San Francisco Hermes Store

[candyapples88]

I have a question about my relationship with my SA. He’s been responsive to my questions but in person we haven’t really clicked. I’ve shopped with him for about 3x now over the span of 9 months. Last time I asked for a few items and we would set up an appt via text. When we got there he totally forgot what I asked for and in the end I was helped by store assistant (who is trying to be an SA). We didn’t even talk other than a quick greet. He ended up helping somebody else.. what should I do? I want to switch SA but everyone keeps telling me I’ll get blacklisted.

That’s hard. You can always be up front with him and say you need more assistance, but in a nice way like you dnt know what you’re doing and need his guidance. Or I wonder if he’s feeling the disconnect in the relationship too. If so, it may be better to work with someone else and just explain to the new SA you were having trouble getting the guy to help you.

 

[Fixxi]

I have a question about my relationship with my SA. He’s been responsive to my questions but in person we haven’t really clicked. I’ve shopped with him for about 3x now over the span of 9 months. Last time I asked for a few items and we would set up an appt via text. When we got there he totally forgot what I asked for and in the end I was helped by store assistant (who is trying to be an SA). We didn’t even talk other than a quick greet. He ended up helping somebody else.. what should I do? I want to switch SA but everyone keeps telling me I’ll get blacklisted.

I mean this in the best way possible, so I hope you don't take any offense. I'm not sure what your spend has been like during those visits, but imo, 3x visits over 9 months span may not be enough for a genuine relationship. As a flagship store, with a ton of high spenders and tourists, the SAs barely get time to respond to texts. It's also consistent with other larger markets (from other threads) that they are definitely prioritizing in-person visits, so it may just be that the reason you haven't "clicked" is because of lack of visits. And I'm not saying it's in any way OK for them to be so aloof as it sounds like he had been with you, but it's just how it is sometimes

You will not be blacklisted for switching SAs. If you have been shopping with them for a while and you switch, there may be more disadvantages (i.e. having to start a relationship new with a SA, who's your first line of advocate for a bag) but since you've only gone in 3x, I don't know that if the SA will take that much of offense either.

Your shopping experience should always be a positive one, and I hope it does get better! There are a ton of friendly SAs I've seen, so I hope you meet one that you really click with!

P.S. I've been going at least once a month, and my SA and I have an amicable relationship (at least thats what i think lol) but sometimes she still forgets what I'm coming in for. I just remind her what I'm looking for when I go in. Don't read too much into it. The SAs have a lot of clients, it's probably too much for them to remember what each of their clients are looking for Happy shopping!

 

[baglover4ever]

I mean this in the best way possible, so I hope you don't take any offense. I'm not sure what your spend has been like during those visits, but imo, 3x visits over 9 months span may not be enough for a genuine relationship. As a flagship store, with a ton of high spenders and tourists, the SAs barely get time to respond to texts. It's also consistent with other larger markets (from other threads) that they are definitely prioritizing in-person visits, so it may just be that the reason you haven't "clicked" is because of lack of visits. And I'm not saying it's in any way OK for them to be so aloof as it sounds like he had been with you, but it's just how it is sometimes

You will not be blacklisted for switching SAs. If you have been shopping with them for a while and you switch, there may be more disadvantages (i.e. having to start a relationship new with a SA, who's your first line of advocate for a bag) but since you've only gone in 3x, I don't know that if the SA will take that much of offense either.

Your shopping experience should always be a positive one, and I hope it does get better! There are a ton of friendly SAs I've seen, so I hope you meet one that you really click with!

P.S. I've been going at least once a month, and my SA and I have an amicable relationship (at least thats what i think lol) but sometimes she still forgets what I'm coming in for. I just remind her what I'm looking for when I go in. Don't read too much into it. The SAs have a lot of clients, it's probably too much for them to remember what each of their clients are looking for Happy shopping!

I totally get it. And I don’t mind developing that relationship over time. Im not ina hurry but would like to at least be on his radar. It was just weird that the last time I went in, he didn’t even help me even though he helped me set up that appt. He was helping someone else the whole time I was there for about an hr as I was checking out shoes and rtw. He didn’t even help me check out or say bye to me. I was working with his assistant the whole time. I just felt a little bit disrespected too but not sure if this is the norm in the sf store. I feel like usually I can spark a convo pretty well with people but with him it was like pulling teeth.

