Am I too poor for Hèrmes?

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I think you’d be surprised. I have heard some nightmare stories of entitled clients coming in demanding bags etc because they are “due” ... I think “common courtesy” is no longer common. So I truly think it goes a long way to be kind, respectful and courteous - just basic manners. The crap that a lot of the SA’s put up with is sometimes appalling.

They are also buyers who demand bags because they didn't research the brand strategy/philosophy and can't get their heads around not getting a Birkin despite having £ for it. From what I heard from SAs, it does bother them, especially as these buyers are rather impolite.
 
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I'm for sure not wealthy but that doesn't bother me - I acquired 3 H bags including Kelly, a wallet and a few bracelets with more to come. I don't care who the brand is for, I like their products. Hermes actually turned out to be the least judgmental and the most attentive of all brands - I typically turn up not looking rich by any chance and received the best service in 2 London shops ever. Not to mention my wishlist was taken seriously.
 
I have been a luxury buyer since I was in my teens. I’ve always been lucky to be able to buy what I want without worrying about prices/ having to save up. I’d never purchase anything if I could not buy it cash and be completely comfortable. I’ve recently started to be interested in Hèrmes. However, in perusing the Hèrmes thread, I feel as if there’s a reason it is difficult to get a Birkin or Kelly... do they only want to sell to extremely wealthy people? How much does one need to make to start shopping at Hermes? Does it even make sense to start a relationship with the brand if you’re not ready to drop 10k every couple months? Please advise!

I don't think you have to spend a lot to be offered one. with that said, it really depends on the relationship that you have with your sales person. I've only started to be "devoted" to hermes 4 years ago. I went to the store and had only purchased 2 bracelets and a pair of earrings at that time. I'm pretty sure it was way less than 10K that I had spent in the store. I met my wonderful SA but I never bugged or asked if they had a birkin. To me, at that time, i figured i'd never really be offered one because A) the city where I live doesn't have an hermes store and this store was 3 hours away and i only visit it maybe twice or three times a year and B) I don't have thousands and thousands to spend on something that I don't really want in order to possibly get offered a bag. My SA asked me if I had ever thought about purchasing a birkin or kelly and I was honest with her and told her that I've thought of it but wasn't sure if I ever will be offered one. She asked me what I was looking for and within 2 months I got offered my first Birkin. This was a span of about 3 months in meeting my SA and spending I would say about 5K or so at the store. But I really do have a sincere relationship that turned into a great friendship with my SA. I think the key is to be genuine and having the mindset of when it happens it'll happen. Hope this helped and good luck with your quest.
 
I don't think you have to spend a lot to be offered one. with that said, it really depends on the relationship that you have with your sales person. I've only started to be "devoted" to hermes 4 years ago. I went to the store and had only purchased 2 bracelets and a pair of earrings at that time. I'm pretty sure it was way less than 10K that I had spent in the store. I met my wonderful SA but I never bugged or asked if they had a birkin. To me, at that time, i figured i'd never really be offered one because A) the city where I live doesn't have an hermes store and this store was 3 hours away and i only visit it maybe twice or three times a year and B) I don't have thousands and thousands to spend on something that I don't really want in order to possibly get offered a bag. My SA asked me if I had ever thought about purchasing a birkin or kelly and I was honest with her and told her that I've thought of it but wasn't sure if I ever will be offered one. She asked me what I was looking for and within 2 months I got offered my first Birkin. This was a span of about 3 months in meeting my SA and spending I would say about 5K or so at the store. But I really do have a sincere relationship that turned into a great friendship with my SA. I think the key is to be genuine and having the mindset of when it happens it'll happen. Hope this helped and good luck with your quest.

+1.. The key is to be genuine as stated.. SA's recognize that & appreciate that as well
 
Thank you darling!

I don't think you have to spend a lot to be offered one. with that said, it really depends on the relationship that you have with your sales person. I've only started to be "devoted" to hermes 4 years ago. I went to the store and had only purchased 2 bracelets and a pair of earrings at that time. I'm pretty sure it was way less than 10K that I had spent in the store. I met my wonderful SA but I never bugged or asked if they had a birkin. To me, at that time, i figured i'd never really be offered one because A) the city where I live doesn't have an hermes store and this store was 3 hours away and i only visit it maybe twice or three times a year and B) I don't have thousands and thousands to spend on something that I don't really want in order to possibly get offered a bag. My SA asked me if I had ever thought about purchasing a birkin or kelly and I was honest with her and told her that I've thought of it but wasn't sure if I ever will be offered one. She asked me what I was looking for and within 2 months I got offered my first Birkin. This was a span of about 3 months in meeting my SA and spending I would say about 5K or so at the store. But I really do have a sincere relationship that turned into a great friendship with my SA. I think the key is to be genuine and having the mindset of when it happens it'll happen. Hope this helped and good luck with your quest.
 
