question about boutique buying 'protocol' from a new member

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#32
balthus said:
I had good karma and walked into NY boutique in 2002 and 2004 and my black box Kelly with GHW and my black clemence Birkin with SGH were on the shelf.

Probably Kelly's were not hard to get 6 years ago but by 2004 the Birkins were not readily available.

DH and I were in NY for a long weekend and walked into Mad Ave boutique early on a Saturday morning.

I turned to the left and saw the Birkin in a case and almost fell to the ground.

I must have been in shock for 30 seconds, immediately got an SA, asked if it was for sale, was told "yes, it had just been put out 5 minutes earlier", said I'd take it.

Then DH was in shock when he saw the price but I told him it was meant to be and I was buying it anyway with my bonus.

When I tell him prices now, he just shakes his head.

So fairytales can come true ... :heart:
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wow, totally understand why u feel so dizzy at that moment, i would be the same if i saw my loved kelly or birkin on shelf~~~CONG!
you made us think of fairytale now! i wish i had this luck:graucho:
 
#33
DH went to SCP to check inventory for me today - there were no Birkins and plenty of Kellys. The SA told him that it's pretty hard to get a Birkin since when they come in, they are generally spoken for already. It seems like that there is a list after all.
 
#34
If you order your Birkin or Kelly in a boutique do you have to pay for it straight away or do you pay a certain %? Can somebody please give me info. I'm totally new to the H and can't seem to find information about this anywhere.
 
#35
Lubi777 said:
If you order your Birkin or Kelly in a boutique do you have to pay for it straight away or do you pay a certain %? Can somebody please give me info. I'm totally new to the H and can't seem to find information about this anywhere.
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No, you are not generally required to make a deposit. Some concession stores may require it, I understand.
 
#37
Sorry, I am a little confused. I really shouldn't be inquiring about Birkins! (I told my husband this year that I would rather get a few Chanel bags instead of a Birkin, but now I secretly am thinking about one because I feel that it would complete my collection of iconic classic bags!) :D

Anyway, I went into Hermes last year at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the SA was very friendly and helpful in answering my questions. She seemed to imply that I could place an order for a Birkin to meet what I wanted (it was pretty generic, just a black 35 Togo Birkin). Can you still do this or do you have to wait years to get what you want?

Thanks!
 
#38
Hi hellokatiegirl, I think what the SA meant is she will put your name and request on the list, and as soon as a birkin meeting your requirements will come to the shop they will look at the list, give it to the first person who made the same request, and so on down the list.
So if you're the 3rd one asking for a 35 black togo you will get the 3rd black togo they get in the shop. If you're the only one who asked for that then you'll get the first bag in. Makes sense?
 
#41
I am replying to this thread since I think I will get backlash for starting a similar one.

I have read through this protocol and visited two Hermes stores now- Charlotte, NC and Boston MA on multiple occasions over the past 3 years. I see that some of you have said that it helps if you already have an Hermes bag or scarf or accessory, but I do not. On every occasion, I have been told that no one will help me find a Birkin and that they will put me on a wait list, that they are sure won't ever get to my name (in very condescending tones).

Part of me is just sick and tired of being treated with such disrespect, especially since I am ready to buy.. today. The other part of me doesn't want to give up. Suggestions on where to go from here?
 
#42
LamborghiniGirl said:
I am replying to this thread since I think I will get backlash for starting a similar one.

I have read through this protocol and visited two Hermes stores now- Charlotte, NC and Boston MA on multiple occasions over the past 3 years. I see that some of you have said that it helps if you already have an Hermes bag or scarf or accessory, but I do not. On every occasion, I have been told that no one will help me find a Birkin and that they will put me on a wait list, that they are sure won't ever get to my name (in very condescending tones).

Part of me is just sick and tired of being treated with such disrespect, especially since I am ready to buy.. today. The other part of me doesn't want to give up. Suggestions on where to go from here?
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How about not asking for a Birkin the moment you enter the store? The SAs face walk-ins every single day asking for nothing else but the Birkin, and I think they are often fatigued by the constant asking.

Are there anything else in Hermes that you like? Maybe after establishing yourself as a customer first, then you ask about a Birkin at your subsequent visit?
 
#43
LamborghiniGirl said:
I am replying to this thread since I think I will get backlash for starting a similar one.

I have read through this protocol and visited two Hermes stores now- Charlotte, NC and Boston MA on multiple occasions over the past 3 years. I see that some of you have said that it helps if you already have an Hermes bag or scarf or accessory, but I do not. On every occasion, I have been told that no one will help me find a Birkin and that they will put me on a wait list, that they are sure won't ever get to my name (in very condescending tones).

Part of me is just sick and tired of being treated with such disrespect, especially since I am ready to buy.. today. The other part of me doesn't want to give up. Suggestions on where to go from here?
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ditto Mrssparkles :smile1:

I'd also like add if Birkin is all you want from Hermes, why don't you head down to Tokyo, Japan? They have plenty sitting on the shelve waiting for customers to purchase them, you don't have to play games or buy anything else. It is 20% more expensive than US prices, but given that you've already spend 3 years searching, the price you paid then in Japan would have been equivalent to the price in US now.

Good luck
 
#44
Thanks for the advice-- I was hoping that I would have success in the united states instead of traveling across the world for a purse. I'd love to make a leisure trip there soon though-- so I will definitely head there if I do!

I just don't like the fact I have to buy multiple other items I don't want just to get a bag I do want. Over the past few years I have bought 5 or so scarves, between Paris and Boston. An agenda, and also a bunch of baby presents for a friend. None of that makes a difference though! I guess since i bought the items at various stores and never established a strong relationship, no one will help me. I have never experienced another brand that makes giving them upwards of $10,000 so hard! :smile1:
 
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#45
LondonSoho7 said:
That is true, but when I rang about a bag that was in stock - the SA told me the price for the bag over the phone.

This year I have visited a number of Hermes shops and many in my travels over the years - all seem very helpful, but in the US I find the one on Rodeo Drive most helpful and the only one that actualy said that they get a FEW birkins EACH week... (I think perhaps that is why Victoria B has one in every colour).

Also, remember, SA's are ordinary people and its always worth while getting to know one. They love it when they get asked by name! and the true secret of going up the list is simply knowing to say the right things... and they can bump you down and off the list too being human.

Good luck...
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Can you tell me who you spoke with in Rodeo? TIA, maybe I'll have better luck...
 
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