Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[880]

I understand that you [=SA] have to see another client, client C, in 15 minutes at 3pm

It is your SAs job to manage his or her schedule, and let the 3pm client know of any delay due to backed up appts. Consideration is one thing, but I doubt anyone here thinks you need to limit yourself to 15 minutes.

 

[Fixxi]

I now need some insights/advice for dealing with my SA.

So, I had an appointment with my SA at 2pm on a weekday, and I normally set up an appointment a few days ahead. (I also avoid any peak time because I hate shopping in the crowded.) There were clients A and C who were booked with my SA at 1pm and 3pm, respectively. (So, I am the client B here.)

As usual, I arrived in my home store early just to browse some items and to get hydrated, etc. I arrived at 1:30 pm this time. My SA saw me at around 1:40 pm while she was with the client A. My SA told me that she would see me soon. Then, out of all sudden, one client of my SA, client D, showed up without an appointment around 1:50pm. The client A left (after her shopping) and my SA gave her full attention to the client D. I then waited until 2:45 pm. My SA apologized for my wait time accordingly. Then during the last 15 minutes, my SA multi-tasked (e.g., texting to other clients) and I was not able to get any good attention from my SA. I still ended up purchasing some items, however.

The problem is that I was and am not happy with this experience.

- Client D was a big spender because she bought a canvas taurillon regate RMS rolling trolley luggage (which costs at least $10,000) and a couple of clothes that come with the garment bags. I wasn't a big spender (since my purchase would only be around $1,200 this time). Does this justify my long wait???
- If Client D is the VIP and I am not, does this justify my long wait???
- I did not complain or comment on my waiting time in front of my SA. But, I was pretty irate inside on my way back home after shopping. Plus, this is the second time having to wait like this even when I had an appointment ahead of time. (In other times, my SA is almost always late for 5-10 minutes, which I am OK with that.)
- Additional info: I take my whole day off when I go to my home store because it takes 2 and 1/2 hours each way (and my SA knows this). So, to me, it seems logical to be upset with this poor client service.

The bottom line is, I do not want this experience again. Can I tell the SA that I would leave the store without any notice if I wait for 15 minutes and not served on time? Or, what's the best way to deal with this problem? Thanks!

Oof I'm sorry. My intention is not to brag, but my SA makes me feel like I'm her only client when she's with me, whether I am making a "big" (or what I would consider as "big" anyway) purchase (>10k) or a fruitless trip (I've had an appointment where I thought I was going to love the scarves I've been eyeing, and I end up not buying anything because the cw didn't work for me).

I'm not suggesting as an advice. If this happened to me, and it wasn't a common experience, I would joke about it (partly my defense mechanism to say what i want in a non-confrontational way) like "wow, those people sure took a long time! I hope they got something good! I can't stay long anymore but can we look at A, B, and C?"

Maintaining a relationship goes both ways IMO. It sounds like you do have a strong purchase history and a good relationship (otherwise), I hope your SA is extra extra nice to you in your future visits!

 

[Bdbunny]

It is your SAs job to manage his or her schedule, and let the 3pm client know of any delay due to backed up appts. Consideration is one thing, but I doubt anyone here thinks you need to limit yourself to 15 minutes.

Agree with this. I don’t think the wait would’ve bothered me but being limited to 15 min to shop would’ve been a non starter and I probably would’ve either 1) shopped as normal until I was done and let her deal with Client C or 2) left and told my SA I would come back when we both had more time. Which PS, I have done before at Madison. Just got dressed and left lol.
(Wait, I just realized, am I the demanding client ?!!! )

@706MadisonAv did your SA cut you off at 3pm? Do you think you could’ve just kept shopping?

 

[Capitaliste]

You’re not alone I generally just go in when an item I expressed interest in came into the store. Sometimes it’s a big ticket item (like a coat), sometimes it’s small (like shoes). No one has ever acted like I was wasting their time.

Thank you! Yes, that's how I shop, too; I spend big sometimes, and I do not in other times. I've always been well treated by my SA and even other SAs. The incident I had was just unfortunate one, and may even be out of my SA's control this time. I feel better now. I appreciate your kind words.

I know everyone is very busy - SAs and clients alike, everyone can decide how much of their time they are willing to spend and if its not suitable joyfully walk away. I'm sure a glass of champagne under the sun will cure just about anything.

Thank you! I appreciate your considerate comment!

I would not be concerned about this. You have a strong enough relationship and spend profile to have placed a special order and to be also expecting a Birkin this year; this usually means valued customer. Of course, if you are buying a Calvi or the coloring book 🤣 - don't expect an hour of your SA's time. But you don't need to spend $5K.

Thank you! I agree with your comment and appreciate your encouraging words.

I think we are so wrapped up, and frankly I think TPF contributes to this, in being perfect clients and not harassing SAs for bags etc. we should just be a little more forthright and we might feel better. I have learned my lesson.

