Pros
The product itself is one of the main reasons why most people stay with Hermès. The craftsmanship and quality of the items is truly impeccable. Sales goals and numbers are not being shoved down your throat daily like many other retailers. They do expect you to make a minimum, but it is very reasonable if you make a little effort to connect with clients. Work-life balance is amazing. No taking work home with you, no dealing with clients off the clock. Policy states that clients should only be contacted within the store, making it very peaceful when you are not at work. Benefits are really good. Some of the best. In this particular market, the salary + commission structure is very nice. It's both a shared and individual commission structure, meaning while you may have a low month, you still get a piece of the shared commission. Peace of mind financially.
Cons
First and foremost, the senior management in NY is so out of touch with what it's like to truly work in the store. From selling policies of the Birkin to answering questions about why we don't ship leather items, they expect large numbers to be brought in but they don't want to give you to the tools to succeed. So much has changed over the last couple of years, and any sign that this is a "family" couple have changed. Rules and policies are being added daily and it's a much more militaristic style work environment. The only people that get promoted are those who achieve their goal, which makes absolutely no sense. Making your goal doesn't equate to successful managing skills. This goes back to senior management being out of touch to everyday sales associates in the stores. For a company that has such high standards, training is basically just throwing you onto the sales floor. When you are hired, within 2 to 3 days new hires are on the floor selling walking around aimlessly unsure of themselves. With so many new policies, new hires are always nervous and scared they will always be fired because they feel like they are breaking one of the many unnecessary rules. When I started with the company many many years ago, it was unheard of someone quitting or getting fired, but turnover in the company is much greater now, and I truly feel those in the NY office do not care. They do not value their employees and any sign of questioning should result in termination. The stores are made completely cheap. Fixtures are always broken, doors and locks always having to be replaced. Something is always needing to be fixed.
