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

[frenchiemama]

Sometimes they offer items in certain categories because your profile is missing some diversity. I experienced this with my first true SA.

I have been more selective with my purchases so that has somehow instantly slowed things down, plus with SA turnover, I no longer feel the same enthusiasm as I did a few years back. If my new SA comes through then it may change the course, otherwise it’s probably gonna get slower with the increases.

I can definitely see this happening. So essentially it all boils down to trust with your SA. Because your SA may be suggesting a certain category for several reasons and unfortunately we can’t read their minds. They could be trying to hit their own sales targets or they could be trying to help you strengthen your own profile to be better set up for a bag offer.

One of my friends has a great relationship with her SA but she doesn’t spend a lot. Her SA has told her several times that FJ would be a great addition to her profile.

 

[umamanikam]

I think I have given up on H from store at least .Made my initial few purchases decades back and then I took a break for another decade while I was busy exploring the world of LV and Chanel and then I returned back to H .I casually one day begining of last year took my bag for spa and met few sales assistants who asked me if I wanted to put a wishlist ( as is in my country ) I did put one for a QB in few colours .I got a card from the SA who was serving me.When I emailed her couple of times she did not reply .A month after that I went to the boutique and met another Sa and same story .They never reply,mind you I was not asking for a bag as there never are bags in my store .Few bags I bought Preloved or from resellers .The third SA fortunately did answer my email .They never give their number here in my country .
After few months I went back to the store and when chatting up she point blankly told me I might never get the QB .
Few days after that incidence ,I got the email to come and collect my QB .I was really shocked and when I went to collect it I was told that the QB was ordered for by the manager who I never met but who remembered me from 15 yrs back .I then told them how just few days back I was told I would never get one ( as they keep saying spend does not matter here ) and I bought only couple of things ,not big ticket items .I emailed my SA back to wish her for Christmas and to thank her but she has since ghosted me .No idea what the issue is ,whether she got told off by the manager for putting me down , absolutely no clue ..I hate when H treats customers like crap .I have since decided I will never again go and purchase from my home store .No more bags for me . Maybe some small stuff from online or consignment store .

 

[Build-a-B-K-collection]

I think I have given up on H from store at least .Made my initial few purchases decades back and then I took a break for another decade while I was busy exploring the world of LV and Chanel and then I returned back to H .I casually one day begining of last year took my bag for spa and met few sales assistants who asked me if I wanted to put a wishlist ( as is in my country ) I did put one for a QB in few colours .I got a card from the SA who was serving me.When I emailed her couple of times she did not reply .A month after that I went to the boutique and met another Sa and same story .They never reply,mind you I was not asking for a bag as there never are bags in my store .Few bags I bought Preloved or from resellers .The third SA fortunately did answer my email .They never give their number here in my country .
After few months I went back to the store and when chatting up she point blankly told me I might never get the QB .
Few days after that incidence ,I got the email to come and collect my QB .I was really shocked and when I went to collect it I was told that the QB was ordered for by the manager who I never met but who remembered me from 15 yrs back .I then told them how just few days back I was told I would never get one ( as they keep saying spend does not matter here ) and I bought only couple of things ,not big ticket items .I emailed my SA back to wish her for Christmas and to thank her but she has since ghosted me .No idea what the issue is ,whether she got told off by the manager for putting me down , absolutely no clue ..I hate when H treats customers like crap .I have since decided I will never again go and purchase from my home store .No more bags for me . Maybe some small stuff from online or consignment store .

Congrats on getting a bag from store !

 

[momasaurus]

