Spend threshold for B/K/C

[Bdbunny]

Hi! I hope it’s ok to revert to this. I received my first QB of 2024 from my SA a couple months back and have since spent the recommended amount for my second QB of this year. I did share my interest in croc/alligator and there was a longggg pause before they acknowledged and said they’d try to find one for me.

Today I went to Madison and asked to see bags. I said I was interested in exotics. The SA pulled up my profile and said, since I’m working with someone else, they cannot give me a B/K (as expected) but can show me other exotic bags. They remarked that my store must be very difficult and I said yes, not just for leather but non leather.

I asked them if it’d be hard for my profile to get an alligator/croc B25 or 30 at Madison and they said it depends on what I’d purchase with them, but if I worked with them exclusively they would make it convenient for me since I’m closer to my current store than Madison. And that exotics are not reserved for tenured clients. I got the sense that they’re honest and given many opinions here I might have a better chance at getting an exotic from Madison than my store.

Now I enjoy shopping with my current SA and they’re very responsive (within minutes or hours). And I’m not on any timeline with the exotic bag. If you were in my shoes what would you do?

I would also stay with your store, especially if you’re not on a timeline.

they said it depends on what I’d purchase with them

The Madison SA is basically telling you that you would have to spend with them before they will offer you a QB, so if you’re already at a good place with your current SA, you’re going to have to spend even more with a new SA.

If you’re not in a hurry and you can be patient (I’m bad at being patient lol), just say no to regular bags your SA offers you, and keep asking for an exotic one and I’m sure you’ll get one.

 

[parisistherapy]

Hmm thank you all for your thoughts.

Based on some interactions I saw at my store, as well as my SA’s very obvious initial hesitation, I get the sense that more limited/rare bags only go to VERY long tenure local clients (which I’m not as I just moved) whereas Madison seems to be the place where I could potentially outspend my lack of tenure. Something like smaller store, fewer SAs = deeper relationships with fewer VIPs vs bigger store and more SAs. But I might be completely off. Also not sure if this plays a role- both SAs are relatively new (<5 years) but the Madison one is newer

 

[880]

I would have a frank conversation with your current SA (at your local store). We are simply speculating, and it’s best to hear it directly from the source. Of course, if you are willing to outspend long tenured madison clients (who may also have deep pockets) then that might be a different story. But SAs are constrained by what they can offer (and that may also depend on how well they have achieved their other non leather sales goals). Ones SA cannot offer unless the bag is allocated to them by the SM. And, Madison would have a significant amount of competition as one of two maisons in the US. BH being the other one.
ETA: US stores are in the process of building up their men’s MTM and bespoke clothing programs. That category, iMO, even more than jewelry; RTW; and home; might bump you up faster, but I think it would be a pity to forfeit what spend and good will you have already established at your home store. (ETA: Hermes also has a few high complication watches — I’m not talking about customizing a regular watch which is relatively common, but tourbillon, minute repeater, power reserve etc) which might also be a fast track category. What a SA, especially a new SA will be looking for is not just prespend, but the potential to grow a clients spend exponentially into different metiers). This is just what I glean from conversations with several SAs and SMs, not just my own.

ETA: if you have already received one QB for this year, it’s possible in either store, you might have to wait a significant amount of time. I’m not sure what you were told is the recommended prespend for an exotic, but IMO there is actually only anecdotal example (meaning what you read here and what your friends spend, may or may not apply to your situation).

 

[addiCCted]

Hmm thank you all for your thoughts.

Based on some interactions I saw at my store, as well as my SA’s very obvious initial hesitation, I get the sense that more limited/rare bags only go to VERY long tenure local clients (which I’m not as I just moved) whereas Madison seems to be the place where I could potentially outspend my lack of tenure. Something like smaller store, fewer SAs = deeper relationships with fewer VIPs vs bigger store and more SAs. But I might be completely off. Also not sure if this plays a role- both SAs are relatively new (<5 years) but the Madison one is newer

Doesn’t hurt to have her elaborate more on what “depends on what you buy means”. Try to get her to spell it out and then you can tell her ok, call me when the bag comes in and I’ll do just that. If whatever she recommends you is amenable to you.

