Treatment in Hermes Stores
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I visited HCM Vietnam store earlier this year and was told that they have a point system. If I bought x amount of non-leather goods, then I can buy a lindy. If I bought USD 25,000 of non-leather goods, I can buy a birkin. I don't know if it's illegal but personally I think it's unethical.
Wow....what a thread. I don enter often here, as a matter of fact I only wrote once, but some time following the forum. I am just lost with all this, really.
But, now it makes sense to me what happened with my SA, and of course i did not went back to buy the bracalet and the Birkin. As I say, i will buy what I want when I want, and i will not fall to do as my SA told me.
What I think, does really Hermes need to do this type of things? I did not think so, but after reading all this, now I have a lot of doubts, and at least for me, I will never visit my local store any more, i was treated there not in the correct way.
But, now it makes sense to me what happened with my SA, and of course i did not went back to buy the bracalet and the Birkin. As I say, i will buy what I want when I want, and i will not fall to do as my SA told me.
What I think, does really Hermes need to do this type of things? I did not think so, but after reading all this, now I have a lot of doubts, and at least for me, I will never visit my local store any more, i was treated there not in the correct way.
I admit, it does make me sad that this is what Hermes seems to be doing. But on the other hand, they are not, and don't want to be, a company that makes only Birkins and Kellys--or even only handbags--and at the moment the vast majority of casual Hermes shoppers are after a bag. If Hermes feels that the long-term viability of their company demands that they continue to make and sell silks, RTW, housewares, etc., then tying the sale of the currently most-desired items to the sale of less in-demand items makes sense. (It's frustrating, but it's not "extortion" because there is no harmful "or else." Now, if the SAs start saying, "Buy this horse head bookend or I'll break your legs", well, THAT would be extortion. 
) I have not had this arrangement laid out for me, but I had an existing relationship with my store before the current wave of Birkin- and Kelly-madness, so there was already evidence that I would buy from more than one product line (though I'm certainly no VIP). For customers who really only want a Birkin and are going to disappear once they get one, well. . . .
Anyhow, owning a Birkin is not necessary to life, so being denied one, for whatever reason, is not cruel or immoral. Just annoying.
) I have not had this arrangement laid out for me, but I had an existing relationship with my store before the current wave of Birkin- and Kelly-madness, so there was already evidence that I would buy from more than one product line (though I'm certainly no VIP). For customers who really only want a Birkin and are going to disappear once they get one, well. . . .Anyhow, owning a Birkin is not necessary to life, so being denied one, for whatever reason, is not cruel or immoral. Just annoying.
I admit, it does make me sad that this is what Hermes seems to be doing. But on the other hand, they are not, and don't want to be, a company that makes only Birkins and Kellys--or even only handbags--and at the moment the vast majority of casual Hermes shoppers are after a bag. If Hermes feels that the long-term viability of their company demands that they continue to make and sell silks, RTW, housewares, etc., then tying the sale of the currently most-desired items to the sale of less in-demand items makes sense. (It's frustrating, but it's not "extortion" because there is no harmful "or else." Now, if the SAs start saying, "Buy this horse head bookend or I'll break your legs", well, THAT would be extortion.
Anyhow, owning a Birkin is not necessary to life, so being denied one, for whatever reason, is not cruel or immoral. Just annoying.
Yes I agree. I was just a tourist and did not ask for any specific bag. The SA just told me. Anyway, I did not see anything I like so did not buy anything that day.
Hermes is a privately owned family company that gets to decide whatever it wants in terms of it's distribution of bags. I'm not at all surprised that they've been "resistant" to attempts to get them to change their policy but it's not really up to a group of disgruntled would-be bag buyers to get them to start selling to everyone. The longterm sustainability of the company lies outside of bags and they're right to push other categories sales. I do wish they would take a hard look at the desirability of some of those items since there's little use for some of their more whimsical offerings and I have no doubt that sales lag in those categories but again, it's up to them what they choose to make and pursue.
If my store asked me to buy a watch to get my bag well, that's my choice isn't it? I don't wear watches and I'd have no problem telling them no thanks-they can't make me buy anything. If they choose not to sell me a bag, I'd be disappointed but there's nothing I can do except express it to my SA and go on with my life. I enjoy the items I've purchased and hope to receive my Kelly someday but I didn't buy them because I was hoping to get a bag. I bought them because I love them. The more I look at and handle Hermes products, the more I appreciate them even if I'll never own an ashtray, paperweight or whatever else they're supposed to be selling that month. If I fulfill my unspoken "spending" requirement with items I genuinely love, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest that I'll get my bag following that. I love my store, it's staff and the items that I currently own and use. If a Kelly never finds it's way out of the back room to me, c'est la vie. There's plenty of bags in the sea of vintage and resale.
