Treatment in Hermes Stores

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#2,566
I think how people behave is often more important than how they look. Just my observation having witnessed some truly astoundingly entitled (and awful) behaviour from customers at all of the Paris stores... and a few others.
 
#2,567
Mindi B said:
Gosh, I find myself right on the fence in this "how to dress" discussion. On the one hand, I firmly believe that everyone should be treated in accordance with their behavior, not their appearance. I don't care if you are in head-to-toe designer wear--If you behave badly, you are not deserving of good treatment; likewise, I don't care if you're in sweats--If you are polite and respectful, you deserve the same in return.
On the other hand, there is something to be said for trying to dress appropriately. For most people, that won't mean designer clothing, but presenting oneself as neatly and reasonably-clad for the situation is also a component of showing respect to others.
That said, I have been told by more than one salesperson in a variety of fields that they try never to assume who is/is not a big-spending client based on what they wear, drive, etc. Some of the most wealthy people on the planet also dress the most modestly and casually. Mr. Zuckerberg, I'm looking at you.
So I guess my current position is: To the customer, do your best to look your best. To the SA, EVERYONE should be treated well as long as their behavior warrants it. Period.
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Totally agree with you on this, Mindi.
 
#2,568
Mindi B said:
Gosh, I find myself right on the fence in this "how to dress" discussion. On the one hand, I firmly believe that everyone should be treated in accordance with their behavior, not their appearance. I don't care if you are in head-to-toe designer wear--If you behave badly, you are not deserving of good treatment; likewise, I don't care if you're in sweats--If you are polite and respectful, you deserve the same in return.
On the other hand, there is something to be said for trying to dress appropriately. For most people, that won't mean designer clothing, but presenting oneself as neatly and reasonably-clad for the situation is also a component of showing respect to others.
That said, I have been told by more than one salesperson in a variety of fields that they try never to assume who is/is not a big-spending client based on what they wear, drive, etc. Some of the most wealthy people on the planet also dress the most modestly and casually. Mr. Zuckerberg, I'm looking at you.
So I guess my current position is: To the customer, do your best to look your best. To the SA, EVERYONE should be treated well as long as their behavior warrants it. Period.
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I couldn't agree more. Thank you mindi. Though Zuckerberg would likely walk in with sweatshirt and jeans, he still presents himself well (isn't smelly or dirty or anything), is respectful (I would think) and accordingly, deserves to be treated the same way a person all decked out who is also respectful would be treated.
 
#2,569
VigeeLeBrun said:
^^ When I am buying, I dress respectfully to the brand, especially if I have a long term relationship with the designer and desire exclusive offerings.
Just my two cents. Don't find the need to "test" anyone by dressing poorly.
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mistikat said:
I think how people behave is often more important than how they look. Just my observation having witnessed some truly astoundingly entitled (and awful) behaviour from customers at all of the Paris stores... and a few others.
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100%
Dress appropriately
Uphold the image
Be exclusive the items we paying and using
Some brands are not desperate for sales
They want the right people to buy and use
Having money are useless with no integrity or manners
 
#2,570
Yes, attitude is most important! I've seen customers who dress really well but their behavior is just barbaric, to put it mildly. They were pushy, obnoxious, rude, loud...they certainly don't have the class and elegance to carry off Hermes, IMHO!
 
#2,573
I am first generation American. My parents are Filipino and grew up with extremely limited means. My mom always stressed a neat and tidy appearance, and good manners in any public place. When I asked her why, she said because we are not American (in her mind, not American looking)' and she wanted people to treat us nicely. I am a dark skinned Filipina, and the time period was the 60s and 70s in New Orleans and then in Washington DC. Unfortunately, the message I received as an Asian girl, and now as an Asian middle aged woman, what I wear is my public armor. I certainly do not wear my Hermes around the house where no one can see me, or where I want to be invisible. I wear my Hermes when I want to portray an image of a well off woman with conservative but expensive taste. I don't wear my Hermes to my home store. I don't wear my Hermes to FSH because I don't travel with my Hermes. I have seen some really horrible behavior at Hermes stores, I felt snubbed at FSH and at Ala Moana in Hawaii. wearing the same outfits, I am absolutely catered to in the Beverly Hills and South Coast Plaza stores. I think they know what a local looks like and try to cater to and cultivate a local clientele. On the other hand, I have seen some really horrible behavior from clientele, screaming at SAs. I can tell you with certainty that the misbehaving clients that I witnessed misbehaving were tourists.
 
#2,574
Being a new H collector (about 1 year) I try and visit as many H stores in the US and on my travels around Europe and Asia. I am very fortunate to have had wonderful experiences. I typically dress very casually and do not always carry H products when visiting.

