Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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[Gin&H]

I'm very chatty so I could never do all my shopping in only an hour LOL! I think my appointments are typically around 2 hours, but I have been known to take over 3 hours lol. My SA will sometimes book me a 2 hr appointment, because he knows this is how our appointments go. And sometimes if his next client arrives, he goes between the both of us. We're used to it and think it's hilarious. (like in the movies when someone is on a date with 2 people and runs back and forth.) In Paris, my appointments also take 2-3 hours. I don't visit as frequently, so there's a lot to catch up on (gabbing) and a lot to see as well.

Maybe before your next appointment you can ask your SA how much time they have that day because you would like to look at X, Y, and Z, and this way they know you may need a little more time than usual too.

@Bdbunny thank you for sharing your experience! it sounds like your SA seems amazing and pretty flexible too with his clients. it was really hard for me to do my visits in an hour, but definitely easier on my wallet . This is a great tip!

I just got in and out in under 30 minutes today! I purchased three items. My SA thinks I’m hilariously efficient.

@Veritybelle I’m impressed! At the 30 minute mark, I’m still struggling with the face cover thing as I try on clothes. I’m so paranoid about getting make up on the clothes!

I usually am done in an hour.

@addiCCted my past 2 visits have been an hour and I left wanting more time. Although that just be that I’ll always want more time there haha

To maintain a good relationship, it’s of course best to be considerate and respectful of an SAs or clients time. When I ask my local SA for an appt, I indicate kind of what I’m interested in, or DH is interested in, or both. We rarely come in with a list, and we like to rummage around and be surprised. But, our SA tends to pull stuff that she thinks we would like. So, they block however much time they think we need. We’ve never been rushed, but to be polite, I always check if they are crunched for time. Sometimes they run late with someone else, but that’s not a big deal. I wait on the couch or browse by myself and/or chat with the SM etc. I’ve rarely if ever shopped in an hour or less, bc there is so much to see and try on.

Sometimes, if I text last minute that I am in the area and want something, of course, I understand that they may be busy and I don’t want to take up too much time. In that situation, they do me a favor if they can squeeze me in. I’ve never shared time with another client though. At FSH, at the start of the appt, my CdC assures us that I have all morning going into early afternoon (so I think they do book 2-3 hours). Mine shops with us throughout the store, including leather. She does bring in a sweet SA who helps with men’s RTW, who we know from prior visits. So it’s kind of like a mini reunion. An SA, either local or abroad, also needs time to hunt up items, check sizes, run around, so it’s best not to rush. *

ETA: I prefer an appt, first thing in the AM on a weekday, but on some days midweek, it’s more convenient for me to go early afternoon. For the latter time, it is a lot more busy, and understandably my SAs and I don’t take as much time together.

I also love to hang out with @haute okole and her SA. He is clear on booking two or more hours with her (I’m just a bystander), and it’s nice to chat and relax first That is their special rhythm. Everyone is different.

*ETA: my FSH CdC comments that she sees some appts every month. She said of course she makes sure to book more time with those of us who she only sees twice a year.

@880 thank you so much for sharing your experience! I initially had been going in with items in mind and text my SA what I’m thinking of so she can set it aside for my appt. But that plan went out the window due to inventory, or lack thereof. I’ve been having fun being pleasantly surprised. Each time I’ve left with items I didn’t really notice but fell in love with thanks to my SA starting to get a sense of my style and her telling me what she thinks are unique pieces too! I’ve now realized it’s so much more fun being flexible and if they don’t have a certain item in stock, it’s disappointing, but there’s so many beautiful pieces that I’ll find something else I’ll love.

I like the idea of shopping the store with the SA, maybe I’ll also try that next time along with making it longer than 1 hour haha.

I also love that you and @haute okole IRL friends with shared fashion (and foodie) interests! ❤️❤️❤️. I’m new to my area so still working on finding fashion-minded friends too! Haha

 

[Letter]

First. I am so jealous that people have irl Hermes friends!

Second. I am definitely a 1.5 - 2 hours shopper. But I just ask “are you ok on time” and we communicate if there’s someplace else one of us needs to be. I shop later in the day (honestly due to parking 😂).

 

[A1aGypsy]

I love the idea of someone “rummaging” through Hermes. You are an absolute delight @880 !

