Maintaining an H relationship

[papertiger]

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

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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.

 

[Hermezzy]

Wanted to get some advise from you all. 1) At what point you would share your wish list to your SA?
2) I have been looking for a few items - wallets and bracelets in a particular color and hardware. But my SA indicated that they don’t know when they will get the items with the specs that I want as they do not have them at this point and they can’t place an order for those either . I wonder when will I ever get to fulfill the wishlist and it isn’t even possible? I assume either my SA will have to keep a close eye on what they get and match as close as possible with what I want? Another SA has placed a “global search” on an item I wanted but I have not heard back for over two months. If she indeed find it down the road, will I be “blacklisted” if I don’t take the item?

Hi there! Just my thoughts- others can offer counterpoints ....
--I think one can give a wishlist at any time. However, I wouldn't supply a wishlist unless there was a near certainty that I was going to buy a lot on that wishlist.
--Where are you located? My SA at my home store will do a search nationwide (USA here) for anything that I ask and email me back within 2-3 days, max, with what she finds. That said, I know she prefers to do that if I'm pretty specific with colors/leathers/etc., and if I'm ready to buy, because the stock changes so fast that availability can be very different even within 7-10 days. Beyond that, I'd recommend forming a relationship w/your store director. That way she/he can put in requests for your items via podium when they do their twice-yearly store buys in Paris. It'll take awhile but it is worth it.
--I don't think you'll be blacklisted if you don't take the item, but balancing out the "no's" with the "yes's" will be helpful.

I'm really disappointed that someone told you they couldn't place an order. Technically, that is true, but a SA can do an inventory check nationwide and tell you right away what is available and in what colors. Then, those items can be purchased immediately and charge-sent directly to your home. I've had that done in many H stores- not just my home store-

 

[sue-sue]

Thanks Hermezzy! Am in South East Asia . I just started on buying Hermes regularly recently and slowly learning the ropes of the Hermes peculiarity.

I do have a list of items that I really want and willing to wait during my pursue towards my dream B/k. But I find that at where I am located, the SAs seems to be less open to check the inventory from other H stores for me, which I find frustrating. I do not have the energy to be establishing relationships with SAs from other stores and spreading my spending among these stores .

 

[CSbaglvr]

I have been a regular client at my H store for several years now. I usually pop in one or two times a month and make purchases; wallets, scarves, bracelets etc. My store requires a specific $ quota before they can offer a bag - which I understand and honestly have no qualms about since I genuinely love all the pieces I've purchased from there.

However, this past year I feel like my SA keeps getting my hopes up and telling me I will be offered a bag very soon and nothing ever materializes. I was offered a Kelly, which had some issues and I exchanged for a different one, almost 2 years ago now and that has been the last offer I ever received from this store. I began seriously inquiring about a B around my birthday in June - since this is a bag I have been after since I began shopping with my SA at H a few years ago (I've also casually mentioned it several times over the years but knew it would probably take a while to come to fruitition). I was told for sure by the end of summer I would have what I was looking for. Insert crickets. I was busy over the summer and shopping at the store less frequently so maybe my SA forgot about me, I was lower priority - no problem, life happens. I begin coming in again regularly at end of summer, and even opened up my wish list to a wider range of colours, and my SA promises me I will get a bag by my anniversary in September... again, nothing. I don't ask her every time I shop and try to be low key because I don't want to be hounding her every week.... but I feel like I have been super patient and she just never follows through.

I have also caught her lying recently as well which really bothered me. She mentioned a specific colour was going to be coming in for bags but not until next year. A friend of mine purchased that exact colour of bag she mentioned a few weeks ago from the same store. She's also told me they hadn't seen a black B around in many months as I began asking again about a month ago, yet I was shopping in the store and a different SA brought out a BLACK B30 for his client right beside me today. A friend of a friend also purchased a black B a few months ago from the store. I realize that H can be secretive but I feel like my SA just doesn't even appreciate me as a client. My husband could see how upset I was getting and started rushing me out of the store to go get some lunch and destress. Honestly the entire situation was incredibly uncomfortable for everyone since her lies were kinda exposed as that SA brought out that B and she tried to pretend it wasn't even happening.

