Treatment in Hermes Stores

[thelucky1]

I have only bought Hermes scarves, no leather goods or handbags, and have only bought them online, mainly secondhand. Of the four Hermes stores I've entered in person, three in the United States and one in Europe, I've had two where SAs were available to answer questions and showed interest in engaging me as a customer. In the other two stores, it was unclear how you go about getting helped or whether there's a sign-up list.

I must admit I'm torn about whether to keep buying scarves. I like the designs and find them really enjoyable to learn about, and that's what has kept me interested. Typically, though, I would like to then experience an in-store purchase for the complete experience and to see current offerings in person. However, I would like the in-store experience to make me feel good as a customer. I have to ask myself why I would intentionally put myself into an uncomfortable shopping situation, when the general idea of accessories shopping is to feel good about oneself and the object and the experience. This is a very interesting thread and underscores to me the commitment and loyalty of many Hermes fans despite less-than-stellar customer service! Or perhaps my expectations are just not in keeping with the Hermes sales tradition at present.

If you have a local store you'd like to establish a relationship with, my advice would be to go in the morning on a weekday. In my experience, the SAs are typically more available to work with walk-in clients then because they are less busy, and have more time to show you things and chat.

 

[litchi]

I have only bought Hermes scarves, no leather goods or handbags, and have only bought them online, mainly secondhand. Of the four Hermes stores I've entered in person, three in the United States and one in Europe, I've had two where SAs were available to answer questions and showed interest in engaging me as a customer. In the other two stores, it was unclear how you go about getting helped or whether there's a sign-up list.

I must admit I'm torn about whether to keep buying scarves. I like the designs and find them really enjoyable to learn about, and that's what has kept me interested. Typically, though, I would like to then experience an in-store purchase for the complete experience and to see current offerings in person. However, I would like the in-store experience to make me feel good as a customer. I have to ask myself why I would intentionally put myself into an uncomfortable shopping situation, when the general idea of accessories shopping is to feel good about oneself and the object and the experience. This is a very interesting thread and underscores to me the commitment and loyalty of many Hermes fans despite less-than-stellar customer service! Or perhaps my expectations are just not in keeping with the Hermes sales tradition at present.

Hello, fellow scarfie! I find that going to a new boutique with some knowledge of H scarves, even if I haven't decided on what to get (or have a long list), results in very good service. I've had seemingly disinterested SAs suddenly open up and become chatty about scarves in stock once they realise I'm familiar with H designs and can identify the scarf they're wearing. I also recommend shopping during a quiet time, usually at opening hours. Most staff are tired late in the day. Hope you find a good SA!

 

[336]

The service is atrocious at my local boutique. I was enquiring about a scarf and was told that if I was "interesting enough" they would transfer it for me.

Totally speechless.

 

[acrowcounted]

The service is atrocious at my local boutique. I was enquiring about a scarf and was told that if I was "interesting enough" they would transfer it for me.

Totally speechless.

Are you certain that they didn't say "interested enough"? As in 'if you're definitely going to purchase it we will transfer it in.'

 

[HoneyLocks]

I am so tired of having to prove my interest in Hermès whenever I visit my local store to a different SA who often knows less about their products than I do.
I am tempted to take a photo of my entire collection, mail it to the manager commented with "If the service was better all of this would have been bought at your store!"

 

[lalame]

The service is atrocious at my local boutique. I was enquiring about a scarf and was told that if I was "interesting enough" they would transfer it for me.

Totally speechless.

Are you certain that they didn't say "interested enough"? As in 'if you're definitely going to purchase it we will transfer it in.'

To add to that... if they were asian, this is a common ESL mistake I hear. For example, to this day my mom can't shake the habit of saying, "I'm so boring" (when she means bored). Not to mention an accent issue.

This is just so rude I can't believe that's REALLY what she meant.

 

[336]

To add to that... if they were asian, this is a common ESL mistake I hear. For example, to this day my mom can't shake the habit of saying, "I'm so boring" (when she means bored). Not to mention an accent issue.

This is just so rude I can't believe that's REALLY what she meant.

That's definitely what he said. "If you are interesting enough I will transfer it "

What annoyed me more was that I already called the Sydney boutique to have it transferred and literally 4 hours later I got a call from my local Melbourne boutique who told me that "we have this scarf but it is reserved for our VIPs but if you are interesting enough I will transfer it from Sydney for you". What baffles me is why he called me to insult me when he had nothing to do with the actual transfer.

