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.

 

[karolinec1]

Question for those in the US: I’m curious if the spend is from store to store or US overall? For instance, if I spend $7K in one store and $5K in another, when they look at my history, is that taken into consideration as an aggregate, or do they consider your purchase history by store, despite being able to see it all?

 

[A-Line]

Question for those in the US: I’m curious if the spend is from store to store or US overall? For instance, if I spend $7K in one store and $5K in another, when they look at my history, is that taken into consideration as an aggregate, or do they consider your purchase history by store, despite being able to see it all?

I was told this has changed recently (again, other TPFers pls chime in).

I understand the U.S. system has all of your purchase history from all of the U.S. store in there. They can pull up your name and see what you have bought in the past, and took that into consideration in terms of whether or not to offer you anything. I could walk into a store and get offered B / K, even tho I didn't have any purchase history with the store at all. This happened to me in Denver back in 2014 - I was there for business, walked right in, asked for a B35 (which I was in the market for), and after they typed my name in, they offered me a couple of options and I took one of them home, along with a couple of smaller items.

A couple of years ago, I went back to the Denver store and chatted up the SA who helped me with the B purchase. She said that they are now 'recommending' the clients to work with one store and build purchase history there, preferably with only one SA, as that would give the clients a better chance of scoring a B / K. Ever since then, I have been working with my current SA in my local store, who's taken care of me well (a little too well, if you ask my DH! )

HTH.

 

[PurseOnFleek]

@CSbaglvr
Yay!!! I think you bought that b25 RA from me [emoji4][emoji4] im sooo happy for you . I know it took 2 years but the main thing is at least it finally happened (again). Im so relieved for you i feel your frustrations throughout that whole thread and im so glad i read a happy ending.
I hope i dont have that same dragged out waiting as you had and that dishonesty. i dont think i would handle it so well my SA has also mentioned in loose terms that it may be a while for my next bag due to demand etc and the high demand with Asian clients (even though i am asian too but half... I assume she is implying the ones who can drop 10-20k a month?) . She then proceeded to say my old SA obviously pulled strings for me to have got me that b25 in only 3months (sadly that bag didnt work out for me but went to a loving new owner hehe). So far i havent had empty promises at least but i hope to share the same excitement with you soon too ! Im only at 7months since last bag but my 2 bag B/K quota is wasted for last year but having spent 16k since last bag and my previous SA leaving when i was at the 14k mark was not cool so i hope i am not made to wait 2 years or I'll be very very peeved off lol. Need to check your insta for that new bag!

 

[Leannnnnn]

Quick question;
If I use store credit to purchase something, will my SA still get the credit (sale) of that item?

 

[ayc]

Quick question;
If I use store credit to purchase something, will my SA still get the credit (sale) of that item?

YES

 

[Keren16]

Hello all, Hermes newbie here. I was watching a youtube video recently where the youtuber claimed that your hermes purchase history restarts in January. Is this true? I am curious because I don't think I've purchased quite enough this year so I haven't wanted to ask my SA for a bag. However, if the history starts again in January then I feel compelled to run to a store and do a bit of purchasing in hopes of scoring a bag this year. Please advise. Thank you!

That is/was not true for me. I developed a relationship with my SA over time, was polite, NOT pushy or demanding, & discussed bag options. I did purchase scarves, csgms, shoes, some slgs.

 

[Sickgrl13]

So i will keep to general info, as I am sure my SA reads TPF. Maintaining an H relationship is exhausting, which is why I've taken to shopping a lot online. I am completely over the games and currying favor to get things (and mind you not I am not looking for a B/K/C). That being said, I still need to go into the boutique to pick up my H.com shipments in addition to finding things that don't show up online. I will be out on medical leave for 2 months so during that time I am going to try to make the dreaded SA switch. There are several boutiques in a 75 mile radius but I am just so unwilling to drive far when this boutique is so close.

So the story is that my original SA left over 18 months ago and I was passed to another SA who I don't feel wants to work with me. My old SA would call me when new things came in, would pull aside something she thought I would like. When a stock of old scarves came from another boutique, she gave me first crack at them. My new SA....not so much. There have been several mentions of this individual in a few threads and I never believed what was said about them, until they became my SA. Please note that this boutique has more detractors on this forum than fans.

