Spend threshold for B/K/C

[acrowcounted]

I’ve traditionally discussed bags 1-2x per year. Yes there’s definite impatience on my part, probably due to the changes I’ve described. We had a convo 2 months ago, all was fine, “yes we can definitely do that”and notes it down. After all these years I would have thought 80-90k without a bag is uncommon, if this has truly become “not uncommon” this is a definite cue for me to go resale, not just for bags but for everything, for the sake of my wallet and sanity, which is ok too, again just so I know where to go bc seems am at a bit of crossroads

I don't mean to give the impression that its overly common, but a couple of years ago it would have been unheard of to have VIP clients at those spends without weekly bag offers trying to satisfy them. These days though, I'm hearing this story probably weekly.

I'm sure your bag is coming so I wouldn't be hasty to jump ship if I were you but shopping should be fun. So if the combined experience of the high spend plus pushy SA is no longer fun, I would hang tight until you get another bag then reconsider my relationship.

 

[classybags4ever]

I don't mean to give the impression that its overly common, but a couple of years ago it would have been unheard of to have VIP clients at those spends without weekly bag offers trying to satisfy them. These days though, I'm hearing this story probably weekly.

I'm sure your bag is coming so I wouldn't be hasty to jump ship if I were you but shopping should be fun. So if the combined experience of the high spend plus pushy SA is no longer fun, I would hang tight until you get another bag then reconsider my relationship.

Even at that spend through 80-90k one can't get weekly QB offers bc of the 2 a year only rule. So I assume you mean weekly non QB offers?

 

[acrowcounted]

Even at that spend through 80-90k one can't get weekly QB offers bc of the 2 a year only rule. So I assume you mean weekly non QB offers?

No, I meant offers, not purchases. When I get overdue for a bag (no where near that spend level though) my SA calls me every week and reads off the delivery record for me to select which bag I want, if any. If I turn them all down, I get a call the next week.

 

[classybags4ever]

No, I meant offers, not purchases. When I get overdue for a bag (no where near that spend level though) my SA calls me every week and reads off the delivery record for me to select which bag I want, if any. If I turn them all down, I get a call the next week.

Oh wow I didn't know that was a thing! So sometimes turning down an offer can benefit you as the SA will go the extra mile then. I guess it's not guaranteed so I can understand why people are pressured to accept their first QB offer.

 

[A1aGypsy]

I’ve traditionally discussed bags 1-2x per year. Yes there’s definite impatience on my part, probably due to the changes I’ve described. We had a convo 2 months ago, all was fine, “yes we can definitely do that”and notes it down. After all these years I would have thought 80-90k without a bag is uncommon, if this has truly become “not uncommon” this is a definite cue for me to go resale, not just for bags but for everything, for the sake of my wallet and sanity, which is ok too, again just so I know where to go bc seems am at a bit of crossroads

I think the bag issue here is one of impatience. A lot of people are spending a lot of money. If you got a bag four months ago, it’s early to expect another one in competitive markets, really, regardless of what you have spent.

The pressure to buy things that don’t fit is more concerning. I would worry that my SA was seeing me as a whale. As you note, at this point you should be offered things that work within your preferences and fit.

 

[chicgal11]

Oh wow I didn't know that was a thing! So sometimes turning down an offer can benefit you as the SA will go the extra mile then. I guess it's not guaranteed so I can understand why people are pressured to accept their first QB offer.

I don't mean to give the impression that its overly common, but a couple of years ago it would have been unheard of to have VIP clients at those spends without weekly bag offers trying to satisfy them. These days though, I'm hearing this story probably weekly.

I'm sure your bag is coming so I wouldn't be hasty to jump ship if I were you but shopping should be fun. So if the combined experience of the high spend plus pushy SA is no longer fun, I would hang tight until you get another bag then reconsider my relationship.

And just so the newcomers don’t panic, I am NOT at 80-90K spend in 4 months, that was just in response to acrowcounted’s comment about high spenders still waiting for bags.

