Treatment in Hermes Stores

[MSO13]

This is true, but I am comfortable with what I have said. This seems to be the culture of the store and they are ok with that. I'm just looking to expand my knowledge base and become a regular customer. I'm sure I will venture back soon enough as there are many things I want!

Did you ask for help? Did you tell the security guard that you'd like assistance and have him get someone for you? That's the fastest way to get the help you are looking for and all the security guys at this boutique are able to call an SA for you.

I see a lot from posters on this thread about how no one talked to them when they were in the store but why not just say to anyone you see "hi I'm looking for help" If the SA is not free, they'll certainly find someone or tell you how soon they can be with you. I personally like to browse and be left alone unless I have a specific question. With H, yes-you need assistance especially at the store you're talking about as there's not a lot of room on the floor for inventory but there's no harm in asking.

H sales associates spend most of their time communicating with their clients that are NOT in the store. That's how they sell things, they keep endless wish lists and try to match up product that comes in with those lists. I'm not saying it's ok to make a customer feel ignored but to assume that they're actively avoiding you seems overly sensitive. I shop at all the designer shops in that mall and service is spotty everywhere unless I communicate exactly how I want to be helped and if I don't need assistance I tell them so no one is wasting time.

I personally love the staff at this boutique and think that you need to try with the SA you were working with when they're back in the store on the regular schedule and tell him/her exactly what you want to learn about and what you're interested in. Weekdays are best, you can spend some time asking about the products you want to know about. If the SA is not due to come back to the store anytime soon, ask for the Asst Mgr or Mgr and ask them to chat with you which they would be happy to do. Another SA will likely not want to jump in though since it sounds like you already started a convo with the SA who's out sick or whatever. You can even call ahead and give them a time window that you'll be around which will likely result in a much nicer experience.

Anyway, that's just my two cents on this particular store.

 

[steffy000]

Did you ask for help? Did you tell the security guard that you'd like assistance and have him get someone for you? That's the fastest way to get the help you are looking for and all the security guys at this boutique are able to call an SA for you.

I see a lot from posters on this thread about how no one talked to them when they were in the store but why not just say to anyone you see "hi I'm looking for help" If the SA is not free, they'll certainly find someone or tell you how soon they can be with you. I personally like to browse and be left alone unless I have a specific question. With H, yes-you need assistance especially at the store you're talking about as there's not a lot of room on the floor for inventory but there's no harm in asking.

H sales associates spend most of their time communicating with their clients that are NOT in the store. That's how they sell things, they keep endless wish lists and try to match up product that comes in with those lists. I'm not saying it's ok to make a customer feel ignored but to assume that they're actively avoiding you seems overly sensitive. I shop at all the designer shops in that mall and service is spotty everywhere unless I communicate exactly how I want to be helped and if I don't need assistance I tell them so no one is wasting time.

I personally love the staff at this boutique and think that you need to try with the SA you were working with when they're back in the store on the regular schedule and tell him/her exactly what you want to learn about and what you're interested in. Weekdays are best, you can spend some time asking about the products you want to know about. If the SA is not due to come back to the store anytime soon, ask for the Asst Mgr or Mgr and ask them to chat with you which they would be happy to do. Another SA will likely not want to jump in though since it sounds like you already started a convo with the SA who's out sick or whatever. You can even call ahead and give them a time window that you'll be around which will likely result in a much nicer experience.

Anyway, that's just my two cents on this particular store.

Thank you for your input. I also spend a lot of time at this Mall and in most stores I am normally greeted and asked if I need assistance. Like you, I mostly prefer to walk around and browse. At H, I have to find someone and ask them for assistance. I was simply saying I find this different from how other high end retailers operate. I also have other things to do in life so if my SA isn't going to be around a lot, it's a bit difficult. I did ask for assistance and someone did help me. Ultimately, there is very little stock on the floor and it would simply be nice to find an engaging SA to assist. I have a number of things in mind that I want and am happy to make some regular purchases on the way to being offered a B bag, I already have. However, when there is nothing to look at or try on and no one seems particularly interested in assisting it becomes difficult. I'm not looking for a friend, I don't need much attention, just some good service.

 

[Birdonce]

Thank you for your input. I also spend a lot of time at this Mall and in most stores I am normally greeted and asked if I need assistance. Like you, I mostly prefer to walk around and browse. At H, I have to find someone and ask them for assistance. I was simply saying I find this different from how other high end retailers operate. I also have other things to do in life so if my SA isn't going to be around a lot, it's a bit difficult. I did ask for assistance and someone did help me. Ultimately, there is very little stock on the floor and it would simply be nice to find an engaging SA to assist. I have a number of things in mind that I want and am happy to make some regular purchases on the way to being offered a B bag, I already have. However, when there is nothing to look at or try on and no one seems particularly interested in assisting it becomes difficult. I'm not looking for a friend, I don't need much attention, just some good service.

