SA Pressure

[FrenchNewbie]

More detail?
I've been offered bags over phone and text but pretty clear ones, like "Noir Birkin 30" or "Constance in Barenia with PHW", where I could make the decision without coming in to the store (and so I don't see the bag til it is sent to me).

So your store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

 

[lala_retro]

So you store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

I've been explicitly told by my SA in the US that QBs cannot be shipped when I asked if items can be shipped to me. There were exceptions to this during pandemic lockdown, but as soon as stay at home orders were lifted that stopped.

 

[lovejoysunshine]

From reading this forum and other social media, my understanding is that for VIPs/VVIPs who are long term regular clients of more than a decade and with total spend well into the 7 figures, including in unpopular categories such as furniture, the usual rules e.g number of QBs per year, no shipping etc do not apply. It’s just the way it is for many businesses that the rules can be bent to accommodate preferred clients.

 

[grismouette]

So your store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

From reading this forum and other social media, my understanding is that for VIPs/VVIPs who are long term regular clients of more than a decade and with total spend well into the 7 figures, including in unpopular categories such as furniture, the usual rules e.g number of QBs per year, no shipping etc do not apply. It’s just the way it is for many businesses that the rules can be bent to accommodate preferred clients.

Reminded me of one of my all time fav posts:

I recently had a K28 ostrich shipped cross country to me. They had to ship it via ferrari express so it was an additional $500 for shipping. It was delivered via armed vehicle with armed guards

 

[QuelleFromage]

So your store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

From reading this forum and other social media, my understanding is that for VIPs/VVIPs who are long term regular clients of more than a decade and with total spend well into the 7 figures, including in unpopular categories such as furniture, the usual rules e.g number of QBs per year, no shipping etc do not apply. It’s just the way it is for many businesses that the rules can be bent to accommodate preferred clients.

1) Usually bags and other items are messengered to me. FWIW, Cartier does this as well - messengers purchases such as a JuC bracelet - and I have bought maybe two things at Cartier in my life.

2) On no planet does my H spend approach 7 figures, even over a dozen years of being a client.

 

[PrayersandPurses]

OK, normally I don't comment, but I think it's fair I refute (and then we can get back to topic, which is SA pressure, not delivery):

1) Usually bags and other items are messengered to me. This is not an uncommon practice for Hermes. There are no armed guards, that's hilarious. FWIW, Cartier does this as well - messengers purchases such as a JuC bracelet - and I have bought maybe two things at Cartier in my life. (Cartier sends a messenger in a lovely suit and tie.)

2) On no planet does my H spend approach 7 figures, even over a dozen years of being a client.

Thank you for clarifying

 

[SpicyTuna13]

So your store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

This is possible — I can attest that this has been also done for me the past 5 years. FedEx. Everything.

No, I’m not a VIP. My SA just refers to me as an OG.

 

[DoggieBags]

OK, normally I don't comment, but I think it's fair I refute (and then we can get back to topic, which is SA pressure, not delivery):

1) Usually bags and other items are messengered to me. This is not an uncommon practice for Hermes. There are no armed guards, that's hilarious. FWIW, Cartier does this as well - messengers purchases such as a JuC bracelet - and I have bought maybe two things at Cartier in my life. (Cartier sends a messenger in a lovely suit and tie.)

2) On no planet does my H spend approach 7 figures, even over a dozen years of being a client.

ETA: Frankly, if I were an Hermes SA, and I knew my client, and that client didn't need or want to come in and take up my time - I'd be thrilled to do as much business as possible in 10 minutes via phone and messenger (or shipping) rather than spending up to an hour with presentations in a private room.

I bought 2 bags at the store last year, neither one was a QB but one was a limited edition. I wanted them shipped to my address in the same city as I was still shopping elsewhere that day and did not want to lug the bags in their boxes around with me as I shopped. H had been my first stop. It wasn’t my SA but rather the SM who asked me if it was okay if they shipped the bags to me by Ferrari which I was told does employ armed guards. The SM said they worried about shipping expensive bags by the usual methods. So in this case the pressure not about what to buy but on what method to use in shipping came from the SM. So I said ok. If I remember correctly, the shipping charge was $60 to deliver from H to my apartment in the same city. I had to tell them exactly who would be home to accept the package. The courier service called me a few minutes before they arrived to make sure I was there to accept the package. I met the courier in the lobby of my building. I had to show picture ID and sign for the the package which was then handed to me. It was sealed shut with a tamper proof lock. I had to cut the bag open and inside the bag was a cardboard box sealed on all edges and seams with tape that said if I noticed any cuts or breaks in the tape I should call Ferrari immediately. The bags in their H orange boxes were safe and sound inside the cardboard box. If I remember correctly, you don’t currently live in the US so you may not realize how unreliable the post office and the 2 largest carrier companies have become. They often don’t get signatures even when required to do so and have dumped packages on front porches or front doorsteps and those packages dumped in unsecured areas are then often stolen. So, no I don’t think the use of armed guards to deliver items in the US these days is hilarious or a tall tale. It’s an unfortunate reality.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I bought 2 bags at the store last year, neither one was a QB but one was a limited edition. I wanted them shipped to my address in the same city as I was still shopping elsewhere that day and did not want to lug the bags in their boxes around with me as I shopped. H had been my first stop. It wasn’t my SA but rather the SM who asked me if it was okay if they shipped the bags to me by Ferrari which I was told does employ armed guards. The SM said they worried about shipping expensive bags by the usual methods. So in this case the pressure not about what to buy but on what method to use in shipping came from the SM. So I said ok. If I remember correctly, the shipping charge was $60 to deliver from H to my apartment in the same city. I had to tell them exactly who would be home to accept the package. The courier service called me a few minutes before they arrived to make sure I was there to accept the package. I met the courier in the lobby of my building. I had to show picture ID and sign for the the package which was then handed to me. It was sealed shut with a tamper proof lock. I had to cut the bag open and inside the bag was a cardboard box sealed on all edges and seams with tape that said if I noticed any cuts or breaks in the tape I should call Ferrari immediately. The bags in their H orange boxes were safe and sound inside the cardboard box. If I remember correctly, you don’t currently live in the US so you may not realize how unreliable the post office and the 2 largest carrier companies have become. They often don’t get signatures even when required to do so and have dumped packages on front porches or front doorsteps and those packages dumped in unsecured areas are then often stolen. So, no I don’t think the use of armed guards to deliver items in the US these days is hilarious or a tall tale. It’s an unfortunate reality.