 

[cravin]

Our SA usually schedules hour long appointments. During weekends, he really tries to stay on schedule. He will apologize and mention a customer is already at the store waiting on him and that he will need to go in 10 minutes or so. We are very much like 880 so we will have texted beforehand and stuff will be waiting for us when we get there. On weekday appointments, he will go over and spend as much time as is needed with someone. He did mention he will need to lock that up as well though as the customer demand in the store has more than doubled since last year.

We are usually done in 30-45 minutes.

 

[880]

Thank you @A1aGypsy
Agree with @cravin, except we try not to go on weekends and are fortunate we have flexibility in our schedule
. Even in the summer in NY, weekends are crowded with tourists. My SA told me that summer is popular with
clients from the Middle East and elsewhere who are escaping their own hot weather. On one memorable occasion, in the old Madison, the air conditioning failed, and our SA was running late, so he suggested we go to the men’s store which was cool and comfy. He texted the men’s SM, and we spent an enjoyable 40 minutes browsing and chatting with her bf we texted our SA back to say we would reschedule. Our SA was apologetic, and we understand that sometimes these delays cannot be avoided.

 

[DoggieBags]

I try to keep my appointments to 1 hour but sometimes it’s just not possible. As many others do, I text beforehand things I am interested in. I arrive on time or slightly early. I’m never late. I also ask how much time we have before my SA’s next appointment and if she’s had lunch yet. If I’m there midday and I have a 2 hour and she has a client immediately after, I’ll end my appointment early to allow her enough time to eat before her next appointment. I’ve been there some days at 3 pm and she hasn’t had time to have lunch yet. While my SA goes to get the stuff she’s stashed for me, I browse. The appointment tends to run long if I find stuff while I’m browsing. It’s pulling stuff out of inventory that takes so much time. So if I stick to stuff my SA had already put aside, I’m usually out in 45 minutes or less. If I find stuff while browsing and my SA has to go pull the stuff from inventory then all bets are off. My SA doesn’t try to work with 2 clients at the same time. If the previous client is running late, I either wait if I have the time or if I’m on a tight schedule I tell her I’ll text her later to reschedule my appointment. If my appointment runs over and the next client has arrived, they wait until I’m done but at that point I’ll speed things up. So if there’s something I was still thinking about, I decide yes or no and move on. If a client drops in without an appointment, again they have to wait until my appointment is done. I would not be happy if my SA was splitting time with another client during my appointment. I try not to waste my SA’s time but conversely I don’t want her to waste my time either. There’s plenty of time during appointments for us to chat and catch up on news while shopping so it’s not like I feel like I’m being rushed. I just try to be efficient in the use of her and my time.

 

[tinkerbell68]

So many different shopping styles reflected in these posts!
Generally, when I visit the boutique I have shared a few things that I'd like to see with my SA in advance though often they will suggest other items that they think I might like. With my old SA (who moved on in April), we'd spend at least 30 minutes chatting and much less time on 'business' so each appointment took about an hour. My new SA and I have yet to get to know each other and my appointments are very efficient...in and out in 30 minutes.

 

[Bdbunny]

So many different shopping styles reflected in these posts!
Generally, when I visit the boutique I have shared a few things that I'd like to see with my SA in advance though often they will suggest other items that they think I might like. With my old SA (who moved on in April), we'd spend at least 30 minutes chatting and much less time on 'business' so each appointment took about an hour. My new SA and I have yet to get to know each other and my appointments are very efficient...in and out in 30 minutes.

So true!! As always, it sounds like everyone has a different experience. I think it depends on not only the client, but also the SA's personality as well. I have worked with SAs before who are all business and there is less talking and it's more transactional. Nothing wrong with that either. My SA is just as much a talker as I am, and because I am not close enough to the store to just swing by to pick up something quickly (thank goodness), we have a lot of catching up to do when I visit the store. Last time we spent a good 30 minutes sitting there while he scrolled through his photo album and showed me photos from his vacation! And then the store manager came over and we were talking about my non-H pants for a good while and she ended up ordering a pair for herself. Finally after an hour I said, "so should I buy something?"