If my store asked me to buy a watch to get my bag well, that's my choice isn't it? I don't wear watches and I'd have no problem telling them no thanks-they can't make me buy anything. If they choose not to sell me a bag, I'd be disappointed but there's nothing I can do except express it to my SA and go on with my life. I enjoy the items I've purchased and hope to receive my Kelly someday but I didn't buy them because I was hoping to get a bag. I bought them because I love them. The more I look at and handle Hermes products, the more I appreciate them even if I'll never own an ashtray, paperweight or whatever else they're supposed to be selling that month. If I fulfill my unspoken "spending" requirement with items I genuinely love, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest that I'll get my bag following that. I love my store, it's staff and the items that I currently own and use. If a Kelly never finds it's way out of the back room to me, c'est la vie. There's plenty of bags in the sea of vintage and resale.
I'm sorry. But I don't understand what's your goal behind all of this? If Hermes did something illegal. You can go sue them. If they force you buy something, you can say no, and walk away. It almost sounds like you are threatening Hermes to sell you Birkin kelly without buying other things.
Ditto. Took me a while to find an SA I like, and even if she's from a different state I love her coz she's honest and didn't play games with me. She offered me a men's watch that my DH didn't like so I bought things from her that I really wanted and I got the B. So I didn't feel extorted because I really love the things I bought. If one's only purpose is to get a B or K then I agree with the reseller route. Might even be cheaper if you add up the things you HAD to buy to be offered those bags.
Oh my goodness, what a thread.
This is what I've gotten from reading 4 pages of the conversation. Someone is upset by Herme's "unethical" practice of choosing who gets the B or K.
I'm going to be honest here, no judgment ladies. I really admire the craftsmanship of these bags, but a major part of the allure is also the bag's exclusively.
From a business perspective: We want what we can’t have. As a company, I can’t decrease my product’s perceived value by saturating the market with it. It’s smart to keep a low inventory, increase prices, and carefully limit the type of customers who would display my brand. A repeat customer who buys non-in-demand goods could prove that they are not in it for the “it-item” factor and are genuinely interested in the brand and products themselves. This also deters your average reseller, who hopefully doesn’t have the means or patience, from coming in and getting a bag for the sole purpose of reselling it the next day for profit. Not to mention customers who ask to see things without the intent of ever making a purchase. This is Hermes “ethical” intent. To give their exclusive bags to loyal customers as my SA have mentioned. It’s just an imperfect system, as are all things in life. Some wealthy resellers will bypass the system. What are you going to do? Run background checks on everyone? Would that be more ethical?
While I am sympathetic to those who were passed up on getting their dream bag, I don’t share the same unjustified resentment. My goal is to get a B25, but if I don’t get one, I wouldn’t be upset because I love using all the smaller items that I’ve CHOSEN to buy. Spending a couple of grand does not entitled you to a B or K. You can’t say that you are “blackmailed” because you didn’t receive one.
Before anyone thinks that I'm ranting from some high horse, because I'm some rich person who can afford to "buy-out" a SA. I'm just your average Jane Doe. Action speaks louder than words. I can tell Hermes that I LOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE them, but if I'm not putting my money where my mouth is, they're not going to believe me. That's just life.
This is what I've gotten from reading 4 pages of the conversation. Someone is upset by Herme's "unethical" practice of choosing who gets the B or K.
I'm going to be honest here, no judgment ladies. I really admire the craftsmanship of these bags, but a major part of the allure is also the bag's exclusively.
From a business perspective: We want what we can’t have. As a company, I can’t decrease my product’s perceived value by saturating the market with it. It’s smart to keep a low inventory, increase prices, and carefully limit the type of customers who would display my brand. A repeat customer who buys non-in-demand goods could prove that they are not in it for the “it-item” factor and are genuinely interested in the brand and products themselves. This also deters your average reseller, who hopefully doesn’t have the means or patience, from coming in and getting a bag for the sole purpose of reselling it the next day for profit. Not to mention customers who ask to see things without the intent of ever making a purchase. This is Hermes “ethical” intent. To give their exclusive bags to loyal customers as my SA have mentioned. It’s just an imperfect system, as are all things in life. Some wealthy resellers will bypass the system. What are you going to do? Run background checks on everyone? Would that be more ethical?
