Treatment in Hermes Stores
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Disgusting behavior!!! There's never a need to be a jerk. My guess is that she did not get her 'Hermies' from EU which is why she is trying here. She either doesn't have one or if she does, she got it from a reseller. If her history is so great, she would be going to her SA for her next Bag and not trying to get one in the U.S. for $1k more.
I learned a lot yesterday about buyer and SA behavior as a shipment had just come in, and given that it's a big maison it's pretty telling. (None of these are my SAs so I am not telling any tales!) For instance, a very sweet woman with no H knowledge bought her first Kelly - a 35 black Epsom sellier GHW, obviously a plum bag - she got really lucky. The main reaction of the SAs was concern that she didn't understand "what she was getting" - the history of the bag - and was just looking for a status bag - but she did buy it. (I think she will appreciate it. If you're going to have ONE bag that's a pretty d**n good one.) No walk-in showing attitude got anything. In general it was regular customers getting calls that a shipment had come in - not VVIPs necessarily.
It was just interesting as I was running between floors for different things for probably two hours, and had a clear view of who was coming off the bag floor to be shown something.
Must've been exciting to watch. I'm always curious whenever a customer is pulled aside to a secluded area just to see what she gets!
I'm the same
It's not that I want to buy it, I just want to know what someone else is getting! Plus, it gives you an idea what colours are currently available.I actually had my first experience last week being a bit put off by the SA in my local store. I've been an Hermes customer for years, having purchased my first scarf in Paris in 1985. I've collected H scarves ever since, often buying them when I travel. Still, I've purchased several locally, along with SLGs and fragrance.
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky... I waited patiently for the SA (who was not the one I'd worked with for the belt, but whom I have bought scarves from in the past). When I asked about the bag, I actually felt a wall go up. She told me they have no bags, no list and she couldn't be of help. When I mentioned that they had taken my name in the past, she continued to act chilly but finally asked what I had bought in the past.
I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky...
I waited patiently for the SA (who was not the one I'd worked with for the belt, but whom I have bought scarves from in the past). When I asked about the bag, I actually felt a wall go up. She told me they have no bags, no list and she couldn't be of help. When I mentioned that they had taken my name in the past, she continued to act chilly but finally asked what I had bought in the past.I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
I actually had my first experience last week being a bit put off by the SA in my local store. I've been an Hermes customer for years, having purchased my first scarf in Paris in 1985. I've collected H scarves ever since, often buying them when I travel. Still, I've purchased several locally, along with SLGs and fragrance.
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky...
I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
I'm sad you had a bad experience... You are genuinely passionate about the brand and their scarves and the SA just brushed you off like that!
A few things from someone who's family has worked on both sides of Fashion (production/purchase and sales):
1. If you didn't, and you happen to go there again, make a point to tell the SA. You don't need to be rude (you sound like you're too polite for that anyway) but just tell her you've been loyal to the brand since 1985, probably before he/she was born, and her attitude is unacceptable. Honestly any luxury SA is susceptible to this higher-than-thou attitude and it gets even worse when brands like Hermes encourage this to a point. But that's not how they will get ahead in the future. Sure you might annoy the SA with that comment for a day or two, but if they learn anything from it it will pay off. The people in ranks higher than SA in luxury brands that I know are all the sweetest people who treat VIPs and people in their 20's strolling into the store the same.
2. You did the right thing walking out; even with Hermes, every store and SA is different but I hate giving money to the store a rude SA works in.
3. I do have a real sweet SA that I've bought a few things from at Hermes but in general the brand is definitely "spend at least a year's university tuition before uttering the word Birkin to us." Sure many people have success stories of "scoring" a bag without spending a house down payment but that shouldn't be "scoring" or "getting lucky," that should be normal! I love Hermes but won't buy B/K because of this. Even if they offered I disagree with the practice completely, I don't care how well made the bags are.
4. eBay always scares me... A better option probably would be a reputable reseller. I haven't used those either but seems more trustworthy.
Good luck in your Birkin search!!!
I actually had my first experience last week being a bit put off by the SA in my local store. I've been an Hermes customer for years, having purchased my first scarf in Paris in 1985. I've collected H scarves ever since, often buying them when I travel. Still, I've purchased several locally, along with SLGs and fragrance.
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky...
I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
Sorry about your bad experience and it is too bad that many customers have been turned away from these unacceptable behavior. There are many reputable resellers on eBay, Malleries, Deluxe Boutiques and Ann Fabulous Finds and you can get the exact color that you want without having to 'presend' a certain amount to be put on the waitlist. If you think about how much you need to buy to be considered for a B, you may as well save some time and money and get it from a reseller. I've been buying some of the hard to find sizes like the Birkin 25 from a reseller and got exceptional service. I was told by several stores that getting this size is like winning a lottery.
Maybe they should do a serious analysis as to why people are not buying the rest of the items rather than using the B or K as a bait to selling the rest of the product line. Chanel doesn't have problems with people buying their RTW to get a 2.55 or classic flap.
