Treatment in Hermes Stores

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I think I'm spoiled; my home store is Charlotte, NC and while the selection might be small, my SA and SM work very hard to find what I need. I was recently in LA and went to the Beverly Hills store and while everyone was nice, it took FOREVER to get some help. I must have stood at the scarf counter for 10 minutes until someone helped me; contemplated waving my Amex around like a flag to let them know I was serious.

Charlotte is my home store too. They are fantastic (though I so wish the store was bigger). There's something to be said for a smaller store where you literally know everyone who works there (and they know you).
 
SCP is the store that I go to. I have been going there for about 6 years now. They didn't use to be all that great but in the last few years have improved so much. It took me several years to find an SA that I just love. Now that I have I am very loyal to the store and the SA. Prior to that, I made most of my purchases online.

SCP seriously rocks. I've been going there for awhile now and consider myself extremely lucky to have found the best SA ever. The funny part is, they are right around the corner from Nordstroms, which supposedly is known for their stellar CS, but every time I've gone into their bag department I've been treated like a leper. The Hermes SCP staff was welcoming even before I became a regular, and I definitely did not fit the profile of their regular clientele. So there *are* good stores and staff out there, it's just sad that it just varies so much from location to location.
 
I just purchased my first Hermes item yesterday...a Silk'in wallet :) When I purchased it, I asked the SA if I could have one that was not the floor display model, and she said they only got this one in. Is it common to be sold the floor display item at Hermes? I just wanted to check since I don't have any past experiences with Hermes!
 
I just purchased my first Hermes item yesterday...a Silk'in wallet :) When I purchased it, I asked the SA if I could have one that was not the floor display model, and she said they only got this one in. Is it common to be sold the floor display item at Hermes? I just wanted to check since I don't have any past experiences with Hermes!

Yes, it's common that they will only have one of something in stock. Congrats on your new wallet!
 
I just purchased my first Hermes item yesterday...a Silk'in wallet :) When I purchased it, I asked the SA if I could have one that was not the floor display model, and she said they only got this one in. Is it common to be sold the floor display item at Hermes? I just wanted to check since I don't have any past experiences with Hermes!


For scarves, they often bring one out from the back, but for leather items they typically only have one.
 
Thanks mistikat and Giuliana!

I went back to the store today just to look at some belts and bags, and ran into the same associate that sold me the wallet. When we were talking about the bags, the topic of the Birkin came up. She told me that those are reserved for regular customers (not unexpected from what I've read here).

However, she then went on to say that she remembered me buying the wallet yesterday, but that buying leather goods wouldn't help me towards becoming a "regular customer." She said she would suggest buying shoes, jewelry, or clothing. I was a bit confused, and I asked her if she meant there was a minimum I would need to spend. She said it wasn't the amount I spent necessarily because even if I bought $20000 in purses, it wouldn't make me eligible... That I need to purchase some of those other items she mentioned.

Is that a standard policy? I'm not really interested in those categories of Hermes items (non-leather), and it seems silly to purchase something I don't want at all just to be able to see any Birkins :(
 
Thanks mistikat and Giuliana!

I went back to the store today just to look at some belts and bags, and ran into the same associate that sold me the wallet. When we were talking about the bags, the topic of the Birkin came up. She told me that those are reserved for regular customers (not unexpected from what I've read here).

However, she then went on to say that she remembered me buying the wallet yesterday, but that buying leather goods wouldn't help me towards becoming a "regular customer." She said she would suggest buying shoes, jewelry, or clothing. I was a bit confused, and I asked her if she meant there was a minimum I would need to spend. She said it wasn't the amount I spent necessarily because even if I bought $20000 in purses, it wouldn't make me eligible... That I need to purchase some of those other items she mentioned.

Is that a standard policy? I'm not really interested in those categories of Hermes items (non-leather), and it seems silly to purchase something I don't want at all just to be able to see any Birkins :(

There is no written standard policies
Unfortunately this is one of the usual way how things work most places
At least this sa is frank and honest
Direct upfront rather than mislead your hope or expectations
They know everyone come in want birkin and kelly
Can they operate just selling bags?
Who are going to buy the rest of those items
 
SCP seriously rocks. I've been going there for awhile now and consider myself extremely lucky to have found the best SA ever. The funny part is, they are right around the corner from Nordstroms, which supposedly is known for their stellar CS, but every time I've gone into their bag department I've been treated like a leper. The Hermes SCP staff was welcoming even before I became a regular, and I definitely did not fit the profile of their regular clientele. So there *are* good stores and staff out there, it's just sad that it just varies so much from location to location.