SAs are people as well and just like we have good days and bad days, they can as well.

Hopefully one bad experience will not deter anyone from getting to love the brand as much as I have. :smile1:
 
#2,575
Here's my 2¢.

1. Treat everyone with kindness and respect --the way you would want to be treated if you were the sales associate or a fellow customer.
2. Dress neatly. Bathe. Smile.
3. Show a passion for Hermes, and not just the bags. What makes this company so different is its history and dedication to the highest level of the craft--whether it's scarves, china, RTW, perfume, leather goods...
4. Have fun with it. It's not every day that you acquire a piece of Hermes. In the end, the experience should make you smile.

If you genuinely care--and it's not just look-y what I have, (e.g. I wanna Birkin or Kelly) !!!! It will come through in your body language and hopefully will help you get the items you want.
 
#2,576
etoupebirkin said:
Here's my 2¢.



1. Treat everyone with kindness and respect --the way you would want to be treated if you were the sales associate or a fellow customer.

2. Dress neatly. Bathe. Smile.

3. Show a passion for Hermes, and not just the bags. What makes this company so different is its history and dedication to the highest level of the craft--whether it's scarves, china, RTW, perfume, leather goods...

4. Have fun with it. It's not every day that you acquire a piece of Hermes. In the end, the experience should make you smile.



If you genuinely care--and it's not just look-y what I have, (e.g. I wanna Birkin or Kelly) !!!! It will come through in your body language and hopefully will help you get the items you want.
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Bathe??!! LoL...I hope people will bathe before going out shopping!! I can't imagine gng out shopping straight out from bed without shower and brushed my teeth 1st...LOL.
Thanks etoupebirkin for your $0.02
 
#2,577
Although I like using Hermès products I see it simply as another shop .
I offer the same courtesy at the supermarket as I do at a Hermès store , treating people helping me with consideration .
I don't feel any obligation to be wearing their product when I shop there , and pop in on a whim when in the mood and could be wearing whatever .
I don't really dress casually outside the home , I have my style and that's that.
Invariably I find everyone charming and helpful.
I 'm endlessly fascinated by the tact with which the staff handle the strident behaviour of some of the customers .
 
#2,578
Mindi B said:
Gosh, I find myself right on the fence in this "how to dress" discussion. On the one hand, I firmly believe that everyone should be treated in accordance with their behavior, not their appearance. I don't care if you are in head-to-toe designer wear--If you behave badly, you are not deserving of good treatment; likewise, I don't care if you're in sweats--If you are polite and respectful, you deserve the same in return.
On the other hand, there is something to be said for trying to dress appropriately. For most people, that won't mean designer clothing, but presenting oneself as neatly and reasonably-clad for the situation is also a component of showing respect to others.
That said, I have been told by more than one salesperson in a variety of fields that they try never to assume who is/is not a big-spending client based on what they wear, drive, etc. Some of the most wealthy people on the planet also dress the most modestly and casually. Mr. Zuckerberg, I'm looking at you.
So I guess my current position is: To the customer, do your best to look your best. To the SA, EVERYONE should be treated well as long as their behavior warrants it. Period.
Click to expand...

Mindi- I completely agree . It is a two-way street. I personally do not go out of my way to be sloppy, nor do I go out of my way to be dressed up. To me, these are bags, merely material goods, and SAs, merely other human beings. I am not going in to Hermes to impress the SAs, I am going to see if there is something that I would like to purchase.

Anyhow, I totally agree- both sides should be respectful.
 
#2,579
Lately, I am going to say that I have been treated better in H boutiques than in most high-end stores.
I returned something mildly expensive at Barneys in Beverly Hills and was treated as if I were some kind of nasty bacteria (despite a healthy purchase history).
The last time I bought anything at Chanel it was practically thrown at me and it was in a rubbed-up box with a sloppy ribbon.

Meanwhile, when I had to make a change in my recent SO, I went into a boutique - NOT the one where I placed the SO - to get a look at the leather book and decide if I needed to change leathers. The SAs tore the place apart finding me swatches and showing me bags in different leathers. I must have had three people helping me. They even checked with the craftsman on durability of various skins. I was floored at how lovely everyone was.

The only H stores where I have had chilly treatment are SF (really cold and rude) and one visit to FSH when I was looking for something for DH. Even then I could not call it rude, just indifferent.
 
#2,580
I'm not dressing up to go in any store, period. I also don't have a problem calling out bad customer service when I experience it.

However, I have worked in the past for over 5 years in customer service positions, and I always try to be the most polite and patient client.
 
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