Did anyone hear the "Bagging a Birkin" story on NPR's Planet Money?

[ap.]

I would love to hear others' reactions, if you have access to US radio or this NPR podcast on the Internet. I found it incredibly annoying. The reporter and one of her interviewees kept referring to Birkins as being, "on average," $60,000 handbags.

On the one hand, I guess who cares – so the numbers are wrong. On the other hand, the whole story was just so silly, it frustrated me. To say nothing of the fact that the reporter described the bags as hideous!

Would love to hear what others thought!

The podcaster also noted that "you can get a starter Birkin for around $10,000."

Maybe when you average the cost of the different skins/leathers (diamond encrusted, croc, alligator, ostrich, lizard, chevre, clemence, togo, epsom, etc...) that a Birkin comes in, the result is $60,000.

 

[EmileH]

The podcaster also noted that "you can get a starter Birkin for around $10,000."

Maybe when you average the cost of the different skins/leathers (diamond encrusted, croc, alligator, ostrich, lizard, chevre, clemence, togo, epsom, etc...) that a Birkin comes in, the result is $60,000.

Still. How many Togo versus Himalayan croc birkins do you think are sold? Don't you think it's deceptive?

 

[hermes_obsessed]

And oh by the way, that "personal shopper" or whomever they interviewed (thought he was annoying as all get out) clearly made up the part of his story about buying two Birkins in one day. I thought Hermes kept a very clear purchase history and didn't allow any bag purchases within 6 months of each other.

 

[ap.]

Still. How many Togo versus Himalayan croc birkins do you think are sold? Don't you think it's deceptive?

I don't know.... if you overlook that $60K (which technically might still be true) I think the report is pretty accurate.

- Hermes does artificially limit the number of Birkins available: personally I've been told what Birkin colors/leathers are in the back by my SA while 30 seconds earlier another SA told a (new) customer that there aren't any available.

- The "hazing": how many posts here have been written about people being told that they must spend a certain amount of money before they would even be considered for a B/K or being told no only for that person actually want to meet that spend or keep buying to get that SA to 'reward' them with a B/K.

- Joining the "tribe": how many people here have asked for an intro to another tPFer's SA? I've personally introduced people to my SA which resulted in them getting a Birkin/Kelly more quickly.

- Having the "husband" ask: I've not experienced this but I believe a lot of tPFers have taken advantage of the fact that men tend to have an easier time obtaining a B/K. I'm pretty sure I can pull up many posts from the "going to Paris to get a B/K" thread alone that support this.

- UES ladies: there are all kinds and there are the crazy territorial walkers (and a lot of them tend to brandish H).

- The Birkin is "underwhelming, boxy, on the large side": it is boxy, largish and I can see how the B can be underwhelming if you're expecting a "$10K/$60K bag",. How many women here cite that they like the fact that it's "not flashy", "under the radar", etc...? The leather is not soft so does not feel luxurious. The best thing about a Birkin is its construction and how it holds up over time. A person won't appreciate that with a casual once over.

Anyway, I didn't take offense with the podcast. I thought it was entertaining and, on the whole, is more accurate and informative that some of the gushing pieces I've seen/heard.

 

[ap.]

And oh by the way, that "personal shopper" or whomever they interviewed (thought he was annoying as all get out) clearly made up the part of his story about buying two Birkins in one day. I thought Hermes kept a very clear purchase history and didn't allow any bag purchases within 6 months of each other.

That is a recently instituted policy.

 

[hopingoneday]

Hi all, thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies. It seems that many of you had the same negative response that I did.

Apey-- I understand your points and of course there's plenty of room for differences of opinion on the piece; thank you so much for sharing yours. I'd just note that while I've never asked the price of one of those diamond-pavéed bags, I have (in the last year) bought Birkins in bull calf, ostrich, and was offered one in croc (I passed). None cost anywhere near 60k, so I definitely can't figure out how one would do the math to get to an "average" price of $60k. Would love to know what her info sources were.

 

[MSO13]

Hi all, thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies. It seems that many of you had the same negative response that I did.

Apey-- I understand your points and of course there's plenty of room for differences of opinion on the piece; thank you so much for sharing yours. I'd just note that while I've never asked the price of one of those diamond-pavéed bags, I have (in the last year) bought Birkins in bull calf, ostrich, and was offered one in croc (I passed). None cost anywhere near 60k, so I definitely can't figure out how one would do the math to get to an "average" price of $60k. Would love to know what her info sources were.

