San Francisco Hermes Store
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Hi. I'm new to the forum and I must say, I enjoy your insights and perspective, especially about the local stores. I began my campaign (to me, it feels more like a campaign rather than a journey haha) for an offer at the start of the year, prior to that, I only went to the store to pick up small items, but I have worked with the same SA, who, from the very beginning, told me that best way to get an offer was to establish a relationship with the store and to be patient. That sort of stuck to me and it prevented me from going to Palo Alto (plus the PA store gave me really bad vibes). Initially, my plan was to wait till I hit the big 4-0 but COVID circumstances made me go crazy change that timeline to as soon as I get the offer. When I told my SA that I'd like to be considered or be added to the imaginary list ideally for this year, my SA told me that with the current events (COVID) inventory is a bit tough but that she would try for me. I ramped up my visits to the store since, purchased a few more items (bags, shoes, rtw, bit of cosmetics and fine jewelry) and with some patience (I struggled with this the most lol), wish items started coming, most recent is a TPM in neutral color (I was told late last year that there's a 2 year waiting list for the TPM in either gold and etoupe, so i was really surprised when my SA offered one to me a few weeks after I asked her if it's hard to order one), I was told by a friend who knows someone who used to work at the H store in Guam, that they only offer hot items to customers with good purchase history, not sure if there's any truth to that (awesome if it is) and now my SA is hinting, that she might have something special for me next time I visit, the hint might be a C24, which brings me to my question: does your SA give hints before they actually make an offer?
Congrats! Campaign is a great word to use, lol. Anyway, some SAs do that. My SF SA does not; she offers me whatever is there if I happen to go to the store. I rarely go in person anymore tho even pre-pandemic. My DH’s SA does that because she’s out of state. So she told him if we come visit her this Christmas season she’ll have a b25 for me. So your SA mentioning a possibility of a C24 is good news. Hope it’s something you will like
Wow! So you never know if you will get offered a quota bag unless you visit the store to buy items? I would think the SA would ask you to come in because a quota bag you might like came in the store.. this makes me think if I should go visit more oftenCongrats! Campaign is a great word to use, lol. Anyway, some SAs do that. My SF SA does not; she offers me whatever is there if I happen to go to the store. I rarely go in person anymore tho even pre-pandemic. My DH’s SA does that because she’s out of state. So she told him if we come visit her this Christmas season she’ll have a b25 for me. So your SA mentioning a possibility of a C24 is good news. Hope it’s something you will like
Well it really depends on the SA. My SA’s style is like that, because she has 50+ clients, I don’t think she remembers who asked for what. So if I’m there or I’m texting her to buy something and she happens to have a bag, she would offer it to me (whether I asked for it or not). But if I really want a bag I have to keep reminding her, like the Constance to go she worked on for a few months. I don’t know how comfortable you are with your SA, but with mine I could just text her to ask anything I want and she’s honest with me if I have a chance to get it or not (like a picnic k, she turned me down right away lol). If you have her work cell number just text her once in a while to ask whatever you’re interested in? Tbh tho with the pandemic the bags are harder to come by, I didn’t really get anything from her last year but got a few bags this year, although nonquota. Have you been offered a bag on your wishlist yet?Wow! So you never know if you will get offered a quota bag unless you visit the store to buy items? I would think the SA would ask you to come in because a quota bag you might like came in the store.. this makes me think if I should go visit more often
Not yet! And wondering how it will come/notified.. anyone want to chime in how you were offered? Surprised at a visit or via txt/email?
I have about the same relationship with my SA. I think they were given mobile devices at the start of the pandemic, she game me her number via email back in June or July last year and that's how we've been communicating ever since. she told me to send her screen shots of items that I like and she'd let me know if they have it in store or she'll order for me if item is not in store (order is also some sort of indication that they add it on your wish list), it's also how she'd tell me when she has things and she'd tell me her schedule if/when I want to pick up in person or she'd make arrangements to overnight the goodies to me. half the time I opt to go and collect in person so I can personally ask her about my quota/unicorn wish list (I don't do it often as I know she knows, if you know what I mean) and she keeps telling me in person to "be patient," I also learned not to bring up the unicorn requests on mobile (they tend to ignore them), so I'm surprised when she told me over text that she might have something special for me when I see her next (granted, I did mention that my birthday is coming up).
