Overheard Hermès

[shazzy99]

Lady asking to look at Shoulder Birkin that was on display, SA showed to her and then lady says “great, I’ll take it” . SA says “I’m afraid not, there’s a long waiting list for this bag, so it’s not possible to sell to you”.

Man explaining in detail what kind of bag he would like for his wife, leather, size etc, all the while entering all of the details of what he was asking into an IPad

 

[LeahLVoes]

A few weeks ago at my home store. Young client chatting with SA: I just crashed my Bentley after a DUI. SA: OMG, are you alright? Client: Yep, new one is blue. Can I have some Bleu d’ailleurs plates to match?? 😅

Imagine being that out of touch with reality. Not a single care in the world. 😅 Besides, what kind of person is running around and telling some SA about their DUI... that's wild

 

[aa_]

At London NBS you have a host at the door that registers every client with a department depending on what they are looking for.
I was waiting in line when I overheard the older couple in front of me...

Host: *politely welcomes the couple and asks how they could help*
Woman: I'm looking to buy a bracelet for my daughter - its this one (shows a photo on her phone of an enamel bangle)
H: Of course, can I have your details - I will put your name on the waitlist and someone can assist you
W: BUT do you have the bracelet?!?!
H: Let me check for you - can I see the product code of the one you want to buy
W: I don't know which one my daughter wants
H: Then it would be best to speak to an SA so you can see different options
W: I don't want to wait if you don't have it!!!
H: I understand, but I can't check stock if you don't have the specific details
Patient Husband: why don't we call *daughter* to ask which one she wants us to buy her.
H: Great idea - if you can step to the side while I check in the next person
W: NO! (significantly raising her voice) I came first and I don't want to loose my place in the queue.
2 people behind her in the queue including me: *trying not to roll our eyes*
Floor Manager - notices I am next and immediately approaches me and walks me to the leather department.

As I was leaving the store I hear...
W: NO! You can't make me do anything! Its MY phone and I will take as many pictures as I want!!!
(continues to snap random photos while quickly walking in the opposite direction of the security guard that had asked her to stop)

No surprise it was the same woman that was looking for a bracelet earlier on!
Patient Husband standing by the store stairs ready to make a swift exit

It's funny to see how people behave when they don't get what they want

 

[addiCCted]

At London NBS you have a host at the door that registers every client with a department depending on what they are looking for.
I was waiting in line when I overheard the older couple in front of me...

Host: *politely welcomes the couple and asks how they could help*
Woman: I'm looking to buy a bracelet for my daughter - its this one (shows a photo on her phone of an enamel bangle)
H: Of course, can I have your details - I will put your name on the waitlist and someone can assist you
W: BUT do you have the bracelet?!?!
H: Let me check for you - can I see the product code of the one you want to buy
W: I don't know which one my daughter wants
H: Then it would be best to speak to an SA so you can see different options
W: I don't want to wait if you don't have it!!!
H: I understand, but I can't check stock if you don't have the specific details
Patient Husband: why don't we call *daughter* to ask which one she wants us to buy her.
H: Great idea - if you can step to the side while I check in the next person
W: NO! (significantly raising her voice) I came first and I don't want to loose my place in the queue.
2 people behind her in the queue including me: *trying not to roll our eyes*
Floor Manager - notices I am next and immediately approaches me and walks me to the leather department.

As I was leaving the store I hear...
W: NO! You can't make me do anything! Its MY phone and I will take as many pictures as I want!!!
(continues to snap random photos while quickly walking in the opposite direction of the security guard that had asked her to stop)

No surprise it was the same woman that was looking for a bracelet earlier on!
Patient Husband standing by the store stairs ready to make a swift exit

It's funny to see how people behave when they don't get what they want

I think that’s where they get the term “arrested development”

 

[880]

And this is why I always am a little skeptical when people say Hermes SAs are not super friendly. I wonder if they are always on edge waiting for a customer to loose their dang mind.

Yep! Not overheard, but told to me:
My FSH SA said that H prioritizes clients who won’t just take any popular bag, and who actually use and appreciate other metiers. (She calls them real clients). My local SA says the same thing, but calls them lifestyle clients. It’s not a big stretch to understand that it’s more pleasant for the SA to deal with real/lifestyle clients. It’s not easy for them to say no all the time, which is what has to happen if there is a limited product and excessive demand

 

[Hermesanity]

Went in to try the 2025 S/S RTW with my DD tagging along. I "parked" DD in the shoe section with her book. In comes a little girl, probably around 6, with her grandparents. The little girl imperiously looks around, points to some boots, and said "Grandpa will buy the most expensive shoes in the store for me." Then proceeds to run around in said store and climb over furniture.

DD: Wow she is even naughtier than me! (Cue teachable moment - on so many levels!!!)