If you added up one of each in leather, ostrich, gator, croc and diamond croc and divided by 5 you'd get about 60k but I'm an artist not a maths person so is that the average or the median? Either way, they sell about 100 leather to 1 diamond I bet.

 

[ap.]

Hi all, thanks to everyone for your thoughtful replies. It seems that many of you had the same negative response that I did.

Apey-- I understand your points and of course there's plenty of room for differences of opinion on the piece; thank you so much for sharing yours. I'd just note that while I've never asked the price of one of those diamond-pavéed bags, I have (in the last year) bought Birkins in bull calf, ostrich, and was offered one in croc (I passed). None cost anywhere near 60k, so I definitely can't figure out how one would do the math to get to an "average" price of $60k. Would love to know what her info sources were.

I vaguely remember the diamond croc being $150K. That was a while ago...it may be more now.

 

[rosebud_7]

I don't know.... if you overlook that $60K (which technically might still be true) I think the report is pretty accurate.

- Hermes does artificially limit the number of Birkins available: personally I've been told what Birkin colors/leathers are in the back by my SA while 30 seconds earlier another SA told a (new) customer that there aren't any available.

- The "hazing": how many posts here have been written about people being told that they must spend a certain amount of money before they would even be considered for a B/K or being told no only for that person actually want to meet that spend or keep buying to get that SA to 'reward' them with a B/K.

- Joining the "tribe": how many people here have asked for an intro to another tPFer's SA? I've personally introduced people to my SA which resulted in them getting a Birkin/Kelly more quickly.

- Having the "husband" ask: I've not experienced this but I believe a lot of tPFers have taken advantage of the fact that men tend to have an easier time obtaining a B/K. I'm pretty sure I can pull up many posts from the "going to Paris to get a B/K" thread alone that support this.

- UES ladies: there are all kinds and there are the crazy territorial walkers (and a lot of them tend to brandish H).

- The Birkin is "underwhelming, boxy, on the large side": it is boxy, largish and I can see how the B can be underwhelming if you're expecting a "$10K/$60K bag",. How many women here cite that they like the fact that it's "not flashy", "under the radar", etc...? The leather is not soft so does not feel luxurious. The best thing about a Birkin is its construction and how it holds up over time. A person won't appreciate that with a casual once over.

Anyway, I didn't take offense with the podcast. I thought it was entertaining and, on the whole, is more accurate and informative that some of the gushing pieces I've seen/heard.

Very eloquently said....you bring up some excellent points using examples from this very forum that I certainly do not disagree with There will always be cases of "people behaving badly" no matter where they are or what they are doing. I laugh at the thought of the aftermath of an encounter with a territorial side walker though....regardless of the bag they are carrying
I listen to several different NPR shows and podcasts, but Planet Money was not one I had ever paid attention to. Curious now to download and listen to more of these to see what the prevailing attitudes are of the reporters and if their topics trend in this direction, or what other types of "money matters" they discuss!

 

[chessmont]

you go, pocketbook pup!

+1!

 

[roy40]

i don't know.... If you overlook that $60k (which technically might still be true) i think the report is pretty accurate.

- hermes does artificially limit the number of birkins available: Personally i've been told what birkin colors/leathers are in the back by my sa while 30 seconds earlier another sa told a (new) customer that there aren't any available.

- the "hazing": How many posts here have been written about people being told that they must spend a certain amount of money before they would even be considered for a b/k or being told no only for that person actually want to meet that spend or keep buying to get that sa to 'reward' them with a b/k.

- joining the "tribe": How many people here have asked for an intro to another tpfer's sa? I've personally introduced people to my sa which resulted in them getting a birkin/kelly more quickly.

- having the "husband" ask: I've not experienced this but i believe a lot of tpfers have taken advantage of the fact that men tend to have an easier time obtaining a b/k. I'm pretty sure i can pull up many posts from the "going to paris to get a b/k" thread alone that support this.

- ues ladies: There are all kinds and there are the crazy territorial walkers (and a lot of them tend to brandish h).

- the birkin is "underwhelming, boxy, on the large side": It is boxy, largish and i can see how the b can be underwhelming if you're expecting a "$10k/$60k bag",. How many women here cite that they like the fact that it's "not flashy", "under the radar", etc...? The leather is not soft so does not feel luxurious. The best thing about a birkin is its construction and how it holds up over time. A person won't appreciate that with a casual once over.

