My opinion of Hermes is changing...

[Ulf]

It's too thin and wrinkles too easily for me.

I've bought a few silk scarfs during the years, but all of them have felt fairly thick and sturdy to me. When I was in Paris a few weeks ago, I bought a 140 cm Petit Duc scarf – I assume that this is summer silk since it's noticeably thinner and wrinkles easily. I love the print, but I would've preferred the "regular" quality.

 

[Daosabao]

This topic is especially interesting to me right now, as I’ve been reassessing my feelings about Hermes overall. I don’t want to go into detail, but I had two back-to-back bad experiences at my boutique, spaced a couple of weeks apart, that made me stop in my tracks and question why on earth I am working so hard to spend my money on this product. I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit. Yes, it’s first world problems and just material possessions, but I’ve been a client there for a little over a decade and had come to think of the store as a place where I could count on a certain level of service.

The whole thing has made me take a step back. I haven’t reached a solid conclusion on everything, but I have realized that I’m pretty much done with H bags, as other models from other designers work better for me. I’ve decided to sell at least one and may sell others, but I’m in no rush. I’ve always loved the scarves and shawls, and am most likely NOT done with those, but my buying has slowed down. I no longer feel like seeking out what is the next target to buy. I kind of miss the times when DH and I would go in on a special occasion and just see if anything spontaneously struck us.

I guess what has me “fatigued,” as someone else put it, is this feeling of having to constantly cultivate a relationship with my SA and my local store. Why? Especially when I can’t count on good treatment anymore? So I am stepping back from that as well. I wanted the Flamingo Party pareo very badly and have been asking my SA about it for months. After the last couple of times I was in, I realized I was tired of waiting and simply ordered it online. And guess what? I love it just as much as if it had come from the boutique. I have a small credit at the boutique that a few months ago would have been burning a hole in my pocket, but now I’m just going to hang onto it until I feel like walking through those doors again.

I agree with this wholeheartedly and I am so sorry for your poor experience especially as a long term customer. I tried to cultivate a relationship at my local Hermes store but could not do so. As a result, I felt anxiety and pressure and there is some psychological punishment that comes with cultivating a relationship, and I am speaking as someone new to Hermes. I don't want to feel this pressure when shopping and have decided to continue to purchase at Hermes as I desire, and purchase K or B bags (if I desire) through the resale route. My appreciation for H brand is authentic but I cannot go into a boutique and feel this anxiety I always feel when I step in, because one misstep and I will never be 'offered' a bag. I cannot do this anymore and I am glad I learned early on.

Yes, my DH has a saying that if you’re going to spend that much money, the experience should be fun. This was just a bit of slap in the face to be because until very recently, it had been fun! But whether you are a new customer or an “established” one, spending on luxury goods should not be an anxiety-provoking experience!

As always I’m so thankful for this forum, as reading the valuable and honest sharing makes me feel I’m not the only one. I have fantastic and warm treatment from other luxury brands, and I’m no big spender there. But at the brand I spend the most on, I feel all the things that you ladies talk about, and I always wonder am I the odd one out, why am I spending good money and not feeling good at all. Yes I got some very well made bags, but it all came at a huge monetary cost and emotionally very draining.

The relationship building is nauseating cos it’s built on spending. Even though I spend a lot, I’m told I’m no where near VIP level. And while waiting for my next bag, I feel the pressure to spend. I’ve ended up with many beautiful items for sure but I’m not sure if I need all these trinkets.

For the IG stories that tell of ‘wonderful Sas’ dropping wonderful surprises, I don’t think I’ll ever get to that wonderful stage. I also wonder how true those stories are.

I have started buying from resellers and while there is a high markup, guess what, I’m happy to pay. Zero drama, no emotional games, no pressure and best of all - zero waiting time.

 

[disappeared]

As always I’m so thankful for this forum, as reading the valuable and honest sharing makes me feel I’m not the only one. I have fantastic and warm treatment from other luxury brands, and I’m no big spender there. But at the brand I spend the most on, I feel all the things that you ladies talk about, and I always wonder am I the odd one out, why am I spending good money and not feeling good at all. Yes I got some very well made bags, but it all came at a huge monetary cost and emotionally very draining.

The relationship building is nauseating cos it’s built on spending. Even though I spend a lot, I’m told I’m no where near VIP level. And while waiting for my next bag, I feel the pressure to spend. I’ve ended up with many beautiful items for sure but I’m not sure if I need all these trinkets.

For the IG stories that tell of ‘wonderful Sas’ dropping wonderful surprises, I don’t think I’ll ever get to that wonderful stage. I also wonder how true those stories are.

I have started buying from resellers and while there is a high markup, guess what, I’m happy to pay. Zero drama, no emotional games, no pressure and best of all - zero waiting time.

Dont believe the hype. These “fairies” come with a hefty price!

 

[Chagall]

So many of the skunk bags are SO. Is it possible that the tanning process is done quicker or in a different way that the regular bags. Such a disappointing experience after placing a special order.

 

[Meta]

So many of the skunk bags are SO. Is it possible that the tanning process is done quicker or in a different way that the regular bags. Such a disappointing experience after placing a special order.

Would you care to elaborate on your claim that "many skunk bags are SO?"

 

[lulilu]

Dont believe the hype. These “fairies” come with a hefty price!

I suspect that is true as well. This method of "story telling" about bag purchases is likely just that -- a story to make the reveal more "fantastical."

 

[QuelleFromage]

Dont believe the hype. These “fairies” come with a hefty price!

I suspect that is true as well. This method of "story telling" about bag purchases is likely just that -- a story to make the reveal more "fantastical."

