My opinion of Hermes is changing...

[chicinthecity777]

Although I do agree customer service is a big part of a brand's overall experience, I am still more concerned about quality over CS. Hell bad customer service is not exclusive to H, bad SAs are everywhere! I have had a very strange experience with an SA in Fendi recently, then a very good one rescue the situation. I ended up buying from them because I still liked their item.

My bottom line is still the quality of their items. I do agree quality has slipped in the last couple of years but I am yet to find another brand with the same quality and has the same value retaining ability as H. I look at resin/wax when I look at bags. Just look at resin on other brands, you will know what I mean about inferior quality.

 

[Nahreen]

The quality is no 1 on my list for these prices that H charges. No 2 is service. So far I've not been dissapointed in either but I have just recently started buying H. The leather and stiching on my things look great.

 

[purselover888]

Although I do agree customer service is a big part of a brand's overall experience, I am still more concerned about quality over CS. Hell bad customer service is not exclusive to H, bad SAs are everywhere! I have had a very strange experience with an SA in Fendi recently, then a very good one rescue the situation. I ended up buying from them because I still liked their item.

My bottom line is still the quality of their items. I do agree quality has slipped in the last couple of years but I am yet to find another brand with the same quality and has the same value retaining ability as H. I look at resin/wax when I look at bags. Just look at resin on other brands, you will know what I mean about inferior quality.

I agree totally! And furthermore, I feel that even if the quality on SOME of my Q stamp goods seemed to have slipped a bit, my R stamp items seem a whole lot better and more consistent! I am thinking of the resin, leather, stitching, etc.

 

[Jadeite]

Agree, particularly if nice customers are the ones suffering from others bad manners. But I understand if the SAs patience would run thin certain days by having to deal with immature grownups daily as would probably happen in towns with lots of tourists. Some people are just used to get all that they want and can't take no for an answer.

I've seen it and felt very sorry for the poor SAs. Then again I myself have been at the receiving end of rude service. Arrogance is one thing, as Hermes is a proud brand. Rudeness is another.

 

[Jadeite]

but I am yet to find another brand with the same quality and has the same value retaining ability as H. Just look at resin on other brands, you will know what I mean about inferior quality.

H spending has not given me funds to buy other brands so I may be wrong. other luxury brands probably don't cost as much as H so while H is my highest benchmark, I have a more relaxed threshold on quality from other brands - my last purchase on BV, costs less than a third of a H bag. If I'm paying much less I expect less, so am pleased with what I find there. So being used to H can be a bit double edged that way. Then again because I have to pay more than 10k for a H bag I am annoyed at the quality compromises faced in newer bag these days.

 

[chicinthecity777]

H spending has not given me funds to buy other brands so I may be wrong. other luxury brands probably don't cost as much as H so while H is my highest benchmark, I have a more relaxed threshold on quality from other brands - my last purchase on BV, costs less than a third of a H bag. If I'm paying much less I expect less, so am pleased with what I find there. So being used to H can be a bit double edged that way. Then again because I have to pay more than 10k for a H bag I am annoyed at the quality compromises faced in newer bag these days.

Of course you have ever right to be annoyed. I would too. What I am saying is I have not reached that tipping point of stopping buying H yet. I guess everybody's cost / quality ratio tolerace is different. E.g. I bought a BV wallet a few years ago in the sale with 30% off. A compact zipper I only used during weekends. 6 month later after only using it during weekends, I hated how worn it was! I ended up selling it and decided never to touch BV again. IMO, it wasn't even worth the 30% price tag. On the other hand, my silk'in compact wallet is now going on for two years and apart from a bit dirty on the zip pull, it still looks brand new and I use it more frequent than I used my BV. I just bought another one earlier this year. I bought it because I still think it's better value on the long run.

 

[perlerare]

.............. I bought it because I still think it's better value on the long run.

Although my opinion is changing about Hermes , I am with you here .
I think most Hermes items still are a better value than anything else currently available....

But the GAP between Hermes and anything else is getting smaller and smaller... Hermes used to be OUT of REACH of any competitor...

This is how my opinion is changing about Hermes.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Although my opinion is changing about Hermes , I am with you here .
I think most Hermes items still are a better value than anything else currently available....

