New Hermes rule against cell phone photos?

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#16
webaj said:
My SA told me last week...it is a new rule about not taking photos. The SAs used to be able to take photos of a bag for an interested client. Now they can't do that either. I know that the intent of all the new rules is to limit the ability of resellers to obtain bags but it is limiting the real customers ability as well.
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I do not appreciate the new emphasis on "no photos" because, as you point out, it does indeed hamper my ability to shop, as an existing client. Until recently, I have actually had SAs voluntarily use my cell to take a photo for me. In Rome a SA--unknown to me--assisted me by tying a scarf in a new-to-me way, and then took a photo of me wearing it that way so I would be able to refer back to it.

Elsewhere, SAs are being encouraged to use iPhones to send merchandise photos to clients to facilitate not only customer service but to generate sales. My Neiman-Marcus SA in Fine Apparel/Couture sends me cell phone images all the time: This is so you! Shall I put it aside? In fact, NM now issues all SAs in my store company iPhones to encourage this. And my Nordstrom has issued SAs iPhones that work with their own printers, and they are eliminating cashier stations like crazy, which makes room for more merchandise.

I do understand the attempt to block unauthorized use of photos, but really? When a client is known to you and is taking a few cell snaps for personal use, I think they should use some common sense.
 
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#17
A lot of stores, not just Hermes, prohibit picture taking. It's a precaution to prevent thieves from casing out the place for a future robbery.

In the case of photographing individual items, I don't see why that wouldn't be permitted.
 
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#18
This week, for example, when I was asking about ways to wear the 70 carres, a SA tied one on my head in a way that was reminiscent of the roaring 20s era. It looked so fabulous, and I wanted to capture it with my phone so I could replicate it at home. As I lifted my cell, she sweetly said it wasn't allowed.

I think they should be able to use discretion. How do you ring up a client for nearly $10k and deny them a photo or two? Ridiculous.
 
#19
I don't think anyone should be mad for this. Even a bakery in Paris didn't allow me to take a picture of their sweets... I guess it's to protect their items from being copied.
 
#22
With the explosion of on-line communication--blogging, Facebook, Tweeting--it is easier than ever to misuse photos, to lay claim things not one's own, and other malfeasance. Plenty of tPF members have had their personal photos stolen and used for eBay sales and other illicit purposes. It only makes sense to try to control photographic access and it is far easier and safer to offer a blanket "no" than to pick and choose who can and who can't. It does make it harder on honest customers, but this is not the first nor the last time that a few bad people spoil it for the rest. I think it's ridiculous that my long-time SA can't send me a photo of a scarf anymore, but that's what her manager has decreed, and I do see the big picture. Grudgingly.
 
#23
Bumping this. I went to a H store yesterday, not my regular store but I know them fairly well too. Was looking at a card case for my BF but I was not sure about the colour. The lovely SA actually suggested me taking a photo of it. I did. So I guess it really depends on how comfortable they know you. Whether they are sure the photo won't be used inappropriately. I agree with that not being able to take photos is quite annoying because I often look for things in the store first and then I want to take photos to show to my BF or girl friends for their opinions.
 
#24
The SM of a store I don't usually go to offered to take pics of me, she was pretty insistent and took a bunch. I guess it depends on stores and if they know us. If we can't take photos to share, especially on things I am not certain about, then it would really inconvenient.
 
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