Sorry to interrupt with an unrelated topic but I can't start a new topic as I am a new member. Would someone recommend a pre-loved store that sells Hermes bags particularly Birkins in London? I have put my name down for a wishlist at NBS store in Feb and I'd be lucky if I get offered one this year! Since we moved here to England in Dec, I've been to buy a few things like shoes, belt and shawls but things I absolutely loved. Anyway both SAs assured me that you don't get offered an iconic bags just because you spend loads which is fair as I don't want to buy things I wouldn't use or love! I am turning 40 this month and couldn't help but think I should treat myself and just get an iconic bag but pre-loved so I don't have to wait! Would appreciate if you can personally recommend reliable stores here in London! TIA
Hermes Preloved in London
- Thread starter ChristinaHM
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Thank you both! I had looked at all 4 stores website. My heart is set on B25 and they only have a few. I guess I am going to have to keep looking. Any one experienced purchasing a birkin from overseas and were you nervous at all?
This is not about boutiques in London, but as you raised it:
If you buy from overseas remember to factor in an extra 20% import VAT at least plus other charges.
I've got very well priced Hermes bags and SLGs from Bonhams Knightsbridge and Chiswick Auctions, they both have auctions multiple times a year with designer bags and other designer gear.
At Bonhams Knightsbridge, bags are authenticated by their in-house expert (Meg Randell - she's amazing!), and then an independent authenticator.
If you contact Bonhams handbags department directly, they also have a wishlist system, where they match buyers up with bags they know are available for sale from their clients. This is useful between sales / if there's something very specific you're looking for.
The UK just isn't as good for preloved as the US seems to be, which is rather depressing!
I'm not sure what Paris is like for preloved - you could always hop on the Eurostar there, try to get an appointment at FSH store and if not successful, try luxury shops there... That was my plan before I bought from Bonhams and Chiswick.
If you're thinking boutiques, definitely Sellier Knightsbridge - they've got a pretty large range on their website... Designer Exchange are also really good (though limited on stock).
The place that hasn't been mentioned is Handbag Clinic - I do trust them for buying (not for repairs!!), but they rarely have high end Hermes bags. They do often have the 'lesser' bags and SLGs though.
At Bonhams Knightsbridge, bags are authenticated by their in-house expert (Meg Randell - she's amazing!), and then an independent authenticator.
If you contact Bonhams handbags department directly, they also have a wishlist system, where they match buyers up with bags they know are available for sale from their clients. This is useful between sales / if there's something very specific you're looking for.
The UK just isn't as good for preloved as the US seems to be, which is rather depressing!
I'm not sure what Paris is like for preloved - you could always hop on the Eurostar there, try to get an appointment at FSH store and if not successful, try luxury shops there... That was my plan before I bought from Bonhams and Chiswick.
If you're thinking boutiques, definitely Sellier Knightsbridge - they've got a pretty large range on their website... Designer Exchange are also really good (though limited on stock).
The place that hasn't been mentioned is Handbag Clinic - I do trust them for buying (not for repairs!!), but they rarely have high end Hermes bags. They do often have the 'lesser' bags and SLGs though.
Designer Exchange currently have a TO DIE FOR (if you like the colour as much as me!) Birkin 25 in Vert Verone, as new, but massively marked up... I feel like if you want brand new, you're almost better waiting out getting one at a Hermes store (and maybe buying a vintage one in the meantime that you could sell once you have the new one, as it will retain its value). Once you drop to "good" condition (and without the original box, for example), the prices become more 'accessible'.... But that may just be me - I'm just not willing to pay tooooo high a mark up on the original price, and I kinda like the feeling of getting a 'bargain' (hahaha, like a Birkin is ever a bargain!).
I saw that today! It's so gorgeous. I am also not sure if it's wise to pay such a high mark up. I might just have to be patient.
I am also thinking that maybe I should get a preloved Kelly 25 instead while I wait for the offer. I just want to treat myself for my 40th!
Thank you so much for the excellent tips! I will look at Bohams and connect with them.