I agree with you. Thanks for your comment.

It is your SAs job to manage his or her schedule, and let the 3pm client know of any delay due to backed up appts. Consideration is one thing, but I doubt anyone here thinks you need to limit yourself to 15 minutes.

You've made a great point. Mine was a little over, so it was not exactly 15 minutes, since it ended around 3:05 pm-ish. But, I was very cautious of timing, because I wanted to make sure that (1) my SA is on track with his schedule, and (2) the client C wouldn't wait too long because of me.

Maintaining a relationship goes both ways IMO. It sounds like you do have a strong purchase history and a good relationship (otherwise), I hope your SA is extra extra nice to you in your future visits!

I agree with you. Thank you for your kindness!

Agree with this. I don’t think the wait would’ve bothered me but being limited to 15 min to shop would’ve been a non starter and I probably would’ve either 1) shopped as normal until I was done and let her deal with Client C or 2) left and told my SA I would come back when we both had more time. Which PS, I have done before at Madison. Just got dressed and left lol.
(Wait, I just realized, am I the demanding client ?!!! )

@706MadisonAv did your SA cut you off at 3pm? Do you think you could’ve just kept shopping?

As I stated above, no one cut me off at 3pm. But, because I knew my SA's schedule, I felt a bit pressured to get my shopping done on time so that (1) my SA could have his schedule on track and (2) the other client C wouldn't be affected in any way. I appreciate your comment!

 

[Luvmyfamily]

Hi, after waiting for a year plus, my quota bag finally came. My SA updated me on the day of collection of my bag, that unfortunately, the bag has two dots and will inform me when the new batch arrives. It's been a month and there's still no news of my bag. I have requested a neutral 25 birkin. I thought this popular combination should come in more often. My question is how often I should ask my SA on the status of my birkin? I have asked my SA twice and the 2nd time, my SA did not answer that question anymore. I'm so afraid that I will be put on the queue to wait again.

 

[BreezyE]

Hi, after waiting for a year plus, my quota bag finally came. My SA updated me on the day of collection of my bag, that unfortunately, the bag has two dots and will inform me when the new batch arrives. It's been a month and there's still no news of my bag. I have requested a neutral 25 birkin. I thought this popular combination should come in more often. My question is how often I should ask my SA on the status of my birkin? I have asked my SA twice and the 2nd time, my SA did not answer that question anymore. I'm so afraid that I will be put on the queue to wait again.

I'm sorry that happened. What do you mean by two dots?

 

[Letter]

I’m assuming she means marks on the leather - imperfections?

 

[Luvmyfamily]

I'm sorry that happened. What do you mean by two dots?

yes, I was told there were two small dots, I assume marks on the bag. Regretted didnt going down and see the bag before agreeing to wait for next batch of the bag.

 

[texas87]

yes, I was told there were two small dots, I assume marks on the bag. Regretted didnt going down and see the bag before agreeing to wait for next batch of the bag.

Hermes would have never sold you that bag anyway due to their strict quality standards. I’m sorry you had to experience that.

 

[skybluesky]

Hi, after waiting for a year plus, my quota bag finally came. My SA updated me on the day of collection of my bag, that unfortunately, the bag has two dots and will inform me when the new batch arrives. It's been a month and there's still no news of my bag. I have requested a neutral 25 birkin. I thought this popular combination should come in more often. My question is how often I should ask my SA on the status of my birkin? I have asked my SA twice and the 2nd time, my SA did not answer that question anymore. I'm so afraid that I will be put on the queue to wait again.

They probably are waiting for the next bag in your specs to come in?

 

[BreezyE]

I’m assuming she means marks on the leather - imperfections?

Do SAs typically inspect bags first before offering?

 

[cravin]

Do SAs typically inspect bags first before offering?

Yes

 

[acrowcounted]

Yes

Disagree. It’s probably an SA/store preference thing. I’ve never had my bags opened by anyone before being offered to me. (And I’ve been sold a defective bag with physical damage before that I didn’t catch until getting back home.)

 

[cravin]

Disagree. It’s probably an SA/store preference thing. I’ve never had my bags opened by anyone before being offered to me. (And I’ve been sold a defective bag with physical damage before that I didn’t catch until getting back home.)

Probably. Ours brings out the box holding the paper wrapping and has mentioned that he looked it over and it looks great and then does the whole reveal.

 

[BreezyE]

Disagree. It’s probably an SA/store preference thing. I’ve never had my bags opened by anyone before being offered to me. (And I’ve been sold a defective bag with physical damage before that I didn’t catch until getting back home.)

I agree, bags are usually in the paper wrapping when presented. IMO, something seems off about what the SA said to OP. I think the SA made an excuse because they could not offer them the bag for some reason.