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation from an SA? Is it time for me to find a new one? Will it be awkward if I "break up" with her and move to someone else?

 

[lasttotheparty]

I have been a regular client at my H store for several years now. I usually pop in one or two times a month and make purchases; wallets, scarves, bracelets etc. My store requires a specific $ quota before they can offer a bag - which I understand and honestly have no qualms about since I genuinely love all the pieces I've purchased from there.

However, this past year I feel like my SA keeps getting my hopes up and telling me I will be offered a bag very soon and nothing ever materializes. I was offered a Kelly, which had some issues and I exchanged for a different one, almost 2 years ago now and that has been the last offer I ever received from this store. I began seriously inquiring about a B around my birthday in June - since this is a bag I have been after since I began shopping with my SA at H a few years ago (I've also casually mentioned it several times over the years but knew it would probably take a while to come to fruitition). I was told for sure by the end of summer I would have what I was looking for. Insert crickets. I was busy over the summer and shopping at the store less frequently so maybe my SA forgot about me, I was lower priority - no problem, life happens. I begin coming in again regularly at end of summer, and even opened up my wish list to a wider range of colours, and my SA promises me I will get a bag by my anniversary in September... again, nothing. I don't ask her every time I shop and try to be low key because I don't want to be hounding her every week.... but I feel like I have been super patient and she just never follows through.

I have also caught her lying recently as well which really bothered me. She mentioned a specific colour was going to be coming in for bags but not until next year. A friend of mine purchased that exact colour of bag she mentioned a few weeks ago from the same store. She's also told me they hadn't seen a black B around in many months as I began asking again about a month ago, yet I was shopping in the store and a different SA brought out a BLACK B30 for his client right beside me today. A friend of a friend also purchased a black B a few months ago from the store. I realize that H can be secretive but I feel like my SA just doesn't even appreciate me as a client. My husband could see how upset I was getting and started rushing me out of the store to go get some lunch and destress. Honestly the entire situation was incredibly uncomfortable for everyone since her lies were kinda exposed as that SA brought out that B and she tried to pretend it wasn't even happening.

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation from an SA? Is it time for me to find a new one? Will it be awkward if I "break up" with her and move to someone else?

I’m so so sorry to hear about all that has happened. You seem like a very patient and forgiving person, having overlooked so much regarding your SA. I am by no means an expert, but if there is someone else in the boutique whom you would like to work with, I would approach that SA and inquire whether your purchase history would follow you if you changed SA’s. I shop at h for the products and the experience. You deserve much better treatment. Best of luck!

 

[Luvbolide]

I have been a regular client at my H store for several years now. I usually pop in one or two times a month and make purchases; wallets, scarves, bracelets etc. My store requires a specific $ quota before they can offer a bag - which I understand and honestly have no qualms about since I genuinely love all the pieces I've purchased from there.

However, this past year I feel like my SA keeps getting my hopes up and telling me I will be offered a bag very soon and nothing ever materializes. I was offered a Kelly, which had some issues and I exchanged for a different one, almost 2 years ago now and that has been the last offer I ever received from this store. I began seriously inquiring about a B around my birthday in June - since this is a bag I have been after since I began shopping with my SA at H a few years ago (I've also casually mentioned it several times over the years but knew it would probably take a while to come to fruitition). I was told for sure by the end of summer I would have what I was looking for. Insert crickets. I was busy over the summer and shopping at the store less frequently so maybe my SA forgot about me, I was lower priority - no problem, life happens. I begin coming in again regularly at end of summer, and even opened up my wish list to a wider range of colours, and my SA promises me I will get a bag by my anniversary in September... again, nothing. I don't ask her every time I shop and try to be low key because I don't want to be hounding her every week.... but I feel like I have been super patient and she just never follows through.

