Taking an Hermes break or just slowing down. Feel free to join or give support.

[MissTammyB]

@MissTammyB, your comment resonated.

"ATM, I feel like with every shopping trip I support their customer treatment strategy, and I won't stand for that
in the near future".
When we are shopping which should be a pleasure & hear multiple explanations about why we can't buy this
or SO that, we just confirm to H that clients are accepting of this customer treatment. It's not OK
& clients who have a long term history with the brand are being blown off like we don't have value.
Clients have VALUE.. & no brand including Hermes should take us for granted.
At the end of the day, I'm delighted to have the bags , accessories & RTW, & if I was looking for
something very specific, would not be jumping through the H pre-spend hoops, I'd just look elsewhere.
There comes a point where one should take a backseat & wear & enjoy their purchases & hopefully
many of us have bought well & now is the time wear & enjoy!
Between the price increasing & lack of inventory & feeling like you have to be given the "privilege"
it's all falling short, JMO

Exactly. This!
And just for arguments sake, a little more context of todays appointment: after telling me she can’t sell a KTG or wishlist bag, she said “oh but we get so many nice shoes and RTW in 2024, and much less of CTG - so you should be glad you got yours in 2023”
Last part translates objectively to “be glad I granted you to spend 4.6k on an item!”

First part - well I just bought shoes and she knows I don’t like their RTW.

Matter of fact she also mentioned their insane sale targets in that categories for the re-opening in march (so hint-hint I should support her goals with my RTW spent!)

I don’t (only) tell you this to rant and share my anger. I want to give perspective, food for thought so to say.

We are all successful, grown up people who would never accept behavior like this from anywhere else.

So why do we (myself included until now!) from H?

In continuing to beg for bags, buy into the Birkin bait, worrying about SA relationships, we let that toxic circle continue to manifest.

Sorry if this sounds a bit over the top “viva la revolution” - I feel I had to say it out loud - for myself the most

 

[tensgrl]

This thread is also very timely for me. I've been buying H for about 10 years along with other luxury lines. We recently relocated to NoCal wine country near our kids/grandkids/siblings into a 103 year old French Tudor which we remodeled. Unfortunately, the closet situation is abysmal. My new lifestyle is a great deal more casual than where I was previously living. For me, although I certainly don't need more handbags, since it's been awhile since my last QB and I have shopped sporadically since that, I've recognized that I don't want to "lose" my progress toward another QB by stopping my shopping with H. I realize as I put it into words, this isn't enough of a reason to add another bag. Cleaning out a home and making a complete move at my age (61), made me realize how much "stuff" my husband and I actually had, that we either didn't need or weren't enjoying. 2024 is definitely a year of slowing down purchasing and really considering what needs to be added to my wardrobe. Thank you Chanelandco for starting the thread and everyone for sharing their thoughts.

 

[Veritybelle]

As I was in my store yesterday, being offered (and accepting) a Bolide, I thought about this thread. My new bag is a 25 in Graphite/Gris Pale GHW and as it was being shown to me my SA made a big deal of having selected it specially for me, saying the colour combination was really interesting and perfect for me etc.

As it happens, I’ve been wanting a grey with GHW, the colour combination is perfect for me, it fills a gap in my bag wardrobe (ok, so actually in the real world there are no gaps in my bag wardrobe, so maybe that‘s a bit of self-justification on my part! ) and I can see this bag getting a lot of use in the cooler months, and my SA knows I have a large collection so a Bolide in Graphite/Gris Pale rather than a single colour adds some diversity. So overall it passed my personal test of whether I was buying it with spend history in mind (I wasn’t).

But this offer was a bit different from normal. Normally if I want a non-quota bag I just ask her if she has one, and if she does she brings it/them out and the shopping experience is “normal” (as in, just as it is with other luxury brands). This time, unusually, the offer had all the ceremony of a quota bag offer. The extra effort to present the offer as special signalled to me that there is no B or K offer coming for me from the current shipment (which is fine - I have a B and K on my wishlist but I bought several bags in 2023 so I’m in no rush).

Even though I like my SA and we enjoy discussing colours and leathers, and she’s interested in my discontinued bags and my occasional stories of what H was like when I first discovered the house, the “sell” wasn’t invisible here. It should be. On the other hand, she was clearly wanting to keep me happy, which I felt was an appropriate recognition of the “loyal client” relationship.

To date H has been able to ignore the key principle (of all service businesses) that it is easier to keep an existing client than it is to win a new one. IMO a brand can only ignore that principle if it has a large, self-replenishing supply of new young customers chasing the next hot thing coming through its doors.