If she’s a junior S.A. you may be the few clients in her roster wanting exotics so you very well may get it faster. But I’d get more details from her before I derail my spend at the other store. Jmo

 

[parisistherapy]

Doesn’t hurt to have her elaborate more on what “depends on what you buy means”. Try to get her to spell it out and then you can tell her ok, call me when the bag comes in and I’ll do just that. If whatever she recommends you is amenable to you.

Thank you, I might try to be more direct next time I’m in Manhattan

If she’s a junior S.A. you may be the few clients in her roster wanting exotics so you very well may get it faster.

YES this is my guess; you described this so much better than I did. Def wasn’t thinking of trying to outspend decades of spend by long term clients 😝

But I’d get more details from her before I derail my spend at the other store. Jmo

Makes perfect sense. I’ll give it more time/thought

 

[corgimom11]

Hmm thank you all for your thoughts.

Based on some interactions I saw at my store, as well as my SA’s very obvious initial hesitation, I get the sense that more limited/rare bags only go to VERY long tenure local clients (which I’m not as I just moved) whereas Madison seems to be the place where I could potentially outspend my lack of tenure. Something like smaller store, fewer SAs = deeper relationships with fewer VIPs vs bigger store and more SAs. But I might be completely off. Also not sure if this plays a role- both SAs are relatively new (<5 years) but the Madison one is newer

yeah but you're just looking for a b25/30 croc or alligator right? Nothing blue box or actual "limited edition" immediately right? I don't think the b25/30 croc or gator is a hard ask or even a rare one but not something your store can immediately make appear when it's only been a couple months since your previous bag. Despite the prespend, it does take time for things to come in and if I recall correctly exotics can sometimes come in separate shipments vs. other bags due to customs regulation. Not to mention your SA could very likely still have tenured clients on her book still waiting for bag #1 this year.

 

[parisistherapy]

yeah but you're just looking for a b25/30 croc or alligator right? Nothing blue box or actual "limited edition" immediately right? I don't think the b25/30 croc or gator is a hard ask but not something your store can immediately make appear when it's only been a couple months since your previous bag. Despite the prespend, it does take time for things to come in and if I recall correctly exotics can sometimes come in separate shipments vs. other bags due to customs regulation.

Understood. Yes just B25/30 croc or alligator in a non-neutral color

I guess I was thrown off by my SA’s hesitation (long pause, acknowledgement w/o eye contact, especially vs their enthusiasm suggesting I get my first bag) whereas the Madison SA didn’t seem… fazed. I was able to handle (and could have bought) a couple of exotics on display and my store doesn’t even have any to see. Lol

 

[corgimom11]

Understood. Yes just B25/30 croc or alligator in a non-neutral color

I guess I was thrown off by my SA’s hesitation (long pause, acknowledgement w/o eye contact, especially vs their enthusiasm suggesting I get my first bag) whereas the Madison SA didn’t seem… fazed. I was able to handle a couple of exotics on display and my store doesn’t even have any to see. Lol

Non-neutral depending on the color could be why you got a strange reaction from your SA too. I could see that request taking longer since my personal experience through buying several exotic bags from H over the years, most are overwhelmingly in classic neutral colors. I do have "colorful" exotics as well but I will say those are the ones that took the longest to appear (months to years after request to offer)

 

[880]

Understood. Yes just B25/30 croc or alligator in a non-neutral color

I guess I was thrown off by my SA’s hesitation (long pause, acknowledgement w/o eye contact, especially vs their enthusiasm suggesting I get my first bag) whereas the Madison SA didn’t seem… fazed. I was able to handle (and could have bought) a couple of exotics on display and my store doesn’t even have any to see. Lol

Your SA might not have been prepared for your next ask bc she had recently delivered on your first Qb. If you got your first QB at less than 3-5X, then she might have pushed really hard for you. A new SA who is trying to attract new clients is going to be very amenable to any requests now. But there is no guarantee that your requests will yield results any faster. JMO though and YMMV. Regardless of where you decide to go, Good luck!

