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.

 

[OnlyModa]

I sat down to catch up in a few free minutes that I had but it turned out that so much happened since I checked in last night! I would love to finish reading all this but first have to be off to clear my DH's schedule so he can join me at the next shopping appt.

 

[DME]

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.

This! 1,000 times this. All of it. This notion of prespend is really no different than the ubiquitous two-year waitlist of twenty years ago. What I see on this thread are people sharing personal experiences about what got them their bag in the hopes that it might serve as a guide - not a foolproof blueprint - for others. If readers spend any time on this thread, they see that things vary by country, by store in the same country, and even by SA in the same store, or by customer of the same SA. My advice to anyone who comes here is to take away one thing: That relationships are important at H. Just like in life. Use this thread as inspiration by taking what’s worked for others and figuring out how to make it your own based on your relationship with H, your SA, your shopping habits and, most importantly, your style and budget.

 

[Deleted 793791]

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

Great point. And, that's why I basically stated my own opinions. Unfortunately, in this Forum, a few people tend to be influencers and people take the responses easily from such influencers. (If you review multiple threads of H here, you can easily find who they are.) When I disagree or have different thoughts, I would bring it up so that I can learn things I did not know.

My stance has not changed: Building a strong relationship with an SA does not need to be backed up by the spouses or families. (If one likes to have his/her spouse and family members involved, that's fine. But, it is not a requirement. And of course, H and SAs will love that since it helps more revenues for them.

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.

Great point. I think we should leave it up to individuals whether to shop alone or with spouses/families. I have no issue with that.

My advice to anyone who comes here is to take away one thing: That relationships are important at H. Just like in life. Use this thread as inspiration by taking what’s worked for others and figuring out how to make it your own based on your relationship with H, your SA, your shopping habits and, most importantly, your style and budget.

100% I agree.

Edited:


ETA: The Moderator has edited this original post, which is ridiculous.

 

[peachkid]

Hi I’m a newbie here - I struck up a relationship with a new SA and it seems like a mutually beneficial relationship bc they’re still building their client base so I get a lot of texts and attention.

I got a black boot the first visit. And I’ve been bringing my husband along on our visits and we got him a leather belt the second visit. We get a lot of attention from the other staff in store too esp when its slow. I also got super excited when my SA asked me what my dream bags are (Kelly sellier 25 or mini in nata or gold 😍).
They also asked me if I have other bag requests like evelyn etc. so i offered I’m not opposed to a colorful picotin 18.. but I would be very sad if the Picotin ends up counting as a QB..

So anyways i’m wondering if a roughly 1k spend per month on things like home goods, mens, some womens shoes, maybe fashion jewelry etc would be sufficient?

I’m unsure how frequently I should be visiting, and if tenure matters more than spend.. If thats the case, maybe I need to spread out my spending so I don’t rack up a big spend in a short period of time? (I’m not uber rich or anything 😅)
Asking for a friend

 

[880]

Hi I’m a newbie here - I struck up a relationship with a new SA and it seems like a mutually beneficial relationship bc they’re still building their client base so I get a lot of texts and attention.

I got a black boot the first visit. And I’ve been bringing my husband along on our visits and we got him a leather belt the second visit. We get a lot of attention from the other staff in store too esp when its slow. I also got super excited when my SA asked me what my dream bags are (Kelly sellier 25 or mini in nata or gold 😍).
They also asked me if I have other bag requests like evelyn etc. so i offered I’m not opposed to a colorful picotin 18.. but I would be very sad if the Picotin ends up counting as a QB..

So anyways i’m wondering if a roughly 1k spend per month on things like home goods, mens, some womens shoes, maybe fashion jewelry etc would be sufficient?

I’m unsure how frequently I should be visiting, and if tenure matters more than spend.. If thats the case, maybe I need to spread out my spending so I don’t rack up a big spend in a short period of time? (I’m not uber rich or anything 😅)
Asking for a friend

Sounds amazing and fun and natural and organic ! Congrats! There’s no one way, it sounds like you should just continue to do what you are doing and enjoy ETA: IMO the fact that your SA is also building her roster would work in your favor too

 

[peachkid]

Sounds amazing and fun and natural and organic ! Congrats! There’s no one way, it sounds like you should just continue to do what you are doing and enjoy ETA: IMO the fact that your SA is also building her roster would work in your favor too

Thank you so much! I guess I won’t overthink it then. I do like some of their non leather goods so it shouldnt be too difficult to keep buying things here and there 😊

 

[peachkid]

I’ve a follow up question.. i’m seeing several people recently mentioning a 3x to 6x prespend - I don’t think I can justify that kind of spend to get a $10k bag 😣 Is the 1:1 ratio a thing of the past?

