My opinion of Hermes is changing...

[kewave]

I ordered a Birkin 30 Blue De Malte exterior and Rouge H interior (I think Rouge H interior we also discussed a lighter interior)
I was so overwhelmed with all the choices. It will be Clemence exterior and Chèvre interior because they don't do Chèvre exterior Birkin

Of course H does Chèvre exterior bag in size 30. Just not sure whether it's avail in blue de malte.

 

[catsinthebag]

100% agree, CatsintheBag!!!! "Our girl' in Boston took such great care of me!!
Based on the music I listen to she was unsure if I had a 'smoke' the first time she smelled it. I really do think the SA and SM that help you (or don't help in some cases) with this unusual bag issue makes ALL the difference in how this Hermes Leather problem effects your long term relationship with Hermes. Ultimately, the people I have the relationship with are not based in France but Boston

I feel the same way, and I have to say, I am not surprised at all that "our girl" took care of you and made you feel special and valued. She's fabulous! In fact, I don't think there's a person in that store I don't like -- it's always been a warm and welcoming place. You're right, the people you interact with the most are the ones who will influence how you feel about H and from there, how much you decide to buy.

 

[bostonbirkin]

Of course H does Chèvre exterior bag in size 30. Just not sure whether it's avail in blue de malte.

hmmmm. I asked and my SA said "nope" so I guess it isn't offered in my color.
I also asked about Fjord. I know they are two very different leathers but they said "no" to Fjord as well. If the entire bag was in Chèvre would it be softer?
I was looking to do slouchy and more casual.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

Honestly, I think it is a "generational" thing. I know many long-time collectors who have stopped or dramatically slowed on buying GMs. It is easier to do when one has many of the older pieces to fall back on! I do agree that there are lots of TPFers buying GMs, but my own sense is that quite of them are newer collectors.

I agree.
You have to have been collecting cashmere GM's long enough to understand the difference.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

So here are 2 stories .

One takes place an early afternoon of july 2014 , Hermes store south of France.

I have bough my very first bH bag in that store back in the early 90's ...I never ceased to be a loyal client of that store. Boots, RTW, blest, shawls, bags, Special orders, SLG...everything....
Out of my car, I head to the doorstep of the store.... and guess what ? the guard has locked the door and gives me a very informal sign like come back later, the store is packed with people.... WHAT ?????
I make a sigh in return and scream through the glass door :
Open this door NOW please as I am YOUR customer, and my Sa called me to come and pick up an item I have ordered.
Of course the guy opens the door and I immediately tell my Sa they should hire a physionomist, just like in night clubs, to make sure they don't treat more of their loyal clients that way.... Why on earth should I have to wait outside of the store ? Is this luxury shopping ? or just the contrary ?

How disappointing and unfortunate.
Truly awful!

 

[rainnebeauxday]

Isn't that why we accept extortionate price increases? Because we think that they're conserving the integrity of their craftsmanship and not cutting corners? [/B] http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/hermes-in-print-38218-96.html

I thought this was very valid point.

rainneday, I used to be afraid to buy vintage as well, but this forum is so helpful, and I now have two vintage Kellys after never buying a pre-owned bag EVER. I'd recommend starting by browsing the recommended retailers -- take your time and really notice what catches your eye. And needless to say, always have a bag authenticated before you bid or buy. I went from thinking I'd only buy new from boutique to really appreciating the older bags. Never thought that would happen!

Thank you, Catsinthebag! I have been doing some "research", so you never know...maybe one will feel right.

 

[perlerare]

rainneday, I used to be afraid to buy vintage as well, but this forum is so helpful, and I now have two vintage Kellys after never buying a pre-owned bag EVER. I'd recommend starting by browsing the recommended retailers -- take your time and really notice what catches your eye. And needless to say, always have a bag authenticated before you bid or buy. I went from thinking I'd only buy new from boutique to really appreciating the older bags. Never thought that would happen!

Welcome to the club

 

[perlerare]

How disappointing and unfortunate.
Truly awful!

"fortunately" it happened with a store I am very familiar with, so I could react that way....

 

[perlerare]

..........

Although at Hermes price points, we as customers certainly do not expect to have skunk problems, inferior quality of cashmere, etc...the reality is, there is such an overwhelming demand for Hermes products that they can now continue to "under-deliver" on quality and service and people will still clamour for their in-demand products. I would guess that for every 1 disillusioned "old/loyal' customer, they are able to attract 2 new ones in maybe the younger, new wealth markets.

I miss the "old" way Hermes produced its goods (although I don't think Hermes was ever consistently warm and fuzzy in its customer service so in that sense not much has changed LOL) but I recognise that ultimately, the only thing that matters for H is the bottom line and the expansion of their business and their domination of the luxury sector.
..............