Believing Instagram posts and stories is a quick way to believing your life is somehow lacking or you're doing it wrong. It's all very pretty but no one is showing the bits that are painful reality.

 

[18eve]

As always I’m so thankful for this forum, as reading the valuable and honest sharing makes me feel I’m not the only one. I have fantastic and warm treatment from other luxury brands, and I’m no big spender there. But at the brand I spend the most on, I feel all the things that you ladies talk about, and I always wonder am I the odd one out, why am I spending good money and not feeling good at all. Yes I got some very well made bags, but it all came at a huge monetary cost and emotionally very draining.

The relationship building is nauseating cos it’s built on spending. Even though I spend a lot, I’m told I’m no where near VIP level. And while waiting for my next bag, I feel the pressure to spend. I’ve ended up with many beautiful items for sure but I’m not sure if I need all these trinkets.

For the IG stories that tell of ‘wonderful Sas’ dropping wonderful surprises, I don’t think I’ll ever get to that wonderful stage. I also wonder how true those stories are.

I have started buying from resellers and while there is a high markup, guess what, I’m happy to pay. Zero drama, no emotional games, no pressure and best of all - zero waiting time.

I have the same feeling as you but still having giving up on the boutique experience yet.

 

[chicinthecity777]

I suspect that is true as well. This method of "story telling" about bag purchases is likely just that -- a story to make the reveal more "fantastical."

It's all about "hype it up"!
"I just want to be accepted for who I pretend to be!"

 

[Meta]

Once upon a time, I ordered the Parures de Samourai CSGM online back in March 2018 as the cw I wanted wasn't in any stores. It arrived fresh from the warehouse with a pinhole on it

Well, I ordered another and returned the one with pin hole, only to receive this...

A red dot sticker right next to a stain, indicating that it's been flagged. Yet somehow, someone overlooked this and packed this into plastic packaging and sent it to warehouse as inventory.

Fast forward to present day, another order from H.com came with a red dot sticker with an X indicating its defect, a pull almost the entire length of the 90cm silk (the pull extends further upon closer inspection after taking this pic). The joys...

In case you're wondering, yes this wasn't available in stores at the time of order, hence my order. Starting to think that I should limit my purchases to stores only, but then again, I already did that with my witch hunt for mousselines 3 years ago. (I went to every store in search of a flawless Iris mousseline).

I've since purchased far much less new season silks. But looks like I still managed to hit the jackpot with their non-existent quality control in my limited purchases.

 

[Meta]

Obviously defective, threads are not perfect, quality control has failed. Hope you also get a replacement soon.

Thanks, I just placed another. We'll see what they sent this second time around.

What!? This is mind blowing.
How is this happening - did someone just throw a bunch of defective ones in boxes and hope no one would notice?!
What site/country did you order from? France?

Your guess is as good as mine. I don't think it matters as to which site it was ordered from since the warehouse is in Paris and shipped from there.

 

[textilegirl]

Once upon a time, I ordered the Parures de Samourai CSGM online back in March 2018 as the cw I wanted wasn't in any stores. It arrived fresh from the warehouse with a pinhole on it

Well, I ordered another and returned the one with pin hole, only to receive this...

A red dot sticker right next to a stain, indicating that it's been flagged. Yet somehow, someone overlooked this and packed this into plastic packaging and sent it to warehouse as inventory.

Fast forward to present day, another order from H.com came with a red dot sticker with an X indicating its defect, a pull almost the entire length of the 90cm silk (the pull extends further upon closer inspection after taking this pic). The joys...
View attachment 4669478
In case you're wondering, yes this wasn't available in stores at the time of order, hence my order. Starting to think that I should limit my purchases to stores only, but then again, I already did that with my witch hunt for mousselines 3 years ago. (I went to every store in search of a flawless Iris mousseline).

I've since purchased far much less new season silks. But looks like I still managed to hit the jackpot with their non-existent quality control in my limited purchases.

Wow Meta, this is very disappointing and I'm so very sorry for your inconvenience. I understand that people make mistakes, and unfortunate things sometimes happen, but I would have thought that a luxury company would do a better job of quality control than appears to be apparent recently with H. Is the pressure to get things out quickly that intense? One wouldn't think so with the glacial pace of some scarf releases each season....

 

[skybluesky]

Thanks, I just placed another. We'll see what they sent this second time around.

Your guess is as good as mine. I don't think it matters as to which site it was ordered from since the warehouse is in Paris and shipped from there.

Hoping everything gets sorted out for you. Thank you for going through the trouble of letting us all know. I tend to not thoroughly inspect my scarves after I get them so I'll have to be more vigilant going forward.

 

[Daosabao]

I have the same feeling as you but still having giving up on the boutique experience yet.

I haven’t either.. I have gone/grown from wide eyed eager but uninformed shopper —> anxious/desperate —> confused/disillusioned/bitter —> acceptance and hopefully a bit mature now.

I don’t feel the pressure to buy to hit quota anymore because I know I have an alternative at the resellers. I’m not in anyway promoting them, but it is now working well for me.

I am not exactly an accessories person to begin with. But over the years I’ve been convinced that I should add all sorts of accessories to the point I look like a walking H advertisement. I’ve since rehomed many of those I don’t wear.

Now I feel the freedom to only buy what I really fancy, from the H store or H online or from resellers.

 

[Daosabao]

Thanks, I just placed another. We'll see what they sent this second time around.

Your guess is as good as mine. I don't think it matters as to which site it was ordered from since the warehouse is in Paris and shipped from there.

I hope they send you a good one this time as the design is beautiful!