Hermes boutiques negotiating on price?

[TimelesStyle]

I seem to recall a post in the past about Hermes boutique SAs having the ability to negotiate on price. Is that the case and can someone either point me to the OP or tell me their experience (PM is fine)? Looking for a gift for GF and am curious whether that's a place that will haggle a bit, and if so who you need to be/name you need to drop/how much you need to have spent... THanks.

 

[Superfluous]

I'd be surprised if this were true.

 

[SpooPoker]

Totally not true.
Unless you are Hermes Man.

 

[PhiloVance]

Wasn't there a thread where Hermes apparently decided it would not sell to an SFer for any price?

 

[TimelesStyle]

I was shocked when I first saw that, but then remembered that there are still some stores (Alain Mikli in Paris comes to mind) who will negotiate small discounts if, for example, buying multiple items.

In general I've always been curious how one might broach such a subject with a sales associate so as not to look like too much of an ass if their answer is essentially "no ******* way, you're a real ass for even asking".

 

[Mr Engineer]

Highly doubt it lol


What are you planning to get for her?

 

[TimelesStyle]



Highly doubt it lol


What are you planning to get for her?

Looking at small leather goods; card cases, agenda covers or phone case (though unlikely since phone shapes change ever few years).

Of course if they were into the "quantity discount" thing I'd look at card cases myself, I've always liked theirs.

 

[TimelesStyle]

Ok, found the thread I was referring to. Post #6.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/300003/looking-for-a-new-wallet

I'm not sure if he was being serious but I somehow doubt I'll get a chance to ask him...

 

[msameth]

It's a rather flat attempt at snark. I guess you missed the punch line ('Their retail price is only an opening bid.').

 

[MikeDT]



Totally not true.
Unless you are Hermes Man.

I suppose you could try haggling and negotiating if the Hermes boutique is in Asia. They might expect customers to haggle as well.

 

[Hacking jacket]

I haggled a BNWT Hermes bow tie online for a (small) discount but I then got blown away with UK import tax and ended up paying more than any RLPL for it.

My (non-Hermes) outfitter offers personalised big discounts but only because I give them good business. You'd either need mega$$$ or go bankrupt to do this with a Hermes store. Wait for Black Friday?

 

[TimelesStyle]



It's a rather flat attempt at snark. I guess you missed the punch line ('Their retail price is only an opening bid.').

No, that was someone else's attempt at a joke when quoting that post, at least that was how I read it (unless both were meant in jest).

 

[TheFoo]

Ask them about doing a special order.

 

[Loathing]



Ask them about doing a special order.

Indeed, this has worked for me in the past. "Special order" is a kind of password at any Hérmes boutqiue, which will entitle you to a haggling margin of about 10-20%, especially on multiple purchases.
Be warned, however, that experience may vary depending on your race and/or height.

 

[TimelesStyle]



Ask them about doing a special order.

Maybe this would work out well for me; she happens to like brown more than green and we're more in the "off the rack" stage in our lives . However I did see the pics you posted of the wallet you ordered so it's clear that persistence does pay off!

Indeed, this has worked for me in the past. "Special order" is a kind of password at any Hérmes boutqiue, which will entitle you to a haggling margin of about 10-20%, especially on multiple purchases.
Be warned, however, that experience may vary depending on your race and/or height.

My feeling is that if "special order" is the code for negotiating that I'm not in the category of people able to negotiate . However multiple items may be in the cards; there's a wallet of theirs I've always liked for myself too. Still, given how much their stuff goes for I'm guessing that the combination of what I'm looking at for both of us still doesn't put us in "that" category.