Treatment in Hermes Stores

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Incredibly rude is what I thought too when I posted. I completely agree with you. This SA is fluent in English, she lived in an English speaking country a while back. The whole encounter with her, from being introduced to her manager -- a positive thing -- to being bypassed in a SA dialogue b/c she's not even trying to communicate in English was one big mood swing on her part.

Oh, and one more thing, she didn't pack one of my items. It wasn't rung up either. I got a little frantic -- it was an item I really wanted -- called her the next day and got the message she was with a customer and would email me in the next five minutes. Of course that never happened. In fact, she never responded to any of my emails. I quickly figured that contacting her was a waste of time.

DH was out sightseeing and I tried in vain to get him so he could swing by the store to get the missing item. I couldn't understand why he wasn't answering his phone. Somehow I wound up with Verizon Global tech support who was going to do some wizardly stuff to enable me to talk with him. The tech support person was very dedicated. We got disconnected, she called back. By the second time we got disconnected I let it go. Come to find out DH hadn't told me he wasn't taking his phone! Argggh! I wound up getting the item on-line.

In my first encounter with this SA earlier this year I got home to find out she packed an item I didn't pick out and gave another customer the item I picked out.
There was a fair amount of craziness in my encounters with this SA. Some people just should not be in the luxury biz.
This experience with her left a great deal to be desired. I wonder if SA will be more in-tuned to customers now that it’s greatly appointment based.


I try to kill people like her with kindness.
 
I never had anything less than excellent service from London and Paris boutiques. Often just going in to browse... however I don’t think I can do that now, because of the appointment system, I’d feel it’s just good manners to buy something.
 
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I've spoken to several SA's & their comments were to the point.. This is not meant to be"browsing time"
time is valuable & appointments are few & far between & the SA's want to be helpful....
So I might be inclined to ask for an image & go from there...
 
Hi, new to forum and Hermès shopping. Not sure if I picked up the correct thread to ask this question, but here it is. I was interested in a Picotin 22, and went to my local Hermès store and inquired about it. I knew the stocks are limited so I was ready to be flexible with color and hardware choices. As expected, the store did not have any in stock. So I asked the SA if she could order one for me and was told that the waitlist is very long and “it did not make sense to add me to the list”. I am not sure what to make of this particularly when she did not ask me what color/hardware I wanted. I was going to purchase a Kelly Ring, but was so stunned by the answer that I just got something small and left. I am wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and advice on how to get on a waiting list for non-quota items. Thanks in advance.
 
Hi, new to forum and Hermès shopping. Not sure if I picked up the correct thread to ask this question, but here it is. I was interested in a Picotin 22, and went to my local Hermès store and inquired about it. I knew the stocks are limited so I was ready to be flexible with color and hardware choices. As expected, the store did not have any in stock. So I asked the SA if she could order one for me and was told that the waitlist is very long and “it did not make sense to add me to the list”. I am not sure what to make of this particularly when she did not ask me what color/hardware I wanted. I was going to purchase a Kelly Ring, but was so stunned by the answer that I just got something small and left. I am wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and advice on how to get on a waiting list for non-quota items. Thanks in advance.
It would be helpful to know which country/region you are in as expectations tend to vary.
 
Hi, new to forum and Hermès shopping. Not sure if I picked up the correct thread to ask this question, but here it is. I was interested in a Picotin 22, and went to my local Hermès store and inquired about it. I knew the stocks are limited so I was ready to be flexible with color and hardware choices. As expected, the store did not have any in stock. So I asked the SA if she could order one for me and was told that the waitlist is very long and “it did not make sense to add me to the list”. I am not sure what to make of this particularly when she did not ask me what color/hardware I wanted. I was going to purchase a Kelly Ring, but was so stunned by the answer that I just got something small and left. I am wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and advice on how to get on a waiting list for non-quota items. Thanks in advance.
Honestly it’s not uncommon. There’s no waitlist. Picotin is not hard to get once you purchase a few things. The reality is that the SA will not keep an eye out for you (similar to the idea of the SAs personal waitlist) if you don’t have a relationship with them. I’m sure if you purchase a few items and get to know the SA, you can simply just ask for a picotin and they will for sure get one for you. Also, Hermès stores don’t order stuff for clients. Sought after items are being allocated to clients as they come. Even if the SA advocates for you, it doesn’t mean you will get it.
 