I'm feeling luckier still with my store. I often can only go in when my SA isn't there, but he usually leaves me things to consider or things I have wanted, and one of the other SAs shows them to me or rings me up.

 

[hermes_lemming]

I will have to figure out who the SM is. I started to discuss what bags I was looking for with the woman I asked for help and she told me to continue the conversation with the SA I originally spoke to, who she then said was in and out with personal issues. (Hoping the SAs aren't reading these boards?!?)

I'm not sure about all boutiques but the staff at mine all have tpf accounts.

Not sure about that, I'll probably be blacklisted!!

I highly doubt it

No, unless you post your name or photo, otherwise they don't know who you are.

Yes and they're aware of the local tpf meetups.

Did you ask for help? Did you tell the security guard that you'd like assistance and have him get someone for you? That's the fastest way to get the help you are looking for and all the security guys at this boutique are able to call an SA for you.

I see a lot from posters on this thread about how no one talked to them when they were in the store but why not just say to anyone you see "hi I'm looking for help" If the SA is not free, they'll certainly find someone or tell you how soon they can be with you. I personally like to browse and be left alone unless I have a specific question. With H, yes-you need assistance especially at the store you're talking about as there's not a lot of room on the floor for inventory but there's no harm in asking.

H sales associates spend most of their time communicating with their clients that are NOT in the store. That's how they sell things, they keep endless wish lists and try to match up product that comes in with those lists. I'm not saying it's ok to make a customer feel ignored but to assume that they're actively avoiding you seems overly sensitive. I shop at all the designer shops in that mall and service is spotty everywhere unless I communicate exactly how I want to be helped and if I don't need assistance I tell them so no one is wasting time.

I personally love the staff at this boutique and think that you need to try with the SA you were working with when they're back in the store on the regular schedule and tell him/her exactly what you want to learn about and what you're interested in. Weekdays are best, you can spend some time asking about the products you want to know about. If the SA is not due to come back to the store anytime soon, ask for the Asst Mgr or Mgr and ask them to chat with you which they would be happy to do. Another SA will likely not want to jump in though since it sounds like you already started a convo with the SA who's out sick or whatever. You can even call ahead and give them a time window that you'll be around which will likely result in a much nicer experience.

Anyway, that's just my two cents on this particular store.

I think the common problem of those that are being snubbed is that unfortunately the staff they encounter size them up and hardly raise a finger to help.

Thank you for your input. I also spend a lot of time at this Mall and in most stores I am normally greeted and asked if I need assistance. Like you, I mostly prefer to walk around and browse. At H, I have to find someone and ask them for assistance. I was simply saying I find this different from how other high end retailers operate. I also have other things to do in life so if my SA isn't going to be around a lot, it's a bit difficult. I did ask for assistance and someone did help me. Ultimately, there is very little stock on the floor and it would simply be nice to find an engaging SA to assist. I have a number of things in mind that I want and am happy to make some regular purchases on the way to being offered a B bag, I already have. However, when there is nothing to look at or try on and no one seems particularly interested in assisting it becomes difficult. I'm not looking for a friend, I don't need much attention, just some good service.

Lol don't worry. The "friend" term isn't literal (I hope). Good luck.

 

[MSO13]

I'm not sure about all boutiques but the staff at mine all have tpf accounts.




I highly doubt it

Yes and they're aware of the local tpf meetups.


I think the common problem of those that are being snubbed is that unfortunately the staff they encounter size them up and hardly raise a finger to help.


Lol don't worry. The "friend" term isn't literal (I hope). Good luck.

This poster wasn't "snubbed" she was able to buy an Evie and a twilly on two separate occasions. It's really passive aggressive to assume that H employees are "sizing" people up and says more about the people who feel snubbed than the staff in my opinion. Some of the most VIP of VIP at this store roll in to the store in old sneakers and yoga pants.

This thread is about treatment in H stores, I'm not clear how Steffy000 was "ignored" at this boutique other than another SA not helping her because her SA was out of the store for some reason. Projecting about snubbing that may or may not have happened doesn't seem to be helpful to the people reading this thread IMO. It conveys a message that you need to dress fancy or pretend to be someone else to get service in H which is simply not true. H associates are just human beings like everyone else, they're not going to perfect all the time and I think that asking for better service is the fastest way to get it.

 

[hermes_lemming]

This poster wasn't "snubbed" she was able to buy an Evie and a twilly on two separate occasions. It's really passive aggressive to assume that H employees are "sizing" people up and says more about the people who feel snubbed than the staff in my opinion. Some of the most VIP of VIP at this store roll in to the store in old sneakers and yoga pants.