I used to buy it from resellers, until my dear cousin introduced me to her sa and now I wish if I can go back :sad:
Save your money and buy it from reseller I think it is much cheaper, in the store you might spend the price of the bag on top of the bag to get it. Unless your interested in their jewellery or dinnerware ?
So if you are looking for seasonal colours you might get it cheaper from resellers around (13k usd and 14k usd ) which is only 1k to 3k more than bag in the store(Us and Asia price ) .
If you are looking for black or grey or gold you might pay a lot , because it more expensive in secondhand market . You may pay 5k to 7k more it can be around 15k to 16k .
In store I paid 13.7k on some items (jacket,bracelet, 2 rings ) to get and epsom kelly , So total of 24k . It was easy but I was hooked , it can be a curse to the people who love to collect colours .
 
Try Paris - seems like there’s a decent chance of getting offered B/K at the flagship even without any purchase history. Otherwise, get it from from resale market, no games needed.
 
Late to the party but in regard to your inquiry about being extremely wealthy, I think that is subjective. What one considers extremely wealthy someone else may not and I don't know if anyone at Hermes would know your wealth status anyhow (I am extremely wealthy but not in money :smile:. I am a person that does work hard for every luxury item I purchase but seemingly from what you've stated, you can afford the bag and can afford to play the "game" so then go for it. You'll get all kinds of advice on what to do but you won't really know until you try. What one store/SA requires another may not. I have a small collection (sold a Birkin a good while back, now have 3 Kellys', an Evelyne, and a Herbag Zip) and all except the Evelyne were purchased on the secondhand market and authenticated by Bababebi. However, I have established a relationship (long distance) with a lovely SA at a Hermes boutique in Vegas as we go there many times a year and she already knows I am not interested in establishing a relationship to get a bag, just met a really nice person and I love the brand itself and purchase many other items (watches, shoes, scarves, twillies, jewelry, ties for the DH). I would say study the brand, check out the threads here and see if the brand really sings to you or if you just want a Birkin for the sake of having one. I say that because it will tell you if you are really ready to play the "game" if needed. Good Luck!!
 
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All my H are from resellers. They are in good condition and in the exact size, color and leather of my wanting. No game played and I got the exact bag I want. Some hunting needed of course.
Me too with the exception of one bag. I don't play that elitist "I only buy from the boutique" nonsense. There are highly reputable resellers out there and you can get exactly what you want when you want it. The fun is in finding the item you want...sorta like treasure hunting. Will I pay more sometimes...maybe...but sometimes you can pay less too.
 
I don't think there's a threshold for at what income level you can start shopping a Hermes. It's all a matter of your financial comfort and priorities! Like someone with household income of $300k might not feel comfortable with buying even 1 Birkin, while someone with household income of $100k is comfortable with buying a couple Birkins. Some people have the disposable cash savings to just pay upfront, others have to save up and cut spending elsewhere. Regardless of the financial background, those who do end up with Hermes items, do love what they bought!

So I agree with everyone who says don't feel pressured to spend a lot of $$ there, go for what you happen to love. It seems like these days, half of the people who get their first Birkin or Kelly happened to get lucky, without having to build a profile of many items with the same SA. I'm also just beginning to explore Hermes because I always thought it was for the uber wealthy too (which I am not). I mean, $10k+ on a bag?? Maybe the uber wealthy can have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of Birkins, but it doesn't sound crazy to me anymore to own 1 (or 2, or 3...haha). And my husband actually agreed that I shouldn't wait until I'm "too old" to enjoy a Birkin. :amuse:
 
Wow. I have never witnessed this kind of behavior in my stores. Once, I had put my own B down while looking at something and someone wanted to pick it up, but the SM very nicely stopped it.
The same thing happened to me at the Beverly Hills store when I was trying on a scarf in front of a mirror on the opposite counter to where my bag was. As luckily the SA assisting me stopped the person from touching my K.
 
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Thanks for the clarity. I’m not trying to sound “wealthy”; as compared to many on this thread I’m not even close. I am just completely confused on the wealth required to shop there. xx
I will never buy a bag from Hermes, not because I don’t think they are quality items, I admire the company very much, but if I have a spare few grand around, I’ll use it to travel, or get a new hybrid car....but I don’t fault anyone for loving them, they’re beautiful! I do however buy their scarves...I’m an artist and love their cultivation of artists, and their themes, and simply the beautiful designs of all different styles and colorways...You certainly get a lot of esthetic bangs for your buck there, and quite simply, I don’t care what SA’s think. Some are nice , some are buttheads. The best treat you like a headwaiter at the finest restaurant, they gently guide you, ask what your needs are and congratulate you on ANY choice you make.. And if Hermes was not making a huge chunk of their profits off of their silks, they would not put so much energy and calculation into their timed seasonal release, so I feel I’m contributing nicely to their profits, and need not apologize to anyone. If you want to get an affectionate but slightly cynical look at the “perceived value through deliberate scarcity” school of withholding-style marketing, I recommend a very amusing book, called “ Bringing Home the Birkin” about a guy who mastered the art of purchasing the Bag in the Back, in boutiques all over Europe...I think it’s on eBooks. Google it...Very funny. And Hermes can handle a little chuckle at their expense, it doesn’t denigrate their quality, or their integrity as a company, only some of their employees and their marketing strategies...enjoy...and truly there are some good resales out there...Hermes Is a company made to last...
 
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