What’s your unpopular Hermes opinion?

[tinkerbell68]

Unpopular opinion: I would not shop at H (or any other luxury store) if I did not trust and align with my SAs taste and sensibilities, and shopping doesn’t come with a rush or deadline. I’ve been fortunate to be offered some very nice bags, including QBs, and no one has had to bribe me to shop. ( Sometimes I’m not sure if customers are enabling SA poor behavior or the other way around). @1CC, maybe your friend is buying that stuff as gifts if she isn’t into home goods for herself? I read somewhere that a long-standing chanel RTW client buys H cups to give as gifts to others, including her chanel SAs. It took months for my teacups and teapot to come into the Boutique and my Saint Louis oxymore crystal has not yet arrived after many many months, so I almost envy that it’s so easy for some to pick up home goods lol

ETA: My SAs in NY and FSH have point blank told me not to buy X bc it really does not flatter. They also know that I will eventually find something else that does. I wish others had this experience too.

I totally agree that it is the relationship with one’s SA that is essential to the experience of shopping at H and whether it feels fun and luxurious. I was lucky enough to find a lovely SA with whom I get along well; though, of course, it took some time to develop our relationship. She has a good sense of my style and has no problem telling me that something doesn’t work for me. She has, more than once, discouraged me from buying something.
UNPOPULAR OPINION: perhaps it is not H per se that is the problem but the expectations we as consumers bring to the relationship. When we seem willing to buy anything and everything in our pursuit of a ‘quota’ bag, H is more than willing to help us spend our money. If we are more discerning, thoughtful and authentic about what we like and don’t like, our SAs are more likely to respect us and be honest and authentic with us.

 

[SpicyTuna13]

ETA: My SAs in NY and FSH have point blank told me not to buy X bc it really does not flatter. They also know that I will eventually find something else that does. I wish others had this experience too.

Similar experience here…in both directions.

A few years ago, my SA called me into the store and told me to go ahead and buy both ombré CDCs (GHW and PHW) because they both happened to be in-store at that time. Against her advice, I ended up choosing only one. She kept asking, “Are you sure??? This is totally YOU”. Well, I felt sure. Gulp, two weeks later, I was inquiring about the other one. She wanted to kill me because it, of course, already sold. She ended up sourcing it for me from another store — whew!

On the other hand, my SM once offered me a smooth barenia B35 GHW (2016/2017). When the SM was out of earshot, my SA tried to convince me that this leather was “high maintenance” and to be “avoided”and that she would get me something else. I passed on this. One of my biggest regrets to this day as it’s one of my favorite leathers. ::sigh:: I have a Vache Natural B35 GHW now to make up for it. Plus, my SA ended up finding a B30 smooth barenia GHW for me.

TL;DR — It helps to have an SA that truly understands your style/aesthetic. I really wish this for all H customers.

 

[Veritybelle]

UNPOPULAR OPINION: perhaps it is not H per se that is the problem but the expectations we as consumers bring to the relationship. When we seem willing to buy anything and everything in our pursuit of a ‘quota’ bag, H is more than willing to help us spend our money. If we are more discerning, thoughtful and authentic about what we like and don’t like, our SAs are more likely to respect us and be honest and authentic with us.

100% agree. Competitive shopping is exhausting, not fun and not luxurious. A ”discerning, thoughtful and authentic” shopping experience is the objective - sums it up perfectly for me.

 

[lilflobowl]

Exactly. My friend in Canada is buying cups, saucers, blankets and other H crap and I lmao but she’s not a home decor person. Her SA tells her to keep buying because she’s on target for a QB

I’m hoping you told your friend so that she at least has the option to consider switching SAs.

As much as a relationship with an SA is beneficial to getting the bag there is no reason to maintain one with an opportunistic SA who is clearly exploiting her client for more comms.

 

[benjinito]

I have a friend who shopped with a SA who told her point blank how much to spend and what items to buy to get her specs in a QB. The SA delivered on quite a few occasions, so my friend was happy with her service.

Since I know someone will ask - this was in the US It’s not my cup of tea, but it was hers (quite literally since she picked up a teacup set at her SA’s request )

Reading through the Building Relationship thread, I think some folks wouldn’t mind this approach.