But the GAP between Hermes and anything else is getting smaller and smaller... Hermes used to be OUT of REACH of any competitor...

This is how my opinion is changing about Hermes.

Agreed!

 

[MYH]

As much as I am annoyed at my skunk bag, I will still shop at H for other things. The silks are hands down the best. Ferragamo, LV, dior cannot touch the design, colors, and quality. Also, I recently brought in my clic H enamel because the H clasp was badly scratched. The repair dept said a new H clasp could be put on it for $75 although it would take approx 6 mos to replace. Although a long wait, at least it will look as good as new and I will want to wear it again. Granted, I haven't bought a lot of bracelets from other brands,but I'm pretty sure a scratched bracelet would not be repaired and I would have just had to throw it out. So I am happy to know I can use H items for many many years because of their repair service.

 

[TankerToad]

I'm going to buck the trend. No, my opinion has not changed about Hermes. I've loved the brand (warts and all) for far too long.

1. I do agree that vintage bags/scarves are better made than present day ones. There are some crafts that Hermes used to have (crinoline and vibrato) that are no longer available or practical to manufacture. Quality issues are the same for all large high end brands (i.e., Bottega, Chanel).

2. When I go to stores that are not my home store, I have NO expectations as to customer service or bags for that matter. Rude SAs have always been part of the brand experience. I just shrug my shoulders and move on. Though I remember going to South Coast Plaza, a store notorious for rude SAs, but I was treated very graciously. I've had mixed experiences with Beverly Hills, London and a few others.

3. My home store has been wonderful to me. I live/work close by, so I stop in often. All the SAs know me there.

4. I have not purchased a skunk product, though I do know people who have. I wish Hermes recognized the problem earlier and treated affected customers with more respect. But I do believe, Hermes is addressing the problem as best it can.

5. Historically, Hermes products hold their value better than other luxury brands, so I can sell bags that no longer suit my needs. I can justify H prices that way.

Well said!
Thank you for this post.

 

[Nico_79]

Although my opinion is changing about Hermes , I am with you here .
I think most Hermes items still are a better value than anything else currently available....

But the GAP between Hermes and anything else is getting smaller and smaller... Hermes used to be OUT of REACH of any competitor...

This is how my opinion is changing about Hermes.

THIS!

I think Hermes is having a very difficult time sticking to the fundamentals of old and keeping up with the demands of a new generation.

I sincerely hope they can find a good balance, I still love the designs and innovation, but the quality, attention to detail and customer experience need to be present as well. It's not enough for something to be stamped "Hermes" for me to buy it.

 

[ninunani]

I got a B from FSH about 2 months ago, I took it out with me the first time the next day for like 3 hours (max) , the leather on the handle was peeling off and what I have got now is a bag with ugly patches all over the handle.....
I don't baby my bags but this is not acceptable ....
I have to use twilles to cover the ugly handle......
I definitely think the older bags have better quality...

 

[purselover888]

I got a B from FSH about 2 months ago, I took it out with me the first time the next day for like 3 hours (max) , the leather on the handle was peeling off and what I have got now is a bag with ugly patches all over the handle.....
I don't baby my bags but this is not acceptable ....
I have to use twilles to cover the ugly handle......
I definitely think the older bags have better quality...

I'm so surprised by this and don't have any experience like this! Do you have a pic so we know what you're referring to? I'm sure Hermes will fix for you if you take to spa!

 

[cr1stalangel]

I got a B from FSH about 2 months ago, I took it out with me the first time the next day for like 3 hours (max) , the leather on the handle was peeling off and what I have got now is a bag with ugly patches all over the handle.....
I don't baby my bags but this is not acceptable ....
I have to use twilles to cover the ugly handle......
I definitely think the older bags have better quality...

Why don't you take it back to H? It is unacceptable for a brand new bag.

 

[Nico_79]

I got a B from FSH about 2 months ago, I took it out with me the first time the next day for like 3 hours (max) , the leather on the handle was peeling off and what I have got now is a bag with ugly patches all over the handle.....
I don't baby my bags but this is not acceptable ....
I have to use twilles to cover the ugly handle......
I definitely think the older bags have better quality...

I echo others, why not take it back to H and tell them they need to fix it! No bag should be falling apart like this.