 

[Hat Trick]

That's definitely what he said. "If you are interesting enough I will transfer it "

What annoyed me more was that I already called the Sydney boutique to have it transferred and literally 4 hours later I got a call from my local Melbourne boutique who told me that "we have this scarf but it is reserved for our VIPs but if you are interesting enough I will transfer it from Sydney for you". What baffles me is why he called me to insult me when he had nothing to do with the actual transfer.

Knowing the Melbourne boutique, I can advise you that he almost cetainly meant "interested" in the scarf enough for him to transfer it for you. I have had this phrase said to me at that store, realised what was actually meant, and replied that yes, I was interested in it and could it pleased be transferred. Also my local boutique also uses the phrase that if I am interested, they will transfer it for me. I think that if they accidently said "if I was interesting they would transfer it", then I would probably burst out laughing and ask if I'm not interesting enough!

Dear 336, it is highly likely that it was a mispronounciation, not a veiled insult. Based on my experience, he was probably trying to say that you couldn't have the one that was in the store right now, but he did a quick search, found that there was another one in Sydney, and would have it send over if you thought you would like to see it in real life with the intent of deciding if you wanted to buy it. Sorry it sounded wrong, but you could go back and ask if it is still available and maybe politely point out the misinterpretation? He might be hugely embarrassed if he knew that his mispronounciation came across as rude, and would want to make sure that he doesn't make the same error again, but he won't know if someone doesn't kindly and discreetly tell him.

Hope that helps.
H.T.

 

[westcoastgal]

That's definitely what he said. "If you are interesting enough I will transfer it "

What annoyed me more was that I already called the Sydney boutique to have it transferred and literally 4 hours later I got a call from my local Melbourne boutique who told me that "we have this scarf but it is reserved for our VIPs but if you are interesting enough I will transfer it from Sydney for you". What baffles me is why he called me to insult me when he had nothing to do with the actual transfer.

Even if the SA mispronounced a word when speaking to you, I think there was maybe something in his tone of voice which you objected to, and which gave you a negative feeling. In that case, I hope you can find someone else (a better SA) to work with.

 

[Saffynyc]

So I was wondering, this is to the members of shopped at multiple boutiques. What are your top five boutiques that you’ve been to that you felt offered the best selection, great sales associates, and good volume of stuff. And your least favorite boutique, and I know that’s going to be hard because it could be either the service vs selection but that’s upto your discretion which makes it more on your judgement call of being your least favorite store . I haven’t been to many to say .

My top location is Lisbon , very friendly and decent selection of stuff .
Worst Madison Avenue due to attitude.

 

[periogirl28]

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/boutiques.1000962/#post-32754612

But you asked this before.

 

[Saffynyc]

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/boutiques.1000962/#post-32754612

But you asked this before.

Yes I did but last time I didn’t clarify based on what reason, so wanted to clarify . I also think this thread can be a lot of fun because it could help people out and making decisions and what stores to go to and also what stores to avoid. That’s why I put the boutique in Lisbon up there so if people are going to Portugal they already know that somebody’s vouched for that store and how nice they are in the selection that they carry his overall decent.

 

[periogirl28]

Yes I did but last time I didn’t clarify based on what reason, so wanted to clarify . I also think this thread can be a lot of fun because it could help people out and making decisions and what stores to go to and also what stores to avoid. That’s why I put the boutique in Lisbon up there so if people are going to Portugal they already know that somebody’s vouched for that store and how nice they are in the selection that they carry his overall decent.

Ok sure the mods may merge it.

 

[bagidiotic]

Same answer to your last thread
I will passed this


Your thread was closed
Was on the same topic

 

[dooneybaby]

So I was wondering, this is to the members of shopped at multiple boutiques. What are your top five boutiques that you’ve been to that you felt offered the best selection, great sales associates, and good volume of stuff. And your least favorite boutique, and I know that’s going to be hard because it could be either the service vs selection but that’s upto your discretion which makes it more on your judgement call of being your least favorite store . I haven’t been to many to say .

My top location is Lisbon , very friendly and decent selection of stuff .
Worst Madison Avenue due to attitude.

So, so agree! Madison Avenue is the worst! And the SA who helped me didn't know a thing about H silkies.