This thread is about treatment in H stores, I'm not clear how Steffy000 was "ignored" at this boutique other than another SA not helping her because her SA was out of the store for some reason. Projecting about snubbing that may or may not have happened doesn't seem to be helpful to the people reading this thread IMO. It conveys a message that you need to dress fancy or pretend to be someone else to get service in H which is simply not true. H associates are just human beings like everyone else, they're not going to perfect all the time and I think that asking for better service is the fastest way to get it.

I think there have been several people who have complained and I'm merely parroting their words. It's literally what they said so I'm not throwing a "passive aggressive" threat. Why would I? My heart genuinely goes out to those who have received unsatisfactory service. I personally don't think it's right.

I also adore my boutique and the staff there. I have also had no problems at other boutiques outside the US when I travel. And I definitely don't dress to impress whenever I happened to chance an H establishment. But my boutique knows who I am, and I think the same goes for the VIP you pointed out. Since we are already recognized and thus have a "history" , it really doesn't matter what we wear. I don't know how to explain my luck overseas as I am clearly a tourist, yes even in my native country.

I don't know which poster you're calling out. But I do remember one tpfer (male, affluent startup employee ) who had problems procuring a birkin for his wife because he would frequent the boutique wearing a hoodie and jeans (typical programmer/male startup attire). When he later returned with his wife, dressed to the nines because of some show or rather they were later seeing, they had zero problems obtaining said birkin. His wife was delighted and he was relieved his hunt was over.

So to counter your idea of asking for better service, who would the unhappy customers direct their requests to? The security staff? The SM? Idk. Yes the guards are easy to identify but the SMs are not. Nor are they "on the floor" all the time, kwim?

 

[steffy000]

This poster wasn't "snubbed" she was able to buy an Evie and a twilly on two separate occasions. It's really passive aggressive to assume that H employees are "sizing" people up and says more about the people who feel snubbed than the staff in my opinion. Some of the most VIP of VIP at this store roll in to the store in old sneakers and yoga pants.

This thread is about treatment in H stores, I'm not clear how Steffy000 was "ignored" at this boutique other than another SA not helping her because her SA was out of the store for some reason. Projecting about snubbing that may or may not have happened doesn't seem to be helpful to the people reading this thread IMO. It conveys a message that you need to dress fancy or pretend to be someone else to get service in H which is simply not true. H associates are just human beings like everyone else, they're not going to perfect all the time and I think that asking for better service is the fastest way to get it.

You are coming off a little defensive Mrs Owen and I'm not sure why. I don't think it was appropriate to label me overly sensitive when I'm really not. I am simply saying in other stores one is generally asked if they need assistance immediately, from my experience in H I am the one who has to wander around looking to make eye contact with someone then request assistance. Additionally, I was saying I find it hard to plan my shopping around an SA's schedule but again that seems to be how things work here, so be it. Next time I can call and make a date with her if necessary, problem solved.

 

[MSO13]

You are coming off a little defensive Mrs Owen and I'm not sure why. I don't think it was appropriate to label me overly sensitive when I'm really not. I am simply saying in other stores one is generally asked if they need assistance immediately, from my experience in H I am the one who has to wander around looking to make eye contact with someone then request assistance. Additionally, I was saying I find it hard to plan my shopping around an SA's schedule but again that seems to be how things work here, so be it. Next time I can call and make a date with her if necessary, problem solved.

sorry you're finding my post defensive, that's not my intention. I was trying to offer some info that might get you the assistance you're looking for at this particular boutique. I like this store's staff and don't think there's anything wrong with asking for help when I need it. That's really all I have to add to this conversation and I hope you're able to find a SA that you like working with!

 

[Leo the Lion]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

 

[cr1stalangel]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[MASEML]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

Assume you mean Madison? Have fun! They're nice.

Particularly downstairs in the leather goods area, if you don't have an associate you work with, I'd suggest going during the week or early on the weekends - it's when they are not typically busy so you will get all the help you need/want. It's also a better experience when it's not crowded. As the weather is getting nice now, it tends to get very busy with new/established clients and tourists visiting the store. Hope you find what you are looking for!

 

[SandySummer]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

Good luck and have fun! The Madison store is so beautiful and there are soooo many things to look at. Senses overload!

 

[6310254]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

I went to Madison during the Easter weekend, the store was busy and packed with people but the SAs were still very eager to help me when I was browsing around. I'm sure you will have a good shopping experience there

 

[nik145]

I plan on visiting the Hermes store in NYC next week. I hope I have a good experience at that location.

I had a lovely time at the Madison store when I was there last week. Kimberly and the SM, Pamela, were super sweet and helpful. Enjoy your time at the store.

 

[Irene7899]

I have good experience in Hermes at Capri- small store and Florence- slightly bigger. I wanted mini Evelyne , Kelly but both store do not have any so just bought a Herbag at Capri and H belt at Florence, both SA are just sweet but only sad about the stock . LOL