While I am sympathetic to those who were passed up on getting their dream bag, I don’t share the same unjustified resentment. My goal is to get a B25, but if I don’t get one, I wouldn’t be upset because I love using all the smaller items that I’ve CHOSEN to buy. Spending a couple of grand does not entitled you to a B or K. You can’t say that you are “blackmailed” because you didn’t receive one.
Before anyone thinks that I'm ranting from some high horse, because I'm some rich person who can afford to "buy-out" a SA. I'm just your average Jane Doe. Action speaks louder than words. I can tell Hermes that I LOVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE them, but if I'm not putting my money where my mouth is, they're not going to believe me. That's just life.
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Shoo's 2 cents: the handful of times I have visited Hermes (BH, SCP) I have always been greeted with smiles and helpfulness. Granted I was never looking or asking for a B or K, the SAs have always been friendly. Even if I was just looking. This thread however makes me never want a B or K now. It will have to be a "gently used" for the Shoo. [emoji51]
Just to share my experiences...
Worst experience was in the melbourne store. the SA wouldnt let me try the hermes scarves because "I might dirty them" nor let me handle a lindy because "I might scratch the bag". I stupidly bought a scarf because I was looking for the colourway for ages. I asked the cashier if I could speak to the manager to complain about my treatment and was told that I was served by the store manager.
At my local stores, I have requested for a black all leather garden party 36cm, bearn wallet, kelly wallet, bearn cardcase and lindy since 5 years ago. these are not even the most sought after birkin or kelly. not once have I received a call back from anyone.
I was told I need to build a relationship with hermes...which was fine because I love their scarves. Been buying regularly until about 1.5 years ago, one of the sa asked me to buy china / tablewear. I said no. And she finally told me if I didnt buy other hermes items she wouldnt be able to offer me any bags. This is despite me buying scarves,small leather goods and men's ties regularly . Shortly after, she who would inform me of the latest scarves arrivals also stopped responding to my calls/messages on the new items. .
I honestly dont know how one is supposed to build a relationship when the sa refuses to take your call when calling to ask if the new items are instore or never bothers returning your call at all. Nor when they pressurized you to purchase something that you dislike. It does not help that leather bracelets, leather belts, silver rings/ bracelets and shoes that I wanted to purchase were unavailable in my size. I even looked at a leather watch but the strap was too short for me. The SA was supposed to call me back to let me know how much would a longer strap would cost. I never received that call too. not to mention the high turnover of the staff...
Worst experience was in the melbourne store. the SA wouldnt let me try the hermes scarves because "I might dirty them" nor let me handle a lindy because "I might scratch the bag". I stupidly bought a scarf because I was looking for the colourway for ages. I asked the cashier if I could speak to the manager to complain about my treatment and was told that I was served by the store manager.
At my local stores, I have requested for a black all leather garden party 36cm, bearn wallet, kelly wallet, bearn cardcase and lindy since 5 years ago. these are not even the most sought after birkin or kelly. not once have I received a call back from anyone.
I was told I need to build a relationship with hermes...which was fine because I love their scarves. Been buying regularly until about 1.5 years ago, one of the sa asked me to buy china / tablewear. I said no. And she finally told me if I didnt buy other hermes items she wouldnt be able to offer me any bags. This is despite me buying scarves,small leather goods and men's ties regularly . Shortly after, she who would inform me of the latest scarves arrivals also stopped responding to my calls/messages on the new items. .
I honestly dont know how one is supposed to build a relationship when the sa refuses to take your call when calling to ask if the new items are instore or never bothers returning your call at all. Nor when they pressurized you to purchase something that you dislike. It does not help that leather bracelets, leather belts, silver rings/ bracelets and shoes that I wanted to purchase were unavailable in my size. I even looked at a leather watch but the strap was too short for me. The SA was supposed to call me back to let me know how much would a longer strap would cost. I never received that call too. not to mention the high turnover of the staff...
I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible experience sophiac
Not letting you try on a scarf is downright insulting.I think the Melb store is quite well known for its poor service. I once called that store to enquire about stock, colour availability etc and they were extremely cold and condescending. I even once did a phone order through them, but definitely won't again. With their attitude, they don't deserve my money. You should try the Brisbane or Sydney stores instead. They are much friendlier