I have also caught her lying recently as well which really bothered me. She mentioned a specific colour was going to be coming in for bags but not until next year. A friend of mine purchased that exact colour of bag she mentioned a few weeks ago from the same store. She's also told me they hadn't seen a black B around in many months as I began asking again about a month ago, yet I was shopping in the store and a different SA brought out a BLACK B30 for his client right beside me today. A friend of a friend also purchased a black B a few months ago from the store. I realize that H can be secretive but I feel like my SA just doesn't even appreciate me as a client. My husband could see how upset I was getting and started rushing me out of the store to go get some lunch and destress. Honestly the entire situation was incredibly uncomfortable for everyone since her lies were kinda exposed as that SA brought out that B and she tried to pretend it wasn't even happening.

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation from an SA? Is it time for me to find a new one? Will it be awkward if I "break up" with her and move to someone else?

After reading your story, I think that you should switch SAs. Though I suspect that your SA willake it as awkward as possible.

For a period of time I was lunching and hitting the boutique every week. At first there were 3 of is. The other 2 had the same SA. The DA always ignored me. She would bring out perfume samples for them, the little scarf books for th, whatever. Then she would stare blankly at me and day - "oh, did you want one, too?" But heaven knows that of I wanted to buy something she would attach herself to me like a barnacle.

I couldn't stand it. When she really started to annoy the heck of me, I made a change. I pointedly asked for my new SA. If she was with someone else, I waited for her. If she wasn't on, I would ask her the next time I saw her. I have worked with her for years now and I always look forward to chatting with her. And I never feel annoyed with her as I used to feel weekly with the other one.

As we all know, H has some crazy ways and does plenty of crazy things. I often find that we get information before SAs do. But your SA is lying to you on top of that.and that is out of bounds IMO.

Have you noticed another SA that you would like to change to?

 

[Coconuts40]

I have been a regular client at my H store for several years now. I usually pop in one or two times a month and make purchases; wallets, scarves, bracelets etc. My store requires a specific $ quota before they can offer a bag - which I understand and honestly have no qualms about since I genuinely love all the pieces I've purchased from there.

However, this past year I feel like my SA keeps getting my hopes up and telling me I will be offered a bag very soon and nothing ever materializes. I was offered a Kelly, which had some issues and I exchanged for a different one, almost 2 years ago now and that has been the last offer I ever received from this store. I began seriously inquiring about a B around my birthday in June - since this is a bag I have been after since I began shopping with my SA at H a few years ago (I've also casually mentioned it several times over the years but knew it would probably take a while to come to fruitition). I was told for sure by the end of summer I would have what I was looking for. Insert crickets. I was busy over the summer and shopping at the store less frequently so maybe my SA forgot about me, I was lower priority - no problem, life happens. I begin coming in again regularly at end of summer, and even opened up my wish list to a wider range of colours, and my SA promises me I will get a bag by my anniversary in September... again, nothing. I don't ask her every time I shop and try to be low key because I don't want to be hounding her every week.... but I feel like I have been super patient and she just never follows through.

I have also caught her lying recently as well which really bothered me. She mentioned a specific colour was going to be coming in for bags but not until next year. A friend of mine purchased that exact colour of bag she mentioned a few weeks ago from the same store. She's also told me they hadn't seen a black B around in many months as I began asking again about a month ago, yet I was shopping in the store and a different SA brought out a BLACK B30 for his client right beside me today. A friend of a friend also purchased a black B a few months ago from the store. I realize that H can be secretive but I feel like my SA just doesn't even appreciate me as a client. My husband could see how upset I was getting and started rushing me out of the store to go get some lunch and destress. Honestly the entire situation was incredibly uncomfortable for everyone since her lies were kinda exposed as that SA brought out that B and she tried to pretend it wasn't even happening.

