Dear PurseBop:
I am new to Hermès and want to build a genuine relationship with my Sales Associate. I don’t want to come across as transactional or demanding, but I would eventually love to purchase a Birkin or Kelly. What is the best way to approach a new relationship with an SA?
Dear New Hermès Collector:
The best way to begin a relationship with a Sales Associate is to think beyond the Birkin or Kelly you may ultimately hope to purchase. Your SA is a knowledgeable luxury professional, not simply a gatekeeper to a quota bag. Treating the relationship that way from the beginning will make the experience considerably more enjoyable for both of you.
Start by being respectful of your SA’s time. Make an appointment when you would like to shop, arrive on time, and communicate honestly about what interests you and what you are comfortable spending. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Hermès has an extraordinary depth of craftsmanship and history, and a good SA can be an invaluable resource when it comes to leathers, colors, craftsmanship, sizing, care and the nuances of different collections.
Most importantly, let your SA get to know you.
Share what you genuinely love—and just as importantly, what you don’t. Are you drawn to neutrals or color? Structured or relaxed bags? Silk? Jewelry? Home? Shoes? Over time, your SA will begin to understand your aesthetic and lifestyle well enough to make suggestions that feel personal rather than simply offering what happens to be available.
And when it comes to building a purchase history, buy what you love.
A scarf you will wear, a pair of Orans you will actually live in all summer, or a piece of homeware that belongs in your house tells your SA far more about your taste than a collection of purchases made simply to increase a number. Buying things you don’t want in the hope that they will somehow accelerate a future bag is rarely a satisfying strategy—and can quickly turn the Hermès experience into a transaction.
There is also an important change for U.S. clients. Hermès has introduced a wishlist system in the United States through which clients can express their preferences for a Birkin or Kelly, including the size, color, hardware and leather. Your SA will contact you when a bag matching your wishlist becomes available.
And here’s where patience becomes important. There is no spending threshold that guarantees a wishlist bag. A purchase history may help your SA understand you as a client, but it does not turn the process into a simple mathematical equation. Availability, store dynamics, your relationship with your SA, and the particular bag you have requested all play a role.
So don’t make every visit about the bag.
Check in periodically, but thoughtfully. Continue the conversation. Let your SA know when your tastes evolve. If you see something you genuinely love, share that enthusiasm. And if nothing appeals to you on a particular visit, it is perfectly fine to leave without buying anything.
Ultimately, the most productive Hermès relationship is one that feels mutually enjoyable rather than strategically engineered. You want your SA to see you as a client with genuine appreciation for the house, clear taste, realistic expectations and a willingness to be patient, not simply as someone waiting for a Birkin or Kelly.
And perhaps the best advice for a new collector is this:
Don’t spend your way to a Birkin. Build a relationship—and let the Birkin become part of the relationship.
The Hermès journey is much more rewarding when the things you acquire along the way are pieces you genuinely wanted anyway. After all, the goal isn’t simply to obtain the bag. It’s to enjoy the journey that gets you there.
Read:
New Hermès Color for Fall/Winter 2026
Image courtesy @mrandmrsj
- Karenzpurses posted 5 days ago