You have two excellent points here.
A few years ago, was it 2009 or so ? I was "complaining to my Sa about the new resins being so thick and "plasticky" , she answered that "other clients do not even look at the bags. They buy only to get H on their arm. They don't know anything about craftsmanship. We could sell anything in that orange box..... "

But, there is a but : They have become RUDE. ( generally speaking). They don't need to be rude to achieve their business goals. They could do it with kindness, respect and elegance.

 

[Mariapia]

"fortunately" it happened with a store I am very familiar with, so I could react that way....

I think some are rude, Perlerare, because they think they have some kind of power.
To say yes or no to a customer makes some of feel more powerful than the lady ready to spend thousands of euros on a bag. Let ´s not forget that, most of the time, SA's ( may be, especially the younger ones, cannot afford a B or a K, let alone more than one.....

 

[perlerare]

After all the whole world is changing, we can't retain it. Hermes loosing its luster is just one little tiny aspect of this life, and well, I can live with it.
I use my old Kelly bags everyday, every night, and keep enjoying them as if it were the very day I got them, so I am all set with BAGS.

Meanwhile I drive an electric sportscar, my kids were almost born with an ipad in their hands, I cook on induction, I work in three different countries without moving from my screen , and I can book a plane ticket 2 hours before taking off.

On the leather goods dpt,
There are new emerging companies, that make innovative products, and are not (yet) fighting for any rank in the luxury league competition, although there are already in that league, and can focus on inovation, design, quality, fun and....service
There are old companies making some revival as well, (Goyard, Moynat, or Valextra for instance)
There are very small and stable ones that have been delivering the SAME quality for decades, like Morabito . See their croc bags, they are breathtakingly well made....

Actually there is a variety of ways to look at this Hermes change...To me its an opportunity to look into something else, and finally embrace a new world...

 

[perlerare]

I think some are rude, Perlerare, because they think they have some kind of power.
To say yes or no to a customer makes some of feel more powerful than the lady ready to spend thousands of euros on a bag. Let ´s not forget that, most of the time, SA's ( may be, especially the younger ones, cannot afford a B or a K, let alone more than one.....

Yes, so true...

 

[Mariapia]

After all the whole world is changing, we can't retain it. Hermes loosing its luster is just one little tiny aspect of this life, and well, I can live with it.
I use my old Kelly bags everyday, every night, and keep enjoying them as if it were the very day I got them, so I am all set with BAGS.

Meanwhile I drive an electric sportscar, my kids were almost born with an ipad in their hands, I cook on induction, I work in three different countries without moving from my screen , and I can book a plane ticket 2 hours before taking off.

On the leather goods dpt,
There are new emerging companies, that make innovative products, and are not (yet) fighting for any rank in the luxury league competition, although there are already in that league, and can focus on inovation, design, quality, fun and....service
There are old companies making some revival as well, (Goyard, Moynat, or Valextra for instance)
There are very small and stable ones that have been delivering the SAME quality for decades, like Morabito . See their croc bags, they are breathtakingly well made....

Actually there is a variety of ways to look at this Hermes change...To me its an opportunity to look into something else, and finally embrace a new world...

Perlerare, I couldn't have said it better!

 

[shoepursemomma]

Although I was critical of and disappointed by how Hermes handled the skunk bags issue, without being an apologist for the brand, I do think this particular problem was unprecedented and most H boutiques probably had no idea how to deal with the problem and left the decision making to the individual boutiques and managers.



I still do prefer Hermes to other luxury accessory brands because I've also had problems with quality and servicing issues with other competitive luxury brands like Bottega and Chanel (e.g. loose stitching on a new Cabat that took almost one year to replace and which they wanted me to pay for, when it was clearly a basic product defect.)



These experiences lead me to conclude that almost all luxury brands today will fall victim to the overwhelming demand vs. compromised quality problem. When a company expands, unfortunately these things are bound to happen.



Although at Hermes price points, we as customers certainly do not expect to have skunk problems, inferior quality of cashmere, etc...the reality is, there is such an overwhelming demand for Hermes products that they can now continue to "under-deliver" on quality and service and people will still clamour for their in-demand products. I would guess that for every 1 disillusioned "old/loyal' customer, they are able to attract 2 new ones in maybe the younger, new wealth markets.



I miss the "old" way Hermes produced its goods (although I don't think Hermes was ever consistently warm and fuzzy in its customer service so in that sense not much has changed LOL) but I recognise that ultimately, the only thing that matters for H is the bottom line and the expansion of their business and their domination of the luxury sector.



Can I live that? Yes I admit, I can. I'm disappointed but not enough to stop from buying their products.

Eloquently stated and agree..

 

[purselover888]

But, there is a but : They have become RUDE. ( generally speaking). They don't need to be rude to achieve their business goals. They could do it with kindness, respect and elegance.

Excellent point. There are two SA's at FSH who look at customers like they positively despise them. The worst of the bunch is a shake-down type who delivers her lines with a cold glare and threatening smirk, "You do want my 'help', or don't you?" The feeling was less "the gift of time," and more in the order of a mafia plot set to Hitchcock music.