Style Forum member's H experience...

[bigbris1]

Now, now ladies. Let's be nice. Wouldn't want anyone over there to kill themselves.

 

[Cavalier Girl]

This thread is a hoot! I just love how it's turned into a sexist rant. The most interesting thing is that anyone who's been around here for very long knows some of our members are among the worlds most accomplished and intelligent women. I'm also sure the same could be said of the members of the "other" forum. I suspect the members are quite accomplished, even if they aren't women.

 

[Megs]

6. Some smart businessMEN, like the one who founded this website

You are wrong on this part

 

[Megs]

This thread is a hoot! I just love how it's turned into a sexist rant. The most interesting thing is that anyone who's been around here for very long knows some of our members are among the worlds most accomplished and intelligent women. I'm also sure the same could be said of the members of the "other" forum. I suspect the members are quite accomplished, even if they aren't women.

I completely agree with you.

 

[Brooklynite]

Too long, didn't read.

This thread is just too good, I could not resist! If you would've told me yesterday that I'd be making an account on a forum where women talk about purses, I would've slapped you!

Where to start where to start...my mouth is salivating...

I guess this could have been trolled some more for the lulz, but at some point you have to stop the madness.

1. Clearly, none of you understand forum humor over there. I cannot believe you actually thought the person posting "did you tell them who you were" posted that with a straight face. But since you thought it was serious, I will add some fuel to the fire by playing devils advocate. There was a good chance Old foo actually was an important person, as you see, in the real world, men acquire the means to purchase expensive things by gaining power and money through business dealings, as opposed to marrying someone with it. So yes, they should have cared who he was or could have been. I guess they are more-so concerned with not offending some celebrity or wife-of-someone-important.

2. I love how some of you talk about some sort of secret Hermes handshakes (No I did not take that literally). There is virtually nothing exclusive about any of the luxury brands you drool over, they exist to fleece people trying to purchase status. Walking into Dunkin Donuts and walking into Hermes is fundamentally the same thing. They have an unlimited supply of goods, and they should offer the base service possible.

3. The craftsmanship and limited availability some of you talk about is a figment of your imagination. I've been in the factories of every major luxury brand (House? LOL), and it's the same thing now: Immigrants from northen africa and eastern europe working for near minimum wage. Only the tiny custom order workshops actually employ French people, not that they're any better at what they do than anyone else. As far as availability, 10,000 skins of wet blue cow (waits for, "my bag isn't blue!") are only a phonecall away for me or anyone else who know the brokers number, and getting them processed is a piece of cake with every tannery in France working way below capacity because their tanning methods can and are replicated in the "third world", ie Spain (ha) or India and come out costing 60% less.

If I had to put a number to it, I would sau 0.001% of Hermes items are hand sewn, so there is no shortage of labor that can operate a sewing machine, and hand sewing is so easy I'm sure any of your mothers could do it, all you need is thread/bristle and an awl.

4. John Lobb had two branches along with a RTW line. Hermes bought the Paris branch and the RTW line. Lobb still gets royalties. Paris/Hermes owned DOES make bespoke shoes, the Lobb London is not the only one.

5. I love what are listed as "luxury brands". LV makes plastic coated canvas bags sewn by immigrants, what is luxurious about that? I guess you wanted to show how much you know about "luxury brands" by mentioning "breitling". For those who know even the bare minimum about watches and the watch industry, breitling is regarded as one of the worst "swiss" brands, using chinese parts in their ETA movements. Real "luxury" watch brands do the entire engineering of the movement themselves. I did not expect women to know much about watches however, as the only watches sold to them for the most part (99%) are cheap quartz garbage. All the Hermes, LV, etc watches fit the bill here.

6. How could brands made by uneducated minimum wage labor be luxurious? How did this perception start? Some smart businessMEN, like the one who founded this website, had no interest in these things but knew by dumping millions on marketing they could convince the "Jones'" that they need their goods to display their new "status". They were right.

7. The car analogy is inept. There is an enormous amount of original engineering innovation in makers like bmw, benz, etc that justifies their prices somewhat. They spend billions on r&d and need to recoup that amount. "Luxury brands" have nothing to r&d, except marketing, and that's what they spend money on. A better analogy would be spending $100,000 on a Daewoo because they created faux exclusivity by limiting output. Ie, you're a mental midget if you buy into that. There is no fundamental difference between a $50 dollar and $5000 purse.

8. So what is luxury? Once upon a time, my family had 2 seamstresses and a shoemaker as part of their staff. This is not the case anymore, but the places where I purchase my shoes, suits, shirts, etc make my things only by "special order" (what is this, a department store?), and do not require any kind of idiotic "secret handshake". They treat people coming in for their first suit or their 50th with the same level of attention and respect. In the event that they don't, there are a dozen more places that will, and knowing that, they do not make that mistake. With my tailor having my pattern, and shoemakers having my mold, etc. I can call them up and place an order for a pair of shoes or a belt in any color of the rainbow. Even if I did not have a relationship with them, they would oblige all the same.