 

[acrowcounted]

And just so the newcomers don’t panic, I am NOT at 80-90K spend in 4 months, that was just in response to acrowcounted’s comment about high spenders still waiting for bags.

This is why its hard to give good advice without actual numbers. You feel that you've overspent for a bag offer even though its only been 4 months. If your spend is less than 3-4x though, I would argue that this is status quo and your SA might not be doing anything wrong its just a matter of improper expectations.

 

[chicgal11]

This is why its hard to give good advice without actual numbers. You feel that you've overspent for a bag offer even though its only been 4 months. If your spend is less than 3-4x though, I would argue that this is status quo and your SA might not be doing anything wrong its just a matter of improper expectations.

It’s more than that, and much more than what I’m accustomed to which is the whole issue, it’s simply just a departure from my norm. Asking for that exact reason though, again to manage my expectations, because clearly things have changed for me over the past year- perhaps I’ve been “fortunate” over the years. Because even if 50-60K is status quo these days that’s news to me. That is certainly fair if that’s really what it is these days, no argument here, but I would need to be in the know so I can decide whether I feel comfortable continuing the relationship. I don’t actually think there’s anything “improper” per se with his behavior, it’s his paycheck at the end of the day, but there’s just an element of surprise in all this for me, and again, frustration/impatience probably fueled by the constant pressure to buy.

 

[GabrielleS]

It’s more than that, and much more than what I’m accustomed to which is the whole issue, it’s simply just a departure from my norm. Asking for that exact reason though, again to manage my expectations, because clearly things have changed for me over the past year- perhaps I’ve been “fortunate” over the years. Because even if 50-60K is status quo these days that’s news to me. That is certainly fair if that’s really what it is these days, no argument here, but I would need to be in the know so I can decide whether I feel comfortable continuing the relationship. I don’t actually think there’s anything “improper” per se with his behavior, it’s his paycheck at the end of the day, but there’s just an element of surprise in all this for me, and again, frustration/impatience probably fueled by the constant pressure to buy.

I will send you a DM.

 

[classybags4ever]

It’s more than that, and much more than what I’m accustomed to which is the whole issue, it’s simply just a departure from my norm. Asking for that exact reason though, again to manage my expectations, because clearly things have changed for me over the past year- perhaps I’ve been “fortunate” over the years. Because even if 50-60K is status quo these days that’s news to me. That is certainly fair if that’s really what it is these days, no argument here, but I would need to be in the know so I can decide whether I feel comfortable continuing the relationship. I don’t actually think there’s anything “improper” per se with his behavior, it’s his paycheck at the end of the day, but there’s just an element of surprise in all this for me, and again, frustration/impatience probably fueled by the constant pressure to buy.

I am only in the first year of my relationship, so I can't compare to years go, but I recently had a convo with an SA at a boutique closest to me (not my "home" store) and the SA said they are getting many new clients. It may just be the demand is higher than in the past. I have also been waiting for about five months now and I haven't gotten a second QB even with a healthy close to 3:1 spend. I have "heard" through this forum that H is prioritizing new clients. I also think it may be harder to get your second one if your first one was relatively fast/easy. It also depends on the specs you ask for. Mine is a rarer bag the second time around, in the convo the SA said they get less than one hand (less than 5) of the specific QB I am waiting for per year! So many variables at play.

 

[Hessasuhailbh]