I think I have given up on H from store at least .Made my initial few purchases decades back and then I took a break for another decade while I was busy exploring the world of LV and Chanel and then I returned back to H .I casually one day begining of last year took my bag for spa and met few sales assistants who asked me if I wanted to put a wishlist ( as is in my country ) I did put one for a QB in few colours .I got a card from the SA who was serving me.When I emailed her couple of times she did not reply .A month after that I went to the boutique and met another Sa and same story .They never reply,mind you I was not asking for a bag as there never are bags in my store .Few bags I bought Preloved or from resellers .The third SA fortunately did answer my email .They never give their number here in my country .
After few months I went back to the store and when chatting up she point blankly told me I might never get the QB .
Few days after that incidence ,I got the email to come and collect my QB .I was really shocked and when I went to collect it I was told that the QB was ordered for by the manager who I never met but who remembered me from 15 yrs back .I then told them how just few days back I was told I would never get one ( as they keep saying spend does not matter here ) and I bought only couple of things ,not big ticket items .I emailed my SA back to wish her for Christmas and to thank her but she has since ghosted me .No idea what the issue is ,whether she got told off by the manager for putting me down , absolutely no clue ..I hate when H treats customers like crap .I have since decided I will never again go and purchase from my home store .No more bags for me . Maybe some small stuff from online or consignment store .

This is just baffling.

 

[Sola_88]

I have read this thread with interest and can sympathize with many.

I also feel bad for the SA's - I'm sure they want to sell you what you want, but they're not allowed. I almost feel they shouldn't be called SA's, they should be call SHAME's for "Selling Hermes And Managing Expectations" (sorry for the bad pun).

Enjoy your Hermes vacations everyone!

 

[MillStream]

I've just slogged my way through this entire thread, and am so impressed by the honestly and insights shared here. Brava to the OP for starting this thread! I, too, had been sucked into the Hermes frenzy.

It started quite innocently. In the mid 1980's my brand-new husband surprised me with a classic Hermes scarf. At that time, wearing an Hermes scarf was considered to be both timeless and chic. I was in the corporate world, one of very few women in senior management, and adopted a "uniform" of Burberry silk blouses, Burberry tailored suits and enough Hermes scarves to wear a different one every day of the month. A Chanel Black Classic Flap, at that time, was the bag of choice, as was Chanel costume jewelry.

Fifteen years later, during a trip to London, I fell wildly and madly in love with an Hermes Rouge H Box Calf Kelly at a consignment shop. My husband liked the "idea" of a Kelly for me, but convinced me to get a new one. Even then, it was impossible to buy one at Hermes. Instead, I bought a new one from a reseller and for a few years I was entirely content to have "just one" Hermes bag. And then my husband died quite suddenly from a rare autoimmune disease. That sent me down the Hermes rabbit hole, big time, for the next 15 years. Lots and lots and lots of mindless shopping, although nothing could fill the sadness and emptiness of life without my late husband.

It's only in the past few years and the happiness I've found with another wonderful man that I've adopted a "less is more" attitude about Designer Clothing, Jewelry, etc. I'm no longer trying to fill a hole in my life. Frankly, I feel that having just a few special pieces makes them all the more special. I've pared down to one of each of the following: 30 Birkin, 28 Kelly, 31 Bolide, TPM Evelyne and Cinhetic Clutch. On a very positive note, recently I declined a QB 30B because I already have one. Yes, one Birkin is enough for me.

Thanks to @880 writing about her White Loewe Mini Puzzle Bag, last year I added three Minis and one Small Loewe Puzzle Bag. All are wearable, under the radar, chic and perfect for every day use. I also added a stylish Celine Nano Belt Bag that's equally perfect for every day use. All five of these bags were less than the cost of that Hermes QB I declined, and work well with my relaxed "retirement" wardrobe.

There IS life after recovery from Hermes addiction!

 

[phoenixfeather]

I have been buying from the H website for years and got a call from customer service last summer. They asked me if they could do anything for me because they saw that I was a good customer (meaning I had spent a lot of money). They wanted to direct me to a boutique and an SA. I agreed even though the next boutique is over 2 hours away and I'm quite an introvert. Keeping up a relationship with a stranger is not what I enjoy. When I then visited the boutique I bought a few items and asked for a non quota bag. They had a few but I already own those because I had bought them from the website. Then they asked me if I had other wishes and I again asked to be offered a non quota bag in another size or color when they become available. When I told them I wasn't interested in quota bags at all because of my lifestyle they became quite uninterested in me and have since ghosted me when I texted them asking for items or visits. For me personally there seems to be no advantage in visiting their stores. I like what I like and don't buy what I don't enjoy. And I'm quite happy with the website and the online return policy. Their online customer service is always very helpful even with repairs. Another thing that really bothered me in the boutique is that I had to wait inside for the SA for almost an hour even though I had an appointment. My husband and son had to wait with me and found the whole treatment very odd. I really like many of their non quota bags and some other items and will keep buying from their website from time to time.