 

[Fixxi]

I totally get it. And I don’t mind developing that relationship over time. Im not ina hurry but would like to at least be on his radar. It was just weird that the last time I went in, he didn’t even help me even though he helped me set up that appt. He was helping someone else the whole time I was there for about an hr as I was checking out shoes and rtw. He didn’t even help me check out or say bye to me. I was working with his assistant the whole time. I just felt a little bit disrespected too but not sure if this is the norm in the sf store. I feel like usually I can spark a convo pretty well with people but with him it was like pulling teeth.

Definitely not the norm! I'd say it took me about 2-3x appointments for my SA to (in my opinion) genuinely warm up to me, but even till then she was super professional with me the whole time - like I'm her only client. If I were you, and if my spending wasn't too high in the previous 3x appointments you've had, I'd say switch. Just pop into the store one day and get assigned someone random and see if you click better. That way, if you wanted to go back to your first SA, you can always say "oh i stopped by the store on a whim, and you were already busy".

It sounds like whether you switch or not, you'll have to develop a relationship basically from scratch, so why continue with the previous SA who made you feel that way. As @880 always say, YMMV, but personally that's what I would do

 

[acrowcounted]

I totally get it. And I don’t mind developing that relationship over time. Im not ina hurry but would like to at least be on his radar. It was just weird that the last time I went in, he didn’t even help me even though he helped me set up that appt. He was helping someone else the whole time I was there for about an hr as I was checking out shoes and rtw. He didn’t even help me check out or say bye to me. I was working with his assistant the whole time. I just felt a little bit disrespected too but not sure if this is the norm in the sf store. I feel like usually I can spark a convo pretty well with people but with him it was like pulling teeth.

Doesn’t really sound like he considers himself your SA so I would just find a new one.

 

[880]

When we got there he totally forgot what I asked for and in the end I was helped by store assistant (who is trying to be an SA). We didn’t even talk other than a quick greet. He ended up helping somebody else.. what should I do? I want to switch SA but everyone keeps telling me I’ll get blacklisted.

I just remind her what I'm looking for when I go in. Don't read too much into it. The SAs have a lot of clients, it's probably too much for them to remember what each of their clients are looking for

Doesn’t really sound like he considers himself your SA so I would just find a new one.

100% agree with @Fixxi and @acrowcounted, especially the points above. Not sure why anyone would tell you that you would be blackballed even if you had twenty visits with one SA. It is always the client‘s prerogative to shop with any SA they choose. If you click with another SA, absolutely go for it. You absolutely do not have to explain this decision to anyone.

While his behavior was not ideal, I don’t think it was intentional, personal, or disrespectful. Stores post Covid are packed, and appts do run over. It’s also possible that he was stuck helping some one else who ran over their allotted time. All of the SAs face this kind of time crunch and pressure. I try to avoid weekends or crowded times, but sometimes it cannot be helped. He did make sure that someone else was there to assist you.

H SAs are not given time to deal with hundreds of texted requests. In fact, it’s expected that they will deal with those requests during the appt. They have to juggle these between clients and they may be rotated to other tasks like first floor walk ins or door duty.

ETA: shopping the boutique can be fun. It can also be aggravating. I try to remember that the SAs are caught between a rock and a hard place, those being clients and managers, with a dearth of time and product.

 

[thebirkinqueen]

@candyapples88 NP. In my opinion, just be open and honest with her if you feel like you have a good relationship or plan to keep working with the SA. Inquire about your porcelain items and remind her that last time when you had noticed that there were no bags on display and she said that’s what you have her for, and ask her to elaborate on how does that work. If you have specific items in mind, you can ask how it would work if you were interested in x bag (and mention specific details Re bag if you know what you want). If you just want to browse, you can just ask if she by chance has anything available that she can show you. Either way, I think this convo would be easier in person, but totally depends on your relationship and what you’re comfortable with.

There’s a lot of input on this thread, which is great, but not all the information is accurate or will work for you, so you should do what you feel is right!

 

[ristrettodude]

Random thoughts in no specific order:

This is too late to post but I'm getting the sense that the store has been getting a LOT of bags recently. By a LOT I mean... it's fair share and about what they ordered.

As a follow up to my previous and first post, I got to look up my total spending so far. About 22-24K. That includes the first B I was offered and bought. That means my non-QB spend is really under 6-7K, but then I was also recently out of the blue offered another, definitely rare B that I turned down. AGAIN, 1:1 spend or whatever ratio people seem to obsess over is a manufactured reality (at least in the US) that makes those folks overlook what's more important—BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SA. TRULY, JUST BE YOURSELF. Plus, deep understanding of the brand's value system and mission etc does help as well. I'm not saying having a 5:1 ratio won't help you get a bag. But that's a fairly one dimensional, transactional way to achieve your goal without enjoying and appreciating what the maison actually has to offer. Again, my spend is nowhere the SF average--yet they don't mind bringing out a glass of delicious bubbly for me every time (and i have never seen one with a glass at the maison besides myself. yet)

Since i'm not into QB, I'm also about to kick off a Horizon project (which was offered to me almost like 'sure why not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯') in addition to a made to measure project which is already in motion. So excited--will share more in the coming months or I guess years

 

[acrowcounted]

Random thoughts in no specific order:

This is too late to post but I'm getting the sense that the store has been getting a LOT of bags recently. By a LOT I mean... it's fair share and about what they ordered.