What is standing out for me, reading the disillusion in everyone’s posts above, is that H is currently the “hot thing” and has shown its skill, for at least two decades now, at managing scarcity to sustain and prolong the hype around B/K/C. Who knows when the next hot thing will come along to displace the frenzy for H bags, but if/when it does, this thread tells me that H has a big problem with the health of its existing “core” client base.

The VVIP clients may play a big role in sustaining the brand’s revenues at present, but alienating the loyal tier that sits just below that level just isn’t smart in the long term.

 

[nikotama]

Thank you for this thread. I really appreciated reading everyone’s honest thoughts.

 

[Bereal]

Great thread..I am not an old H customer having started during the pandemic. However even over the last three years I can see how the customer base has increased phenomenally. It has been fun shopping in our store as I never felt pressured to do anything against my wishes. It helps to be older I think. However, as many of the posters have said already, there is only so much I can buy at H. I will continue with the bits and pieces I like but travel is very important to me so my budget has positively shrunk for luxury goods in general. Price increases and pre spend for QBs being astronomical, that is going to help to keep me mindful of any purchases I make. I would rather keep that money for my grandchildren for their college expenses in the future

 

[horselove]

Count me in, I enjoyed reading this thread and can identify with so many of the experiences described here. It hit me that Hermes has caused me to loose my bearings and balls with regards to price sensitivity at the end of last year, when l was accompanying my husband to look for a home audio system. We spent many hours testing out speakers which at its higher end, cost ONLY 3k dollars, and can supposedly last 60 years or more. In my mind l was like ‘so cheap’! comparing it to H products. It then hit me that l have lost my common sense, all in the name of chasing after H quota bags. I still do love my shopping experience at H but l would prefer it to be a treat 2x a year rather than a marathon to clock prespend. Also sharing a quote that l recently read that led to this awakening: ‘lt is difficult to uncreep lifestyle creep’

 

[luckyadanosii]

Count me in, I enjoyed reading this thread and can identify with so many of the experiences described here. It hit me that Hermes has caused me to loose my bearings and balls with regards to price sensitivity at the end of last year, when l was accompanying my husband to look for a home audio system. We spent many hours testing out speakers which at its higher end, cost ONLY 3k dollars, and can supposedly last 60 years or more. In my mind l was like ‘so cheap’! comparing it to H products. It then hit me that l have lost my common sense, all in the name of chasing after H quota bags. I still do love my shopping experience at H but l would prefer it to be a treat 2x a year rather than a marathon to clock prespend. Also sharing a quote that l recently read that led to this awakening: ‘lt is difficult to uncreep lifestyle creep’

So real!! Money has lost all perspective. Only after revisiting certain objects or situations its like dang... maybe $k is a considerable amount to spend in a day. 🤣

 

[Forever Orange]

I appreciate this thread so much!
I am a scarf buyer and echoing @momasaurus sentiments. I have really increased my purchases in recent years and, although I have no regrets with them, I do recognize that I keep wearing the same scarves over and over again. Where I used to buy 1 scarf a year, my last year was a multi-scarves year and, at the price they are at today (despite buying them in Europe and detaxing!), I am reconsidering my collection.
2024 will be the year I carefully and diligently curate my collection, rehome the scarves I no longer wear and am hyper selective with any purchase I consider, if any purchase does occur.
This thread is helpful at cooling me off when I start flirting with FOMO!
Thank you!
PS- still enjoying some scarf thread as I enjoy my scarves and love seeing others but I need to be mindful of the enabling that it can create.

 

[FaubourgTropical]

It helps to be older I think

Oh this is true for me. I don’t think my impulsive and obsessive younger self could handle shopping at Hermes . I am always thankful that I start later so that I know my style already instead of experimenting expensively.

We spent many hours testing out speakers which at its higher end, cost ONLY 3k dollars, and can supposedly last 60 years or more. In my mind l was like ‘so cheap’! comparing it to H products.

I relate! My husband is looking for new speakers and I experience the same price insensitivity. Shamed me a bit I must admit, as he is so supportive of my crazy foray into Hermes. So I said nothing but, "buy, BUY! Good value!"

 

[foxyqt]

This is a great thread. A lot of what has been said by other members really resonated with me and I declare 2024 to be the year in which I’m taking an Hermès hiatus. I might not completely stop buying H, but I am going to intentionally slow down and not put in as much time and effort as I did in previous years to “maintain” the relationship. Good luck to us all!

