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.

 

[A-Line]

hi ladies, anyone willing to tell me how much they spent before they got offered a bag?roughly and on what items?

and to answer your question: i don't keep track but i'm pretty sure i don't spend on other items nowhere near how much i spend on the bag. in my local store, because of their practices, I don't think it matters how much you spend. you kinda have to be in it for the long game.

i do buy in different categories - fine jewelries, other jewelries, shoes and silks being the more 'prominent' ones. i haven't ventured into RTW or homewares simply because i don't (or, haven't) seen anything I like despite hearing that these two categories would 'up' your chance of being offered a bag.

My philosophy is, if you appreciate their other stuff and you buy what you like, getting a bag through your relationship at the store will be better in the long run. if you are only interested in the bags (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that), the reseller route might work out better because the whole relationship-building may seem like an extremely frustrating game for you. Personally I would hate to be spending hard-earned money on stuff I don't even like. . . I didn't even like their jewelries before the Chain d'Ancre Punk collection came along and now i'm hooked with that design (pun intended).

Good luck!

 

[A-Line]

I agree. Let me add that the longer the SA’s book of clients, the longer it might take for him or her to be able to offer you a bag. For this semester, it seems to be taking relatively longer for me to be offered a bag off my wish list and I think it’s cos my SAs continues to gain more clients. I am happy she is though cos that’s good for her business. I also need to be patient Too and just breathe cos this semester is only a month in LOL

I'm sure you'll get your wish granted soon!

 

[Gigllee]

I'm sure you'll get your wish granted soon!

Awww...thanks so much! I hope so too

 

[kadyooo]

unfortunately there is no straight answer to this - different store and even different SAs in the same store has different practices. I can only speak to my own personal experience.

In my home store, it's not about the $ that you spend and more about the appreciation of the brand. I know this is such a nebulous answer and I know people would rather be given the absolute $ figure, but unfortunately it's a tad more complicated than that. My SA has been there for a long time and with that comes a LOT of pluses but also some minuses. She has a big book of business and is a bit stricter than those SAs who are just starting out to build their book of business / client portfolio. That said, she is always responsive, professional, knowledgeable (a huge plus for me cos I have an obsessive personality and I like to know every little detail when I'm interested in something) and up to date with her H news (yay, gossip!). She always offers me things that she knows I'd love, and in return I am considerate of her time, I buy from various categories consistently and I am not all that high maintenance (or so I think).

I know some other stores, typically those who have a lot of tourist traffic, have different approaches. I have heard stories of people dropping $$$$ and being offered a bag on the spot without prior spend history in the store, or SAs who would outright tell you you need to spend $$$$ in certain categories to get offered a bag. I can't speak to that nor do I have any details on the circumstances, since that never happened to me.

HTH.

I agree. Let me add that the longer the SA’s book of clients, the longer it might take for him or her to be able to offer you a bag. For this semester, it seems to be taking relatively longer for me to be offered a bag off my wish list and I think it’s cos my SAs continues to gain more clients. I am happy she is though cos that’s good for her business. I also need to be patient Too and just breathe cos this semester is only a month in LOL

and to answer your question: i don't keep track but i'm pretty sure i don't spend on other items nowhere near how much i spend on the bag. in my local store, because of their practices, I don't think it matters how much you spend. you kinda have to be in it for the long game.

i do buy in different categories - fine jewelries, other jewelries, shoes and silks being the more 'prominent' ones. i haven't ventured into RTW or homewares simply because i don't (or, haven't) seen anything I like despite hearing that these two categories would 'up' your chance of being offered a bag.

My philosophy is, if you appreciate their other stuff and you buy what you like, getting a bag through your relationship at the store will be better in the long run. if you are only interested in the bags (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that), the reseller route might work out better because the whole relationship-building may seem like an extremely frustrating game for you. Personally I would hate to be spending hard-earned money on stuff I don't even like. . . I didn't even like their jewelries before the Chain d'Ancre Punk collection came along and now i'm hooked with that design (pun intended).

Good luck!

