Treatment in Hermes Stores

[hermes_lemming]

Don't hate the playa, hate the game! Hahahaha, I think he was just being honest about how things ran at Hermes. I think his exact phase was something like, "We reserve those bags for our regular loyal clients." which I interpreted as "we will show you one when you've bought regularly from our store." After I got my price adjustment, he was like, "oh you got money back!" and I said, "yes, for more Hermes items! " He replied, "would you like to get another bracelet?" He wasn't pushy at all, more like suggestive. I can tell that he wanted me to make another purchase that day. I think the Hermes game will always exist on some level. At least at this stage, they're more transparent with their intention. It's their way of balancing the supply & demand and also still keep the allure and exclusivity of their brand. However, it's my money so I'm going to choose on which level I would like to participate.

I do want another bracelet, but I wanted it in a gray shade which they won't carry until fall/winter so I told him I need to wait on that. I planned to get a card holder because I needed something for my CC and ID that would fit neatly in my scrubs. Also a Ulysses notebook because I'm old school and still needs to physically write down notes. It just happened that they didn't carry the green color that I liked. He suggested all sorts of color, gold, orange, red, blue, etc. I told him that I want to buy things that I'll use and appreciate, I just don't like getting things for the sake of the Brand. Personally, Hermes has a range of items that are practical enough for me to use everyday, so I don't feel the need to buy just anything to build up an account. Since I live close to the store, I can always come back and my SA has my cell number. He can call me when my items come in.

I don't think if I spent thousands in one day, magically a 25cm Birkin will appear. However, I do think once I own my first Birkin, it would be easier to get a second one. A causally dressed lady came in with a gorgeous 30cm Rouge H Birkin and they showered her with attention, showing this and that bag. I don't think she bought anything in the end, but she sure did get the royal treatment! Hahahaha

Lol I'm well familiar with the game that is sometimes played. I guess it just rubs me the wrong way that he basically told you "hey you ain't getting your B unless you give me some commission..." that's messed up no matter how you slice it. Especially when there are other folks such as Megs who gets it on a walk in (hence not playing such nonsense). Whatever happened to discretion? That's my whole point. Nevertheless, good luck!

 

[newbiebag]

Lol I'm well familiar with the game that is sometimes played. I guess it just rubs me the wrong way that he basically told you "hey you ain't getting your B unless you give me some commission..." that's messed up no matter how you slice it. Especially when there are other folks such as Megs who gets it on a walk in (hence not playing such nonsense). Whatever happened to discretion? That's my whole point. Nevertheless, good luck!

I totally agree with you. I'm just glad that my SA was kind about it. I've read other post where the patrons feel like that they are given a charity by their SA. That's just total BS. Hahaha It's odd, but I feel like my male SAs tend to be easier to work with than female SAs. For whatever reason, female SAs seem to be more judgmental right off the bat. I don't know if it's because they are working at a job that doesn't pay as well and they see you coming in, being able to afford things, and that envy kicks in or what. I sensed at times, they purposely act nonchalant or ignore woman shoppers to "put us in our place." I bet you, had I sent my SO in for the bag, he'll have a better chance at getting it. They look at men and they automatically think, "oh the money maker." We're going to put that theory to the test because my SO lives in Ohio. He has the Birkin on his shopping list. Let's see which one of us ends up with the bag first. He's not even going to bother with the building of relationship thing. His plan is to just go in there and ask for it.

 

[ap.]

...SAs seem to be more judgmental right off the bat. I don't know if it's because they are working at a job that doesn't pay as well and they see you coming in, being able to afford things, and that envy kicks in or what...

I'm not targeting a specific person, but I've seen this sentiment expressed throughout tPF, most often in the very high-priced brand subforums, and I just don't understand the reason for it. If we don't like SAs judging us, why do we feel it's okay for us to judge them?

By the way, many SAs working high-end retail are compensated very very well - in the 6 figures (see "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf"). Since I've heard the same opinion expressed re waiters at high-end restaurants, let me quote the NYTimes: the average server’s salary at Per Se is $116,000 a year, including overtime and gratuities.

 

[newbiebag]

I'm not targeting a specific person, but I've seen this sentiment expressed throughout tPF, most often in the very high-priced brand subforums, and I just don't understand the reason for it. If we don't like SAs judging us, why do we feel it's okay for us to judge them?

By the way, many SAs working high-end retail are compensated very very well - in the 6 figures (see "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf"). Since I've heard the same opinion expressed re waiters at high-end restaurants, let me quote the NYTimes: the average server’s salary at Per Se is $116,000 a year, including overtime and gratuities.