Has anyone ever dealt with this situation from an SA? Is it time for me to find a new one? Will it be awkward if I "break up" with her and move to someone else?

This is awful and I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. Personally, the lies would be the deal breaker for me. I would approach your SA and have an honest and candid conversation, first about the Black B's you have seen being offered and also about the colour she said was not available but you know otherwise since your friend recently got one. By doing so, if she sees you working with another SA, she knows exactly why and you also don't have to feel uncomfortable because you explained yourself.

I am new to H, but I realized early on that my SA was not right for me. I stopped shopping at H because I just got turned off by these tactics. However there are some items on my wishlist and I will go in at some point next year and start working with someone new.

 

[CSbaglvr]

I’m so so sorry to hear about all that has happened. You seem like a very patient and forgiving person, having overlooked so much regarding your SA. I am by no means an expert, but if there is someone else in the boutique whom you would like to work with, I would approach that SA and inquire whether your purchase history would follow you if you changed SA’s. I shop at h for the products and the experience. You deserve much better treatment. Best of luck!

Thanks! I think my SA and I had a bit of a rough start with my K issues but I have been super loyal and I think quite easy to please outside that one incident 2 years ago! I truly hope my history follows me or there is some way to obtain a bag for all my purchases as I’ve probably spent 15k over the past year. I love H but I do buy because I want bags too not just scarves and bracelets. Thanks for your kind words.

 

[CSbaglvr]

After reading your story, I think that you should switch SAs. Though I suspect that your SA willake it as awkward as possible.

For a period of time I was lunching and hitting the boutique every week. At first there were 3 of is. The other 2 had the same SA. The DA always ignored me. She would bring out perfume samples for them, the little scarf books for th, whatever. Then she would stare blankly at me and day - "oh, did you want one, too?" But heaven knows that of I wanted to buy something she would attach herself to me like a barnacle.

I couldn't stand it. When she really started to annoy the heck of me, I made a change. I pointedly asked for my new SA. If she was with someone else, I waited for her. If she wasn't on, I would ask her the next time I saw her. I have worked with her for years now and I always look forward to chatting with her. And I never feel annoyed with her as I used to feel weekly with the other one.

As we all know, H has some crazy ways and does plenty of crazy things. I often find that we get information before SAs do. But your SA is lying to you on top of that.and that is out of bounds IMO.

Have you noticed another SA that you would like to change to?

Thanks for your advice. Glad I’m not the only one who has experienced something like this. My hubs has been telling me to switch SA for a while but I kept thinking “well my profile is complete so after this one offers me a bag I will move on” but now I’m having no such luck! It’s crazy how political this stuff seems to be and I’ve felt there is a lot of favouritism at my home store. Thinking back I remember asking her for a Rose Azalee bag when the colour was popping out everywhere and she straight up told me I would never get a pink B or K because I’m not Asian. There is one new male SA who seems super friendly and I feel I may hit it off with him best. If I become his new client should I tell him why I left my previous SA?

 

[CSbaglvr]

This is awful and I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. Personally, the lies would be the deal breaker for me. I would approach your SA and have an honest and candid conversation, first about the Black B's you have seen being offered and also about the colour she said was not available but you know otherwise since your friend recently got one. By doing so, if she sees you working with another SA, she knows exactly why and you also don't have to feel uncomfortable because you explained yourself.

I am new to H, but I realized early on that my SA was not right for me. I stopped shopping at H because I just got turned off by these tactics. However there are some items on my wishlist and I will go in at some point next year and start working with someone new.

There were many times I “suspected” her lying or placating me but had no proof… the black B coming out in front of me was like a big sign finally proving it! I agree that I should have the candid convo before moving on to someone else but I do fear the confrontation a little. I shop at stores like H for pleasure and enjoyment but this has become just sad and frustrating. Sometimes I feel silly feeling sad that my SA won’t offer me a bag but I have invested a lot of time and effort (along with the money) into shopping with her. Just 2 weeks ago she again promised I would have a bag before Xmas so we popped in yesterday since I was in the area and she changed her story again saying she has no idea what’s coming in. I think some time in January I will have to lay my cards on the table as I’m tired of playing the game.