 

[MissTammyB]

I, too, love the honesty, mutual understanding and supportive spirit of this thread…it has helped me tremendously!!! Thank you so much for the contributions and Support. Thank you for the non-negative aura here.

I think the posters that came forward, myself included, know that many of us had different, positive and enjoyable appointments at H, they have good relationships with their SA/SM and can’t personally relate to what we have experienced. Still, there is no finger pointing here and no blame gaming. I really appreciate it, feels like a safe haven, a healthy clubhouse, a ring of support. Cheers to all xx

 

[benjinito]

When I told them I wasn't interested in quota bags at all because of my lifestyle they became quite uninterested in me and have since ghosted me when I texted them asking for items or visits

This is so bizarre to me! I’d think a customer who doesn’t want QBs would be ideal for them - adding to sales goal without any expectation

 

[SDC2003]

This is so bizarre to me! I’d think a customer who doesn’t want QBs would be ideal for them - adding to sales goal without any expectation

Not bizarre if you think about it. Having a client who wants qb means it’s someone that will pre spend to that goal. With prespends now up where they are that translates to significant revenue and promise of continued spending.

 

[DoggieBags]

Not bizarre if you think about it. Having a client who wants qb means it’s someone that will pre spend to that goal. With prespends now up where they are that translates to significant revenue and promise of continued spending.

I guess it would also depend on what kinds of non QB items the client was after. There are other bags like the mini Lindy that are just as hard to get as a QB these days. If the client is not interested in QBs and generally asks for regular, not crazily in demand items, then they could be a good client to add.

 

[momasaurus]

I have been buying from the H website for years and got a call from customer service last summer. They asked me if they could do anything for me because they saw that I was a good customer (meaning I had spent a lot of money). They wanted to direct me to a boutique and an SA. I agreed even though the next boutique is over 2 hours away and I'm quite an introvert. Keeping up a relationship with a stranger is not what I enjoy. When I then visited the boutique I bought a few items and asked for a non quota bag. They had a few but I already own those because I had bought them from the website. Then they asked me if I had other wishes and I again asked to be offered a non quota bag in another size or color when they become available. When I told them I wasn't interested in quota bags at all because of my lifestyle they became quite uninterested in me and have since ghosted me when I texted them asking for items or visits. For me personally there seems to be no advantage in visiting their stores. I like what I like and don't buy what I don't enjoy. And I'm quite happy with the website and the online return policy. Their online customer service is always very helpful even with repairs. Another thing that really bothered me in the boutique is that I had to wait inside for the SA for almost an hour even though I had an appointment. My husband and son had to wait with me and found the whole treatment very odd. I really like many of their non quota bags and some other items and will keep buying from their website from time to time.

This is all so ugly. I am sorry you were treated this way, both by the initial baiting and then by the boutique. So obvious and crass ($$$).

 

[phoenixfeather]

This is so bizarre to me! I’d think a customer who doesn’t want QBs would be ideal for them - adding to sales goal without any expectation

That's what I thought too.

 

[phoenixfeather]

Not bizarre if you think about it. Having a client who wants qb means it’s someone that will pre spend to that goal. With prespends now up where they are that translates to significant revenue and promise of continued spending.

Yes, they absolutely seemed disappointed that I wouldn't buy more than I needed.

 

[phoenixfeather]

I guess it would also depend on what kinds of non QB items the client was after. There are other bags like the mini Lindy that are just as hard to get as a QB these days. If the client is not interested in QBs and generally asks for regular, not crazily in demand items, then they could be a good client to add.

So true. I left with the impression that non quota bags are easier to obtain from the website than from the boutique. Especially in the last few weeks there were a lot of bags on the European website. I often was able to add 2 or 3 of each of the bags to my cart to see how many were available. In the boutique I specifically asked for another Evelyne in the 33/GM size which is my favourite. They couldn`t help me but the website had quite a few of them available since then. So I bought from the website again. Another thing I noticed is that it's a lot easier to buy those bags from the resale market now. Here in Europe the prices went way down and bags still don't sell.