I actually had my first experience last week being a bit put off by the SA in my local store. I've been an Hermes customer for years, having purchased my first scarf in Paris in 1985. I've collected H scarves ever since, often buying them when I travel. Still, I've purchased several locally, along with SLGs and fragrance.
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky...
I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
I'm sorry you were made to feel this way, I'm just guessing where this store might be and you might be better off at one of the NYC stores. Experience at the boutiques just west of the city is as you've described, there are stores now that are very open about the qualifying spend which is strange and will probably be cracked down on.
If this hasn't put you off, I'd suggest Wall Street and connecting with a SA over your love of the scarves, there are some great ones at that store. Find someone you like and feel comfortable chatting with, be straight and tell them you've bought the scarves for 30 years, you want to learn more about the other products and bags. While it's likely you may buy other things on the road to a Birkin, a good SA will help you find the right things and never pressure you to buy something to fill a unspoken dollar figure. The right bag will find you! You also need to stick with one SA, that way you can keep gently reminding them about your dream colors for B.
I just recently got my dream Kelly after about a year as a regular client, I've bought mostly scarves and bracelets that I wear all the time. I don't want to add it up but I'm sure I did cross some $ threshold but I have a great relationship with the store and I got a very special bag.
Good luck in your search and definitely check out some of the trusted resellers too!
Thanks to you and the others for the supportive feedback...
Yes, you are correct, the store is SH. Several years back, before this store opened in my town, I went up to the other NJ store at RS. This was the height of the recession and they actually had B's and K's literally *sitting on the shelves*. That was when I first began developing an interest in the bag, but wasn't ready to pull the trigger, yet it was nice to have the opportunity to interact with actual bags. It's how I realized the 35 was too large for me (I'm 5'1"). I will definitely start putting the effort into the NY stores. I've heard the same about Wall St being a good place to go because, really, who goes there if you don't work nearby? It's just a bit of an inconvenience now that I'm not working in the city anymore. Will also continue looking for a resale. Hopefully something will come up soon. Congrats on your dream Kelly!
No analysis is needed. The reason is there are way too many people want to buy B and K because they are status symbols, their astonishing resale value, or some celebrity has the latest colour therefore they have to have it etc etc. Supply and demand at its highest.
I actually had my first experience last week being a bit put off by the SA in my local store. I've been an Hermes customer for years, having purchased my first scarf in Paris in 1985. I've collected H scarves ever since, often buying them when I travel. Still, I've purchased several locally, along with SLGs and fragrance.
Earlier this year I decided I wanted to purchase my first Birkin. I started doing research, but of course it's difficult to try on the bag when there are none on display in store. I did my best to do research online and once I narrowed my selection down, I put my request in with my SA when I was in the store buying a belt.
Many months later, I hadn't heard anything, so I decided to check back in at the store. It was my birthday and I figured you never know - I might get lucky...
I have to admit, I was quite surprised that they are unabashed about this. How much does one have to buy to qualify as worthy of the bag? I was standing there in the store, wearing their products. I was polite and patient. I asked a SA for help. I would think it's more important to be loyal to the brand than to one individual in one local store.
I'm not easily intimidated in this type of situation. I worked as a designer for 25 years and shopped in many parts of the world as part of my job. I'm pretty comfortable researching and buying luxury products. I hated being made to feel that being eager to spend $11k on a bag is not enough to make the cut. I left and promised myself to shop NY in the future (I live outside the city).
It just makes me wonder how one is supposed to gain expertise about the product if the SA is unwilling to be helpful. My knowledge in the past has been about scarves. I know the artists, I know the patterns, I know the color ways and the dates. What I don't really get is why a new and genuine appreciation for a particular bag should be dismissed by the same company I buy so many other things from, just because I buy them where and when I see them, which is not always in the same store. It's ridiculous for me to buy other products that I don't want, just to build a rapport with a particular SA.
Up until that point, I was certain I wanted to buy a new bag direct from the store and was willing to wait my turn. Now I'm not so sure. Do I really want to allow someone to treat me like that? That goes against my nature because I want the bag because I really love it, not because it's so hard to "qualify" for. Ebay is starting to look much more appealing... (but it makes me nervous from an authenticity standpoint).
I agree that Wall St. is a wonderful place to begin a relationship. The SAs are warm and friendly. However, SH can be very accommodating if you work with a particular SA. Feel free to pm me for their name.
If you've $5K to spend, would you spend on their RTW or Chanel ? While demand of Bs & Ks are still strong because of resale value, I don't think that people are totally driven by copying celebrities. There has been a movement away from Bs & Ks by a lot of celebrities, just like some people are over Chanel because a lot more people now own it.
If their RTW is that popular, they should be able to spin it off from the leather goods and sell on their own. Why not ? Because their design may be too understated for their price and they have gone thru several seasons with collections that are not too appealing. If I have to buy a men's polo shirt, I've a lot of choices that quality and design are far more superior than Hermes but is a $100 less. $820 for a pillow ? maybe their target is only for the super rich but not some hard working woman who wants just a nice quality B that will last for years to come. For that, no one should have to spend tons on things that they don't want just to get a bag.
Regardless of resale value, H policies are not industry standards. They are the ones that pushes customers to buy from resellers.