Does anyone know for a fact whether certain boutiques in the US have a designated/soft “waiting period” ie ~6 months between consecutive QB offers? I’ve been at a relatively small boutique, my parents have a separate acct at Madison with QB offers (ironically also dealing with similar issues) but I’ve never purchased on their acct so my entire history has been at this local boutique. While QBs for me have previously come within an expected prespend range (2-3x) and my SA has been pretty predictable with offers, I’ve been relaxed with spending the past year and have only yesterday realized how much I’ve spent since my last QB (😳🫣) -but of course nary an offer in sight. However, it’s only been 4 months since my last offer. I recognize it hasn’t been long, there are other clients waiting, perhaps it just boils down to the unease I’ve felt the last few months, I think it’s a combination of 1) spending has truly gotten out of hand and 2) in response to this, rather than some effort to curate purchases as I’ve acquired enough over the years for him to get a jist for style/preferences, there’s instead been increased pressuring/pushing of items that clearly don’t work for me, I.e. size is clearly off or is clearly not for my body type. We’re not talking about a difference of opinion - just garments that obviously don’t fit. I guess these these are two separate issues, but I’m just a bit disappointed after 8- 9 years of being a client that the visits are now starting to feel increasingly transactional and if I’m being honest, disappointment that the generous spend hasn’t translated to easier access to bags (I’m not currently after absurdly specific or unicorn bags). Maybe the responsibility lies with me to slow my spending (that seems obvious) and yes I do recognize it’s possible the SM put the kibosh on an offer in close succession to the last and if it’s as simple as that, I can accept it. I guess for the immediate period wondering about whether QB offer are spaced out as a way to start managing my own expectations. I do recognize boutiques vary tremendously in practice but any specific knowledge is greatly appreciated

Based on my understanding you can receive 1 QB per season (S/S & F/W) they cannot be released during the same season.

 

[acrowcounted]

Based on my understanding you can receive 1 QB per season (S/S & F/W) they cannot be released during the same season.

This “rule” changed around 2019. It is now two per calendar year per account.

 

[Daydrmer]

Does anyone know for a fact whether certain boutiques in the US have a designated/soft “waiting period” ie ~6 months between consecutive QB offers? I’ve been at a relatively small boutique, my parents have a separate acct at Madison with QB offers (ironically also dealing with similar issues) but I’ve never purchased on their acct so my entire history has been at this local boutique. While QBs for me have previously come within an expected prespend range (2-3x) and my SA has been pretty predictable with offers, I’ve been relaxed with spending the past year and have only yesterday realized how much I’ve spent since my last QB (😳🫣) -but of course nary an offer in sight. However, it’s only been 4 months since my last offer. I recognize it hasn’t been long, there are other clients waiting, perhaps it just boils down to the unease I’ve felt the last few months, I think it’s a combination of 1) spending has truly gotten out of hand and 2) in response to this, rather than some effort to curate purchases as I’ve acquired enough over the years for him to get a jist for style/preferences, there’s instead been increased pressuring/pushing of items that clearly don’t work for me, I.e. size is clearly off or is clearly not for my body type. We’re not talking about a difference of opinion - just garments that obviously don’t fit. I guess these these are two separate issues, but I’m just a bit disappointed after 8- 9 years of being a client that the visits are now starting to feel increasingly transactional and if I’m being honest, disappointment that the generous spend hasn’t translated to easier access to bags (I’m not currently after absurdly specific or unicorn bags). Maybe the responsibility lies with me to slow my spending (that seems obvious) and yes I do recognize it’s possible the SM put the kibosh on an offer in close succession to the last and if it’s as simple as that, I can accept it. I guess for the immediate period wondering about whether QB offer are spaced out as a way to start managing my own expectations. I do recognize boutiques vary tremendously in practice but any specific knowledge is greatly appreciated

I know youre touching on a few questions but just trying to get clarity around one. Has past offers to you been within 6 months?

 

[chicgal11]

I know youre touching on a few questions but just trying to get clarity around one. Has past offers to you been within 6 months?

Yes my last offer (which was accepted) was 4 almost 5 months ago.

 

[chicgal11]

Yes my last offer (which was accepted) was 4 almost 5 months ago.

Oh I’m sorry I misunderstood your question, no they’ve always been at least 6 months apart, but the spend was also significantly less between each (typically 2-3x). Hence the ask -whether there are soft rules regarding time between offers, regardless of increased spend. If this is common knowledge then it’s really on me to slow down (and for many other reasons I’ve described). Maybe my current spend is higher than comfort (for me) but not high enough for boutique to skirt any rules they might have about allocation.