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I was recently at the SF store and noticed a single guy sitting in the back by himself on the phone. A SA brought out a number of boxes and I couldn't help but 'browse' the women's shoes and discreetly hover to see if he was getting a quota bag because (don't judge me, I learned not to judge a book by its cover) he did not seem like a typical H client. The first box was an exotic mini-k OMG. The second was an exotic matte B25 (I think). I nearly fainted. I would have thought they would have been showing him in the room next to the vases or in the back dressing rooms but they were out in the open. All the while he didn't flinch and kept looking at his phone / taking photos or videos. Immediately thought is this what a reseller looks like??
I joked to my SA that I wouldn't mind the leftover bag or how I wish one day I could be offered a choice of bags. She nervously laughed it off and said oh one day we will get there. After we moved to the fine jewelry section, she mentioned that client has been a loyal customer for 10+ years (he did not look very old!) and his wife/ then-gf had introduced him to Hermes way back during the financial crisis and it was easier to get quota bags. They visit FSH twice a year as well. Turns out his goal isn't quota bags but to have one of the rare H Bugatti interiors. When leaving almost every SA said hello to him and he even chatted with security at the door and seemed so humble. Don't judge a book by its cover.
I joked to my SA that I wouldn't mind the leftover bag or how I wish one day I could be offered a choice of bags. She nervously laughed it off and said oh one day we will get there. After we moved to the fine jewelry section, she mentioned that client has been a loyal customer for 10+ years (he did not look very old!) and his wife/ then-gf had introduced him to Hermes way back during the financial crisis and it was easier to get quota bags. They visit FSH twice a year as well. Turns out his goal isn't quota bags but to have one of the rare H Bugatti interiors. When leaving almost every SA said hello to him and he even chatted with security at the door and seemed so humble. Don't judge a book by its cover.
I was recently at the SF store and noticed a single guy sitting in the back by himself on the phone. A SA brought out a number of boxes and I couldn't help but 'browse' the women's shoes and discreetly hover to see if he was getting a quota bag because (don't judge me, I learned not to judge a book by its cover) he did not seem like a typical H client. The first box was an exotic mini-k OMG. The second was an exotic matte B25 (I think). I nearly fainted. I would have thought they would have been showing him in the room next to the vases or in the back dressing rooms but they were out in the open. All the while he didn't flinch and kept looking at his phone / taking photos or videos. Immediately thought is this what a reseller looks like??
I joked to my SA that I wouldn't mind the leftover bag or how I wish one day I could be offered a choice of bags. She nervously laughed it off and said oh one day we will get there. After we moved to the fine jewelry section, she mentioned that client has been a loyal customer for 10+ years (he did not look very old!) and his wife/ then-gf had introduced him to Hermes way back during the financial crisis and it was easier to get quota bags. They visit FSH twice a year as well. Turns out his goal isn't quota bags but to have one of the rare H Bugatti interiors. When leaving almost every SA said hello to him and he even chatted with security at the door and seemed so humble. Don't judge a book by its cover.
that Quote definitely applies to SF/Bay Area in general where the preferred style is super low key. Same thing happened the last time I was at the store! at least 3 or 4 other ladies got offered or were there picking up goodies. most reveal happened upstairs where its a lot more quiet and you can easily open a box by the furniture section. there was even a mini constance sitting on the counter as I was paying. I jokingly told my SA that mini c is too small for me but thanks for the gesture lol she just giggled. btw, is Constance considered a quota bag? I think I read somewhere that it is not?
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As far as I know it’s not a quota bag. But I feel like C’s are easier to come by this year in SF, noh? I was offered 3 this year, but I only took one. Anyone else feels this way? Or is it different with you guys?
Hi there!