I have a question lately, do you ladies feel that SA more likely to offer or try to get you a Bag near the end of the semester? We all know one birkin or kelly per semester only, In this way you would have to continue shop more before getting a bag, even tho you already spend enough for certain categories.

 

[A-Line]

I have a question lately, do you ladies feel that SA more likely to offer or try to get you a Bag near the end of the semester? We all know one birkin or kelly per semester only, In this way you would have to continue shop more before getting a bag, even tho you already spend enough for certain categories.

That's an interesting question. . . Speaking from experience, last year my quota bag came in March (a B) and September (a K), this year I already got it (two weeks into the semester). The March and Sept offers were around 2-3 weeks after I told her what I wanted. This year's offer was within a week of giving my SA my uber short and specific wishlist. Now I need to wait another 6 mths!

I really don't know if there's a rhyme or reason to this, and I totally agree with you, if the SA wants you to spend more, the offer would be toward the end of the semester (May - Jun). To me my SA always says "it depends on the timing", so maybe it just so happened that a shipment that has one of the wishlist items just came in, and the SA remembered my wish list (cos she just received it)!

Is that different from what's happening in your local store?

 

[kadyooo]

That's an interesting question. . . Speaking from experience, last year my quota bag came in March (a B) and September (a K), this year I already got it (two weeks into the semester). The March and Sept offers were around 2-3 weeks after I told her what I wanted. This year's offer was within a week of giving my SA my uber short and specific wishlist. Now I need to wait another 6 mths!

I really don't know if there's a rhyme or reason to this, and I totally agree with you, if the SA wants you to spend more, the offer would be toward the end of the semester (May - Jun). To me my SA always says "it depends on the timing", so maybe it just so happened that a shipment that has one of the wishlist items just came in, and the SA remembered my wish list (cos she just received it)!

Is that different from what's happening in your local store?

You have a great SA! Last year both my B and K were offered near end of semester, I let my SA know my Bag wish list at the early semester, there are Constance and kelly pochette on my wish list too, my SA would always get me the “hard to get “none quota Bag first .( Constance ,kelly pochette etc).

I have a feeling that my early semester spends are build up for the hard to get none quota Bag , and I have to spend another certain amount to get a b or k at late semester. Even tho I told my said I prefer a K more but she always offer me a none quota bag first.

@Ang-Lin after you got your B or K at the early semester, do you know if your later purchase on the first semester count to the next semester?

 

[js2367]

You have a great SA! Last year both my B and K were offered near end of semester, I let my SA know my Bag wish list at the early semester, there are Constance and kelly pochette on my wish list too, my SA would always get me the “hard to get “none quota Bag first .( Constance ,kelly pochette etc).

I have a feeling that my early semester spends are build up for the hard to get none quota Bag , and I have to spend another certain amount to get a b or k at late semester. Even tho I told my said I prefer a K more but she always offer me a none quota bag first.

@Ang-Lin after you got your B or K at the early semester, do you know if your later purchase on the first semester count to the next semester?

I'm sure it's very store and SA dependent. That may very well be the case for your SA (certainly seems like that is the reason - early semester spend to get hard to get non-quota bag, then spend a bit more to get the quota bag). I'm sure timing is a big factor as it's hard to predict what will come in, especially if you're very specific on the color/leather/bag you want. Other times SAs may offer a bag to grow the relationship and incentivize you to buy more as part of the purchase (eh as a strategy but can't blame them for trying...)

 

[kadyooo]

I'm sure it's very store and SA dependent. That may very well be the case for your SA (certainly seems like that is the reason - early semester spend to get hard to get non-quota bag, then spend a bit more to get the quota bag). I'm sure timing is a big factor as it's hard to predict what will come in, especially if you're very specific on the color/leather/bag you want. Other times SAs may offer a bag to grow the relationship and incentivize you to buy more as part of the purchase (eh as a strategy but can't blame them for trying...)

I agreed, I think every SA plays different strategy, I still love my SA, she does help me to get my wish list fulfilled, it just a matter of time.

