Too shy or scared to ask about H? ASK HERE

[papertiger]

This thread's last chance.

This thread has has become a catch-all for every other thread on the H Shopping sub-forum and some the main H. Please do a search. If the thread continues as a part chat-thread/ part substitute for other threads, it will become redundant and be closed.

Note:

Shopping/stock post-epidemic https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/bag-production-post-c-virus.1026395/

Maintaining an H relationship https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/maintaining-a-h-relationship.156549/page-310#post-34789362

Treatment in-store https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/treatment-in-hermes-stores.267768/

Continued/discontinued items https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/does-hermes-still-make.1042656/

Plenty of threads on quota bags, including in different country's variables.

 

[biorin]

The shipment contents are known to the store's SAs prior to their arrival (they generally receive a list when the shipment leaves Paris), I know this because I've seen definitive evidence of it multiple times. And there's no such thing as a "shipping team," in retail you refer to the team that does this work as "Back of House." This seemingly simple error in terminology gives quite a glimpse into the OP's experience in the retail world.

My only insight into this is that, with special orders, I have had two things happen:

- My SA is told by Paris (or sees on a list) that my bag is on its way in, and knows when it arrives
- My SA has zero idea the bag is coming until the shipment is received and processed (not opened, the SOs at least are labeled on the outside and so far most of my SAs don't peek unless I ask them to. Of course someone may open the box and re-wrap it and we would never know.)

My sense is that this varies by store and seniority of SA, but definitely true that shipments are not universally or even often a total mystery to the store.

To add on my personal experience, my SA recently expressed his surprise that they'd gotten in a shipment on a day they don't normally get them, and thought "it must be something special." He was not aware of what was in it until they actually received it at the store, and also didn't seem to be aware it was coming. I imagine they may be informed about certain shipments, especially with specifically ordered/requested items, but it seems not all.

 

[Mr. Ex]

Ohhh I’ve been reading this thread and have learned so much! I have 2 questions!

I’ve heard many tell me that the more opened I am, the easier it is to get offers. My SA has told me the same thing as well; however, I’ve also heard if I have specific combos I want I should specify them so that I would be one of the ones on the list if a bag comes in. My SA has never asked for my wish list even when I initiated the convo. She just always tells me that I should not be too specific or rather, tell her what I don’t want.

I’m located in a small store with high competition and low inventory if I were to describe it.

The bag I want is a bag that’s probably a spec everyone else wants. So my question is, since I’m no high spender, even if I’m willing to wait - would I always lose out to a client who has higher spend then me? I do plan to continue to shop slowly and don’t mind waiting.

second- I was curious how popular items like rodeos gets distributed between the SAs?

Thank you!

Hi there! If you’re SA hasn’t added anything to your wishlist I would simply ask them to add a couple items to that and you CAN be specific if you’d like. But your SA is correct, the more open you are the easier it can be to be offered a bag.

To answer your question, if you don’t mind waiting and are willing to keep shopping because you actually like the items then keep doing what you’re doing. But do ask to make a wishlist so that she is aware that you’re interested in a bag.

Regarding the rodeo question, rodeo charms (PM in particular) aren’t usually allocated to SA’s UNLESS they’re special ones like the all black, all light pink or limited edition ones. This is to ensure fairness amongst the SA’s and their clients. Nonetheless you should always tell your SA what color you’re interested in and have her put an “order” in the system.

Please note that an “order” isn’t really ordering something. But they’ll know what that means.

 

[Mr. Ex]

Which is the best subcategory to shop in the lifestyle category: RTW, watches or fine jewellery.

Thank you!

Jewelry and watches have some items that have pretty high price points so if you’re looking for heavy hitting items that will shoot your “spend” amount very quick I’d recommend those. But ultimately it is what will make you happy

 

[Mr. Ex]

Thank you for your reply! She said it was coming in, I’m guessing the special order was created on her end to reserve it for me before it had the chance to get displayed. It was not a b/k/c.



I was too afraid to ask my city sa about it, and I don’t want to pry further with my local sa, because she had no idea either but could clearly see a special order. So baffling!

She might have referred to an item as a special order if she saw that there was one in coming in the system. It’s not necessarily a custom made item but if she knew it was coming in then maybe that’s the way she phrased it. Not to put less value on your order or anything but just different Terminology.

 

[Mr. Ex]

I’d love to know the answer to this question too and would also be interested in where home and shoes fall too. Are the SA’s commission the same for all these categories?

And can you quantify how much better it is for the SA (and your purchase history quality) to shop these lifestyle categories than, say, non-quota leather goods? Do you need to spend twice as much in non-lifestyle categories for example to have the same impact as a purchase in lifestyle?

Thank you for all this great information!

There are only two different types of commissions along with some incentives that SA’s get.

The categories mentioned are indeed more impactful on ones purchase history but regardless of what people say the sales associate cannot tell you how much you have to spend. Just know that the spend hast to be there in order to be offered a bag.

 

[Mr. Ex]

Love this thread as a newbie to Hermes. Thx I can only buy a few items which I have liked maybe over a few months which still added up to almost the cost of a bag. Does that mean I will probably never get a bag offer? I live in a very competitive area but so far my SA has been fantastic.

