Wondering if anyone can help me with buying stuff at Madison. Do you have one SA or multiple SAs depending on the items you are buying. I was buying a bag the other day but also wanted to pick up shoes and a bracelet and i was told I had to go to that specific floor and the SA from one floor wasn't allowed to go to the other floors and get the items. Is this true?
question about boutique buying 'protocol' from a new member
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Yes that is true, as far as I know. I am sure they have made exceptions for some people at some point, but that is the general rule. Madison is so big. I have an SA for bags, an SA for ready-to-wear including shoes (on the second floor), an SA for watches (on the other side of the second floor). If I had wanted china on the third floor I would have had to go for another SA, too. Last year I got some small things (like CDC cuffs) and this was from yet another SA because at the time Hermes was renovating the main store and they moved the CDCs to another location a few stores down the block.
hluv, I wish I knew the answer. I have been shopping at Madison for years now and I have always just bought what I wanted, not for the purpose of getting offered a Birkin or Kelly. I am not a Birkin person, but I have bought several Kellys from Madison. Many were already on the shelves (this was many moons ago) and in a few cases my SA brought out from the back. With my bag SA, I did buy some scarves from her (only smaller ones like twillys and pochetts, as I am not a big scarf person) and small things like charm chains and belts. But these were actually bought after she had sold me some bags. I think you can have the same SA for bags and scarves. It's the stuff on a different floor (watches, shoes, RTW) that you need a different SA for. I think if you want scarves or bracelets, you should buy what you like and stick with the same SA and let her know if you are looking for a bag.
It's different at the Wall St. store. I only have one SA there and I can get anything from her. So if you prefer to buy several kinds of things from one SA, you might like that store better.
It's different at the Wall St. store. I only have one SA there and I can get anything from her. So if you prefer to buy several kinds of things from one SA, you might like that store better.
Does anyone here have any experience of asking for a birkin at the SF store. I have an sa who I have only bought one item from but I have called her and asked her for something else. I am kind of afraid to go in and downright ask her for a bag. I was in the store on a seperate occasion and a couple came in and the woman was speaking to a male sa and I overhead her saying I called you and I want a bag but i didn't hear what bag she said, and all he said to her was well it can take 6 months to two years. My nerves are a littl jittery.
I went to Hermes Houston with my husband this weekend and was met with a very kind Sales Associate (new I believe) after talking with him for several minutes about the jypsiere and the history on some of their bags, he took us to a separate room and brought in a Kelly to view. It was beautiful but not the right size so I didn't buy it, but he was still very kind even after that. He did say exactly what we have all read about/ heard ... i.e very rarely you get either a Birkin or Kelly by a walk in , rather you must have a relationship with a SA. It doesn't even mean purchasing an item (he was very clear it's not 'money' based) but he said Hermes is trying to maintain an image on clients.
Also, there are less Birkins and Kellys being made since there are new artisans being trained (the experienced ones are all retiring) and it takes 5 to 7 years for them to be able to produce a high end calibur bag.
Also, there are less Birkins and Kellys being made since there are new artisans being trained (the experienced ones are all retiring) and it takes 5 to 7 years for them to be able to produce a high end calibur bag.
Good to know. I plan on travelling this year to at least ny and vegas and I plan on stopping at H boutiques to scope it out and see if I can get shown a birkin. I am going to go to my local store a bit more as well. But I need to see what I can get my hands on. I really want to expand my H collection this year.
I've only been shopping at the SF store for a few months now. I've purchased quite a bit (all from different SAs) but probably not enough to be considered for any bags. I did inquire about a B but was quickly told no, which I expected. I don't expect to be offered a B or K anytime soon but will continue to buy small items if I see stuff I like. I don't like playing games so if it's meant for me to have a new B or K the Hermes gods will let me know. I am not going to spend thousands on stuff I don't like just in hopes of getting a bag.
It seems like the SF is "weird" I asked today as well and didnt get a flat out no but more along the lines of buy a few more things from me and we will see what we can do. I do want add some more H items to my collection that are not B or K's so we will see how this works out.
I've shopped quite a bit at the SF boutique, mostly scarves, and usually use the same SA but know several of them by name and they recognize me. I do think it helps to establish a relationship with a SA. That said, the SAs in SF tend to run hot and cold in terms of helpfulness.
I expressed an interest to my SA for a Birkin in October 2008 and was able to purchase one two months later however I'm sure that would not have happened had the economy not been so bad (i.e., no one was buying designer goods then). There are a lot more boutiques in Asia now and that market is hot, hot, hot for Hermes so I don't think there are as many bags to go around. I doubt I could get a Birkin now from SF without a long wait.
I expressed an interest to my SA for a Birkin in October 2008 and was able to purchase one two months later however I'm sure that would not have happened had the economy not been so bad (i.e., no one was buying designer goods then). There are a lot more boutiques in Asia now and that market is hot, hot, hot for Hermes so I don't think there are as many bags to go around. I doubt I could get a Birkin now from SF without a long wait.
It seems SF is a long shot now for birkins. There is an intersting discussion going on the Good SA at SF thread about how one of the SA's told a chinese customer to buy 20 or 30 scarves and then the SA brought out a kelly. Also one other customer was able to buy 5 birkins in one month so Im not really sure what is going on over at SF. I may go back and buy the jumping boots and a belt from my SA to see if she will offer me a birkin based on what I told her this past week. So we will see.
Yes, there's definitely a demand for Hermes Birkins now. I live in Paris and I find it hard here to get one also. You must have connections with the salespeople at Hermes store. The Hermes on Fauborg St. Honore (Paris) is a very busy boutique and they can't guarantee when or how many Birkins they will get in. It's a matter of luck, being at the store at the right time. Good luck.
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