 

[Miss. Nana]

Hi I’m a newbie here - I struck up a relationship with a new SA and it seems like a mutually beneficial relationship bc they’re still building their client base so I get a lot of texts and attention.

I got a black boot the first visit. And I’ve been bringing my husband along on our visits and we got him a leather belt the second visit. We get a lot of attention from the other staff in store too esp when its slow. I also got super excited when my SA asked me what my dream bags are (Kelly sellier 25 or mini in nata or gold 😍).
They also asked me if I have other bag requests like evelyn etc. so i offered I’m not opposed to a colorful picotin 18.. but I would be very sad if the Picotin ends up counting as a QB..

So anyways i’m wondering if a roughly 1k spend per month on things like home goods, mens, some womens shoes, maybe fashion jewelry etc would be sufficient?

I’m unsure how frequently I should be visiting, and if tenure matters more than spend.. If thats the case, maybe I need to spread out my spending so I don’t rack up a big spend in a short period of time? (I’m not uber rich or anything 😅)
Asking for a friend

Buy what you like and want. No pressure, just let them know that you have a budget, also let them know that you do love their goods, they will understand. Most of us are just like you

 

[jag]

I’ve a follow up question.. i’m seeing several people recently mentioning a 3x to 6x prespend - I don’t think I can justify that kind of spend to get a $10k bag 😣 Is the 1:1 ratio a thing of the past?

Each store and region is very different. There is no set ratio that applies to all stores. Personally, i would not spend 3-6x the amount just to be offered a QB unless i love everything i buy. I would prefer to buy what I want, when I want, even if that means I have to pursue other avenues to get a bag I want. Stick to your budget, buy only what you love, and you cannot go wrong!

 

[Miss. Nana]

Thank you so much! I guess I won’t overthink it then. I do like some of their non leather goods so it shouldnt be too difficult to keep buying things here and there 😊

Yep, I love their makeups so I always get them for my friends’ birthday. And their teacups and teapots are really cute, I got those for friend’s housewarming party. Or, if I am traveling I will get a new passport case, just let them know that I put Hermes as my first option, go for it if it’s under my budget

 

[acrowcounted]

I’ve a follow up question.. i’m seeing several people recently mentioning a 3x to 6x prespend - I don’t think I can justify that kind of spend to get a $10k bag 😣 Is the 1:1 ratio a thing of the past?

Unfortunately I do believe 1:1 is a thing of the past, especially for a k25 or mini Kelly. If you’re extremely lucky and likable you MIGHT be able to succeed with 1-1.5 for the first bag but after that I’m guessing the SA would milk you for bag number two to make up for it.

 

[tinkerbell68]

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.

THIS!
In all areas of our lives, building relationships with people, business or otherwise, leads to more personal fulfillment right? DH and I visit a handful of local restaurants regularly. We’re nice to the staff (know their names, etc), we order bottles of wine with lunch and we tip well. In return (it is a business relationship after all), we can almost always get a table, even when they’re full and it’s usually a really nice table. And some of them even provide me with my own bowl of Maldon’s!!!
We are social beings and that desire to connect with people pervades all areas of our lives, including shopping at H.

 

[GabrielleS]

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.

This is all very true but the commission systems for Hermes that operate outside of France do change the shopping dynamic IMHO.

 

[peachkid]

Unfortunately I do believe 1:1 is a thing of the past, especially for a k25 or mini Kelly. If you’re extremely lucky and likable you MIGHT be able to succeed with 1-1.5 for the first bag but after that I’m guessing the SA would milk you for bag number two to make up for it.

Eek ok this is good to know to level set my expectations 🙈 I see some lucky tiktokers talking abt not spending 1:1 and getting a kelly bc they looked the part etc. so I was sort of dreaming up a fantasy a bit 🥲
Ahh my purse strings are gna be groaning 😂😅

 

[acrowcounted]

Eek ok this is good to know to level set my expectations 🙈 I see some lucky tiktokers talking abt not spending 1:1 and getting a kelly bc they looked the part etc. so I was sort of dreaming up a fantasy a bit 🥲
Ahh my purse strings are gna be groaning 😂😅

Pro tip #1: don't believe these videos.