Honestly it’s not uncommon. There’s no waitlist. Picotin is not hard to get once you purchase a few things. The reality is that the SA will not keep an eye out for you (similar to the idea of the SAs personal waitlist) if you don’t have a relationship with them. I’m sure if you purchase a few items and get to know the SA, you can simply just ask for a picotin and they will for sure get one for you. Also, Hermès stores don’t order stuff for clients. Sought after items are being allocated to clients as they come. Even if the SA advocates for you, it doesn’t mean you will get it.
Thanks for the response. I have purchased from this SA once before, but I guess I was just a little stunned by the answer. But I should be alerted that this is not the right SA for me when it took 3 emails and 2 months to get a response for a return appointment :shocked:. I will be visiting a few stores in other cities (no appointments needed according to the website) in the next few weeks, so I will take a look over at those stores as well. Thanks again.
 
Thanks for the response. I have purchased from this SA once before, but I guess I was just a little stunned by the answer. But I should be alerted that this is not the right SA for me when it took 3 emails and 2 months to get a response for a return appointment :shocked:. I will be visiting a few stores in other cities (no appointments needed according to the website) in the next few weeks, so I will take a look over at those stores as well. Thanks again.
I mean I would definitely switch SA if they are not responsive. I do think that most bags are quite hard to get due to stock and your location. Picotin and mini evelyne is just one of those bags that are “very available” to frequent customer and almost ”impossible” to new customers. The reality is that you probably need to be a consistent buyer before they will “put you on the waitlist” and for her to “keep an eye out for you.” It’s a very common progression for H. Good luck!
 
I mean I would definitely switch SA if they are not responsive. I do think that most bags are quite hard to get due to stock and your location. Picotin and mini evelyne is just one of those bags that are “very available” to frequent customer and almost ”impossible” to new customers. The reality is that you probably need to be a consistent buyer before they will “put you on the waitlist” and for her to “keep an eye out for you.” It’s a very common progression for H. Good luck!
Thanks. I will definitely try my luck at other locations. In the end, I do feel that I should feel happy about the shopping experience, so I will switch SA for sure.
 
Hi, new to forum and Hermès shopping. Not sure if I picked up the correct thread to ask this question, but here it is. I was interested in a Picotin 22, and went to my local Hermès store and inquired about it. I knew the stocks are limited so I was ready to be flexible with color and hardware choices. As expected, the store did not have any in stock. So I asked the SA if she could order one for me and was told that the waitlist is very long and “it did not make sense to add me to the list”. I am not sure what to make of this particularly when she did not ask me what color/hardware I wanted. I was going to purchase a Kelly Ring, but was so stunned by the answer that I just got something small and left. I am wondering if anyone has had similar experiences and advice on how to get on a waiting list for non-quota items. Thanks in advance.

Based on where you are this sounds like maybe had you first asked about the Kelly ring and found one that you would like to purchase then asked for the Picotin, you may have gotten one (or be told that she will look out for one for you if there is really none in stock).

Of course no guarantee that is the case (the thing about Hermès is everyone’s experience varies). More importantly though, I’m not sure this SA tried their best to help you. They could have worded things better and tried to give you some more guidance. And it sounds like you also didn’t have a good experience setting up the appointment, so trying again with a different SA may not be a bad idea.
 
Based on where you are this sounds like maybe had you first asked about the Kelly ring and found one that you would like to purchase then asked for the Picotin, you may have gotten one (or be told that she will look out for one for you if there is really none in stock).

Of course no guarantee that is the case (the thing about Hermès is everyone’s experience varies). More importantly though, I’m not sure this SA tried their best to help you. They could have worded things better and tried to give you some more guidance. And it sounds like you also didn’t have a good experience setting up the appointment, so trying again with a different SA may not be a bad idea.
The biggest clue for me that this SA is not right for me is that she did not ask me what color/hardware combo, and size I was looking for. Instead she told me (exact words), that “she has a long waitlist (for the Picotin), and it did not make sense for her to put me on it”. I initially thought I heard her wrong, so I asked her one more time, and she told me the same thing. I agree that if I asked for the Kelly ring first, she may have been a bit more helpful. But I think it was a blessing in disguise that things happened the way they did, because now I am sure I need to work with another person. I have never had such a shopping experience in my life and considering how much money people can potentially spend at Hermès, this type of behavior is quite shocking to me. In the end, when I put things in perspective, it is not worth getting upset over it. Otherwise, when I eventually get my Picotin, I will only associate bad memories with it. Not the way I want to spend my hard earned money.;) Thanks for your input.
 