I have asked them to find things for me via email and crickets..... While shopping in the store I've given this SA a head's up about my wishlist, and crickets. (Again, not looking for a B/K/C). This is not an isolated incidence--It has happened a few times. This individual also "dumped" me on another SA when another client (who is probably a bigger spender) came to the boutique while I was with them at the scarf counter, looking for some new scarves. I have made appointments only to be kept waiting for 30+ min. Eventually I just found another SA to help me. They have also promised to get me on invite lists for special events and have never come through. I know it is not always easy to get your client's to some of these events, but then just don't mention it! I will admit to having backed off a lot of purchasing as the last few scarf seasons have been blah, and I am pretty stocked up on CDCs and Clic Clacs but I am by no means a casual walk-in shopper. I've patronized this boutique for about 6 years.

So my plan while I am off from work is to shop on the day(s) this SA is off. Hopefully I can find another good SA during that time. Or maybe I will have to start a relationship with one of the SA's I've meet in my travels.

Has anyone been recently successful with the SA switcheroo? Should I attempt to talk to the SM first?

 

[MSO13]

So i will keep to general info, as I am sure my SA reads TPF. Maintaining an H relationship is exhausting, which is why I've taken to shopping a lot online. I am completely over the games and currying favor to get things (and mind you not I am not looking for a B/K/C). That being said, I still need to go into the boutique to pick up my H.com shipments in addition to finding things that don't show up online. I will be out on medical leave for 2 months so during that time I am going to try to make the dreaded SA switch. There are several boutiques in a 75 mile radius but I am just so unwilling to drive far when this boutique is so close.

So the story is that my original SA left over 18 months ago and I was passed to another SA who I don't mesh with. There have been several mentions of this individual in a few threads and I never believed what was said about them, until they became my SA. Please note that this boutique has more detractors on this forum than fans.

I have asked them to find things for me via email and crickets..... While shopping in the store I've given this SA a head's up about my wishlist, and crickets. (Again, not looking for a B/K/C). This is not an isolated incidence--It has happened a few times. This individual also "dumped" me on another SA when another client (who is probably a bigger spender) came to the boutique while I was with them at the scarf counter, looking for some new scarves. I have made appointments only to be kept waiting for 30+ min. Eventually I just found another SA to help me. They have also promised to get me on invite lists for special events and have never come through. I know it is not always easy to get your client's to some of these events, but then just don't mention it! I will admit to having backed off a lot of purchasing as the last few scarf seasons have been blah, and I am pretty stocked up on CDCs and Clic Clacs but I am by no means a casual walk-in shopper. I've patronized this boutique for about 6 years.

So my plan while I am off from work is to shop on the day(s) this SA is off. Hopefully I can find another good SA during that time. Or maybe I will have to start a relationship with one of the SA's I've meet in my travels.

Has anyone been recently successful with the SA switcheroo? Should I attempt to talk to the SM first?

What a bummer! When my SA left, I was able to choose my new SA and I'm sorry you're working with someone you don't mesh with.

I would definitely talk to the SM and explain why you've moved to mostly online shopping. I suspect that your SA isn't working as hard for you because of the online shopping but instead of making more of an effort to get you to order with them, they're writing you off which is terrible.

As far as I understand, if H.com shows an item as available-the SA can transfer it into the store for you so your SA should be working to get these things for you and quickly in some cases. Talk to the SM or Assistant Mgr if you know them, see if your SA can be remedied or ask the management if there's a SA who is quick on the transfers and great at tracking down items. Not all SAs are created equal! If you don't get a resolution you're happy with, I would try a new boutique. My store has several clients that are remote and my SA hustles to get them the same level of service as if they lived around the corner. Good luck!

 

[c18027]

I am sorry to hear about your experience but I so appreciate your honesty. When I read your post, I immediately thought that we must have the same SA!

After my beloved SA left, I too began working with a new one who seemed disinterested and was very slow to respond. I shared my concerns with the Director, who knew me very well, and for a short while the SA seemed to be a little more responsive. However, she soon went back to her old ways.

I don't believe that speaking directly to her would have had any positive effect because as MS013 said, not all SAs are created equal. I doubt that her lack of attention resulted from her perusing my online ordering history. Instead, I think it was the result of her being unprofessional and unmotivated so I tried not to take it personally. Eventually, she transferred to an out-of-state boutique.

If you choose to go back to your home boutique, I recommend finding an SA who is fairly new. They will probably be more attentive and have a smaller client base than established SAs. Don't feel bad for grabbing items that you see online — that may be your only chance to get them!

Whatever you do, don't stress about this. Your health and happiness are much more important!