 

[papertiger]

Exactly. My friend in Canada is buying cups, saucers, blankets and other H crap and I lmao but she’s not a home decor person. Her SA tells her to keep buying because she’s on target for a QB

On the other hand - and an unpopular opinion. Some of us (moi included) love H "crap".

Your friend could always choose to buy things she will enjoy; Hermes is a whole 'dept store' these days, and as it always was.

When something catches my eye from a brand, first thing I do is check out everything else they create/sell for a 360º. If I don't like the vibe, ranges, overall aesthetic it often puts me off (not always). It's a bit like investing in an expensive painting or art object, in addition to my plans for said piece, a lot depends on the artist's back catalogue, proven evolution of creativity, development of aesthetics and materials (+ politics) and future potential.

My UO is that is really is better to buy a QB (or any H bag) from a trusted reseller or H-lover friend if a person think all the rest is 'crap'.

 

[papertiger]

My unpopular opinion. SAs bait clients into spending beyond the boutiques qb prespend level. Matter of fact, they contribute to the increasing prespend ratios.

In fact I overheard an SA convo with a colleague bragging and mocking of making her client desperate (I just happen to know her language). What a beetch

That was was very unprofessional of her (as well as stupid). You could tell the story in the 'overheard in Hermes' thread.

 

[papertiger]

I have a friend who shopped with a SA who told her point blank how much to spend and what items to buy to get her specs in a QB. The SA delivered on quite a few occasions, so my friend was happy with her service.

Since I know someone will ask - this was in the US It’s not my cup of tea, but it was hers (quite literally since she picked up a teacup set at her SA’s request )

Reading through the Building Relationship thread, I think some folks wouldn’t mind this approach.

IMUO Hermes need to completely revisit and rethink their 'unofficial' policies (again) - if what they are trying to build is a loyal client base.

 

[periogirl28]

IMUO Hermes need to completely revisit and rethink their 'unofficial' policies (again) - if what they are trying to build is a loyal client base.

I've been saying this for years. Especially regarding the Paris flagship.

 

[carrie8]

My unpopular opinion is that i remember the ceo of H telling (in the q&a about the year results)that the products in Italy are for the Italian residents and I believe the products of Germany or was it Britain, are for their residents. Did nobody hear that? So, yes Hermes is pro local home shopping.

 

[J'adoreHermes]

My unpopular opinion is that i remember the ceo of H telling (in the q&a about the year results)that the products in Italy are for the Italian residents and I believe the products of Germany or was it Britain, are for their residents. Did nobody hear that? So, yes Hermes is pro local home shopping.

This is true for all brands. There are regional buyers who curate inventory for local taste. Paris is an exception. This is evident by how the three Parisian stores carry mostly rose gold fine jewelry, which is what internationals demand rather than Parisians. In the Middle East, Hermes makes silk kaftans with CDC closures for the local taste and customs. I have not been to the Middle East, but if I did, I would most certainly pick one up as a souvenir. I would argue Hermes is not any more pro local shopping than any other company or brand. If anything, this regionally tailored inventory is attractive to tourists and travelers as they can see and buy things that would not be ordered by their own stores. This makes shopping at Hermes fun as you can find novel items abroad.

 

[papertiger]

My unpopular opinion is that i remember the ceo of H telling (in the q&a about the year results)that the products in Italy are for the Italian residents and I believe the products of Germany or was it Britain, are for their residents. Did nobody hear that? So, yes Hermes is pro local home shopping.

Is that an opinion or information?

In that case, it's my unpopular opinion that the Axel needs to actually go to some of these stores (when they're open) coz that's not what's happening. It's not even the final purchaser tourists that are the issue. If H truly wants the grey market to recede and resellers to stop 'flipping' they can easily clamp down on travelling professional buyers and they know it.

 

[carrie8]

Is that an opinion or information?

In that case, it's my unpopular opinion that the Axel needs to actually go to some of these stores (when they're open) coz that's not what's happening. It's not even the final purchaser tourists that are the issue. If H truly wants the grey market to recede and resellers to stop 'flipping' they can easily clamp down on travelling professional buyers and they know it.

