Help a clueless husband navigate getting a Birkin!
- Thread starter NiceHubby
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It is down to the wire now and I think if you are going to get a Birkin, different tactics are needed. Two of the ladies brought up viable options a few posts back, either contact your stylist friends again because there is a chance they could acquire a Birkin, or go the reseller route.
You might be able to pull this off but I think you will need to change your approach...There are so many people clamouring to give any Birkin a home, and so few are available....You will need to try to beat the competition as people will go to extraordinary measures to score a Birkin.
Best of luck to you!
You might be able to pull this off but I think you will need to change your approach...There are so many people clamouring to give any Birkin a home, and so few are available....You will need to try to beat the competition as people will go to extraordinary measures to score a Birkin.
Best of luck to you!
NiceHubby - I really feel for you... reading this whole thread and seeing the tumultuous journey you've been on is absolutely harrowing (and to think we're talking about a handbag!)
I can recognize that you feel like a complete outsider and are perhaps not getting the advice you came looking for, in some instances, I think your 'feelings' of being an outsider are warranted - there have not been the most supportive posts in this thread!
To everyone who has posted, imagine if you were planning a wonderful surprise for your DH's 40th, say a car, and you had absolutely no knowledge of the process and customs associated with that purchase - you'd feel like a complete outsider, wouldn't you? So perhaps, you would go to a supposedly 'supportive' environment such as a reputable and incredibly well known car forum and try and share your story - how would you expect the members of said forum to treat you??? Certainly a bit better than *some* have treated NiceHubby!
He's a newbie, wanting to do a truly wonderful thing for his wife, he needs our support and guidance, instead, he has been greeted by an almost snobbish atmosphere.
I realise that there have been some lovely posters who have offered him some very good advice, but he's not just coming here for advice - he's trying to share the journey and the frustrations he's faced. He's not only looking for guidance, he's looking for support.
I know that regardless of what happens your wife will be proud of you - on her birthday you need to show her this thread, let her know what you did and what you went through (even if you are eventually able to get the bag). She needs to know what you did for her.
I really hope you find one and I hope your wife has the best 40th ever!
I can recognize that you feel like a complete outsider and are perhaps not getting the advice you came looking for, in some instances, I think your 'feelings' of being an outsider are warranted - there have not been the most supportive posts in this thread!
To everyone who has posted, imagine if you were planning a wonderful surprise for your DH's 40th, say a car, and you had absolutely no knowledge of the process and customs associated with that purchase - you'd feel like a complete outsider, wouldn't you? So perhaps, you would go to a supposedly 'supportive' environment such as a reputable and incredibly well known car forum and try and share your story - how would you expect the members of said forum to treat you??? Certainly a bit better than *some* have treated NiceHubby!
He's a newbie, wanting to do a truly wonderful thing for his wife, he needs our support and guidance, instead, he has been greeted by an almost snobbish atmosphere.
I realise that there have been some lovely posters who have offered him some very good advice, but he's not just coming here for advice - he's trying to share the journey and the frustrations he's faced. He's not only looking for guidance, he's looking for support.
I know that regardless of what happens your wife will be proud of you - on her birthday you need to show her this thread, let her know what you did and what you went through (even if you are eventually able to get the bag). She needs to know what you did for her.
I really hope you find one and I hope your wife has the best 40th ever!
He's a newbie, wanting to do a truly wonderful thing for his wife, he needs our support and guidance, instead, he has been greeted by an almost snobbish atmosphere.
I am honestly not getting a snobbish vibe from this thread, the majority of participants have been welcoming and helpful in their posts....I notice one of the moderators posted cautioning about reselling in the thread but maybe she was unsure in the beginning of the thread as to nicehubby's motive in posting and just wanted to clarify the rules. That happens and is not to be taken personally.
I feel most of the posters have been cheering nicehubby on in his quest and will be delighted if he can score that Birkin for his wife!
I am honestly not getting a snobbish vibe from this thread, the majority of participants have been welcoming and helpful in their posts....I notice one of the moderators posted cautioning about reselling in the thread but maybe she was unsure in the beginning of the thread as to nicehubby's motive in posting and just wanted to clarify the rules. That happens and is not to be taken personally.
I feel most of the posters have been cheering nicehubby on in his quest and will be delighted if he can score that Birkin for his wife!
I didn't get a snobby vibe here either. I have been a member of this forum for many years now and I certainly don't think this is a snobby place.
I think people are trying to be helpful but the reality is that it's not easy to get a Birkin from the store. That is why some people suggest the reseller's route. I understand the preference to buy from the store, I would feel the same way. I still think that other than developing a relationship with a particular SA/Hermes store, the most fun way to try to get a Birkin is to take a trip to Paris. Even if it doesn't work out, you still have Paris.