I understand that you are not targeting me, but speaking generally about the sentiment towards SAs. The majority of SAs that I've worked with are wonderful helpful people. The very few whom are off putting, in my personal experience, have been females. A few friends of mine have married wives who work in high end retail and frankly speaking, none of them have made anywhere near 6 figures. One of them confided to me that some patrons treated her like a personal servant, ordering her to go fetch this and that. Hence, she feels defensive so she's more aloof at times until she gets to know the customer. I can understand her point of view. The lack of monetary compensation could be one reason, but maybe it is more the sense of belittlement and inferiority that some SAs feels. Even if you make 6 figures, a millionaire could walk in and treat you like crap. From this perspective, I can see how an unappreciated SAs might think, "Oh you make alot more than I do so you think you can treat me badly? Well I got something that your money can't buy. And I ain't giving it to you since I don't make commission on it anyways." If the patron warranted it, I don't blame the SA at all.

However, as a woman myself, who have worked with around women all my life, I know that on our off days, we could pick up minor nuances about someone and it takes very little for them to rub us the wrong way. Sometimes we let it go if it's a man because he don't know any better. BUT if it's another woman, well then. She should've known better than to say that, do that, look at us that way, etc. We can be very petty at times. Our personalities are delightful. I'm blaming it on the hormones.

 

[veritatem]

I want to share the letter i sent to customer service in France, about what happened to me in Madrid. I will put in other post the original one, do not include photos…as it has personal information, but I have those.

My name is…….., old client of Hermes in Madrid. I want to say what happened to me. Two months ago and asian “client” got in touch and start to offer bags of your brand, then I found of resellers world.

Asian was a reseller, and offer bags way more expensive, I want proofs before going to buy, he sent me invoices, in concret a birkin blue galice that he paid with devolution of soup porcelaine.

The seller in store in invoice was Oscar, the same seller that sells to me in store. I want a cocodrile birkin, I have asked for mine in store, and sayd I had to wait 2 years. Asian told me, next week I will buy an Himalayan birkin….how did he knew was going to buy that next week? Who say to him? So, after he sent me invoices, of 2 diferent days, one day with jacket, carres, parfums….and next day the himalaya.
He say they do it that way, so nobody can see he is blackmail by store, and is easy to give back articles later. That store obligates him to buy furniture, jewel…he tell if I want something and sent me photo. He also say the he and friends buy 20 bags a month, that do tax free to gain more money.
I decided to see the sales person friend of asian (pascuale), he was really nervous when saw photo of asian, but invoices are in name of other Asians…..so?
I told I want to buy as asian, and pascuale say he only sell in the way the director say, that all sales are supervisated by director, and that he did not meet Asians out of store…in the same way as he met me? He also told me director told sellers detectives were out of store to follow them, why put detectives if director tell sellers?

I have proves of all this and will make public in forum purseblog.com

 

[Graw]

I want to share the letter i sent to customer service in France, about what happened to me in Madrid. I will put in other post the original one, do not include photos…as it has personal information, but I have those.

My name is…….., old client of Hermes in Madrid. I want to say what happened to me. Two months ago and asian “client” got in touch and start to offer bags of your brand, then I found of resellers world.

Asian was a reseller, and offer bags way more expensive, I want proofs before going to buy, he sent me invoices, in concret a birkin blue galice that he paid with devolution of soup porcelaine.

The seller in store in invoice was Oscar, the same seller that sells to me in store. I want a cocodrile birkin, I have asked for mine in store, and sayd I had to wait 2 years. Asian told me, next week I will buy an Himalayan birkin….how did he knew was going to buy that next week? Who say to him? So, after he sent me invoices, of 2 diferent days, one day with jacket, carres, parfums….and next day the himalaya.
He say they do it that way, so nobody can see he is blackmail by store, and is easy to give back articles later. That store obligates him to buy furniture, jewel…he tell if I want something and sent me photo. He also say the he and friends buy 20 bags a month, that do tax free to gain more money.
I decided to see the sales person friend of asian (pascuale), he was really nervous when saw photo of asian, but invoices are in name of other Asians…..so?
I told I want to buy as asian, and pascuale say he only sell in the way the director say, that all sales are supervisated by director, and that he did not meet Asians out of store…in the same way as he met me? He also told me director told sellers detectives were out of store to follow them, why put detectives if director tell sellers?

I have proves of all this and will make public in forum purseblog.com

Hi! It's frustrating waiting in agony trying to get a bag while another customer nonetheless a reseller [emoji16] gets one with ease. It's hard to prove/accuse especially when resellers are not 100% honest being resellers to begin with. Have you received a reply? I hope you get the bag you wanted, not sure outing the store is the best way.

