Spend threshold for B/K/C

[haute okole]

One thing I’ve observed most recently due to this being pointed out to me by another tpfr - if you ingratiate yourself to the brand and super brown nose with posting multiple reviews gushing over your SA and boutique and go into details about all your amazing quota bag offers with multiple photographs of yourself with your offers and of you beaming with joy on YELP, you may be more likely to get an offer. It seems to work even if you just post a five star review on Google and gush over your sa and boutique.

Edit: Of course you need to spend and these clients seem to hit the Rtw and jewelry categories with at least 2:1 for coveted offers but that brown nosing seems to get you extra brownie points.

Hmmmm, well I am old and have posted on Yelp and Google glowing reviews because I have had consistently superlative experiences. Although I have posted pictures, my profiles do not reveal my full name, or any pictures of myself. I posted the reviews years ago and have not received an acknowledgment of my reviews or better treatment since. I can only speak for myself, but there is no expectation of QBs, favors or any type of quid pro quo for my reviews. My reviews have been for Beverly Hills Hermes. The only thing that works there is consistent high spend and my SA specifically said kindness. Earlier, I would spend typically $45k average a visit for years. This year it is less, but I visit more often. Ironically, I find it more challenging to obtain popular leather QBs than blue box pricey holy grails.

BTW, the pictures I posted were all taken by my daughter who is in art school and is in scenic design. She photographs everything she finds beautiful. Very interesting to speculate about a stranger’s motives for posting reviews.

 

[papertiger]

Please get back to topic, TY

 

[Capitaliste]

Hi, TPFers -

I have questions about the pre-spend. I have recently got a QB (gold Birkin 35) and am done for this year from my home store in the US. During my last visit, my SA and I also discussed the plan for the calendar year 2025.

The plan she told me was that (1) I would pick up the special order (placed in March this year) when it arrives, and (2) she would wait and get a black box Birkin 35 (BBB35) for me. She said that the BBB35 can come in January or December 2025, and she does not know when it will arrive but will still prioritize this BBB35 for me. (She was somehow optimistic as she mentioned that more Box leather bags will come in my home store next year.)

My questions are as follow:
(1) If I start pre-spend in January 2025 and receive the SO first, does my pre-spend re-set to $0 for BBB35? If so, is it better to pre-spend after receiving the SO?
(2) If the BBB35 arrives in March or April 2025 (prior to the SO), and my pre-spend is pretty minimal by then, will the SM still approve it for me? Or, is it pretty much "no"?

I have been exploring the resellers for BBB35 (for example, see: https://madisonavenuecouture.com/pr...alf-palladium-hardware?variant=39934873895006). I am trying to make a good strategy for next year as I am not a high spender; I would appreciate your advice/suggestions. Thank you!

 

[supermommy101]

Hi, TPFers -

I have questions about the pre-spend. I have recently got a QB (gold Birkin 35) and am done for this year from my home store in the US. During my last visit, my SA and I also discussed the plan for the calendar year 2025.

The plan she told me was that (1) I would pick up the special order (placed in March this year) when it arrives, and (2) she would wait and get a black box Birkin 35 (BBB35) for me. She said that the BBB35 can come in January or December 2025, and she does not know when it will arrive but will still prioritize this BBB35 for me. (She was somehow optimistic as she mentioned that more Box leather bags will come in my home store next year.)

My questions are as follow:
(1) If I start pre-spend in January 2025 and receive the SO first, does my pre-spend re-set to $0 for BBB35? If so, is it better to pre-spend after receiving the SO?
(2) If the BBB35 arrives in March or April 2025 (prior to the SO), and my pre-spend is pretty minimal by then, will the SM still approve it for me? Or, is it pretty much "no"?

I have been exploring the resellers for BBB35 (for example, see: https://madisonavenuecouture.com/pr...alf-palladium-hardware?variant=39934873895006). I am trying to make a good strategy for next year as I am not a high spender; I would appreciate your advice/suggestions. Thank you!

my personal experience--if your spending is very low when SO arrives, the manager may "hold" it for later or request SA to push sales when you pick it up. also, there is quite some uncertainty regarding how long your SO takes, i have heard anywhere betweeb 4monthto 2+ years. So I would suggest you buy whenever you find something you like. Pre-spend is less important compared to whether you get the other hermes items you like. just my 2 cents

 

[Capitaliste]

my personal experience--if your spending is very low when SO arrives, the manager may "hold" it for later or request SA to push sales when you pick it up. also, there is quite some uncertainty regarding how long your SO takes, i have heard anywhere betweeb 4monthto 2+ years. So I would suggest you buy whenever you find something you like. Pre-spend is less important compared to whether you get the other hermes items you like. just my 2 cents

Thank you! My SA told me that when the QBs arrive in the store, they are quickly sold. I did not know if they can hold SOs intentionally long enough to meet the pre-spend requirements. This is helpful to know. Thank you!