 

[Capitaliste]

@parisistherapy - I am glad that you had a good time visiting Madison Maison today. After reading your latest post, I actually agree with @acrowcounted for 2 reasons. And, I also have some additional personal thoughts/experiences on Madison Maison. I will PM you soon.

 

[skybluesky]

Understood. Yes just B25/30 croc or alligator in a non-neutral color

I guess I was thrown off by my SA’s hesitation (long pause, acknowledgement w/o eye contact, especially vs their enthusiasm suggesting I get my first bag) whereas the Madison SA didn’t seem… fazed. I was able to handle (and could have bought) a couple of exotics on display and my store doesn’t even have any to see. Lol

I wouldn't read too much into the pause. It could mean anything. They may have been multi-tasking, looking at inventory, thinking about how to space out your second quota bag, etc. Who knows? I agree with others and to stay with your current store since it sounds like a pretty good relationship. This is just my opinion, but I don't think exotics are that much in demand...most people want regular leather bags.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Understood. Yes just B25/30 croc or alligator in a non-neutral color

I guess I was thrown off by my SA’s hesitation (long pause, acknowledgement w/o eye contact, especially vs their enthusiasm suggesting I get my first bag) whereas the Madison SA didn’t seem… fazed. I was able to handle (and could have bought) a couple of exotics on display and my store doesn’t even have any to see. Lol

Madison gets a LOT of exotic bags (iconic bags especially). The most in the US. In my experience they are pretty happy to sell them. "Unfazed" seems like a good descriptor.
Perhaps your home store just doesn't see as many, and so they are allocated differently?

The Madison SA is definitely fishing to see how much you'll spend, but that is nothing new.

This is going to sound pretty cold, but I'd stick with your home store (and get some clear feedback) while still playing out the line at Madison, as they may well offer up your desired exotic (esp a B30) to gain your loyalty.

 

[parisistherapy]

Madison gets a LOT of exotic bags (iconic bags especially). The most in the US. In my experience they are pretty happy to sell them. "Unfazed" seems like a good descriptor.
Perhaps your home store just doesn't see as many, and so they are allocated differently?

This is exactly my conjecture.

This is going to sound pretty cold, but I'd stick with your home store (and get some clear feedback) while still playing out the line at Madison, as they may well offer up your desired exotic (esp a B30) to gain your loyalty.

tempting…
I also read somewhere that the home SA would be less upset if I bought a bag from another store than say a suite of RTW

 

[880]

This is exactly my conjecture.

tempting…
I also read somewhere that the home SA would be less upset if I bought a bag from another store than say a suite of RTW

I think the home SA would think, hey I don’t have to worry about saving QBs for that client and can cross her off. BC the next step is the client thinking, hey I got this great QB, let’s see what else I can get if I move some shopping over. I know someone who spends a significant amount who tried this at Madison. It did not pan out, and ultimately she moved back to her home store

 

[Bdbunny]

I was able to handle (and could have bought) a couple of exotics on display

Oh wow, they were willing to sell you an exotic display bag as a walk in? What bag was it? Pretty unusual for them to offer up a display bag.

the home SA would be less upset if I bought a bag from another store than say a suite of RTW

I'm fairly certain your home SA would not be happy if you bought an exotic QB from Madison.

Buying one in Paris is different. I do feel like they make exceptions for Paris, but purchasing from a competing store in the NYC metro area… it might be the end of your journey with your current SA. 😬

I think if you are interested in switching your shopping completely to Madison, then by all means, go ahead and make the switch. But I don't think you can buy a QB from Madison and go back to your home SA like nothing happened. And while I do think you can probably get offered a full croc B30 that runs $60k + tax with less than 1:1 spend at Madison, I think it would be unlikely as a new client to get offered a croc B25/MK. So I guess the question is do you want to stay with your current SA or make a switch completely?

Since you already have a good profile with your current SA, I would stick it out the rest of this year and see if she can get you something. You may actually have a better shot at getting offered a croc B25 from her since it wouldn't be your first QB with her, but it would be your first QB at Madison. If she doesn't get you what you want, then consider switching in the new year. But just my opinion and YMMV... others may have better suggestions.