Agree with above posters that buying the Kelly ring may indeed yield different results but also agree with OP that perhaps she is better off saving that jewellery purchase with a different SA.
What I did when I met my current SA (whom I liked on sight) was that i started the relationship with non-bag purchases (I wanted a fairly pricey fine jewellery piece so it was definitely easy to set the “tone” right off the bat). But other smaller accessories, shoes etc would also work well. I held off asking about any bag until I felt comfortable enough with her. Sometimes I feel that they get asked about bags so much that for some, their immediate reaction may be a bit negative when a customer they don’t know yet ask them for any bags (even non-quota ones).

Not saying there’s anything wrong with asking for bags but just that if you are interested in other H goodies, no reason not be a bit strategic and pro-actively set the tone of your relationship.
 
Agree with above posters that buying the Kelly ring may indeed yield different results but also agree with OP that perhaps she is better off saving that jewellery purchase with a different SA.
What I did when I met my current SA (whom I liked on sight) was that i started the relationship with non-bag purchases (I wanted a fairly pricey fine jewellery piece so it was definitely easy to set the “tone” right off the bat). But other smaller accessories, shoes etc would also work well. I held off asking about any bag until I felt comfortable enough with her. Sometimes I feel that they get asked about bags so much that for some, their immediate reaction may be a bit negative when a customer they don’t know yet ask them for any bags (even non-quota ones).

Not saying there’s anything wrong with asking for bags but just that if you are interested in other H goodies, no reason not be a bit strategic and pro-actively set the tone of your relationship.
Wish I joined the forum before I started shopping at Hermès. I would have strategized a lot better. :facepalm:. Anyhow, it is still so strange to me that this brand treats their customers this way (I know my experience is not everyone else’s). Over the years, I have shopped at other brands, and some items I have purchased are more expensive and some are less than the Picotin that I am looking to buy, but each time, customer service was excellent. Even if I only purchased an SLG, I was treated nicely and professionally. I will try another store in a neighboring city, and see if I get the same experience. Thanks!
 
Has anyone had bad experience with Hermes shops?

I was made feel humiliated and embarrassed by the cashier at Sloan square branch in London UK. She insulted, humiliated, embarrassed and bullied me. She was clearily discriminating against me and probably being racist.

The SA helped me a put an online transaction through a credit card which had my husband's name on. I payed with a card machine and used PIN. She left me with the cashier to process purchase of a pair of Paris loafer of 830 pounds.
The cashier rejected this same credit card moments later and said due to 'fraud reason' she won't do transaction because I was using husband's card. That was a slap.on the face when I have been shopping there for a while and was carrying the Birkin bag I bought from that shop just a couple of weeks ago. And the fact that she implied I could be a fraud was shocking to me. She might have had bad experiences before, but it was wrong to profile customers and discriminate (maybe she was racist as well?) I felt completely insulted and embarrassed.

When she was aware that I don't have other ways to pay - I left my debit card at home and my credit card happen to be maxed out. She went, 'maybe your husband could transfer some money to you.' I have never been in a situation when I was not able to pay or afford an item, and I happen to forgot my wallet that's why using husband's credit car and he was in the car with my baby outside. she was disrespectful to me and belittling me. By this point I was being very apologetic, and feeling completely humiliated.

She then suggested to send me an online link to pay - which the shops do for customer not present transactions during lock down period. When I agreed and went along with her suggestion, she bullied me further and said, 'you need to use your own card though'. I could NOT believe she felt the need to twist the dagger she stab in me to inflict more pain.

When I accepted that too and just want it over with (I mean of course I can afford it, why else would I be shopping here with my Birkin), she then shouted across the floor to get attention of SA who helped me. I tried to contain the situation as there are a few SAs and customers on the floor and I was already devastated.

She complained to me 'the SA should have given me the details but you see she didn't'. She made me write down all of my personal details on a piece of paper. It seemed she might have problem with the SA, maybe she expect the SA to stand next to her when she does a transaction, but it is unprofessional to display that negativity in front of customer. She was also in breach of GDPR personal data protection.

She then asked me to come back to the store to pick up the item after online payment (as I told her I will pay in the evening ). By that point I couldn't help rolling my eyes. I told her to send the item to me. But I had to tell her more than once as she was being passive agreeing saying 'you are welcome to pick it up anytime that is convenient to you '. That was pretty much the nicest thing she said to me, dispite I made my preference dead clear to her already and had to reiterate - post to me.

Due to her unprofessionalism actions, I felt the need to ask her to distory the personal detail I left to her after she finished using it to process online link, as my right under personal data protection . But every time I tried to speak, she talked over me. I had to say, 'can I please finish', for her to stop her loudly talking over me.

I have raised a formal complain to Hermes. I respect their payment policy but I am against how badly I was treated, it was about what the cashier said to me and how she said them. I am suspending any shopping with Hermes at the mean time.
 
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