RaC VS Podium

[miyake0214]

Dear Ladies:
These Rack, SO, Podium, etc,. had my mind twirling as my H position in the hierarchy of customers has not even passed the "you-are-not-an-established-customer-yet", to the best of my knowledge, to even covet a Birkin.
Anyway, darling Birkel or anybody, if you can just clear the cobwebs in my neurons, please jump in if my understanding is incorrect.
What takes place first in the H as far as ordering is concerned:
1) Rack-wherein a special or unique allocation per store is established- can be construed as an option the SM can exercise as a privilege for preferred clientele.
2) Podium
3) SO
Thank you in advance.

 

[pyrexia]

Dear Ladies:
These Rack, SO, Podium, etc,. had my mind twirling as my H position in the hierarchy of customers has not even passed the "you-are-not-an-established-customer-yet", to the best of my knowledge, to even covet a Birkin.
Anyway, darling Birkel or anybody, if you can just clear the cobwebs in my neurons, please jump in if my understanding is incorrect.
What takes place first in the H as far as ordering is concerned:
1) Rack-wherein a special or unique allocation per store is established- can be construed as an option the SM can exercise as a privilege for preferred clientele.
2) Podium
3) SO
Thank you in advance.

If you are talking strict hierarchy, it should be RAC > SO > PO.

POs are always the "lowest" on the rung as they are limited by what Paris offers for that season. No customization at all. So you can probably always get black togo, but not black box.

SOs allow for limited customization, as the others have mentioned above. Usually bi-colors and tri-colors, but in most cases customization is within limits set by Paris.

RAC is customization without borders. Anything goes. I'm assuming that the truly special Birkins, such as those with different front panels etc, fall under this category.

 

[miyake0214]

If you are talking strict hierarchy, it should be RAC > SO > PO.

POs are always the "lowest" on the rung as they are limited by what Paris offers for that season. No customization at all. So you can probably always get black togo, but not black box.

SOs allow for limited customization, as the others have mentioned above. Usually bi-colors and tri-colors, but in most cases customization is within limits set by Paris.

RAC is customization without borders. Anything goes. I'm assuming that the truly special Birkins, such as those with different front panels etc, fall under this category.

OIC. Thanks Pyrexia. So, the store managers go to the podium to find out what would and could be available for the Rack(very limited) and SO for the year? or is PO short for Podium order? or Purchase Order. I tried to search a thread for clarification to no avail.
thanks again.

 

[mrssparkles]

POs are always the "lowest" on the rung as they are limited by what Paris offers for that season. No customization at all. So you can probably always get black togo, but not black box.

Good example, pyrexia. However this does not always translate to a customer's request being fulfilled at the store level because black is such a staple and popular colour. Demand being greater than supply ... so it can get difficult at times.

 

[pyrexia]

OIC. Thanks Pyrexia. So, the store managers go to the podium to find out what would be available for the Rack(very limited) and SO for the year?
thanks again.

I'm not exactly sure how RAC works, as in, if there is an "Available" list of colors that differs from season to season.

For SOs though, my understanding is that the SMs are given a list of what leathers/colors are accepted for SO only. E.g. in the recent podiums, chevre and box have been SO-only. So any orders to be submitted in these leathers must follow the SO combinations as stipulated by Paris.

I don't know if RAC encompasses non-SO colors, or SO colors which have been discontinued. I have not had the privilege of placing RAC or an "unlimited SO" so I have no knowledge of that. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

ETA: PO = Podium order, SO = special order

 

[pyrexia]

Good example, pyrexia. However this does not always translate to a customer's request being fulfilled at the store level because black is such a staple and popular colour. Demand being greater than supply ... so it can get difficult at times.

Very true, MrsS.

Just wanted to demonstrate that black togo is probably always offered at podium - whether or not the SM orders it at all (or in sufficient quantity to satisfy her customers' demand) is another matter altogether

 

[mrssparkles]

Very true, MrsS.

Just wanted to demonstrate that black togo is probably always offered at podium - whether or not the SM orders it at all (or in sufficient quantity to satisfy her customers' demand) is another matter altogether

Yes, dear. I know you know. I posted only to help manage tpfers' expectations. Don't we all know how sometimes things read on the forum are taken literally and the H stores get bombarded why their orders haven't arrived

 

[Jen_910]

I ordered a 40 black shiny croc birkin at podium in July of this year, thinking that it's a smart move since black is such a common color vs something like fuschia.

Did i make a mistake? lol. cuz I really want this bag!

 

[mrssparkles]

I ordered a 40 black shiny croc birkin at podium in July of this year, thinking that it's a smart move since black is such a common color vs something like fuschia.

Did i make a mistake? lol. cuz I really want this bag!

Why should you think it's a mistake if it's what you really want?

You should have received confirmation by now if it's approved by Paris. Not many people will order a 40cm or can afford a 40cm croc. So I don't think it would be a problem getting one, if your store has given you an exotic quota.