Anyway, i didn't take offense with the podcast. I thought it was entertaining and, on the whole, is more accurate and informative that some of the gushing pieces i've seen/heard.

+1

 

[rainnebeauxday]

What a juvenile and asinine report, the lack of professionalism is disturbing on so many levels. I have friends at NPR and I believe they would be ashamed to be associated with such dribble.

Beyond the condescending tone and gross ignorance of facts, the bigger issue here is a total lack of appreciation for heritage and craft. Yes, there are people who buy things for name recognition only, but so many of us recognize the romance of the heritage, the dedication to quality, and the years of apprenticeship that are required to create these beautiful pieces. Hermes is a great symbol of a dying breed in all areas of design. I doubt the girls in the report have any appreciation for anything of quality- art, furniture, music, etc. Sadly, so many people of this generation do not have the desire, nor probably the sophistication, to observe, study, and develop a respect for craft. It's why we marvel at ancient structures, beautiful art, sublime music- the joy in appreciating the effort that went into them is one of life's great pleasures. There is certainly no shame in not being able to afford an Hermes bag, or even in not wanting one, but not to appreciate the craft is quite sad.

 

[EmileH]

Heehee and by the way, when I walk with my Birkin I usually hold it close to my body and I steer clear of others on the sidewalk because I respect the fine craftsmanship and exquisite leather and I don't want it to be damaged.

 

[dooneybaby]

I listened to this podcast twice last night while (patiently) waiting to get out of O'Hare...
For me, it wasn't that these "reporters" and "experts" got their "facts" so inexcusably wrong...no doubt there are some very expensive Birkins out there...but I would argue that the vast majority are non exotic leathers, priced well below $60k... but it was their overall attitude towards the difficulty of buying a high demand bag.

First of all, to automatically assume that because someone is carrying an H bag is a stuffy, rich snob who will walk you into a trash can is absurd. Are bags status symbols? I would agree to a point, but most people, especially in NYC, are too busy minding their own business to care, let alone flaunt.

Second of all, to make remarks that allude to carriers of such bags were gifted these by rich husbands, SOs, or whatever, is downright insulting. Would I love to be fortunate enough to have someone I love gift me a bag? Oh heck yes! In fact, please share those secrets because my loved ones don't get the H obsession! But I have also met so many lovely ladies and gentlemen here on this forum who are doctors, lawyers, business owners, in a service industry, who can afford these luxuries on their own. Like many others here, I make, save, and spend my own money as I wish. And it is no one's business how anyone else does the same. Gift? Purchase? Something in between? Matters not to anyone else!

Which leads me to my final comment: the overall sour grapes attitude. I get it NPR reporters...you can't afford a Birkin, even if you took the time to actually learn and enjoy the history of Hermes and everything else it has to offer. But to criticize anyone who would spend their own money on an expensive bag, is quite hypocritical. Would they make the same comment about an expensive car, or boat, or vacation? And to close it out by calling the Birkin an "ugly box and the leather didn't even feel nice" is just petty and sour grapes. Actually....it sounds a bit like they're jealous.

Ok, rant over I was stuck in a snowed in airport watching flights get cancelled left and right so I had some extra time on my hands!

Actually, most of them CAN afford a Birkin, as they make six-figures (although they'll tell you they can't and will feign poverty). It's just that they're Washington types who think if it's not happening on Capitol Hill then it's not important. These are folks who think it's ridiculous to spend $500 on a handbag, but they have no problem plopping down money for a summer home, a boat, traveling the world or sending their kids to expensive private schools. Trust me, I know a lot of them.

 

[EmileH]

Actually, most of them CAN afford a Birkin, as they make six-figures (although they'll tell you they can't and will feign poverty). It's just that they're Washington types who think if it's not happening on Capitol Hill then it's not important. These are folks who think it's ridiculous to spend $500 on a handbag, but they have no problem plopping down money for a summer home, a boat, traveling the world or sending their kids to expensive private schools. Trust me, I know a lot of them.

The ones at the top do. Doesn't Robert Siegel or whatever his name is make like 500,000 a year? But they have been sued multiple times for gender discrimination because they pay women far less than men. I guess that's why they assume the husbands buy the Birkins.