 

[Sickgrl13]

Thank you @MSO13 and @c18027 for your thoughts. I will try to have a conversation with the SM and suggest trying out a new SA. I have no qualms about snapping up things that show up online, you never know if that will be your only chance to get it. I don't know if policy has changed or it is just this SA, but my old SA used to transfer all kinds of things for me to try on. This SA only will do charge sends. Not sure if it is now H policy or this SA is just lazy. In any case, my old SA spoiled me and demonstrated what real customer service was about.

 

[c18027]

Over the past 2-3 years, I have found there to be a tightening of boutique policies and procedures. However, the enforcement often seems to be arbitrary.

You could always test this by waiting until your SA is out, and then asking the boutique manager if s/he would transfer in a specific piece that you were seriously considering. Their response might help you determine if it is boutique inability or SA unwillingness.

 

[ouija board]

Thank you @MSO13 and @c18027 for your thoughts. I will try to have a conversation with the SM and suggest trying out a new SA. I have no qualms about snapping up things that show up online, you never know if that will be your only chance to get it. I don't know if policy has changed or it is just this SA, but my old SA used to transfer all kinds of things for me to try on. This SA only will do charge sends. Not sure if it is now H policy or this SA is just lazy. In any case, my old SA spoiled me and demonstrated what real customer service was about.

I felt the same change when my SA of ten years retired. The lady that she recommended to me was perfectly nice and friendly, but the perks that I’d grown used to over the last ten years were no longer there for me (for example, holding scarves for weeks or even months as they trickled into the store so everything could be shipped together). I think it’s hard for one SA to convey to another SA just how good or “VIP” a customer was to them if it’s not entirely based on purchase history, so I wasn’t surprised that I was being treated like a new customer.

I’m not sure it’s worth talking to the manager about changing SAs since he/she may try to reprimand this SA or assign another one to you. Ultimately, you should be the one choosing who to shop with based on how they work without the manager hovering over their shoulder. I’d suggest visiting the store on her day off and choosing whoever is courteous and friendly enough to step forward and greet you first. If the only person who does that is the security guard, then I’d suggest another store! That’s how I met my long time SA, and it’s worked well enough for me since she retired.

 

[Gigllee]

I am sorry to hear about your experience but I so appreciate your honesty. When I read your post, I immediately thought that we must have the same SA!

After my beloved SA left, I too began working with a new one who seemed disinterested and was very slow to respond. I shared my concerns with the Director, who knew me very well, and for a short while the SA seemed to be a little more responsive. However, she soon went back to her old ways.

I don't believe that speaking directly to her would have had any positive effect because as MS013 said, not all SAs are created equal. I doubt that her lack of attention resulted from her perusing my online ordering history. Instead, I think it was the result of her being unprofessional and unmotivated so I tried not to take it personally. Eventually, she transferred to an out-of-state boutique.

If you choose to go back to your home boutique, I recommend finding an SA who is fairly new. They will probably be more attentive and have a smaller client base than established SAs. Don't feel bad for grabbing items that you see online — that may be your only chance to get them!

Whatever you do, don't stress about this. Your health and happiness are much more important!

This! New SAs need to build clientele. They are generally more approachable and attentive

 

[HereToLearn]

Hi Everyone,
I searched for this on tPF, but didn't find an answer. I do feel silly asking this, but ...

I have friends who regularly receive handwritten thank you notes from their SA's after making a purchase. I have never received one. I am relatively new to making regular purchases in my home store with the same SA (about 6 months), but have a longer history with the brand.

Their perspective is I should find a new SA because not receiving thank you notes indicates an issue in the relationship, and that I won't be able to obtain rare items through her in the future. We all have the same home store.

Please don't mistake this question for an expectation that I should receive a thank you. I don't think that at all. The thank you is the quality of the H product, and the years of enjoyment it brings.

Do SA's regularly send handwritten thank you notes? Is not receiving any indicative of an issue? This feels crazy, but I've heard this more than a few times now.

 

[MSO13]

My old SA sent them after big purchases but my current SA doesn’t do them at all. I think if there’s any sign of an issue in your “relationship” you would see it your customer service and shopping. Some SAs aren’t into notes, mine really hustles and I think is too busy to organize doing cards. She’s more likely to send me an email saying hi or that she was thinking of me when she saw something. I have no problem with either approach and I get great service from my SA.

I wouldn’t worry about it if you’re happy otherwise!