience helpful because, although I am NO WAY at her spending level - a shawl here, two ties there, a blanket last week, but my store knows me, my purchases, my name, my husband’s name by heart (super impressive). I don’t ask for bags either but I got 2 SOs back-to-back and they know what bag I want next. The SM recently went to Podium to see if he could order my bag inquiry (sadly not in production). All these in a 3 years 'relationship'

I realize because in a smaller scale, I do shop the way @880 does and I am amazed that it works.
In addition, I also read on this thread, don’t waste SA's time with idle chit chats, show up in store and not just through texts and emails, be patient, don’t always remind them. I find them helpful, too.

I don’t write this to brag but to add another data point to those who find it helpful. It IS possible with a lot of patience and kindness. It may take even longer in competitive stores. Otherwise, furnitures are waiting to be bought

If such experiences are not relatable, then feel free to ignore or share your own experience. This thread is afterall to share our diverse H experience and pick what resonates.

@880 thank you for continuing sharing your experience. It may not resonate with all but I can say it’s appreciated by me!

 

[Veritybelle]

I am a bit confused at these. Of course H is a business and of course SA wants as many reliable customers as possible to spend. It’s also not said blatantly but H shopping requires SERIOUS financial power which to a certain degree we all are fortunate to have. And of course there’s always someone better /richer/more influential/etc. But we are here to share our very diverse experiences.

I find @880's sharing of experience helpful because, although I am NO WAY at her spending level - a shawl here, two ties there, a blanket last week, but my store knows me, my purchases, my name, my husband’s name by heart (super impressive). I don’t ask for bags either but I got 2 SOs back-to-back and they know what bag I want next. The SM recently went to Podium to see if he could order my bag inquiry (sadly not in production). All these in a 3 years 'relationship'

I realize because in a smaller scale, I do shop the way @880 does and I am amazed that it works.
In addition, I also read on this thread, don’t waste SA's time with idle chit chats, show up in store and not just through texts and emails, be patient, don’t always remind them. I find them helpful, too.

I don’t write this to brag but to add another data point to those who find it helpful. It IS possible with a lot of patience and kindness. It may take even longer in competitive stores. Otherwise, furnitures are waiting to be bought

If such experiences are not relatable, then feel free to ignore or share your own experience. This thread is afterall to share our diverse H experience and pick what resonates.

@880 thank you for continuing sharing your experience. It may not resonate with all but I can say it’s appreciated by me!

Well said

 

[880]

What seems obvious now, in retrospect, is that the ideal scenario from a premier big brand’s point of view is to get two spouses to shop a variety of metiers together with their SA.

I should have clarified that this opinion was from the Hermes management perspective not that of my DH or myself; and it was said more in the vein of we appreciate clients who happen to go this way. I simply posted it as one information point to add to the thread.

I would hope that all readers of the public threads not take any post as gospel truth, but merely as a narration of OP’s conversations and experiences with Hermes SMs and SAs. To be clear, I do not see my relationships with my SAs as strictly transactional; I not only buy from them, but they also help shape and refine my taste and aesthetic. It is a pleasant and respectful exchange regardless of whether I purchase something at that moment. I do not see my buying items I love as means to get something else.

From my own personal experience, anyone who has read my posts can see that while I am fortunate to be able to spend more at this stage in my life (I’m 56), I started on TPF with a very modest budget. I am also not in that rarified one percent of shoppers to whom Hermes offers limited edition pieces; and, I am thinking of buying one mid priced item of RTW in the next collection. (Mid-priced relative to the other items in this collection is still not inexpensive). I am also a big advocate of only buying what one loves and will use (cost per wear) and mixing vintage with new.

I see a trend towards blaming Hermes for one’s own personal decision to increase individual prespend. I find this distasteful, and so do my SAs. Of course, Hermes as an entity is in the business of making profit; it expects a great deal from its sales staff and management; it has chosen to restrict supply of its most popular items; so, the client facing employees have to figure out a fair way to allot product. A salesperson has zero control over corporate policy, and simply has to do her job. She also wants her clients to be happy with what they buy so that they come back. This is not a one way street. Just as I would never shop with any SA that didn’t respect my taste AND my budget, I also don’t feel entitled to QBs when I hit some magic number. I also don’t take it as a personal indictment if I am not offered a bag. Precovid, I don’t think any of us OGs calculated spend ratios at all except as a personal budgeting tool (as in, can I afford this item lol). We are all in charge of our own spending.

 

[A1aGypsy]

Sure, I am well aware of that there are and will always be more successful and richer people than I am, and I am happy for them. (I'm sorry if I sounded like I was bemoaning, but I was not. lol) Oh, I am not worried about someone's bragging all over the individual threads of H all the times. That clearly is not my business. Like I said, it was my opinion.

ETA: PS. Do you really think it is just Hermes that would love families shopping together? It applies to any luxury brands as they can generate more revenues that way.

Sorry if I have misunderstood you but 880 is one of the kindest contributors on this board. I have never seen anything that sounds like bragging from her. She enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge and she takes lots of her own time to give others good advice.

Of course it is an opinion, just like yours is yours. And, of course, shopping with a spouse is not going to work for everyone. And your ETA, she herself said just that in her post.

Again, I’m hopeful that I just read this with bleary eyes and am out to lunch.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

Weighing in here..
My DH is a massive enabler always encouraging me to get things, offering to buy them for me if he see's I'm wavering over something (usually because he likes me in it more than I do ).
Like @880's husband the SA's usually adore him and seem to enjoy talking to him much more than me (I'm talking accross multiple brands and stores here not just H), Probably because when I'm shopping I'm very focussed and don't want to be 'sold to' or make small talk.
I personally think that couples do well at building relationships in stores because having a spouse or partner there can take the pressure off of the SA.
I work in sales and I love it when spouses accompany my clients (male and female).
The reason being that I enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere that brings to the appointment and a spouse can often reassure an uncertain customer, or echo my sentiments that yes..their bum does look big in that.
I think the worst way to try and build an SA relationship is to take a friend...often the friend tries to give a very subjective opinion and can encourage the client to make the wrong choice which results in a return when they show the item to their partner at home.

 

[papertiger]

I dislike this post (and this is my opinion). What's the point of instigating other TPFers to spend more money to H, emphasizing strong SA relationships? Any relationships with the SAs are, at the end, business relationships. It is all about buyer-seller relationships, period.

My take-home messages here:
1) While I understand that it is completely your opinion, it should not be taken as a fact. Also, it may not be always good to make a spouse engaged in one's shopping habits.
2) There are a lot of good clients who spend less than typical clients and still have strong SA relationships. I know someone from here who has a solid, strong relationship with the SA; That person has got 4-6 QBs with a pre-spend ratio of 0.2 to 0.4 : 1 on average.

You may dislike other's posts because you disagree. Just move on to what you disagree about.

 

[ladysarah]

Obviously you have to shop, but I hope nobody here feels the need to 'compete' by spending more than they can afford. or bring their whole family along : Disgruntled husbands/wives. bored children etc Of course not! (a happy family Hermes enthusiasts? YES, sounds wonderful!).
I think there is a very French way of shopping, which means having a relationship with the store/vendor/boutique. Typically French people do that anyway with everyday items, like buying bread, wine, cheese etc. They will often visit smaller shops, get to know the vendors and eventually they will get 'offered' first dips on limited supply wine, cheese or a new patisserie. Its a very French way of shopping. French women usually prefer to buy from their local boutique rather than primark. They often value the experience of interacting with knowledgeable SA's, discussing the origin and quality of the products, and generally enjoying the social aspect of shopping. it is a cultural thing, Hermes did not invent the system.