 

[addiCCted]

Thank you! My SA told me that when the QBs arrive in the store, they are quickly sold. I did not know if they can hold SOs intentionally long enough to meet the pre-spend requirements. This is helpful to know. Thank you!

I thought when they offer you your SO your prespend was already achieved. So it kind of already resets for the next bag? I may be wrong

 

[supermommy101]

Thank you! My SA told me that when the QBs arrive in the store, they are quickly sold. I did not know if they can hold SOs intentionally long enough to meet the pre-spend requirements. This is helpful to know. Thank you!

You are welcome. If your SA suddenly starts to “recommend” things you may like when s/he typically does not do that, it could mean that your SO is coming or just arrived.

 

[klobo]

I agree about the hold. I have a strong suspicion mine was held bc right after I made a big purchase, she called me an hour later to go back bc mine "arrived." I cannot def say it was, but sounds like it. I feel that SOs are hard, at least for my home store. You have to have enough pre spend to get the offer, then have enough to receive the offer. UGH

 

[addiCCted]

I agree about the hold. I have a strong suspicion mine was held bc right after I made a big purchase, she called me an hour later to go back bc mine "arrived." I cannot def say it was, but sounds like it. I feel that SOs are hard, at least for my home store. You have to have enough pre spend to get the offer, then have enough to receive the offer. UGH

So all in what would you say to expect for prespend, if you don’t mind sharing

 

[supermommy101]

I agree about the hold. I have a strong suspicion mine was held bc right after I made a big purchase, she called me an hour later to go back bc mine "arrived." I cannot def say it was, but sounds like it. I feel that SOs are hard, at least for my home store. You have to have enough pre spend to get the offer, then have enough to receive the offer. UGH

The same thing happened to me! Two days I bought a fine jewelry around 10K, my SO magically “just arrived”

 

[klobo]

Yup after a couple fine jewelry purchases, mine arrived too! I don't really keep track of pre spend bc I do enjoy shopping at hermes. My home store is one of the most competitive so I usually have a 3-4.5:1 before I get any offer............

 

[hphile]

Just some interesting personal statistics - it's honestly quite painful to look at how much one has spent but also gratifying to see stats.

I've been shopping at H for about 10 years but only regularly in the last 6 in the US and 8 in Paris.

Home store (Competitive US)
- My QB:overall ratio at my home store is 1:3.8, including Constance 18, Kelly Danse, Kelly Ado as QB.
- Without them, it's 1:4.8
- It varies bag to bag, especially as the cost of the bag varies as well.
- My highest ratio between QB's was waiting for a neutral MK which was more like 1:6
- Smallest ratio is 1:1.2 (early years, Kelly Ado)
- I bought 1 QB/year in the earlier years and 2 QB/year in the later years, which matches up to increased spending and visits

Category spending to overall purchases:
- Bags (including non QB): 36% (ie. bolide, picotin, etc) - what it sounds like the quota needs to be for SA's (similar to this comment)
- RTW: 35%
- Fine Jewelry: 14%
- Home: 3%
- Shoes: 5%
- SLG: 4%
- Scarf: 2%
- Other: 1%

Paris (FSH & Sevres)
- My QB:overall ratio is 1:2.4, including Kelly Elan and Kelly Danse
- Without those, it's 1:3.4
- My first QB in Paris had 0 pre-spend but it was a K35 which was less popular even back then before the mini-bag craze (ie. I would not have wanted a MK back then and wanted a 25 or 28)
- Paris overall has been a much "better deal" for lower spend, but I've never been offered a KP or MK in Paris.
- 54% of my overall purchases in Paris have been bags

Conclusions:
1. I would say I feel "lucky" with purchases in Paris which tended towards lower ratios pre-pandemic and averaging <1 QB per year although I have gone twice in a year and just not scored at appointments/gotten an appointment at all. I believe I've done well in Paris because I can speak French well as someone who is clearly not French.
2. In the US I would imagine this is pretty typical of the post-pandemic surge of interest in H at a competitive store. I believe older stats of 1:1-2 are hard to come by except with a lot of luck.
3. With the exception of my SO MK which I've never seen an equivalent online (yet), I probably would have spent significantly less overall if I had just gone the pre-loved route and maybe gotten bags to more exact specs. The only real reason to buy in-store IMO is:
a. you would've bought all the other stuff anyway (overall hard to believe since there is inherent pressure)
b. to get an SO or to get some sort of bag that is wildly expensive on the pre-loved market (ie. faubourg birkin, shadow birkin - both of which I've been offered)
c. fun shopping in the boutique experience
4. Don't believe everything you see on Instagram and Youtube - people who post there tend to have exceptional stories. What I read here feels more accurate overall
5. Looking at category spending, I 100% believe that everything is a numbers game with SA's as it matches up to the expectations I've seen posted about how one spends across categories, and how SA's are allocated bags. I haven't tried to per-se live up to those expectations, but that's how it netted.
6. Upon reflection, I'm honestly embarrassed about how stressed/anxious I've been about H (especially in Paris) - and I would advise you to think of it as "only shopping" and treat it as a numbers game.