Honestly I hate playing the Hermès game and dealing with all the strategy when I first into this brand, you might find that your new SA never pick up the phone calls , ignore your email or forgets your request, you just have to be patient patient and patient , it really takes time to build a relationship, but sooner or later you will start to notice your SA calls you when new things in and send you a note on holiday, remembers your request, finally the magical call comes makes everything so worth it, I have make purchase through reseller before, for me I really enjoy the experience unsealing a orange box in the private room. [emoji5]

 

[A-Line]

I agreed, I think every SA plays different strategy, I still love my SA, she does help me to get my wish list fulfilled, it just a matter of time.

Honestly I hate playing the Hermès game and dealing with all the strategy when I first into this brand, you might find that your new SA never pick up the phone calls , ignore your email or forgets your request, you just have to be patient patient and patient , it really takes time to build a relationship, but sooner or later you will start to notice your SA calls you when new things in and send you a note on holiday, remembers your request, finally the magical call comes makes everything so worth it, I have make purchase through reseller before, for me I really enjoy the experience unsealing a orange box in the private room. [emoji5]

Ugh yea, that can be frustrating if your new SA never responds to phone calls / emails and forgets requests. It's been years since I started out, but I recall stopping by the store quite a bit just to chat with the SA and taking a look at different things. I'm lucky in that my SA loves corresponding by emails, so I don't have to bug her when I need something from her, and she can respond at her convenience. I do notice that the treatment gets better over time as the relationship grows, exactly as you described! ! !

 

[kathydep]

I have to admit, the no beverage thing drives me crazy. It is a simple piece of customer service to offer a glass of water etc... Yet, you are right... you have a great SA who responds quickly AND makes your H dreams come true, so that is more important!

I solve that problem easily by asking for a drink and she scrambles to grab me a bottle of water. On the other hand, what’s a staple in our relationship is a warm hug when I arrive and another one before I leave. Somehow, I prefer this even over champagne. Lol!

 

[c18027]

I have a question lately, do you ladies feel that SA more likely to offer or try to get you a Bag near the end of the semester? We all know one birkin or kelly per semester only, In this way you would have to continue shop more before getting a bag, even tho you already spend enough for certain categories.

I never paid attention as to when bags were offered. However, they always seems to have "just come in" right after a price increase!

 

[Keren16]

hi ladies, anyone willing to tell me how much they spent before they got offered a bag?roughly and on what items?

I can’t tell a a general amount since I do not keep a cumulative history. I know I am not pushy. I think that counts a lot. I really don’t care when/if I am offered a bag. I told my SA what I wanted & she produced w/in 10 days. The price was sometime after the increase & think it is still the same. I have an established history with & always for her. The other SAs are aware of that
I do not think they are playing games with me. I have spent money on other things at the store but I am definitely not a VIP.

 

[js2367]

hi ladies, anyone willing to tell me how much they spent before they got offered a bag?roughly and on what items?

I think it can vary greatly. Depends on who your SA is, where they are in their business (clientele), what they would like to get out of you (more spend first, more spend with the bag, deepen relationship early on, etc.) I bought a few ready to wear, bags and accessories before I was offered one. But I also do think the B came along that he believed I would really like (which I do!). There's no hard and fast number and so many factors go into it. Best advice is still to develop the relationship, buy things you love (they can tell when you actually love it or just buying as a filler), and show appreciation for the brand when you can. Diversifying your purchases also helps - RTW, home goods, etc. SAs get commission differently depending on product types and it never hurts to buy from categories that give them max commission (if you like the actual products)

 

[UEShopaholic]

Diversifying your purchases also helps - RTW, home goods, etc. SAs get commission differently depending on product types and it never hurts to buy from categories that give them max commission (if you like the actual products)

Does anyone happen to know the breakdown of commission by category? Just curious.

 

[js2367]

Does anyone happen to know the breakdown of commission by category? Just curious.

Not complete, but I believe they get group commission on scarves, perfume, and leather (I think); and individual commissions on RTW, shoes and Home goods, fine jewelry. They don't get commission on B or K or any other quota bags as I was told.