 

[Clintonf]

Hi all, another Style Forum member seeks to invade your happy home.

I've not participated in the original SF thread. However, it has made very interesting reading (in much the same way as this thread has).

One thing is clear to me, there appears to be differring opinions of what a prospective customer should know and expect when visiting a Hermes store.

I would not dare to tell people where and how to shop for their items. But I do feel that respect and courtesy should be extended when dealing with a sales transaction.

If a company such as H, want to keep their brand exclusivity, that's entirely up to them. But should this policy not be clearly known and communicated, especially to new customers?

In my humble opinion, the Foo/Sales Assistance (SA) conversation could have ended quickly if the SA had communicated the "facts" as she understood them. Even if she was mis-informed (which I do not think she should be as a representative of the brand). My opinion is entirely dependent on the account of the conversation being based on fact (I do not think that Foo would have any reason to lie about such a thing).

One of the posters here mentioned about availing oneself to what H has to offer before entering their store. I wonder whether that is actually feasible, as it may not be easy to know what a brand actually makes/supplies without asking someone knowledgable in the brand. Who better to ask than a representative of the brand (SA).

I also wonder whether this research is something that people do outside of stores such as H? For example, should a person know all about the various offerings Kellogs make before entering a supermarket?

I'm not trying to suggest anything, except clarity.

On a personal note, I doubt that I'd have to patience to engage in conversation with someone who apparently does not want to answer my questions when I'm inclined to spend some large coin with them.

Just my tuppence (with soon to be 20% VAT on top).

Clint

 

[Brooklynite]

1. Foo made his research and saw the wallet online, right? Why didn't he ask whether H had xxx wallet, but insisted a "breast wallet"? Who still uses this term nowadays? He asked originally at the Female side of the store and I seriously think that some female SAs could have taken the question the other way (okay, a little joking )
2. Agree that some SAs at H are arrogant and not helpful, but I doubt that what Foo's story is 100% true.

 

[bigbris1]

Well said, Clint.

Good to see you.

 

[wantitneedit]

what a hoot. and a snore fest at the same time! think i'll go back to playing Wii with my kids!

 

[Cavalier Girl]

Hi all, another Style Forum member seeks to invade your happy home.

I've not participated in the original SF thread. However, it has made very interesting reading (in much the same way as this thread has).

One thing is clear to me, there appears to be differring opinions of what a prospective customer should know and expect when visiting a Hermes store.

I would not dare to tell people where and how to shop for their items. But I do feel that respect and courtesy should be extended when dealing with a sales transaction.

If a company such as H, want to keep their brand exclusivity, that's entirely up to them. But should this policy not be clearly known and communicated, especially to new customers?

In my humble opinion, the Foo/Sales Assistance (SA) conversation could have ended quickly if the SA had communicated the "facts" as she understood them. Even if she was mis-informed (which I do not think she should be as a representative of the brand). My opinion is entirely dependent on the account of the conversation being based on fact (I do not think that Foo would have any reason to lie about such a thing).

One of the posters here mentioned about availing oneself to what H has to offer before entering their store. I wonder whether that is actually feasible, as it may not be easy to know what a brand actually makes/supplies without asking someone knowledgable in the brand. Who better to ask than a representative of the brand (SA).

I also wonder whether this research is something that people do outside of stores such as H? For example, should a person know all about the various offerings Kellogs make before entering a supermarket?

I'm not trying to suggest anything, except clarity.

On a personal note, I doubt that I'd have to patience to engage in conversation with someone who apparently does not want to answer my questions when I'm inclined to spend some large coin with them.

Just my tuppence (with soon to be 20% VAT on top).

Clint

Right on, brother! I'd have sailed out the door so fast it wouldn't have been funny. And, as an aside, sorry about the soon to be added 20% VAT.

 

[anin8888]

I agree! We're playing Mario Galaxy.

what a hoot. and a snore fest at the same time! think i'll go back to playing Wii with my kids!

 

[Clintonf]

Well said, Clint.

Good to see you.

What's cracking Bris? Good to know that you're still in the game. I'd better keep it short as I don't wish take any more space in this thread.

Good looking out (no, it doesn't mean that I think I'm good looking ).

Right on, brother! I'd have sailed out the door so fast it wouldn't have been funny. And, as an aside, sorry about the soon to be added 20% VAT.

Well, I do appreciate that some people will put up with a little discomfort to get what they want. Just not me (and apparently you ).

Thanks for showing me "love".

Clint

P.S. The VAT is the least of our problems. We've got some tough times ahead.

 

[Megs]

Hi all, another Style Forum member seeks to invade your happy home.