Information, excuse me for my bad English.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

My unpopular opinion regarding Hermes is less about the brand but more about the attitude of some of the more recent devotees/resellers/bandwagon followers which in turn has lead to shopping in the stores to be a stressful and unpleasant experience judging by some of the posts I read in the Paris shopping thread in particular.
I actually feel for the SA's being bombarded constantly with people asking for Bags/leather appointment/Chypres etc etc.
It must become draining and actually a bit demotivating when one puts time and energy into selling RTW, Fine jewellery home goods etc whilst waiting for, indeed expecting the client on the way to the till to ask "any chance of a leather appointment'.
I'm actually becoming bored with reading people complaining that they went to Paris and didn't get a QB offer (some may say don't read the thread then, but I guess its like scratching a mosquito bite I cant help myself!).
One is in Paris for heavens sake! So much to see and do.
Be grateful we are no longer in lockdown, free to travel, have money to spend on luxury goods.
There is much to be grateful for and I feel sad that for some people their happiness hinges on a bag offer.
And while I'm at it..
I'm getting bored with the obsession with quota bags, and how to 'score' one.

 

[880]

My unpopular opinion regarding Hermes is less about the brand but more about the attitude of some of the more recent devotees/resellers/bandwagon followers which in turn has lead to shopping in the stores to be a stressful and unpleasant experience judging by some of the posts I read in the Paris shopping thread in particular.
I actually feel for the SA's being bombarded constantly with people asking for Bags/leather appointment/Chypres etc etc.
It must become draining and actually a bit demotivating when one puts time and energy into selling RTW, Fine jewellery home goods etc whilst waiting for, indeed expecting the client on the way to the till to ask "any chance of a leather appointment'.
I'm actually becoming bored with reading people complaining that they went to Paris and didn't get a QB offer (some may say don't read the thread then, but I guess its like scratching a mosquito bite I cant help myself!).
One is in Paris for heavens sake! So much to see and do.
Be grateful we are no longer in lockdown, free to travel, have money to spend on luxury goods.
There is much to be grateful for and I feel sad that for some people their happiness hinges on a bag offer.
And while I'm at it..
I'm getting bored with the obsession with quota bags, and how to 'score' one.

Agree. I also get a bit tired of people saying there is nothing available in the entire store, but that’s bc I too like ‘ H crap.’
Im primarily a RTW client, and even when my size isn’t available in RTW that I like, there are other things to explore.

I was at a very small lunch for ten hosted by the president of a premier luxury watch company that makes a tiny fraction of watches a year total compared to the number made by the big brands (Audimar Piguet, Patek, and Vacheron are considered the big three, not Rolex or cartier). These watches are pre sold to clients before they come into the store, and DH and I have visited the boutique on a few occasions when there is literally nothing in the display cases. The prespend starts high five figures and up (one watch) before someone can be considered on the list, simply bc there is such high demand. DH asked whether they had plans to attract new clients. . . And the answer was no.

They cannot keep up with demand even though they actually have a school to train watch artisans and graduate x number a year. In fact they have to curtail production of the basic watches bc they do not have enough artisans to meet overwhelming demand for high end complications. I wonder since Chanel and Hermes are so successful growing the top clients they already have, if the business model is similar. In other words, in my unpopular opinion, as a general rule, these companies don’t want to attract new clients who may be simply angling for bags. Sure they want clients who buy furniture, fine jewelry, or RTW, but the bags and first floor merchandise sell themselves. I love hermes and chanel for their design sensibility, but I wouldn’t categorize them as top tier luxury in terms of either the shopping experience or product.

ETA: DH is waiting to see if our H home SA can source a couple of sweaters that we saw at BH. One of them is a hoodie with a chaine d’ancre detail on the elbow, and the other is a pullover with a leather placket. Neither sweater is as high quality as a more expensive, more simple zip hoodie from Lori Piana made from Gift of Kings wool, nor are they better fitted to DHs size, but the Hermes ones are cute. So, I would classify the better quality, better constructed Loro hoodie as actually more luxurious, and the Hermes as fashion pieces.