u/SuperbTomato249

First, I’ve had reservations about the Hermes “game” for many years. always thought the very idea of the Hermes “game” is insulting to its customers. I get that there are limited quantities of the bags everyone wants and they want to give them to loyal customers, but there has to be a better way.

The fact that your spend only counts with one SA — rather than across the brand — is ludicrous. Every customer is at the mercy of one retail worker, hoping that worker happens to like them? In my profession, customer service is everything, so I truly don’t understand this mentality.

I’m also on an underconsumption journey. I want fewer, higher-quality, beautiful things. I want everything in my life to be beautiful, which is why Hermes should be the perfect brand for me, but I don’t want to be addicted to shopping or treat acquiring things as a hobby, which is why the prespend and need to shop every department to get one bag offends me. One great coat, riding boots, one big black Birkin or Constance, a few cashmere sweaters, a dozen gorgeous scarves—I can see that for myself. That’s my vibe. I’m a jeans and t-shirt girl beyond that. I’ll spend a lot on a few things, but I don’t want a house overflowing with one brand just to prove I deserve a bag.

And finally, I don’t live anywhere near a Hermes boutique. I do travel a lot to destinations with stores, but I don’t return to the same destination frequently enough to build a relationship with ONE SA at the ONE store. Because of this I’ve shopped Hermes online, but none of that spending counts to make me a worthy customer?

These have been my reservations about becoming an in-store Hermes customer for years. However, when I was in London I talked myself into it.

I had bought several Ulysses notebook covers on the UK website in a colorway that wasn’t available online in the US. I would pick them up in London and bring them home as gifts. I’d been watching videos of people having fun shopping at Hermes and I’m a sucker for a good shopping experience. Elegant surroundings, beautiful products, helpful staff—I’ll be a customer for life. So I thought what the heck?!

I went to the Bond Street location to collect my order with the plan to purchase a couple of scarves, the jumping boots if they had them, perfume, makeup, and take a look at the jewelry which I don’t usually love, but surely I could find something. A start to a relationship with that store and an SA. I thought I could find a reason to come to London a few times a year. I wouldn’t be shopping every month but I could spend more on each of my visits. Even if it took a few years to be offered a bag, it would be fun to develop a relationship with a heritage brand and make shopping there when in London a lovely tradition. This would be my first time shopping in store and I was genuinely excited.

I walked in—the store was gorgeous! I was also excited because they didn’t seem very busy. There were 2-3 customers downstairs. No one greeted me or asked if so needed help. I approached an employee who wasn’t helping anyone and asked about collecting my order. He directed me to go upstairs. Upstairs there were 2 or 3 couple seated, no employees. No problem—they’re probably all busy. I’ll browse and get an idea of what I might want to get.

I browsed around every department for about an hour and was never approached.

There was a counter with two employees helping a customer pay, so I went over there and stood in line. When that customer was finished the two employees just ignored me and walked away. At this point I’m wondering if I will even get to pick up my order, much less do more shopping.

I headed back downstairs and this time there was a gentleman at the door with an iPad. I asked him about picking up my order and he told me to have a seat and wait. Finally, after a few minute, a woman brings my order. No pleasantries—just check my email confirmation and hand over my order. I asked her if someone would help me purchase a few things upstairs and she told me to wait.

I waited 30 more minutes and eventually got fed up and left. I’m in London! There are other things I want to see and do.

Honestly, I left there deflated. I was so excited to start my shopping journey and I was just ignored. I’ve never been treated like that at a store. Especially not a luxury store. I had put aside every ick I had about this brand, but I don’t think I can put aside being treated like I don’t matter as a customer.

what went wrong? Because now not only am I questioning trying to develop an in person relationship with Hermes, but I’m questioning if I should even continue shopping with them online. I’m just not sure there is a piece of leather or silk on earth nice enough to put up with being treated like that.

Interestingly, the very next store offered me champagne as soon as I walked in the door.

I don’t want to pretend I’m an expert at this by any means. I’m only 14 days into my No Buy Month. I’ve tried these before without making it this far. I don’t want to say it’s been easy, but it has definitely been easier than in the past. Can I tell you what I’ve done differently this time that has actually made it easier?

1. I got off social media. This is the biggest one. I deleted Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. This has made a huge difference and I can now see how much social media was driving my spending. 

2. I’m journaling every morning. I’m working my way through The Artists Way (which has also been helping me get through this) and morning pages are part of that. Not a cute “journaling ecosystem” that’s going to tempt me to want to buy journaling supplies. A brain dump into a normal notebook that I’m going to throw away when it’s full. This is helping me work through my emotions, insecurities, and frustrations instead of trying to fix them with shopping. 

3. I don’t go anywhere that would temp me to shop. No window shopping or just looking around at the mall. I only go to the grocery store when I need to buy food. You will not find me anywhere near a Sephora, Target, mall, or thrift store.

4.  I deleted all shopping apps from my phone. 

5.   I’m putting things I want to buy on a wish list. There have been many things I’ve been tempted to buy, but instead of hitting the checkout now button, I paste a link in my notes titled End of Year Wishlist. Then I journal about why I think I need to buy that item and try to identify the underlying emotional issue that’s driving me. I’ve told myself that if an item is still on my wishlist at the end of the year, I’ll budget and save for it. But I’ve already taken off most of the items I’ve put on it, because I realized I was just trying to fix an insecurity that buying something will never fix.

6.   I’m trying to spend less time online. Getting off social media has helped this tremendously. I’m reading, taking walks, decluttering, journaling…Anything to stay offline which leads to me browsing online shops. When I do find myself picking up my phone to “browse” I come here and read how everyone is doing on their No Buy.

 

I‘ll be honest, of all these things it’s getting off social media and journaling that have made the most difference.

I hope my experience helps someone else.