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.

 

[Chrismin]

Hoping some of you can’t chime in on my next pathway forward. I am waiting on a kelly from my local boutique and have been shopping here since May of 2019. Since then, i got 2 birkins, 1 kelly and a constance. My pre-spend for those have been 1.5 to 2 ish on qbs and 1.2 on constance. Last time I received a quota bag was in 2023 May, and have not gotten a single offer since then. Since then, my pre-spend is at 30k and this time, my purchase has been more spread out than ever. Only area I didnt shop is mens rtw and equestrian stuff. However, it seems like my SA forgets about my existence and when I bring up a qb, she goes “i believe universe will work itself out. Right now, you want it too much and that’s not how universe works”. Whatever that means, it sounds like she wont give me a bag because when I asked for k28, she said that size doesn’t come in. So when I said I am open to 25, it’s crickets now. In my case, should I just give up and stop going into the store? I have couple of big ticket items I’d like to get such as coats and fine jewelry but don’t want to drop a significant amount until I get a Kelly.

I find that comment so condescending.. it’s one thing not to get a bag offer but that comment really rubs the wrong way. At the end of the day you are the customer and I don’t think you should tolerate such obnoxious comments
Sorry this happened !

 

[GabrielleS]

Hoping some of you can’t chime in on my next pathway forward. I am waiting on a kelly from my local boutique and have been shopping here since May of 2019. Since then, i got 2 birkins, 1 kelly and a constance. My pre-spend for those have been 1.5 to 2 ish on qbs and 1.2 on constance. Last time I received a quota bag was in 2023 May, and have not gotten a single offer since then. Since then, my pre-spend is at 30k and this time, my purchase has been more spread out than ever. Only area I didnt shop is mens rtw and equestrian stuff. However, it seems like my SA forgets about my existence and when I bring up a qb, she goes “i believe universe will work itself out. Right now, you want it too much and that’s not how universe works”. Whatever that means, it sounds like she wont give me a bag because when I asked for k28, she said that size doesn’t come in. So when I said I am open to 25, it’s crickets now. In my case, should I just give up and stop going into the store? I have couple of big ticket items I’d like to get such as coats and fine jewelry but don’t want to drop a significant amount until I get a Kelly.

Does the universe also want you to continue to pre spend so the SA gets more commission? This comment would be a total non starter for me. It’s condescending and ignores the more the SA strings you along the more money they make. If it’s up to the universe, pre spend wouldn’t matter. This totally angers me. If your SA is used to you spending $5-10k a visit and needs sales, the SA likely has an ulterior motive. It’s easier to get sales from someone you know who can spend over the long term than find new clients…. unless you totally alienate them by being rude.

 

[lynn ph]

I go in every month, or sometimes every other month. I am a scarf lover, so tend to go in to get at least a carre or carre leads to something else. She never surprises me and gets upset if I bring up the subject, but if I don’t ask, then she never mentions. I thought she’d appreciate my loyalty but nowadays, I just feel like a bother that maybe its best that I change stores?

My previous sa is the same way. I just switch a new sa. I think it is time for u to find a new one.

 

[ImportantBrownie]

Hi guys, long time lurker hoping for some thoughts on this “weird” situation
I’ve been shopping at my H local boutique for about a year. My SA and I are on good terms. I recently visited my friend who lives near a newish H boutique, and we decided to visit just for fun
There, I was admiring a display bag and one SA asked if I liked it, etc.
I said yeah it’s my dream color combo
SA: have you shopped with us before. What’s your phone number?
Me: yes but I shop in [my city]. Gave phone #
SA looked over my history and said something to the effect of, if you shop at our store we can get you this combo. I’ll write a note in your profile that you like this combo
At the time I didn’t think much and just said sure but reading through some of the threads here I’m kinda freaked out that my local SA would see the notes and get pissed?
I did not buy anything there and would not move my shopping to my friend’s local store because it’s 2 hours away
Do I have anything to be concerned? How should I address this at my next appointment with my local SA?

 

[partialtopink]

Is it normal for a new SA that you're working with to not want to set up appointments with you or tell you their schedule? They respond to my texts. If something is not available in the store, then it's just "we don't have it". Doesn't offer to try to source it. However, asked me my bag wish list and made notes.