I still have a home in the US, so I am quite aware of the situation there, and my only point is that experiences vary widely from person to person, which no one seems willing to accept I only try to share my experience, answer questions that have been asked, and dispel some misconceptions.
Your experience is different to mine...that is normal.

All of this stemmed from the OP saying they were offered a bag and not allowed to see it; I asked if the store was planning to send it to them unseen; and I am not sure we have seen an answer or a resolution regarding the actual original situation on which this thread is based. Trying to stay on topic, so will edit my previous response to the bare minimum.

 

[Bagzzonly]

You explained it perfectly, and exactly how it was for me having a bag delivered via Ferrari Courier except the fee was $500 since it was going between states and not within the same city. Was told Fedex doesn't insure beyond a certain figure (I "think" it's $27k USD) hence Ferrari.

I bought 2 bags at the store last year, neither one was a QB but one was a limited edition. I wanted them shipped to my address in the same city as I was still shopping elsewhere that day and did not want to lug the bags in their boxes around with me as I shopped. H had been my first stop. It wasn’t my SA but rather the SM who asked me if it was okay if they shipped the bags to me by Ferrari which I was told does employ armed guards. The SM said they worried about shipping expensive bags by the usual methods. So in this case the pressure not about what to buy but on what method to use in shipping came from the SM. So I said ok. If I remember correctly, the shipping charge was $60 to deliver from H to my apartment in the same city. I had to tell them exactly who would be home to accept the package. The courier service called me a few minutes before they arrived to make sure I was there to accept the package. I met the courier in the lobby of my building. I had to show picture ID and sign for the the package which was then handed to me. It was sealed shut with a tamper proof lock. I had to cut the bag open and inside the bag was a cardboard box sealed on all edges and seams with tape that said if I noticed any cuts or breaks in the tape I should call Ferrari immediately. The bags in their H orange boxes were safe and sound inside the cardboard box. If I remember correctly, you don’t currently live in the US so you may not realize how unreliable the post office and the 2 largest carrier companies have become. They often don’t get signatures even when required to do so and have dumped packages on front porches or front doorsteps and those packages dumped in unsecured areas are then often stolen. So, no I don’t think the use of armed guards to deliver items in the US these days is hilarious or a tall tale. It’s an unfortunate reality.

 

[caffelatte]

Echoing what others have said that Hermes will ship quota bags in the US. I was told that it is $500 white glove service and it is an option for clients who have an established relationship with the store.

 

[carrie8]

.

 

[880]

I am not a VIP and I have not had a bag messengered to me from H. But additional third party insurance (from Ferrari or other) does often require the box within a box; you meet the package with photo ID; and secure delivery… all this is somewhat standard for expensive watches and similarly priced fine jewelry. Fed ex and other express services will not provide sufficient insurance for higher priced items

Re OPs original query, it seems that many have answered that the SA or SM would push for a soft commitment as soon as possible bc there may well be others who wish to buy a bag in same specs. There is always the option of refusing if one sees the actual bag and has a sincere change of heart. JMO

ETA: when I send my bags for third party professional spa, the spa provider provides additional insurance similar to the steps described above. It adds considerably to the cost (and can be more expensive than the actual service) but I feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.

I also assume Ferrari is not used for regular line items from Cartier or VCA., bc the retail price of the merchandise does not warrant the service, but that’s JMO

 

[TankerToad]

You explained it perfectly, and exactly how it was for me having a bag delivered via Ferrari Courier except the fee was $500 since it was going between states and not within the same city. Was told Fedex doesn't insure beyond a certain figure (I "think" it's $27k USD) hence Ferrari.

This. Exactly.

 

[showgratitude]

So your store/SA will mail/has mailed a Birkin or Kelly to you?? I didn't know this was possible or even a thing. How did you get that exception made for you?
I have seen it posted here, and even had 2 SA hint to me that I have to be physically present to buy/receive the bag.

There are no hard and fast rules with H. It all boils down to how good your rapport and relationship is with your SA/SM. They can always make an exception if they want to. A lot of people think that there is a formula to be offered a bag and certain perks in H. There is no formula. You just have to be an H customer, be lucky, and be well-liked by their employees.
But yes, the more common thing is to be required to be in the H boutique for bag offers.