I’ve been thinking a lot about that dream bag, a b25. I’ve been reading and watching a lot of videos and how others do get lucky in getting an offer without a purchase history. I live in the Bay Area so closest Hermès location to me are SF and Palo Alto and I’ve read that it’s very difficult to get an offer even for those who spend so much already. I am hoping to not spend on things that I don’t love to get this opportunity. I do have a few small things in mind but that’s about it. So, I’m looking for any advice or guidance from anyone that can help make this dream a possibility for me
It will also be helpful if someone can give their experience with either locations.
Thank you so much advance!
ps. I’ve decided No on the pre-loved/reseller route
I’ve been thinking a lot about that dream bag, a b25. I’ve been reading and watching a lot of videos and how others do get lucky in getting an offer without a purchase history. I live in the Bay Area so closest Hermès location to me are SF and Palo Alto and I’ve read that it’s very difficult to get an offer even for those who spend so much already. I am hoping to not spend on things that I don’t love to get this opportunity. I do have a few small things in mind but that’s about it. So, I’m looking for any advice or guidance from anyone that can help make this dream a possibility for me
It will also be helpful if someone can give their experience with either locations.
Thank you so much advance!
ps. I’ve decided No on the pre-loved/reseller route
In H, there are no hard and fast rules. I have never been to the SFO one. But, I've never been sold a coveted bag without any prior purchase. Not saying it doesn't happen---just that it hasn't happened to me yet. Find an SA that truly "clicks" with you because that will be an important element as to whether or not you will get what you wish for. How much you spend is only secondary..in my experience.
Well you know the data points about SF and PA, so you probably know that the B25 are one of the harder bags to land due to demand.
With that in mind:
1) Pick a store you can visit easily
2) Find an SA you can like/feel is communicative enough for you
3) Be clear with that SA what you are after (make/color etc)
4) As your schedule allows, book in person appointments every few weeks with that SA (they tend not to make offers digitally)
5) Plan out your small purchases and spread them out over those in-person visits
6) Be prepared to be patient
The more flexible you are on color/leather with the B25 will likely help you along. But keep in mind a LOT of people are being extremely flexible so having "something" in mind can help you too. Like "Here's colors/leathers that interest me in particular but I'm open to serendipity, a b25 is my #1 goal" or something like that.
Also don't get in your head about if the SA doesn't like you etc if they don't return messages immediately. They are super busy with in-person visits and their texts/emails can get backed up quite a bit. Just follow up politely if you don't hear back.
Finally try to conduct your business in-person if you are mainly after a B. You have to physically be there in the store to squeak your quota wheel and who knows, maybe the wheel of quota will roll your way sooner.
With that in mind:
1) Pick a store you can visit easily
2) Find an SA you can like/feel is communicative enough for you
3) Be clear with that SA what you are after (make/color etc)
4) As your schedule allows, book in person appointments every few weeks with that SA (they tend not to make offers digitally)
5) Plan out your small purchases and spread them out over those in-person visits
6) Be prepared to be patient
The more flexible you are on color/leather with the B25 will likely help you along. But keep in mind a LOT of people are being extremely flexible so having "something" in mind can help you too. Like "Here's colors/leathers that interest me in particular but I'm open to serendipity, a b25 is my #1 goal" or something like that.
Also don't get in your head about if the SA doesn't like you etc if they don't return messages immediately. They are super busy with in-person visits and their texts/emails can get backed up quite a bit. Just follow up politely if you don't hear back.
Finally try to conduct your business in-person if you are mainly after a B. You have to physically be there in the store to squeak your quota wheel and who knows, maybe the wheel of quota will roll your way sooner.
Thank you. I’m going to check out the SF store and hopefully I get paired go with someone great. Fingers crossed!
Thank you! These are some great tips and I’ll be saving this as a guide! Palo Alto is closer to me and where I work and parking is a lot easier. But I’ve read Palo Alto’s inventory is harder to come by and possible better luck at SF? Have you been to either stores and if so, which would you recommend I start my journey at?