 

[Capitaliste]

I thought when they offer you your SO your prespend was already achieved. So it kind of already resets for the next bag? I may be wrong

Thank you and I am also confused. I got the SO offer and completed the SO with minimal pre-spend (<$2,000) since the last QB. So, I am still not sure.

If your SA suddenly starts to “recommend” things you may like when s/he typically does not do that, it could mean that your SO is coming or just arrived.

Thank you. I will take a note on this.

 

[miss mitzi]

Just some interesting personal statistics - it's honestly quite painful to look at how much one has spent but also gratifying to see stats.

I've been shopping at H for about 10 years but only regularly in the last 6 in the US and 8 in Paris.

Home store (Competitive US)
- My QB:overall ratio at my home store is 1:3.8, including Constance 18, Kelly Danse, Kelly Ado as QB.
- Without them, it's 1:4.8
- It varies bag to bag, especially as the cost of the bag varies as well.
- My highest ratio between QB's was waiting for a neutral MK which was more like 1:6
- Smallest ratio is 1:1.2 (early years, Kelly Ado)
- I bought 1 QB/year in the earlier years and 2 QB/year in the later years, which matches up to increased spending and visits

Category spending to overall purchases:
- Bags (including non QB): 36% (ie. bolide, picotin, etc) - what it sounds like the quota needs to be for SA's (similar to this comment)
- RTW: 35%
- Fine Jewelry: 14%
- Home: 3%
- Shoes: 5%
- SLG: 4%
- Scarf: 2%
- Other: 1%

Paris (FSH & Sevres)
- My QB:overall ratio is 1:2.4, including Kelly Elan and Kelly Danse
- Without those, it's 1:3.4
- My first QB in Paris had 0 pre-spend but it was a K35 which was less popular even back then before the mini-bag craze (ie. I would not have wanted a MK back then and wanted a 25 or 28)
- Paris overall has been a much "better deal" for lower spend, but I've never been offered a KP or MK in Paris.
- 54% of my overall purchases in Paris have been bags

Conclusions:
1. I would say I feel "lucky" with purchases in Paris which tended towards lower ratios pre-pandemic and averaging <1 QB per year although I have gone twice in a year and just not scored at appointments/gotten an appointment at all. I believe I've done well in Paris because I can speak French well as someone who is clearly not French.
2. In the US I would imagine this is pretty typical of the post-pandemic surge of interest in H at a competitive store. I believe older stats of 1:1-2 are hard to come by except with a lot of luck.
3. With the exception of my SO MK which I've never seen an equivalent online (yet), I probably would have spent significantly less overall if I had just gone the pre-loved route and maybe gotten bags to more exact specs. The only real reason to buy in-store IMO is:
a. you would've bought all the other stuff anyway (overall hard to believe since there is inherent pressure)
b. to get an SO or to get some sort of bag that is wildly expensive on the pre-loved market (ie. faubourg birkin, shadow birkin - both of which I've been offered)
c. fun shopping in the boutique experience
4. Don't believe everything you see on Instagram and Youtube - people who post there tend to have exceptional stories. What I read here feels more accurate overall
5. Looking at category spending, I 100% believe that everything is a numbers game with SA's as it matches up to the expectations I've seen posted about how one spends across categories, and how SA's are allocated bags. I haven't tried to per-se live up to those expectations, but that's how it netted.
6. Upon reflection, I'm honestly embarrassed about how stressed/anxious I've been about H (especially in Paris) - and I would advise you to think of it as "only shopping" and treat it as a numbers game.

You are amazing! Thank you so much for running the numbers. For my own sanity, I probably won’t analyze mine. However, if I were to run them, I wouldn’t be surprised that mine looks similar to yours. I have a good “impression” of my spends, as my H receipts are organized chronologically. I can see what were bought in between each QB.

For the sake of comparison, do you mind clarifying if the ratio you use is the actual price of the bag or the round up number of 10k?
I think it’s helpful for others and it would also satisfy my curios mind greatly.

 

[tinkerbell68]

I think one of the challenges of attempting to calculate (or, for that matter, determine what is the required) ‘pre-spend’ or spend ratio is that there may well be offers of bags that are not accepted before one accepts a bag. Do you calculate your pre-spend based on how much you spent before you were offered a bag that you did not accept? Or do you calculate based on all $$$$$ spent before buying the next bag? While I do not track spending per se, I do have a sense of how much I’ve ‘given’ to Hermès, as I typically use one credit card for those purchases. By the time I got my second bag from my former SA, I’d say I’d spent about $25K (or 2:1 based on cost of a B30) but she started offering me bags well before that. So is my prespend 2:1? Or is it lower?

Due to the above, I just don’t bother tracking how much I spend and figure that if I spend, I’ll be offered bags eventually.