Treatment in Hermes Stores

[H. for H.]

So I went in the Hermes store today to specifically purchase a Bastia and look at a couple of bracelets. When I asked to look at the Bastia she looked at me like I had 2 heads as if she had no clue what I was talking about. She in turn tried to sell me a card case. I finally pointed to the Bastia and said that's it. She was totally clueless. Ended up leaving without the Bastia and without even looking at the bracelets. Totally put off!

That's odd. Sorry that happen to you. Any inclination why? Maybe she was she overwhelmed, didn't hear/ zoned out.

My guess is she could be new or hired as seasonal SA.

 

[Awbrumle]

I'm not sure. I even was thinking "was I dressed like a couldn't afford to be in there?" But I had in my normal traveling attire skinny jeans Burberry scarf...etc...probably seasonal. She was clueless. I will be trying the downtown store tomorrow so we shall see.

 

[MSO13]

I'm not sure. I even was thinking "was I dressed like a couldn't afford to be in there?" But I had in my normal traveling attire skinny jeans Burberry scarf...etc...probably seasonal. She was clueless. I will be trying the downtown store tomorrow so we shall see.

Ask for Dwaine or Manny at Wall St, super nice and helpful! Check out the NY stores thread for more info!

 

[carlinha]

So I went in the Hermes store today to specifically purchase a Bastia and look at a couple of bracelets. When I asked to look at the Bastia she looked at me like I had 2 heads as if she had no clue what I was talking about. She in turn tried to sell me a card case. I finally pointed to the Bastia and said that's it. She was totally clueless. Ended up leaving without the Bastia and without even looking at the bracelets. Totally put off!

She could be new or seasonal hire for the holidays....

 

[chicinthecity777]

My guess is she could be new or hired as seasonal SA.

I'm not sure. I even was thinking "was I dressed like a couldn't afford to be in there?" But I had in my normal traveling attire skinny jeans Burberry scarf...etc...probably seasonal. She was clueless. I will be trying the downtown store tomorrow so we shall see.

She could be new or seasonal hire for the holidays....

What H. for H and carlinha said. They use temps a lot during holiday season.

 

[Mindi B]

I have no insider knowledge, but some complaints from current and former Hermes employees on various "rate the company" websites mention that the SAs are just thrown out onto the sales floor with a list of "rules" about who can and can't buy what, but little else in the way of instruction or brand education. The Hermes employees who really know the house, its products and its history, probably did a lot of learning on their own initiative. Like the members here!

 

[chicinthecity777]

I have no insider knowledge, but some complaints from current and former Hermes employees on various "rate the company" websites mention that the SAs are just thrown out onto the sales floor with a list of "rules" about who can and can't buy what, but little else in the way of instruction or brand education. The Hermes employees who really know the house, its products and its history, probably did a lot of learning on their own initiative. Like the members here!

This I totally believe.

 

[bakeacookie]

^ That doesn't surprise me, for any designer brand, tbh.

< not sure if this is the correct thread for this >

So I bought my bag on a whim, without my usual SA. Instead, the supervisor who has helped me a few times and another SA (whom has always been the one I've picked up my online orders from) assisted me with my bag and twilly.

Then a couple days after on another visit to the boutique, my usual SA saw me with my bag and was surprise I had gotten it from that boutique. The SA said that "it's just luck, and I was off that day" as I had been asking my usual SA for the bag I wanted.

Considering that they have all treated me well, I return to this boutique often, so I am loyal to my home boutique, and only a few purchases are done abroad.

So now that I am familiar with several SAs in this boutique, whom should I stick to when purchasing again, or does it matter? Eventually, like many people on here, I'd like a Kelly or Kelly Pochette (is this still made?)

 

[bedhead]

So I went in the Hermes store today to specifically purchase a Bastia and look at a couple of bracelets. When I asked to look at the Bastia she looked at me like I had 2 heads as if she had no clue what I was talking about. She in turn tried to sell me a card case. I finally pointed to the Bastia and said that's it. She was totally clueless. Ended up leaving without the Bastia and without even looking at the bracelets. Totally put off!

I agree with the others who said she was probably a seasonal temp. I was in Madison yesterday and recognized maybe 3 people. Tons of seasonal people (and they said they had been crazy busy all day).