I wouldn’t say that. I would keep doing what you’re doing and just have a little patience. Especially if you’re in a very competitive area.

 

[Mr. Ex]

Not to stir up any trouble, but I know for a fact that this specific information is very incorrect. I would exercise caution in positioning yourself as an expert like this.

Not at all! But allow me to clarify a couple of things before assumptions are made. One, I have never ever claimed myself to be an expert of the brand. I am merely doing this to help people understand how the company works and how to better understand how to get what it is that they are looking for. Two, The inventory control team gets a list of what’s in the shipments once they receive it. May I ask what evidence you claim to have seen?

 

[TheBagLady20]

She might have referred to an item as a special order if she saw that there was one in coming in the system. It’s not necessarily a custom made item but if she knew it was coming in then maybe that’s the way she phrased it. Not to put less value on your order or anything but just different Terminology.

I think based upon replies here, she knew it was coming in and flagged me for it thus creating a special order in the system. All the special orders I’ve read about have been someone customizing their bags. I don’t know if there are limits to special orders and if having this flagged that way would make it harder for me to get a harder to get bag?

Thank you Mr. Ex and everyone for weighing in. I appreciate all the insight!

 

[DreamerofLux]

Hi Mr. Ex,

Thank you so much for answering all of these amazing questions! This has been a lot of fun to read.

What are Hermes SA pet peeves when it comes to clients? And, conversely what are Hermes SA's fave client relationships? Just curious, what you may have heard that we may not already be aware of (for example, we know pet peeves include hounding SA for a B/K/C, being wasteful of their time).

Thank you!

 

[tinkerbell68]

I was very scared to ask for a Birkin when I was finally ready. VERY scared to see the reaction.
Obviously I eventually got over it.... but it was tough at first.. to utter those words.

That is me rn! I first fell in love with Birkins back in the early noughts but only recently purchased my first...a gently loved 35. I have been developing a relationship with an SA at my local store, purchasing a few items here and there but have no idea how to broach the subject of a Birkin. She has offered me a TPM with PHW which I declined explaining that I only carry bags with gold hardware and she knows some colors that I like but I have not actually told her, out loud, that I'd like a Birkin 30. Horrors!

 

[Israeli_Flava]

That is me rn! I first fell in love with Birkins back in the early noughts but only recently purchased my first...a gently loved 35. I have been developing a relationship with an SA at my local store, purchasing a few items here and there but have no idea how to broach the subject of a Birkin. She has offered me a TPM with PHW which I declined explaining that I only carry bags with gold hardware and she knows some colors that I like but I have not actually told her, out loud, that I'd like a Birkin 30. Horrors!

I did what you are doing now. Established a relationship..buying things without being pushy. After about 6 months (that was only bc I didn't really even think I wanted a Birkin until that long) I basically called my SA and said I was wondering if I could be added to "the list" for Gold Birkin. He told me I have to come to the boutique in person to be added to "the list". I thought that was odd but typical Hermes odd right? I wasn't busy that Saturday but it was pouring rain. I threw on some leggings and Uggs (the horror) and drove to the boutique in the rain.... and...
I WALKED OUT WITH THE BIRKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True story.
Just. do. it.

 

[tinkerbell68]

I did what you are doing now. Established a relationship..buying things without being pushy. After about 6 months (that was only bc I didn't really even think I wanted a Birkin until that long) I basically called my SA and said I was wondering if I could be added to "the list" for Gold Birkin. He told me I have to come to the boutique in person to be added to "the list". I thought that was odd but typical Hermes odd right? I wasn't busy that Saturday but it was pouring rain. I threw on some leggings and Uggs (the horror) and drove to the boutique in the rain.... and...
I WALKED OUT WITH THE BIRKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True story.
Just. do. it.

Whoa! Such a great story...you are so lucky...and I feel hopeful now I'm visiting with my SA on Wednesday and will try to summon on the courage to ask her.

 

[880]

I did what you are doing now. Established a relationship..buying things without being pushy. After about 6 months (that was only bc I didn't really even think I wanted a Birkin until that long) I basically called my SA and said I was wondering if I could be added to "the list" for Gold Birkin. He told me I have to come to the boutique in person to be added to "the list". I thought that was odd but typical Hermes odd right? I wasn't busy that Saturday but it was pouring rain. I threw on some leggings and Uggs (the horror) and drove to the boutique in the rain.... and...
I WALKED OUT WITH THE BIRKIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True story.
Just. do. it.

This is such a happy story! Thank you so much for putting the biggest smile on my face!

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Whoa! Such a great story...you are so lucky...and I feel hopeful now I'm visiting with my SA on Wednesday and will try to summon on the courage to ask her.

Careful! It's a slippery slope... so be ready.. hahaha
I now have: (((YIKES))))
5 B30
3 B25
2 C24
1 K28
Good luck and orange fairy dust dear!!!
Let us know how it goes!!! Be brave

 

[Israeli_Flava]

This is such a happy story! Thank you so much for putting the biggest smile on my face!

Awww you are too kind dear! My pleasure