Hermes is screwed

[healer677]

You figure that the last person you would turn away from an over priced boutique would be Oprah Winfrey.

For the same reason that she can turn a book into a best seller by plugging it in her book club, I figured a bad word about an establishment would just kill the joint.

Hermes in Paris made that mistake - something about her looking like a local theif or what is that they're having problems with "North Africans" or some foolish crap like that. None the less she was denied the "privilage" of buying their over priced merchandise.

Now - there will be hell to pay - I wonder what kind of effect this will have on their business. An Oprah boycott - that's got to be heavy.

 

[freshbreath]

I hope this generates MORE business for them

oprah is an unofficial cult leader

 

[healer677]

Well that changes everything rubmeister.

They didn't mention that part in the article...you're right, it does change everything. The article I saw did make mention of the "problems" - the staff of the store did mistake her for a local theif. And that the staff did recognize her but wanted to close up shop - it was quoted that they specifically said "we know who you are." to OW and her staffer. Plus, she called Chavez (president of Hermes in the US) and stated she won't be shopping there anymore.

But with her following, I'm sure millions of her minions will be swayed one way or the other about this story.

 

[a 1 player]

So poor Oprah didn't get her way. Why is it that when some people get money they feel that they should have privlidges above and beyond everyone else? Ok, I understand that a shop would want to close down for a couple of hours to let a celebrity shop and who is going to spend thousands of dollars and promote the company or line of clothing. However, to show up unannounced, without an appointment, and demand to be let in during a private function is just obsene. Even more so stating that she will no longer buy their line of clothing. What a bitch.

 

[SucroseFree]

From the title I thought that this was going to be a Futurama thread

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4618227.stm

 

[rama putri]

Good for Hermes. Someone has to put these basically trailer trash types with money who we make as 'stars' in their place.

 

[Lil'Miss]

I was kind of surprised when I heard that. Oprah has been pretty careful about denouncing things after the whole beef incident. I am a huge fan of hers, but she was wrong in this case. It is so irritating when celebritites act that way, and for some reason I kind of thought Oprah would be different.

Miss

 

[goodtime]

...Ok, I understand that a shop would want to close down for a couple of hours to let a celebrity shop and who is going to spend thousands of dollars and promote the company or line of clothing. However, to show up unannounced, without an appointment, and demand to be let in during a private function is just obsene.

Usually Celebrities have their assistants call ahead, like Puff and company for personal shopping.

I'm guessing in this case, Oprah had the urge. Figured she's important, with $ can get her way - U.S. arragonce, imo.

Good for Hermes Paris sticking to their guns.

Could be good thing for Hermes as the French don't care much for Americans these days. Their primary customers have shifted to Asians and fellow EU.

 

[tboy]

I love it.....more power to her for making her name a household word but talk about arrogance! Maybe this will bring her one step down to earth with us mere mortals.

I forget who said it but what does hermes care if millions of bored housewives who can't afford to dress their kids properly won't shop there? I'd hazard a guess and say that the people who do shop there, don't watch her POS show anyways......

 

[hammer74]

All of you should not be so quick to take sides in this incident. Whether you side with Oprah or Hermes the fact is unless you were there at that given time you do not know the true story.

Oprah's publicist first denied this story when it became public, and now they admit the incident happened. Also Hermes appologizes about the screw up, yet still Oprah was at the store 45 minutes after it closed? Bah!!

Personally I'll take this story with a grain of salt, because I know there is three sides to this story, What Oprah says, What Hermes says, and the Truth.

 

[Body Opus]

i doubt most of her followers can even buy scarf at hermes, they have nothing to worry about....so oprah doesnt buy from them, big deal.....

I agree totally !!

These are the same people who have destroyed the Louis Vuitton name, leather products can easily be knocked off, but, you can't mess with fine silk or cashmere from Hermes.

 

[jetfuel]

I love the comment about North Africans, I mean after all don't all black people look alike. I guess they are all criminals as well.

Why so much hate for Oprah? Calling her "trailer trash", where does that come from.

No I am not a fan or her show, nor am I a fan of Dr Phil. But this incident as mentioned before will do nothing for Hermes.

 

[Don]

apparently video tape of the incident captured from a surveillance camera seemed to back up Hermes' story. A guard came up to Oprah, gave her a store card and then both parties left.

Oprah is apparently a good person and very charatable but when you have that much money and used to getting your way it's tough to follow rules as us normal folks. Limo liberals I think they are called. That why I tend to tune out people like Oprah, Bono, Jolie, Geldof or whoever wants to get up on a soapbox and fight for the "little man"

 

[Berlin]

But this incident as mentioned before will do nothing for Hermes.

Ditto.

I think it in fact put the spotlight on Hermes for a lot of people who were not aware of that label before. The other night a couple dancers were asking about that already. Not a bad publicity for Hermes at all, me think.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

I remember a particularly disgusting example of Oprah's disrespect in the US, while watching a documentary about the Shakers..

In Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, the once proud Shaker communities were well known -- especially for their Shaker look – simple, elegant furniture that has never been more popular or as widely imitated than it is today. The shakers are celibate so in the early 1960s a change in adoption law halted the growth of their communities forever.

Downturns in their local economics would force occasional auctions in the past. Now sadly they are open to the public with a museum and gift shop.
Those who knew of their auctions were also taught to be sensitive to their plight and behave appropriately while in attendance. I guess she missed the briefing, because in the front row, putting on a garish display of bad manners, winning every bid she wanted to, and exhuberantly waving her arm and woofing like Arsenio Hall, was the ever tasteful owner of Harpo Productions.

 

[Cobra1]

Hermes in Paris made that mistake - something about her looking like a local theif or what is that they're having problems with "North Africans" or some foolish crap like that. None the less she was denied the "privilage" of buying their over priced merchandise.

Now - there will be hell to pay - I wonder what kind of effect this will have on their business. An Oprah boycott - that's got to be heavy.

I bet not a single Oprah follower buys anything at Hermes.

From what I have seen, Blacks in France (apart from the Arabs from North Africa) have far more social standing and fewer racial profiling issues than in North America. I was there a month ago and amazed at the affluent Blacks shopping with not a hint of "up turned noses" from sales staff. It was kind of refreshing to see.

 

[red]

Hermes Scarf: $200

Class: Priceless

 

[Berlin]

Don't think they have any at or under $ 200, not even the regular size.

Red , are you banging the manager ?

 

[red]

Don't think they have any at or under $ 200, not even the regular size.

Red , are you banging the manager ?

yes, but only during normal store hours.

 

[goodtime]

...I was there a month ago and amazed at the affluent Blacks shopping with not a hint of "up turned noses" from sales staff. It was kind of refreshing to see.

Yes, pleasantly surprised the 'upscale' stores are providing good customer services and not stuck-up at clients. Turn away potential big sales. Not gauge customer by their looks or way they dress.