I saw two on RichDiamonds website. Prices for both are much lower compared to other websites and I am so tempted and I don't mind both colours. Is it too good to be true??
www.richdiamonds.com
www.richdiamonds.com
Hermés Bikrin 25 Handbag
An exquisite Hermès 25cm Capucine bag. The exterior of this birkin is in vibrant capucine togo leather with tonal stitching. It features palladium hardware with two straps and front toggle closure. The interior is lined with capucine chevre and has a zip pocket with an Hermès engraved zipper...
www.richdiamonds.com
Hermés Birkin 25 Handbag
An exquisite Hermès 25cm Birkin bag. The exterior of this birkin is in bleu nuit togo leather with tonal stitching. It features gold hardware with two straps and front toggle closure. The interior is lined with Bleu Nuit chevre and has a zip pocket with an Hermès engraved zipper pull and an open...
www.richdiamonds.com
I disagree that a vintage bag will retain its value..bear in mind that buying preloved you are paying at least 50% more than you would get selling the bag through a pre-loved consignment store..
i went to consignment stores in Paris years ago specifically for Hermes and they really did have a really good selection so I am considering going that route again as a UK based buyer.
Or buying from a reputable US based seller of preloved bags and swallowing VAT and shipping in order to get the 'right' specs.
Also do bear in mind that any item purchased at auction you have to pay 25%+vat on the hammer price..So a £5000 bag becomes £6250 + the vat on the £1250.
My friend bought one of her Birkins through RichDiamonds and is very happy with it. She had it authenticated with Bababebi to make sure.I saw two on RichDiamonds website. Prices for both are much lower compared to other websites and I am so tempted and I don't mind both colours. Is it too good to be true??
Hermés Bikrin 25 Handbag
An exquisite Hermès 25cm Capucine bag. The exterior of this birkin is in vibrant capucine togo leather with tonal stitching. It features palladium hardware with two straps and front toggle closure. The interior is lined with capucine chevre and has a zip pocket with an Hermès engraved zipper...
Hermés Birkin 25 Handbag
An exquisite Hermès 25cm Birkin bag. The exterior of this birkin is in bleu nuit togo leather with tonal stitching. It features gold hardware with two straps and front toggle closure. The interior is lined with Bleu Nuit chevre and has a zip pocket with an Hermès engraved zipper pull and an open...
True in many instances... though I've bought H from auction and sold for higher (over and above auction price + premium + VAT on the premium) to one of the preloved / consignment stores. My 'day job' is doing the same with Tiffany and other designer jewellery regularly as well, both to consignment and on eBay. Bargains do still exist at auction (although not as many as when I was working at an auction house back in the early 2000s - I miss those days!!).
My latest purchase is a 2006 Casaque Rouge B35 in Togo, which I paid £5,737 for including premium. I've been offered £6,500-7,000 at various consignment stores. That includes a pen stain on the lining, which is going to cost me £300 to have removed / restored, then I estimate a higher consignment value.
Maybe I've just been lucky.
Bonhams is 27.5% + VAT at the moment, so can be even higher. Also need to watch as if the bag is sold at auction by a business, you need to pay VAT on the hammer price as well as on the premium (there's usually a specific mark in the catalogue to indicate this).
If you want something that's not officially "vintage" - i.e. less than 8 years old or so - you're probably more likely to get it at a consignment store in brand new condition. Generally, the only brand new, mint bags that tip up at auction are slightly older.
(Eg: my latest baby is a Lindy 34, brand new, box, dust bag etc, but from 2013 - suspect if she'd been 5 years younger, she'd have done better on consignment than at auction).
Something random I thought of, given you may return to the US... Bear in mind many sold at auction don't have CITES certification, if in an exotic leather (definitely for croc, not sure for other exotics?) - they will say this in the Condition Report or description. This might be a problem, if you want to travel back home to the US with it.
I agree that it may be cheaper if you find the bag you want at a consignment store, and you trust them enough to either buy from them, or trust they'll refund if you get the bag authenticated and told it's a fake.
Just a quick reminder on this, it's also import tax + the fee charged by the courier to collect that import tax.
My most recent bag from the US was cost + shipping + about 3% import tax on full cost (including shipping) + VAT + £25 (I think that was Fedex, but know DHL's charge is about the same).
(Not sure what import tax now is from the EU now (?!), but if you're willing to import a bag, there's also BrandCo Paris - I often consign to them, and they seem very good).