 

[textilegirl]

Hi guys, long time lurker hoping for some thoughts on this “weird” situation
I’ve been shopping at my H local boutique for about a year. My SA and I are on good terms. I recently visited my friend who lives near a newish H boutique, and we decided to visit just for fun
There, I was admiring a display bag and one SA asked if I liked it, etc.
I said yeah it’s my dream color combo
SA: have you shopped with us before. What’s your phone number?
Me: yes but I shop in [my city]. Gave phone #
SA looked over my history and said something to the effect of, if you shop at our store we can get you this combo. I’ll write a note in your profile that you like this combo
At the time I didn’t think much and just said sure but reading through some of the threads here I’m kinda freaked out that my local SA would see the notes and get pissed?
I did not buy anything there and would not move my shopping to my friend’s local store because it’s 2 hours away
Do I have anything to be concerned? How should I address this at my next appointment with my local SA?

I wouldn't think there's any cause for concern; you're entitled to window shop wherever you like. I think the issue comes should you decide to pursue a relationship with the other SA/boutique. The basic principle of being loyal to one boutique still obtains if your goal is an offer of one of the more coveted bags. If you liked the bag on display, there's no reason not to tell your SA that you saw it and liked it; this gives you the opportunity to inform your SA about your tastes.

I would be as explicit as you are normally as you discuss things with your SA. Some clients get into explicit details such as we discuss here on tPF, and so a direct and explicit conversation could work in those circumstances. I'm a bit more subtle; my SA and I acknowledge the current state of bag allocation affairs, and I've been clear in my conversations and my purchases that a bag is not especially my priority. But we do talk about bags, vintage and current, and my likes and dislikes, things I've seen online, in the wild, and in other boutiques, in the same manner as we talk about everything else Hermes. HTH

 

[JLO1]

Is it normal for a new SA that you're working with to not want to set up appointments with you or tell you their schedule? They respond to my texts. If something is not available in the store, then it's just "we don't have it". Doesn't offer to try to source it. However, asked me my bag wish list and made notes.

I would not be satisfied with this relationship.

 

[HappySteve]

Is it normal for a new SA that you're working with to not want to set up appointments with you or tell you their schedule? They respond to my texts. If something is not available in the store, then it's just "we don't have it". Doesn't offer to try to source it. However, asked me my bag wish list and made notes.

Hello,
To give some more background Information, for how long have you known and worked with this SA? Are you shopping in a big and competitive boutique?

I know it is not easy, but bare in mind that they receive hundreds of txt every day…
They also have limited availability in reserved time slots … and have to be «available» for walk-ins aswell.

 

[addiCCted]

Is it normal for a new SA that you're working with to not want to set up appointments with you or tell you their schedule? They respond to my texts. If something is not available in the store, then it's just "we don't have it". Doesn't offer to try to source it. However, asked me my bag wish list and made notes.

How do you shop with your sa if she/he doesn’t make appts?

They may not have their future schedule bc they only get it one or two weeks in advance sometimes.

 

[WhiteBus]

Hi guys, long time lurker hoping for some thoughts on this “weird” situation
I’ve been shopping at my H local boutique for about a year. My SA and I are on good terms. I recently visited my friend who lives near a newish H boutique, and we decided to visit just for fun
There, I was admiring a display bag and one SA asked if I liked it, etc.
I said yeah it’s my dream color combo
SA: have you shopped with us before. What’s your phone number?
Me: yes but I shop in [my city]. Gave phone #
SA looked over my history and said something to the effect of, if you shop at our store we can get you this combo. I’ll write a note in your profile that you like this combo
At the time I didn’t think much and just said sure but reading through some of the threads here I’m kinda freaked out that my local SA would see the notes and get pissed?
I did not buy anything there and would not move my shopping to my friend’s local store because it’s 2 hours away
Do I have anything to be concerned? How should I address this at my next appointment with my local SA?

Honesty is always the best policy.
If it worries you, raise it first with your SA.
If that combination was what you want, ask about the likelihood of him/her being able to source it for you.
This would probably depend upon what your store's SM ordered at podium.
It might be a useful lever.