 

[Daydrmer]

I’m usually done in 45-50 minutes. Typically I shop from a few métiers each appointment and I go in knowing what I want. So I’ll spend about 15ish minutes just chatting and catching up with my SA and the rest is getting/trying on the items I went in to buy.

 

[Gin&H]

So true!! As always, it sounds like everyone has a different experience. I think it depends on not only the client, but also the SA's personality as well. I have worked with SAs before who are all business and there is less talking and it's more transactional. Nothing wrong with that either. My SA is just as much a talker as I am, and because I am not close enough to the store to just swing by to pick up something quickly (thank goodness), we have a lot of catching up to do when I visit the store. Last time we spent a good 30 minutes sitting there while he scrolled through his photo album and showed me photos from his vacation! And then the store manager came over and we were talking about my non-H pants for a good while and she ended up ordering a pair for herself. Finally after an hour I said, "so should I buy something?"

Haha I love this!! My SA and I are just getting to know each other and get our rhythm, but I would love to get to this level! #SA relationship goals.

And I’ve enjoyed reading how varied everyone’s experiences are! I’ve been enjoying my shopping and just going with the flow. Thank you all for sharing! ❤️

 

[Letter]

Haha I love this!! My SA and I are just getting to know each other and get our rhythm, but I would love to get to this level! #SA relationship goals.

And I’ve enjoyed reading how varied everyone’s experiences are! I’ve been enjoying my shopping and just going with the flow. Thank you all for sharing! ❤️

Agree. I’ve been shopping with one SA for about 1.5 years and I think eventually this will be how it is. Our SM probably not. He is older and very old school. I have never been introduced to him.

 

[Bdbunny]

Haha I love this!! My SA and I are just getting to know each other and get our rhythm, but I would love to get to this level! #SA relationship goals.

And I’ve enjoyed reading how varied everyone’s experiences are! I’ve been enjoying my shopping and just going with the flow. Thank you all for sharing! ❤️

LOL it just makes shopping more fun for me! I think my SA and I just click in this way. But honestly, I think everyone has a different definition/concept of a "successful" SA relationship and it doesn't have to be all chatty and giggly for it to be a productive and happy working relationship. I know people who keep a very business like relationship with their SA with minimal communications outside of items they need etc and they still get coveted bag offers, invites to special events etc. It's just a different working / relationship style.
Ideally it probably works better when a client and SA's styles match, but I don't think there is one "right" way to maintain a successful working relationship with your SA.

 

[textilegirl]

LOL it just makes shopping more fun for me! I think my SA and I just click in this way. But honestly, I think everyone has a different definition/concept of a "successful" SA relationship and it doesn't have to be all chatty and giggly for it to be a productive and happy working relationship. I know people who keep a very business like relationship with their SA with minimal communications outside of items they need etc and they still get coveted bag offers, invites to special events etc. It's just a different working / relationship style.
Ideally it probably works better when a client and SA's styles match, but I don't think there is one "right" way to maintain a successful working relationship with your SA.

💯 We’re all have differing relationship styles, and why not. The early interactions are where people explore how best to adapt to each other to accomplish the goal, in this case productive shopping. But I’m not sure it’s any different with an SA at Hermes than it is with anyone else.

 

[hbr]

The early interactions are where people explore how best to adapt to each other to accomplish the goal, in this case productive shopping.

💯 I just started a new relationship with my SA and we’re still getting to know each other. But I have noticed that my SA appreciates the personal connection and getting to know me as a real person rather than it being just transactional. No right or wrong way- just personality

 

[Fixxi]

I usually go during the weekdays, always text beforehand the items I want to see (because we are both incredibly efficient - and while she picks up the items up from the magical stockroom I browse shoes) in and out within an hour, but half of that hour is spent chatting away. I am also respectful of keeping to that hour because time = money for her, and I have a relatively strict schedule I try to keep for myself (otherwise, it may turn into a 3 hour coffee date with my friends).

I love that we are both efficient and also can maintain a great relationship. Bag offers or not (because I think sometimes people will equate a successful relationship with rheir SA based on frequency and types of offers one may receive), I would definitely say my relationship with my SA is solid, based on mutual respect and genuine connection. I understand at the end of the day, this may be a business relationship, but I also feel like we would have been friends even if we had met each other elsewhere in our lives.