Buying an Hermès Bag Can Be Tricky—Here's What an Expert Says You Should Know (2024)

FAQs

Why is Hermès so hard to buy? ›

Hermes won't sell the rare bags to just anyone, and it requires potential buyers to purchase thousands of dollars of other products just for the chance they'll get access to the coveted leather totes, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday seeking class-action status.

Not everyone can buy a Birkin. Shoppers must prove their commitment to the brand – by continuously shopping there. From what previous Hermès shoppers and managers say online, to even be considered for a bag, you must shop at the same Hermès store, use the same sales assistant, and “build a relationship” with the store.

Of all of the Hermes' bags, the most coveted one is the iconic…. birkin bag. It was actually named after actress, Jane Birkin. The bag comes in many colors, materials, and sizes.

Buying your very first Birkin bag from a Hermès boutique is notoriously difficult. Unlike other luxury brands that prominently display their merchandise, Hermès often keeps its Birkins out of sight. Normally, they're not openly showcased to the public, so you can't simply waltz into a store and buy one off the shelf.

May 31 (Reuters) - U.S. consumers suing French luxury house Hermes (HRMS.PA) , opens new tab have broadened their lawsuit accusing the company of forcing buyers to spend thousands of dollars on other products before they can purchase one of the company's famed Birkin bags.

The Birkin, Hermès's iconic handbag, is notoriously difficult to find in stores. Its genuine scarcity enrages some wealthy shoppers, and it also underlines just how abundant other ostensibly rare luxury goods tend to be, Amanda Mull writes.

Only customers with an extensive purchase history at the French brand are offered the opportunity to buy “quota bags” such as the Birkin or the Kelly. This practice, dubbed “the Hermès game,” has kept the bags exclusive—but it's also ruffled many feathers.

Some areas of the US have smaller, less competitive Hermès stores where it may be easier to be offered a mini Kelly than a Birkin 25, such as in your situation. Other big city locations such as New York City and Beverly Hills are highly competitive and being offered a mini Kelly is akin to winning the lottery.

It may take you a while, but you can buy a Birkin straight from the boutique. You just can't walk into an Hermès boutique and buy a Birkin immediately. It must be ordered, and there is a waiting list. You also can't buy the Birkin, Kelly, or most of Hermès's more iconic styles online.

The value of a Birkin bag skyrockets from the moment it leaves the Hermès store. That's partly because not just any regular person can buy the bag. Only customers with a sizable purchase history at the brand are offered the opportunity to buy a “quota bag,” such as a Birkin or a Kelly.

Who is Hermès main competitor? ›

Hermes's competitors

Hermes International is a company manufacturing fashion luxury goods. Pandora is a company that designs, manufactures, and markets hand-finished and contemporary jewelry. Burberry is a manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of luxury goods. Tiffany & Co.

If You Send Your Bag to Hermès For Service and They Think It's Fake, They Keep It and Destroy It - PurseBlog.

How long is the waitlist for a brand-new Birkin? The world of Hermès Birkin bags is a rather mysterious one, so there are no set rules or timelines on how long you'd have to wait to be able to buy one.

While it took some time for this new mini Birkin size to gain in popularity, the Birkin 25 is now the most sought after size. The Birkin 25 is the smallest standard Birkin and measures 25 cm across the top. The Birkin 25 is the most popular size in Asia.

If you buy a Birkin bag straight from a Hermès boutique, you'll only be able to buy two luxury handbags per year. This means you could invest in one Birkin and one Kelly, but no more. This two-bag rule allows Hermès to keep on top of orders and also maintain the exclusivity of their accessories.

Hermès sued in California over claims it only sells Birkins to 'worthy' customers. The French luxury house Hermès has been sued in California over claims it unlawfully allows only customers with “sufficient purchase history” with the company to buy its famed Birkin handbags.

Why are Birkin bags so expensive? The exceptional level of craftsmanship in producing the handbag is the rationale for the company's pricing. Each Birkin takes a minimum of 18 hours to make as a single artisan hand-sews, buffs, paints and polishes the bag, according to Sotheby's.