I think people are trying to be helpful but the reality is that it's not easy to get a Birkin from the store. That is why some people suggest the reseller's route. I understand the preference to buy from the store, I would feel the same way. I still think that other than developing a relationship with a particular SA/Hermes store, the most fun way to try to get a Birkin is to take a trip to Paris. Even if it doesn't work out, you still have Paris.
Dear needasugardaddy, its not a handbag darling, its a Birkin. (sorry... just being a wee bit snooty).
But we all do hope the Birkin finds the lady...
But we all do hope the Birkin finds the lady...
I have to say, having ventured onto some non-purse non-Hermes forums, the "welcome" that most newbies get is far from friendly or or inviting, and certainly lacking in the wealth of information that is contained in this thread. The OP got lots of good advice and seemed mainly interested in shopping tips or contacts in certain stores, not the "sharing of a journey". And, at least to me, he got exactly what he came looking for, minus the actual Birkin. I hope he's able to find the bag for his wife through his store, but I have to agree with Tamarind, the most "fun" way to acquire anything from Hermes is to go to Paris. 
good luck on ur quest
NiceHubby - I really feel for you... reading this whole thread and seeing the tumultuous journey you've been on is absolutely harrowing (and to think we're talking about a handbag!)
I can recognize that you feel like a complete outsider and are perhaps not getting the advice you came looking for, in some instances, I think your 'feelings' of being an outsider are warranted - there have not been the most supportive posts in this thread!
To everyone who has posted, imagine if you were planning a wonderful surprise for your DH's 40th, say a car, and you had absolutely no knowledge of the process and customs associated with that purchase - you'd feel like a complete outsider, wouldn't you? So perhaps, you would go to a supposedly 'supportive' environment such as a reputable and incredibly well known car forum and try and share your story - how would you expect the members of said forum to treat you??? Certainly a bit better than *some* have treated NiceHubby!
He's a newbie, wanting to do a truly wonderful thing for his wife, he needs our support and guidance, instead, he has been greeted by an almost snobbish atmosphere.
I realise that there have been some lovely posters who have offered him some very good advice, but he's not just coming here for advice - he's trying to share the journey and the frustrations he's faced. He's not only looking for guidance, he's looking for support.
I know that regardless of what happens your wife will be proud of you - on her birthday you need to show her this thread, let her know what you did and what you went through (even if you are eventually able to get the bag). She needs to know what you did for her.
I really hope you find one and I hope your wife has the best 40th ever!
I'm not sure where you're getting the "snobby" vibes from... I don't feel them at all.
No one said getting a Birkin was an easy process, and many posters in this thread have stated this - and it is a fact. It takes a lot of patience. Some get lucky, some don't.
If the OP is determined to get a Birkin for his wife's birthday, by hook or by crook, then going the reseller route is the best method.
No one is dissuading him from getting one, merely suggesting alternative methods for him to obtain a Birkin, if that is all he wants.
I can say with certainty that it it possible. I spotted SB in gold on the shelf in London, and asked to see it. While the SA handed it to me, he added immediately "This bag is not for sale" and also said the same thing to another couple who did look like they had the intention of buying it.
This was on a shelf, next to other "sellable" items such as the Lindy, polochon and Garden Party. All the rest were available for sale, just not the SB.
I actually had the people who suggested resellers in mind when making this comment. It's good advice, I don't think the OP wants to go down that route, but still, good advice.
Ouija Board, I noted the "sharing of a journey" part when I read this from the OP: (It was also the point where I wanted to give him a hug!)
:cry:
Don't worry CH, it's only snooty if you read it as 'dahhhhling'
Also, it should be known that I cringed when writing 'just a handbag', however, I was trying to put things in perspective for the poor OP who by now must be feeling out of his depth!I am a long time H forum stalker, and I have read *countless* threads where the majority of members have gone above and beyond in regards to helping newbies - this place is truly a valuable resource and most members are so welcoming and supportive (because when you get down to it, you're all enablers who love to see a fellow H lover find the bag of their dreams!
)I think that my past experiences (through my stalking) are paramount to why I actually made the post in the first place - I've witnessed so much encouragement and support on this forum, I guess my expectations are too high because of that.
What it comes down to is that NiceHubby's story really touched me - and one of my favourite things to do is to log onto purse forum and see people's dreams come true - I share you anticipation, your frustration and your unbridled joy! Every bag has a story, and I'm a sucker for a good story!
So, I apologise if I have irked anyone, that was not my intention... Instead, it was my own way of showing my support for the OP, I want his wife to get her dream Birkin - I want to come onto the forum one day, see her reveal, and share her joy.
Above all else, I want this story to have a happy ending.
This guy was ME...9 birkins and a just couple of years ago! Without tPF and its members who gave me encouragement, support and "tips" of where to go, Mrs. Pringles will still be without! Now the addiction has grown...to a collection!