I am so glad I'm not the only one who sees the contrast of CS between Hermes SCP and Nordstrom SCP.
 
Today in Beverly Hills I witnessed one of the reasons SAs can be not nice. I saw an SA ask a women if she was looking for anything special.
"I'm looking for a Kelly."
SA (nicely): They are difficult to find.
"I know. I have two." (this is in an incredibly arrogant tone).
She proceeded to berate the SA about only selling to locals, and that she had a long purchase history in Europe with "Hermies".

I know there were at least four Kellys in the back at that moment - I saw three of them. There's a reason this woman didn't get one of the big boxes.
Yes, SAs and SMs can be difficult, but why set yourself up for failure like that? Witnessing these encounters I can see why some might be defensive.
 
Today in Beverly Hills I witnessed one of the reasons SAs can be not nice. I saw an SA ask a women if she was looking for anything special.
"I'm looking for a Kelly."
SA (nicely): They are difficult to find.
"I know. I have two." (this is in an incredibly arrogant tone).
She proceeded to berate the SA about only selling to locals, and that she had a long purchase history in Europe with "Hermies".

I know there were at least four Kellys in the back at that moment - I saw three of them. There's a reason this woman didn't get one of the big boxes.
Yes, SAs and SMs can be difficult, but why set yourself up for failure like that? Witnessing these encounters I can see why some might be defensive.

;)
If she had a long purchase history in Europe she would have many more than 2 "Hermies" Kellys by now. And there is never a need to speak to anyone in this manner.
 
Today in Beverly Hills I witnessed one of the reasons SAs can be not nice. I saw an SA ask a women if she was looking for anything special.
"I'm looking for a Kelly."
SA (nicely): They are difficult to find.
"I know. I have two." (this is in an incredibly arrogant tone).
She proceeded to berate the SA about only selling to locals, and that she had a long purchase history in Europe with "Hermies".

I know there were at least four Kellys in the back at that moment - I saw three of them. There's a reason this woman didn't get one of the big boxes.
Yes, SAs and SMs can be difficult, but why set yourself up for failure like that? Witnessing these encounters I can see why some might be defensive.

;)
If she had a long purchase history in Europe she would have many more than 2 "Hermies" Kellys by now. And there is never a need to speak to anyone in this manner.

If she has a long purchase history in Europe, why doesn't she just buy from Europe? It's probably cheaper there for the most part.
 
I just purchased my first Hermes item yesterday...a Silk'in wallet :) When I purchased it, I asked the SA if I could have one that was not the floor display model, and she said they only got this one in. Is it common to be sold the floor display item at Hermes? I just wanted to check since I don't have any past experiences with Hermes!
That's how I feel when I'm buying shoes. I'm a size 6, so I always get stuck with the display. This even happened 2 weekends ago when I purchased my first pair of Chanel ballerina flats. You pay darn near $800 for a pair of shoes and you're stuck with the display. What's even worse, one shoe has been displayed and the other has been in the box.
 
;)
If she had a long purchase history in Europe she would have many more than 2 "Hermies" Kellys by now. And there is never a need to speak to anyone in this manner.

That was my exact reaction - also that if she lived in Europe, she would probably be able to pronounce Hermès at least approximately correctly.


If she has a long purchase history in Europe, why doesn't she just buy from Europe? It's probably cheaper there for the most part.

LOL! I almost posted that. A Kelly in the EU is more than USD $1K cheaper.

Either way, it was a big box extravaganza at the store that day, and with some human courtesy she could have been in one of the changing rooms with a bag.
 
That was my exact reaction - also that if she lived in Europe, she would probably be able to pronounce Hermès at least approximately correctly.




LOL! I almost posted that. A Kelly in the EU is more than USD $1K cheaper.

Either way, it was a big box extravaganza at the store that day, and with some human courtesy she could have been in one of the changing rooms with a bag.

Yup I agree with all of this!
 
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