As a follow up to my previous and first post, I got to look up my total spending so far. About 22-24K. That includes the first B I was offered and bought. That means my non-QB spend is really under 6-7K, but then I was also recently out of the blue offered another, definitely rare B that I turned down. AGAIN, 1:1 spend or whatever ratio people seem to obsess over is a manufactured reality (at least in the US) that makes those folks overlook what's more important—BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SA. TRULY, JUST BE YOURSELF. Plus, deep understanding of the brand's value system and mission etc does help as well. I'm not saying having a 5:1 ratio won't help you get a bag. But that's a fairly one dimensional, transactional way to achieve your goal without enjoying and appreciating what the maison actually has to offer. Again, my spend is nowhere the SF average--yet they don't mind bringing out a glass of delicious bubbly for me every time (and i have never seen one with a glass at the maison besides myself. yet)

Since i'm not into QB, I'm also about to kick off a Horizon project (which was offered to me almost like 'sure why not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯') in addition to a made to measure project which is already in motion. So excited--will share more in the coming months or I guess years

Congrats on your success! I do fear though that your post will leave a lot of other shoppers feeling poorly about their own situations so for the full picture I’d like to point out that you are a man and the bag you received was a B/HAC 40. While yes, relationship and connection with the SA is vastly important, unfortunately women clients, especially those looking for the overtly popular mini bags, tend to find it more difficult to stand out against one another and thus the higher spend ratios are more necessary.
Please do share details on your horizon project if you are willing. It’s such an amazing and unique experience!

 

[ristrettodude]

I understand your point but I was able to ask for a MK 25 neutral / gold in a casual conversation. I can’t go into more details.

 

[acrowcounted]

I understand your point but I was able to ask for a MK 25 neutral / gold in a casual conversation. I can’t go into more details.

Did you buy a K25 in neutral/gold?

 

[Dinhky]

I totally get it. And I don’t mind developing that relationship over time. Im not ina hurry but would like to at least be on his radar. It was just weird that the last time I went in, he didn’t even help me even though he helped me set up that appt. He was helping someone else the whole time I was there for about an hr as I was checking out shoes and rtw. He didn’t even help me check out or say bye to me. I was working with his assistant the whole time. I just felt a little bit disrespected too but not sure if this is the norm in the sf store. I feel like usually I can spark a convo pretty well with people but with him it was like pulling teeth.

I don’t know what day you came into the store but if you can, try scheduling on the weekday (Mon-Thurs) when it’s not heavy foot traffic. That way it’s more relaxed and the SA can get to know you better. If you went when it wasn’t busy, your SA might have been stuck with a client (maybe high profile, maybe not.) my SA has been really late for my appts so she sent someone to help me instead. I try to keep things light so the relationship is more forgiving both ways. Best of luck. Hope things turn out well.

 

[candyapples88]

My SA did say to me that they try and take care of their local people and they don’t really have time to help the tourists that come thru.

I’m still working on my relationship w my SA and building a purchase history. We’ll see how much money, and how long it takes. I have a very comfortable relationship with her though which I’m loving.

 

[riyona]

Hi, I was wondering how is the inventory for bags in general at the SF store? The Palo Alto store told me for bags, they only had whatever are displayed, which weren't a lot lol

Do you still need to be offered a NQ bag or build a purchase history with an SA first for it? I'm looking for a lindy, or picotin, or maybe a bolide. Also, does buying a bag count towards pre-spend for QB in SF?

 

[Rose0303]

Hi, I was wondering how is the inventory for bags in general at the SF store? The Palo Alto store told me for bags, they only had whatever are displayed, which weren't a lot lol

Do you still need to be offered a NQ bag or build a purchase history with an SA first for it? I'm looking for a lindy, or picotin, or maybe a bolide. Also, does buying a bag count towards pre-spend for QB in SF?

Hi, i was at the store 2 weeks ago and saw a B and a picotin being offered to some clients. For the person receiving a picotin, she seemed like an established client (had a B30 on her). Im not sure if she would have been offered that bag if she didnt already have a relationship with an SA.