So like you, needasugardaddy, I too want a happy end with a real fine reveal!!!!
So like you, needasugardaddy, I too want a happy end with a real fine reveal!!!!
OP please remember that in your first post you clearly stated you would go the route of ebay to accomplish your goal.
I want you to be successful and you can succeed (as many of us have--me included) by using a reputable reseller and making use of the authentication pros offered on this forum.
Again, I implore you to seriously consider going this route.
I want you to be successful and you can succeed (as many of us have--me included) by using a reputable reseller and making use of the authentication pros offered on this forum.
Again, I implore you to seriously consider going this route.
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Okay, I'll weigh in.
I at no point found anyone to be snobby. There were a couple of semi surly posts but that is de rigueur from some of the big wigs on any forum. The one thing I have noticed is that some people have absolutely no regard for expense, which is absolutely fine. I wish I didn't but I do! My wife and are both successful but we by no means have an endless supply of money. I do adore her, and she works incredibly hard and is constantly balancing a full time career with motherhood -- it's very difficult. I feel she deserves something incredibly special for her 40th. Something she would never get for herself. That's why I arrived at the Birkin.
Just to address a few peoples points.
I originally wanted information navigating a world I was unfamiliar with, when I saw the interest that my post was generating, I thought I would keep all of the nice helpful people up to date.
Much as I would love to go to Paris we have a two year old and it is a long journey for us. We went just a few years ago as well. Unfortunately, not practical right now.
I know that I originally said I would buy on ebay but I soured on that because of all the fakes. I am primarily interested in buying from the H store for authenticity sake. I also would like to have the option for her to return it if God forbid I got the wrong color, leather, etc. Also, like I said, I am not made of money, saving a few thousand dollars is significant for me. This gift is a large purchase and while I am obviously not poor, I find it hard to justify the extra expense a reseller charges in this economy. I also want to get it right because she is not the type to have a collection of Birkins, this will be likely be her only one.
I have been working through my stylist friends, they are getting no traction and I am talking BIG TIME stylists. I work in the entertainment business and have many contacts, I have tried them all. It seems the only way to get the goods is to spend, spend, spend, or be very lucky. Funnily enough I was shooting a celebrity last weekend who had a collection of over 30 birkins. I wanted to cry. I probably should have asked her for some help but I didn't really think it would be appropriate.
I do appreciate all of the help I have gotten on this forum and have found most people to be very kind and helpful. I still have two days to go and have little hope but I am sniffing around resellers but haven't found what I want at a price I am willing to pay. It may come down to a wallet with a picture of the bag in it, not the surprise I was hoping for but at least then she can weigh in. I will keep you all posted.
Cheers. and thanks for the great posts needasugardaddy.
I at no point found anyone to be snobby. There were a couple of semi surly posts but that is de rigueur from some of the big wigs on any forum. The one thing I have noticed is that some people have absolutely no regard for expense, which is absolutely fine. I wish I didn't but I do! My wife and are both successful but we by no means have an endless supply of money. I do adore her, and she works incredibly hard and is constantly balancing a full time career with motherhood -- it's very difficult. I feel she deserves something incredibly special for her 40th. Something she would never get for herself. That's why I arrived at the Birkin.
Just to address a few peoples points.
I originally wanted information navigating a world I was unfamiliar with, when I saw the interest that my post was generating, I thought I would keep all of the nice helpful people up to date.
Much as I would love to go to Paris we have a two year old and it is a long journey for us. We went just a few years ago as well. Unfortunately, not practical right now.
I know that I originally said I would buy on ebay but I soured on that because of all the fakes. I am primarily interested in buying from the H store for authenticity sake. I also would like to have the option for her to return it if God forbid I got the wrong color, leather, etc. Also, like I said, I am not made of money, saving a few thousand dollars is significant for me. This gift is a large purchase and while I am obviously not poor, I find it hard to justify the extra expense a reseller charges in this economy. I also want to get it right because she is not the type to have a collection of Birkins, this will be likely be her only one.
I have been working through my stylist friends, they are getting no traction and I am talking BIG TIME stylists. I work in the entertainment business and have many contacts, I have tried them all. It seems the only way to get the goods is to spend, spend, spend, or be very lucky. Funnily enough I was shooting a celebrity last weekend who had a collection of over 30 birkins. I wanted to cry. I probably should have asked her for some help but I didn't really think it would be appropriate.
I do appreciate all of the help I have gotten on this forum and have found most people to be very kind and helpful. I still have two days to go and have little hope but I am sniffing around resellers but haven't found what I want at a price I am willing to pay. It may come down to a wallet with a picture of the bag in it, not the surprise I was hoping for but at least then she can weigh in. I will keep you all posted.
Cheers. and thanks for the great posts needasugardaddy.
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