Treatment in Hermes Stores

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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.

Yes and that's the whole point of the H strategy. They created it and they love it.
 
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.

Their RTW sell very well in my store and so do the jewellery lines. They are not all bought by people who want to score a B or K. Some people do genuinely love those items.
 
Their RTW sell very well in my store and so do the jewellery lines.

Do you think that people know how to play these games to get the bags so are buying their RTW and Jewelry ? I see several SNG resellers on Instagram listing some RTW and jewelry for half the price and they are authentic. All sizes are available so because of the markup on bags, those that work for the resellers are willing to take a discount from the RTW so they can order the bags. I was surprised to see the latest Fall collection on 'sale' already.
 
Do you think that people know how to play these games to get the bags so are buying their RTW and Jewelry ? I see several SNG resellers on Instagram listing some RTW and jewelry for half the price and they are authentic. All sizes are available so because of the markup on bags, those that work for the resellers are willing to take a discount from the RTW so they can order the bags. I was surprised to see the latest Fall collection on 'sale' already.

I am not arguing with you about everybody loves their RTW or jewellery. What I am saying is H know exactly what they are doing. They created this strategy. Therefore they are not going to do some "analysis" so they can "balance out". That's just how they want to operate and they are very happy with it. And resellers are very happy too!

In any case, this discussion is going off topic. Done here.
 
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.

Sorry to OP for the unpleasant treatment. I Agree 100% with chkpfbliever. Waiting for reasonable time to get a B or K is understandable but using coveted bags as bait is not a good practice. I have been on the so called "birkin list" for 4.5 years in my local store. I am sure I am not going to get anything because I dont buy enough to move up the list. :thumbdown:
 
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.


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Hi,
I am relatively new to designer handbags. Bought two Chanels so far. I consiered buying a Birkin. I walked into an Hermes boutique to ask some questions. I asked about the wait lists. The SA told me they didn't have the wait lists anymore and they take your name and phone number. My daughter started getting fussy so I wasn't able to ask more questions. Is that true? If so how do you specify the type of leather, color, etc? Did the guy just say that to make us leave?
 
There is lots of information available on this forum, so spending some time reading here will help you the next time you want to visit the boutique. But the answer to this question is, correct, there are no more wait lists. However, although it is possible that you could leave your name, number, and desired bag specs with an SA, the odds of getting a call based on no purchase history and one visit are basically nil. Again, if getting a specific bag is important to you, read here to learn how the process normally plays out.
 
Hi,
I am relatively new to designer handbags. Bought two Chanels so far. I consiered buying a Birkin. I walked into an Hermes boutique to ask some questions. I asked about the wait lists. The SA told me they didn't have the wait lists anymore and they take your name and phone number. My daughter started getting fussy so I wasn't able to ask more questions. Is that true? If so how do you specify the type of leather, color, etc? Did the guy just say that to make us leave?

Hello welcome!

I started off reading below useful threads (including this one). From my personal experience...

Majorities of the H SA won't be selling you a B or K as walk in.
They may consider if you are a regular.
You may get lucky as walk in at FSH in Paris.

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/the-newbies-how-do-i-get-a-birkin-505926.html
 
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.

Couldn't agree more with this! While it is understandable that one should buy sth. other than Birkin to show their genuine interest in the brand, I don't stand it when rtw becomes a prerequisite for B/K. While Birkin's pricing stands true to its value, H rtw doesn't. Bought one love-in-the-1st-sight silk tunic long before, and I seriously believe I could have enjoyed more with that money. Their previous CD, Christophe Lemaire, is a wonderfully talented contemporary designer and actually his own label is downright everyday luxury with less esoteric silhouettes. If I have 5k$ I'd go for Chanel rtw because their metier d'art lines really reflects semi-couture artisan.
 
Couldn't agree more with this! While it is understandable that one should buy sth. other than Birkin to show their genuine interest in the brand, I don't stand it when rtw becomes a prerequisite for B/K. While Birkin's pricing stands true to its value, H rtw doesn't. Bought one love-in-the-1st-sight silk tunic long before, and I seriously believe I could have enjoyed more with that money. Their previous CD, Christophe Lemaire, is a wonderfully talented contemporary designer and actually his own label is downright everyday luxury with less esoteric silhouettes. If I have 5k$ I'd go for Chanel rtw because their metier d'art lines really reflects semi-couture artisan.

This is an interesting and oft-discussed perspective ... but it doesn't have anything to do with treatment in the stores.

If we could get back to topic, it would be appreciated by those who want more info on that. Thanks!
 
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).

Same situation happened with me too. No one would enjoy begging sb. to pay for sth, that's ridiculous. So I really appreciate that I'm now having two wonderful SAs (NY&DC) who are both helpful and kind in personality. They made my life with H easier! So instead of going for the Ebay thing, definitely try connecting with some other SAs. You'll never know when H sends you the angel.
 
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There is lots of information available on this forum, so spending some time reading here will help you the next time you want to visit the boutique. But the answer to this question is, correct, there are no more wait lists. However, although it is possible that you could leave your name, number, and desired bag specs with an SA, the odds of getting a call based on no purchase history and one visit are basically nil. Again, if getting a specific bag is important to you, read here to learn how the process normally plays out.

Yeah I get you. This unfortunately happens in other aspects of life too. But frankly it really bugs me. WHY?!?!?! If I walk in your store and express interest in your bag...isn't this a sale they could have made and lost? It was in Las Vegas. What if I was some billionaire tourist walking in who likes the experience and comes back. Even if I don't come back, isn't this money they could have had? I guess they are doing so well they don't really care.
 
Yup, certainly with regard to some bag styles--Kellys, Birkins, and Constances--they truly don't care about "losing a sale." These bags are sold before they hit the stores in many cases, to clients who buy lots of different Hermes products, and who buy frequently. If you were expressing interest in a less-in-demand department, the SA might have been more effusive. There are certainly occasions when people get lucky on a random try, but it's just not commonplace. But (to attend to the topic of this thread) you were told honestly that the best the SA could do was take down your name, number, and item of interest. That was the truth. So there's that.
 
My regular H SA treated me very well with respect and I am not a VIP. She never pushed me to buy anything that I am not interested in. She knows my style and never mentione the RTW line. The only item she took the initiative to introduce me was a shawl that matches with my Berline mini and Evelyn pm. She also has stopped me from buying items do not look good....

After rediscovering the H world, I found so many beautiful and unique items that I truly love and enjoy.

IMO, if you don't have a friendly relationship (not just buying) with any SA, chances are you may not get the full attention you want. This also happens to me at Chanel Boutique and department store Chanel counter.

My Sweet SA at H did not have me waited too long before getting me the early birthday surprise.:cloud9:
 
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