Manchester hermes lovers

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#166
Hello everyone,
I am completely new to Hermes
I was wondering what are the chances of getting a bag from smaller low stocked boutiques?
There are quite a few items i want from hermes and I’ve always loved the Birkin 25 so I’ve decided it’s finally time to start my journey.
My question is am i better in my local boutique or travelling in to London to a larger boutique?
My local is Manchester and its very small but London is around 2 hours away so unsure how often i could really make it there.
Obviously the down side to Manchester is the stock is lower and i’ve never spoken to anyone who has actually been offered a quota bag so have no idea if it really happens even years down the line with a good relationship and purchase history. Ive only ever seen evidence of an influencer getting one.
Im more than happy to wait 2, 3, 4 years if i have too so not expecting anything over night.

If anyone has some positive experiences with Manchester or London please share them too!
Thanks in advance x
 
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#167
I don’t have any experience with Manchester, but with being a local customer in a very small H boutique in an other country in Northern Europe.

My experience is that your are better of as a loyal local customer (bigger fish in a small sea) than being a very small fish in a large boutique in a larger town.

The small boutique will have less stock, but the stock they have will go to their locals (you).

My very small local boutique has always been very helpful, and I have got everything I wished for from them, historically, over the years, including some wait of course.

Since the pandemic and since the boutique changed owner from franchise to regular H boutique things are a little different, but still I have only one actual object (a Birkin) on my wishlist that I’m still waiting for, I have wished for 1 specific Kelly and 1 specific Birkin during the last 2,5 years and received one of them.

Waiting time for my other K and B was about 1,5 years each, which I think is normal for a very small H boutique. And as that seems to be ok with you - go local!


:flowers:
 
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#168
Welcome! :)

From experience, the SAs at Selfridges in Manchester are quite friendly (Chanel, LV, Hermes and Tiffany) so it would be worth just going in one day and speaking to someone and seeing what the reaction is. I think you have a better chance of getting something that you want from a smaller boutique than a larger one!

One of my friends moved to Manchester from London, and she had purchased a few small things like scarfs, perfume, wallets and then she got an Evelyne from her London boutique after 2-3 years. When she moved, she went to the H store in Manchester, she got the impression she has to start from scratch with purchases but got offered a Birkin after a few months. But of course, it really depends on everyone!
 
#169
Perhaps go to the Manchester location and the ones you prefer in London, and see if you like working with one SA or other better? Post Covid, it seems harder to get these bags and more dependent on higher spend. But, if you really like shopping with a particular SA and enjoy the rest of the things the boutique has on offer, it might boil down to both spend and personal preference. I won’t shop with an SA I don’t feel some kind of affinity with ( I also don’t think yu have to be best friends either) just comfortable. shopping is supposed to be fun and easy.
 
#170
I have already met a lovely SA in Manchester a few weeks ago who was extremely helpful with some Orans. super patient and polite but I couldn't decide on a 6 or 6.5. I have been away visiting family since but I plan to return to her and purchase a few colours in the 6. I think I will just stick to my local boutique and hopefully have many more great experiences with this particular SA.
I wish I got her name but I will keep popping back and hold out with purchasing until I spot her :angel:

thanks for all your advice x
 
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#174
I’ve never made an appointment but recently i keep seeing different SAs which makes it difficult to form a good relationship with any of them as you see them a few times then dont see them again for a quite while :sad:
Ive also noticed they dont always add purchases to your account for some reason. Not sure if its only certain things like beauty never gets added to my account but shoes will be?
My partner (they dont know him) is upfront and went in without me one day and asked the process. They told him that its luck and purchase history doesn’t matter. They then encouraged him to go on the wishlist to get me one which he did but the lady picked with him and he doesn’t have a clue so non of us really know what he asked for other than a birkin 30 haha!!
I said they wouldn’t tell him he has to spend 10k before getting one anyway but he said they were very nice in regards to asking about quota bags.
Your wish expires after 1 year too so you have to go do it again.
I think manchester is a fab boutique but stock is extremely low on just about everything so sometimes its hard to purchase unless your prepared to buy things you don’t really want. Im not prepared to do this personally.
 
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#175
cclover95 said:
I’ve never made an appointment but recently i keep seeing different SAs which makes it difficult to form a good relationship with any of them as you see them a few times then dont see them again for a quite while :sad:
Ive also noticed they dont always add purchases to your account for some reason. Not sure if its only certain things like beauty never gets added to my account but shoes will be?
My partner (they dont know him) is upfront and went in without me one day and asked the process. They told him that its luck and purchase history doesn’t matter. They then encouraged him to go on the wishlist to get me one which he did but the lady picked with him and he doesn’t have a clue so non of us really know what he asked for other than a birkin 30 haha!!
I said they wouldn’t tell him he has to spend 10k before getting one anyway but he said they were very nice in regards to asking about quota bags.
Your wish expires after 1 year too so you have to go do it again.
I think manchester is a fab boutique but stock is extremely low on just about everything so sometimes its hard to purchase unless your prepared to buy things you don’t really want. Im not prepared to do this personally.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the insight. I am definitely not one for purchasing things I don't love. I'll probably be looking for scarves/sandals/bracelets next month so will see what catches my eye.
 
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#176
They’re absolutely lovely in Manchester but the stock is low indeed. When my local boutique (Glasgow) got shut down permanently, all Scottish customers were moved to Manchester along with their wishlists and unfulfilled SO’s. I was contacted by the store manager who welcomed me to the store and put in contact with a lovely SA but she didn’t have anything in stock I asked for. It was in 2021 and the stock was low everywhere. Since then I ended up shopping in London because one of the Scottish SA moved there. But I’ve heard people are getting some popular items in Manchester albeit sometimes have to wait. Small stores still can order items for you and put some aside when they arrive at the store.
 
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