 

[kathydep]

There were many times I “suspected” her lying or placating me but had no proof… the black B coming out in front of me was like a big sign finally proving it! I agree that I should have the candid convo before moving on to someone else but I do fear the confrontation a little. I shop at stores like H for pleasure and enjoyment but this has become just sad and frustrating. Sometimes I feel silly feeling sad that my SA won’t offer me a bag but I have invested a lot of time and effort (along with the money) into shopping with her. Just 2 weeks ago she again promised I would have a bag before Xmas so we popped in yesterday since I was in the area and she changed her story again saying she has no idea what’s coming in. I think some time in January I will have to lay my cards on the table as I’m tired of playing the game.

My SA explained to me that they can see bags that are coming in. The question now is, which SA will get to sell it to their clients? My understanding is the bags get assigned to the SA and the SA picks from their clients who to offer a particular bag to. Maybe your SA has not been assigned a black B for awhile? I know a few times my SA has to advocate for me when it’s a “hot item” so it gets assigned to her, in turn, she can sell it to me.

 

[catin]

she straight up told me I would never get a pink B or K because I’m not Asian.

Wait what? - This seems like terrible customer service for her to tell you something like this along with all the other games that seem kind of like stringing you along for money.

 

[Yoshi1296]

Thanks for your advice. Glad I’m not the only one who has experienced something like this. My hubs has been telling me to switch SA for a while but I kept thinking “well my profile is complete so after this one offers me a bag I will move on” but now I’m having no such luck! It’s crazy how political this stuff seems to be and I’ve felt there is a lot of favouritism at my home store. Thinking back I remember asking her for a Rose Azalee bag when the colour was popping out everywhere and she straight up told me I would never get a pink B or K because I’m not Asian. There is one new male SA who seems super friendly and I feel I may hit it off with him best. If I become his new client should I tell him why I left my previous SA?

That is so messed up and borderline racist. Switch to a new SA as soon as possible. This one is a total dud. And yes tell your new SA that she's a liar and says offensive things like that.

 

[catin]

That is so messed up and borderline racist. Switch to a new SA as soon as possible. This one is a total dud. And yes tell your new SA that she's a liar and says offensive things like that.

Thank you for saying that Yoshi, I started typing that too but I wasn't sure if I was going too far. Again terrible I would never work with someone who said that. I would have walked right out of the store.

 

[CSbaglvr]

My SA explained to me that they can see bags that are coming in. The question now is, which SA will get to sell it to their clients? My understanding is the bags get assigned to the SA and the SA picks from their clients who to offer a particular bag to. Maybe your SA has not been assigned a black B for awhile? I know a few times my SA has to advocate for me when it’s a “hot item” so it gets assigned to her, in turn, she can sell it to me.

Yes I know this is generally how things work but I have opened my options up to many colours as well. Why would my SA promise me a bag and then follow up by saying she has no idea what’s coming in? She’s the one getting my hopes up by making these promises then never following through. Not just one time but several times over the past 6-8 months.

 

[CSbaglvr]

Wait what? - This seems like terrible customer service for her to tell you something like this along with all the other games that seem kind of like stringing you along for money.

Yeah I was really surprised when she said it. Every time I asked for pink items she played it off and eventually told me that. The SA is Asian herself so I thought she was just telling me that her Asian clientele are purchasing all the pink items but the longer I thought about the worse it felt because it seemed like I am viewed lesser and would never be offered those pieces.

That is so messed up and borderline racist. Switch to a new SA as soon as possible. This one is a total dud. And yes tell your new SA that she's a liar and says offensive things like that.

Thank you I had wondered if it was racist because it definitely felt very off. Maybe that’s why I am never offered anything by her?