 

[frou frou]

I have no insider knowledge, but some complaints from current and former Hermes employees on various "rate the company" websites mention that the SAs are just thrown out onto the sales floor with a list of "rules" about who can and can't buy what, but little else in the way of instruction or brand education. The Hermes employees who really know the house, its products and its history, probably did a lot of learning on their own initiative. Like the members here!

Could you qualify 'who can and can't buy what' please Mindi?
Do you mean the thing about one bag per person ,or is it the ridiculous thing that one has to buy stacks of unwanted luxury goods to get a bag to carry them round in?

 

[mistikat]

Could you qualify 'who can and can't buy what' please Mindi?
Do you mean the thing about one bag per person ,or is it the ridiculous thing that one has to buy stacks of unwanted luxury goods to get a bag to carry them round in?

Not meaning to sidestep Mindi, but there are a few threads on what has to be done in terms of establishing a relationship to gain access to harder to buy items. It's in the individual store threads, in threads about shipping items, etc. Some stores are less firm on this than others. But yes, generally it's expected that you show your interest in the brand by buying things other than a Birkin/Kelly/Constance, as these are the harder to get items. No one should buy "unwanted items" to get anything, in my view, though.

 

[Mindi B]

Yup, what she said! The remarks I reported above are the worst kind of hearsay--anonymous and third-hand--and were nonspecific in any case. The impression I got from the employee's comments was along the lines laid out by mistikat. Like, the person who walks in on a first visit and demands a Birkin is unlikely to be successful. Like that. Nothing that would surprise a regular here.

 

[frou frou]

Yup, what she said! The remarks I reported above are the worst kind of hearsay--anonymous and third-hand--and were nonspecific in any case. The impression I got from the employee's comments was along the lines laid out by mistikat. Like, the person who walks in on a first visit and demands a Birkin is unlikely to be successful. Like that. Nothing that would surprise a regular here.

Not meaning to sidestep Mindi, but there are a few threads on what has to be done in terms of establishing a relationship to gain access to harder to buy items. It's in the individual store threads, in threads about shipping items, etc. Some stores are less firm on this than others. But yes, generally it's expected that you show your interest in the brand by buying things other than a Birkin/Kelly/Constance, as these are the harder to get items. No one should buy "unwanted items" to get anything, in my view, though.

Yes, I've read all that and consider I'm lucky that I don't even want any of the items that require me to walk the walk.
The only bag I wanted from the store , an Evelyne , was readily available and the Kelly I wanted was a BB vintage which I found on commission.

 

[Awbrumle]

I agree with the others who said she was probably a seasonal temp. I was in Madison yesterday and recognized maybe 3 people. Tons of seasonal people (and they said they had been crazy busy all day).

I'm sure you all are right. No worries Chanel graciously took my money that I planned on spending at Hermes!

 

[Notorious Pink]

Visited the Manhasset store before Thanksgiving, and I was very interested to see what their inventory and service would be like. My only experience with a franchise store was in Nice, and their stock and service was very hit or miss. Manhasset had the friendliest SA's out of all the H stores I've ever visited- they were very unpretentious and warm. The store was fairly busy, but I was still greeted by 2 blonde SA's. Most of the customers seemed to be non-English speaking tourists, which I found interesting because I can't say LI is an international destination lol. Most of the customers were carrying B's.


I tried on a watch that I had been eyeing online, and the SA was very nice and encouraged me to come back when their store relocates to their expanded space on December 3. Said they'll have more items on display, but they're always willing to ship something in for me to try on. She wasn't pushy at all, and although I love the watch, I want to keep my options open.


In terms of bags, I didn't dare ask for a B or K, but the display case had 3 Lindy's, 2 toolboxes, and some other lovely bags- more than I'd expect. The men's wallet selection was also better than I've seen elsewhere. For reference, I wasn't dressed any nicer than when I visit any other H- long burberry coat, Barenia K, leather booties, and skinny jeans.

Glad you had a good experience! The SAs really are lovely knowledgeable. I have noticed quite an uptick in tourists over the past few years as well (who knows why?)

Have you gone back to see the new boutique? It's FAAAAAABOULOUS!!!