 

[paula24jen]

I think I'm becoming more mindful when making purchases in the last 6 months...
In my case its largely because I really do have enough 'stuff' and since I have always shopped from my own wardrobe and rediscovered items I've had for years and worn them in new ways I find I really am asking myself more and more do I really LOVE this? Will I regret it if I don't buy it?
I've resisted temptation on a few Hermes bags because they were'nt 100% what I wanted, I'm losing my Fomo.
My fantasy wishlist for 2024 as regards bags is huge but the real me knows I'll probably only buy one or 2 H bags this year (Vintage)
I think my age has a baring on this I'm at a point in my life where I dont need to impress anyone, and I only want to buy what works with or will fit in with my current lifestyle and will still bring me joy a few years down the line.
I've never ever made purchases with a view to 'investment' except investment in myself as rewards for hard work.
Edited to add:
I also feel the whole Hermes hype and hysteria especially amongst the newer younger followers of the brand have actually made me feel a slight ambivilence towards paying the increased prices and toting an obvious status symbol which has never been my reason for wanting to own pieces (mainly bags ) from the house.
Rather than buy a new scarf (I barely wear those I do own), Calvi, boots,or watch strap my next Hermes 'purchase' on my list is to send a couple of my bags to spa.

Love this, and of course, when your bags come back from Spa it will be like getting a new bag, on a number of levels

 

[missBV]

This is a great thread. A lot of what has been said by other members really resonated with me and I declare 2024 to be the year in which I’m taking an Hermès hiatus. I might not completely stop buying H, but I am going to intentionally slow down and not put in as much time and effort as I did in previous years to “maintain” the relationship. Good luck to us all!

+1 and im hoping the hiatus will last forever

 

[FrenchNewbie]

I am glad I stumbled across this thread, and that so many have been able to [freely & comfortably] articulate exactly what I have been feeling lately.

I feel like I am fatigued from the Hermes "game"---even though 2023 was a successful & exciting year for me, the "newness" is wearing off & it's starting to feel like I am being used by my SA. It seems like lots of my calls/texts are ignored lately, my queries for items are unsuccessful, and my SA disappears--only to contact me when they need a certain sale in certain categories to meet their quotas [which is usually B.S. stuff I don't want to buy].

As others have said, I am starting to come to my senses on just how much $$$ I have spent with Hermes, and it's ridiculous.
The never-ending "chase" is depressing, and I feel like I need to divert my attention/emotions/finances elsewhere.

 

[MissTammyB]

I am glad I stumbled across this thread, and that so many have been able to [freely & comfortably] articulate exactly what I have been feeling lately.

I feel like I am fatigued from the Hermes "game"---even though 2023 was a successful & exciting year for me, the "newness" is wearing off & it's starting to feel like I am being used by my SA. It seems like lots of my calls/texts are ignored lately, my queries for items are unsuccessful, and my SA disappears--only to contact me when they need a certain sale in certain categories to meet their quotas [which is usually B.S. stuff I don't want to buy].

As others have said, I am starting to come to my senses on just how much $$$ I have spent with Hermes, and it's ridiculous.
The never-ending "chase" is depressing, and I feel like I need to divert my attention/emotions/finances elsewhere.

I really feel you…because i feel the same. I have not been looking forward to my last appointments, the feelings that maintained where of being used and of Major attitude towards me…Not at all „customer is King“ buT rather i should be glad they give me the time of the day and let me spend my (hard earned) Money.

So to hit PAUSE is, to me, the healthy way going forward. On no other lux forum, feelings, relationships, spend ratio Are discussed as in depth as here. Because they shouldnt. Shopping is Not that serious!

Concluding, from a marketing perspective, in times Like these, operating via an elitist System customer relationship Management strategy does Not really reflect 2024 and read the room, right?

 

[FrenchNewbie]

I really feel you…because i feel the same. I have not been looking forward to my last appointments, the feelings that maintained where of being used and of Major attitude towards me…Not at all „customer is King“ buT rather i should be glad they give me the time of the day and let me spend my (hard earned) Money.

So to hit PAUSE is, to me, the healthy way going forward. On no other lux forum, feelings, relationships, spend ratio Are discussed as in depth as here. Because they shouldnt. Shopping is Not that serious!

Concluding, from a marketing perspective, in times Like these, operating via an elitist System customer relationship Management strategy does Not really reflect 2024 and read the room, right?

Totally agree with this statement!

My Louis Vuitton SAs call/text me just to check on me, ask me about my life & we shoot the sh!t on our lives outside of shopping, they send holiday wishes & cute freebies/goodies, etc. They present exclusive LookBooks to me and offer me limited edition items. My Dior SA texts me just to see what's new--one day I sat on the couch in the 'VIP room' (I am in no way a VIP) chatting with him for an hour and didn't even buy anything (this was after he offered me a Himalayan Lady Dior and Himalayan Saddle Bag an hour earlier ), lol. My Fendi SA is excited when I come in and is also eager to show me stuff.

But with Hermes, it's not the same---the relationships feel so forced and "obligated", if that makes sense?
I'm starting to feel bamboozled...