 

[WhiteBus]

Would a frank conversation be appropriate? Saying that you were thinking about other expensive pieces but would like to get a bag first both from the budget prospective but also from coordinating your wardrobe.

I would also pause spending for the moment. I know you risk this SA forgetting about you altogether, but it sounds like she doesn’t really remember you now.

You can check in with her again in a few months. She might realize that she needs to come up with a bag for you to resume shopping.

I would then pick up shopping ant another store after you get this bag so your current pretend is not wasted but you do not keep spending with no hope for a bag either.

I’ve said it so many times. Journey or not, this is a luxury shopping experience and it needs to bring joy

I think this is a subtle way of implying that before you continue to spend much more you need to be offered the Kelly you want.

I also agree that one quota bag per year is not bad.
It also seems to me that some précising of exactly what the SA said has given the wrong impression of the tone of the conversation. The SA could have been blunter and said over the past four years you've had your fair share, you'll have to wait a bit - that is what seems to be the gist of it.

 

[Chrismin]

hi everyone! have a small situation to mull over..
I shop mostly remotely with my SA who is in a city that is about 4-5 h by car and ~ 1 h plane ride. i probably go to the store 1-3 times a year. I really love her, she is really good about getting back to me, shipping things out.. and in the course of ~ 4 - 5 years have had my share of bags. She will be moving to a new city and new Hermes that will be ~ 4 h plane ride away. Do i follow my SA or stick w the store? It is a nice store, and other interactions i've had w the SM, and other SAs have been good.
Im not necessarily after a bag at this time but am open to bags..and i do most shopping remotely but the idea of flying 4 h to potentially to get a bag seems a little much..
would appreciate some thoughts!

 

[WhiteBus]

hi everyone! have a small situation to mull over..
I shop mostly remotely with my SA who is in a city that is about 4-5 h by car and ~ 1 h plane ride. i probably go to the store 1-3 times a year. I really love her, she is really good about getting back to me, shipping things out.. and in the course of ~ 4 - 5 years have had my share of bags. She will be moving to a new city and new Hermes that will be ~ 4 h plane ride away. Do i follow my SA or stick w the store? It is a nice store, and other interactions i've had w the SM, and other SAs have been good.
Im not necessarily after a bag at this time but am open to bags..and i do most shopping remotely but the idea of flying 4 h to potentially to get a bag seems a little much..
would appreciate some thoughts!

I think you have almost answered your own question.
However, your 'relationship' is essentially with the store.
If your assessment is that you have had good interactions with other SAs and, most importantly, the SA, why change to an even less convenient store. You are known as a loyal, albeit remote, client and that counts for more than all the other woo woo you might read. As long as you can work with an SA who can serve you remotely as you are accustomed - why move!

 

[hbr]

hi everyone! have a small situation to mull over..
I shop mostly remotely with my SA who is in a city that is about 4-5 h by car and ~ 1 h plane ride. i probably go to the store 1-3 times a year. I really love her, she is really good about getting back to me, shipping things out.. and in the course of ~ 4 - 5 years have had my share of bags. She will be moving to a new city and new Hermes that will be ~ 4 h plane ride away. Do i follow my SA or stick w the store? It is a nice store, and other interactions i've had w the SM, and other SAs have been good.
Im not necessarily after a bag at this time but am open to bags..and i do most shopping remotely but the idea of flying 4 h to potentially to get a bag seems a little much..
would appreciate some thoughts!

IMO if you have a good relationship with your SA don’t give that up. My current SA is a 3 hr plane ride and my old SA was in my city. She didn’t give me the time of day and I would take a 4 hour plane ride any day compared to what I had with the old SA.

 

[WhiteBus]

I think you have almost answered your own question.
However, your 'relationship' is essentially with the store.
If your assessment is that you have had good interactions with other SAs and, most importantly, the SA, why change to an even less convenient store. You are known as a loyal, albeit remote, client and that counts for more than all the other woo woo you might read. As long as you can work with an SA who can serve you remotely as you are accustomed - why move!

CORRECTION

If your assessment is that you have had good interactions with other SAs and, most importantly,
the SA,

should read

If your assessment is that you have had good interactions with other SAs and, most importantly, the SM