 

[veritatem]

I wrote here the original letter, but it was in spanish (english not perfect for mine) and administrator erase it...think because it was spanish

 

[veritatem]

Hi! It's frustrating waiting in agony trying to get a bag while another customer nonetheless a reseller [emoji16] gets one with ease. It's hard to prove/accuse especially when resellers are not 100% honest being resellers to begin with. Have you received a reply? I hope you get the bag you wanted, not sure outing the store is the best way.

Well, i have 2 birkins....i am a good client of store.....but i wanted a cocodrile, and my sales person told me to wait 2 years.....then i found asian reseller, and really mad about all this.
Waiting for answer from France.....

 

[lesyeux]

Well, i have 2 birkins....i am a good client of store.....but i wanted a cocodrile, and my sales person told me to wait 2 years.....then i found asian reseller, and really mad about all this.
Waiting for answer from France.....

As I replied earlier, I have similar experience with you,
I ordered one bag, and it's arrived in the shop, they refused to sell me with the reason I have already purchased 2 bags this year( one of which is purchased and bought by my sister, not me, but they said we are in same family : ( ) and after they sold my order to another client, who I can't tell is reseller or not. Then I got angry about that, I didn't go to the shop for months, then they said I act like a reseller, who buy the things only for obtaining a bag. I am really disappointed as I have been a client of local shop for years and they knew me, they knew my family.

Thus, I just want to say, they would possible apologize to you and say they have mis-management. That's what they told me, but they refused to do any arrangement to me. The person who I am disappointed with is the one you are writing to, the superior of Hermes company, the general director or even Mr Dumas.

As they created the rule along with resellers, they can't stop this going on whatever nonsense they are talking about how hard they are trying to avoid resellers. As they clearly know, their budget crack down if they really blocked this game rule.

Wish you good luck and keep us informed.

 

[Hermesanonymous]

Well, i have 2 birkins....i am a good client of store.....but i wanted a cocodrile, and my sales person told me to wait 2 years.....then i found asian reseller, and really mad about all this.
Waiting for answer from France.....

Actually this happens all over the world in Hermes stores.
We have been gathering lots of information about resellers and the SA they are working with and the way in which it seems Hermes i blackmailing/extorting clients for profit.
We can show this is happening and the brand is not stopping these practices because they have lost their way somewhere and seem to be more profit motivated than client orientated.

Anyway I have sent you a PM and please get in touch

 

[mistikat]

Actually this happens all over the world in Hermes stores.
We have been gathering lots of information about resellers and the SA they are working with and the way in which it seems Hermes i blackmailing/extorting clients for profit.
We can show this is happening and the brand is not stopping these practices because they have lost their way somewhere and seem to be more profit motivated than client orientated.

Anyway I have sent you a PM and please get in touch

All businesses are profit motivated. Pretty hard for them to survive if they aren't.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Actually this happens all over the world in Hermes stores.
We have been gathering lots of information about resellers and the SA they are working with and the way in which it seems Hermes i blackmailing/extorting clients for profit.
We can show this is happening and the brand is not stopping these practices because they have lost their way somewhere and seem to be more profit motivated than client orientated.

Anyway I have sent you a PM and please get in touch

I am sorry you have such strong feeling towards Hermes but nobody in Hermes is forcing you to buy anything from them. AT ALL! You can simply say no and walk away. They have not broken any laws.

 

[veritatem]

Actually this happens all over the world in Hermes stores.
We have been gathering lots of information about resellers and the SA they are working with and the way in which it seems Hermes i blackmailing/extorting clients for profit.
We can show this is happening and the brand is not stopping these practices because they have lost their way somewhere and seem to be more profit motivated than client orientated.

Anyway I have sent you a PM and please get in touch

Hello, yes. I will get in touch with you. I is really mad with store and how they treat me there

 

[Hermesanonymous]

All businesses are profit motivated. Pretty hard for them to survive if they aren't.

Actually that is illegal in Europe. Lets say I open a stationary store. If you come to my store to buy a notebook, but first I make you buy five pens, 2 pencil cases and an eraser or I lie and say I have no notebooks for you (but i will sell to someone else who pays me a commision or buys alot of other stuff) thats not only unethical but also illegal.

 

[mistikat]

Actually that is illegal in Europe. Lets say I open a stationary store. If you come to my store to buy a notebook, but first I make you buy five pens, 2 pencil cases and an eraser or I lie and say I have no notebooks for you (but i will sell to someone else who pays me a commision or buys alot of other stuff) thats not only unethical but also illegal.

I've bought in Europe and watched others buying. At no time did I ever see/hear any sales person say, "You must buy these items for me to consider selling you something else."

So again, to use your words, I don't believe they "make" you buy anything. High end retailers often - worldwide - save limited items for their best customers. It may not seem fair to those who just want that particular high end item, but it's not illegal.