I've not participated in the original SF thread. However, it has made very interesting reading (in much the same way as this thread has).

One thing is clear to me, there appears to be differring opinions of what a prospective customer should know and expect when visiting a Hermes store.

I would not dare to tell people where and how to shop for their items. But I do feel that respect and courtesy should be extended when dealing with a sales transaction.

If a company such as H, want to keep their brand exclusivity, that's entirely up to them. But should this policy not be clearly known and communicated, especially to new customers?

In my humble opinion, the Foo/Sales Assistance (SA) conversation could have ended quickly if the SA had communicated the "facts" as she understood them. Even if she was mis-informed (which I do not think she should be as a representative of the brand). My opinion is entirely dependent on the account of the conversation being based on fact (I do not think that Foo would have any reason to lie about such a thing).

One of the posters here mentioned about availing oneself to what H has to offer before entering their store. I wonder whether that is actually feasible, as it may not be easy to know what a brand actually makes/supplies without asking someone knowledgable in the brand. Who better to ask than a representative of the brand (SA).

I also wonder whether this research is something that people do outside of stores such as H? For example, should a person know all about the various offerings Kellogs make before entering a supermarket?

I'm not trying to suggest anything, except clarity.

On a personal note, I doubt that I'd have to patience to engage in conversation with someone who apparently does not want to answer my questions when I'm inclined to spend some large coin with them.

Just my tuppence (with soon to be 20% VAT on top).

Clint

Honestly, I don't think anyone (especially me) disagrees with you.

I personally have had some really less than stellar treatment from Hermes. And I have had some great treatment from SA's that I have come to know and love.

That being said, I never think it is right that any SA brushes someone off completely or tries to determine what they may or may not spend. This is an ongoing problem many people entering H stores have faced.

Welcome to the forum

 

[cakeymakeybakey]

This astute and accurate assessment of the situation was just posted on the other forum:

Originally Posted by HORNS
But why the heck wouldn't the SA want to help Foo? If I were to "make something happen", as in taking the effort to help someone get exactly what they wanted, I would find it immensely gratifying for myself! This whole issue makes it sound like they have a finite number of custom orders they can use and so they can not just use them on anyone, which I strongly suspect is not the case.

Originally posted by moddey
As I wrote earlier (speaking from my gf's experience), this is exactly what is felt to be the case. They produce a limited number of leather goods per year, and offer only a relatively small number of "podium" slots to a select few customers, and only at certain times during the year. Usually, it is for big ticket items like the purses. I am not even sure if they offer a bespoke service for their wallets -- it's probably not worth it. I wouldn't even think about asking them to do that. April in Paris would seem to be the obvious choice for the smaller stuff. When the special order slots fill up, you are out of luck until next year. Special orders take a long time -- my gf's last item was over two years.

My problem with ma-foo-fan here is that the impression is that he was all attitude and little knowledge. Sure, the SA could have been more clear. But he, thanks to (the other) Matt, knew a lot about Ambrosi and Ruby when he went on his first trip to Naples. Not so on his trip to the big H. Being some internet forum personality doesn't mean Hermes needs to treat him differently than the rest of us. He behaved like the rich American who doesn't speak French on their first trip to Paris and wants to be at seated at the best table at his dream restaurant. Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you will get it. More than likely, if you don't know anyone and you behave obnoxiously, you're gonna be seated by the toilets or next to the slobbering baby.

My gf and I have always had wonderful service from Hermes. But she did a lot of research, cultivated a relationship with an SA, and this paid off. It actually makes shopping there a pleasure. Her SA has put in a tremendous amount of effort to find things we want. We have been working with her for many years. Therefore I have a problem with Foo thinking, because of a single bad experience, he can rag on a company that produces great products and actually does offer great service.

Very nicely said. Thank you.

 

[Clintonf]

Honestly, I don't think anyone (especially me) disagrees with you.

I personally have had some really less than stellar treatment from Hermes. And I have had some great treatment from SA's that I have come to know and love.

That being said, I never think it is right that any SA brushes someone off completely or tries to determine what they may or may not spend. This is an ongoing problem many people entering H stores have faced.

Welcome to the forum

Thank you for the comment and the welcome. I feel like a bit of a fraud on here (as I know NOTHING about purses and can barely contribute anything outside of this thread).

The "most" exclusive leather items that I've had are from Mulberry and I once wasted money on a Prada wallet which fell apart after a few months. So that would probably place me just slightly below the lowest level of member of this site (said without reading any other thread).

Having said that, I have purchased some nice bags for a couple of my ex girlfriends (Don't ask me what though).

So, could anyone point me to some interesting places to look at on Purse Forum? I'm unlikely to be purchasing a bag or purse (my gf would kick my head in if I bought her a bag for £50). So, just something with pictures would be nice

Thanks

Clint