 

[TammyD]

I'm not exactly sure how RAC works, as in, if there is an "Available" list of colors that differs from season to season.

For SOs though, my understanding is that the SMs are given a list of what leathers/colors are accepted for SO only. E.g. in the recent podiums, chevre and box have been SO-only. So any orders to be submitted in these leathers must follow the SO combinations as stipulated by Paris.

I don't know if RAC encompasses non-SO colors, or SO colors which have been discontinued. I have not had the privilege of placing RAC or an "unlimited SO" so I have no knowledge of that. Hopefully someone else can chime in on that.

ETA: PO = Podium order, SO = special order

Pyrexia, the reality is that SO and RAC orders are different names for the same thing depending on where you are. They're not specific categories in which we can peg our understanding of what H can do in terms of bags.

I have never had boundaries imposed in designing my bags, or even limitations on the number I can buy per season when I am in Paris. I don't know why see rules are imposed on others and not me, but it doesn't matter. Maybe they just like my face

I think it boils down to this: there's no science to H and no point over-analyzing these things. Some people are allowed to design their bags without limitations, whereas in some cases limitations are imposed. It can happen to anyone anywhere. We never know why but the vision of the season (and the mood of HQ) has a lot to do with it.

 

[birkel]

I could not have given you better explanation truly I feel like you have been given the best advice ever , but thing is that this notion of a better relationship, I mean yes it helps to be nice and I have become friends true friends with some if my sa but again you don't have to qualify for a birkin not with purchases I mean my H experience has been different but I do sujest you build your relationship with a the store buying what you want insisting and proving you know like the fact that you know about rack and SO and asking around and insisting nicely of course but insisting again in terms of rack it is a tool for better and more precise ordering , and the reason why there are more chances to order specific bags is because SM would not be pressed in to certain bags actually,Hermes sm are asked to build a story around what they buy at podium if they buy say lots of black and grey they might say its because they are promoting a modern yet vibrant working woman or if the go colorful they might say they are thinking of a jet set woman yachting off the French riviera, but with rack they dont have to justify or construct a story line that matches pret a porter and scarfs and ties and mens wear and shoes or define a story as to why they are buying so they can order wonderful perfect bags made to order .hope it helps darling .birkel.

 

[Leah]

I think it boils down to this: there's no science to H and no point over-analyzing these things. Some people are allowed to design their bags without limitations, whereas in some cases limitations are imposed. It can happen to anyone anywhere. We never know why but the vision of the season (and the mood of HQ) has a lot to do with it.

I fully agree with the above. And I know from experience that while some of these Hermes "mysteries" make for an interesting discussion, to your point, there exists no 100% absolute rules/gospel truth that the boutiques fully follow, most especially when it comes to special orders.

In fact, I have had two boutique managers from the same country but different cities (very experienced managers, the other one is one of the "oldest" managers in Europe) tell me completely and wildly different things about special orders and bigger sized exotics. I went back and forth asking "Are you sure, because XX said this?" and each insisted they were right (and they probably were, for THAT store at THAT particular time.)

 

[pyrexia]

Yes, dear. I know you know. I posted only to help manage tpfers' expectations. Don't we all know how sometimes things read on the forum are taken literally and the H stores get bombarded why their orders haven't arrived

I suspect SAs and SMs around the world are now going to be bombarded with RAC requests and questions ....

 

[pyrexia]

Pyrexia, the reality is that SO and RAC orders are different names for the same thing depending on where you are. They're not specific categories in which we can peg our understanding of what H can do in terms of bags.

I have never had boundaries imposed in designing my bags, or even limitations on the number I can buy per season when I am in Paris. I don't know why see rules are imposed on others and not me, but it doesn't matter. Maybe they just like my face

I think it boils down to this: there's no science to H and no point over-analyzing these things. Some people are allowed to design their bags without limitations, whereas in some cases limitations are imposed. It can happen to anyone anywhere. We never know why but the vision of the season (and the mood of HQ) has a lot to do with it.

Thanks TammyD, for this clarification.

I am like you - when I placed my SO in Paris (or at least, at that time, I only knew of SOs and had heard nothing of RAC), I was not given any limitation either. I just told the SA what I wanted, how I wanted it, and she submitted it.

It was only when I came home and told my local SA about it, then she asked me "what version" of SO I placed... the first I'd ever heard about Version 1 etc. I still am not sure what exactly is my "version".. not going to beat myself up over it.

It's interesting to know the different terms that H uses, but I agree - I don't really care about whether I am offered a RAC or SO. It just needs to be what I like and what I want. H can call it whatever they want. Just give me my bag!

 

[pyrexia]

I ordered a 40 black shiny croc birkin at podium in July of this year, thinking that it's a smart move since black is such a common color vs something like fuschia.

Did i make a mistake? lol. cuz I really want this bag!

How can it be a mistake, if it's what you really want?

Some people think it's a waste to order togo/clemence if offered an SO opportunity, but IMO if that is the leather you want and love, then just go for it.