I saw the family leaving later - the little girl's mother was there too. They left with a bag definitely not containing "the most expensive shoes in the store." Honestly I felt bad for their SA as she was so accomodating when the child was crawling all over the furniture in dirty shoes.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Went in to try the 2025 S/S RTW with my DD tagging along. I "parked" DD in the shoe section with her book. In comes a little girl, probably around 6, with her grandparents. The little girl imperiously looks around, points to some boots, and said "Grandpa will buy the most expensive shoes in the store for me." Then proceeds to run around in said store and climb over furniture.

DD: Wow she is even naughtier than me! (Cue teachable moment - on so many levels!!!)

I saw the family leaving later - the little girl's mother was there too. They left with a bag definitely not containing "the most expensive shoes in the store." Honestly I felt bad for their SA as she was so accomodating when the child was crawling all over the furniture in dirty shoes.

Situations like these are amazing to help us appreciate our own children and see they're not so bad after all 😅

 

[hermelina]

Right before Valentine's Day, I was chatting with my lovely SA, when a gentleman walked into the boutique. I could hear a bit of a conversation he was having with another SA in the background. He was inquiring about the bags on display and mentioned he wanted to purchase one of them. The SA very kindly explained that they were for display only and not for sale. His voice got a little louder and asked why he couldn't, and indicated that he should be able to purchase one if they had them. The very kind SA graciously explained that wasn't how things worked, but she had some Evelynes and Picotins in some fun colors she would be happy to show him. I believe he ended up purchasing an Evelyne based on the size of the box. I thought that was really great of the SA to calmly diffuse the situation, and still offer to show him some bags after all of that. He was obviously there picking out something for his wife/SO for V-Day, and I'm sure they were very happy with his gift.

 

[tadad]

I forgot to post about this.. I was at my home store the week before Christmas. It was super busy.

I was in the area near the bag display waiting for my SA to wrap up my purchase. I overheard an SA telling this client to please put on the gloves as she had something special for him.. He kinda made a face but did reluctantly put on the gloves, then the SA pulled out a black mini Jypsiere. His face just went blank. After a few awkward seconds, he pointed at the Kelly and Birkin in the display.. of course the SA said they were not available 😭

To be fair tho, that Jypsiere was kinda cute 😍

 

[A bottle of Red]

I forgot to post about this.. I was at my home store the week before Christmas. It was super busy.

I was in the area near the bag display waiting for my SA to wrap up my purchase. I overheard an SA telling this client to please put on the gloves as she had something special for him.. He kinda made a face but did reluctantly put on the gloves, then the SA pulled out a black mini Jypsiere. His face just went blank. After a few awkward seconds, he pointed at the Kelly and Birkin in the display.. of course the SA said they were not available 😭

To be fair tho, that Jypsiere was kinda cute 😍

Poor man he probably was expecting something totally different

 

[benjinito]

I forgot to post about this.. I was at my home store the week before Christmas. It was super busy.

I was in the area near the bag display waiting for my SA to wrap up my purchase. I overheard an SA telling this client to please put on the gloves as she had something special for him.. He kinda made a face but did reluctantly put on the gloves, then the SA pulled out a black mini Jypsiere. His face just went blank. After a few awkward seconds, he pointed at the Kelly and Birkin in the display.. of course the SA said they were not available 😭

To be fair tho, that Jypsiere was kinda cute 😍

I feel like a black mini Jypsiere is a bit of a score for (presumably) a walk-in!

 

[Charm]

Yep! Not overheard, but told to me:
My FSH SA said that H prioritizes clients who won’t just take any popular bag, and who actually use and appreciate other metiers. (She calls them real clients). My local SA says the same thing, but calls them lifestyle clients. It’s not a big stretch to understand that it’s more pleasant for the SA to deal with real/lifestyle clients. It’s not easy for them to say no all the time, which is what has to happen if there is a limited product and excessive demand

I love this so much!

' I gotta have a Birkin!!!' while not caring at all about all the other wonderful things you can choose.

As an example, I have a very chunky Chaine D'Ancre bracelet, I think this particular design is retired now, it has three differently designed links on the chain. I've worn it for years and it's scratched up as I wear it all the time, but the patina it's gained is so cool and I jingle as I walk.
It's wonderful to hear how SA's appreciate clients who aren't too precious about things and actually wear these beautiful items as intended.

 

[periogirl28]

Going past Hermes Cadogan Square on Saturday morning, my very observant driver says to me, "Someone's going to be really happy today, a bunch of orange boxes from Hermes going into that black cab!"
Me laughing slightly nervously.

 

[neptunian]

This was actually a post-Hermes conversation, but I walked into a Banana Republic with an H shopping bag and one of the sales guys asked me, "what did you get from Tory Burch?" I was immediately confused, and asked "who?" Then another salesperson who was standing beside him said in hushed tones "that's Hermes." He turned bright red and I started snickering...

 

[graciewwing]

This was actually a post-Hermes conversation, but I walked into a Banana Republic with an H shopping bag and one of the sales guys asked me, "what did you get from Tory Burch?" I was immediately confused, and asked "who?" Then another salesperson who was standing beside him said in hushed tones "that's Hermes." He turned bright red and I started snickering...

Wait, why would you snicker?