Hermes Repair/Refurbish policy - Official Spa Thread

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This Birkin 30 appears to have corners and handle touched up but no body repaint apparent. Will this prevent it getting to Hermes for any future repairs or value?

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From what I understand, Hermes won’t repair / spa a bag that was handled by a third party but as long as it was touched up by Hermes, it shouldn’t be an issue!
 
i would caution anyone who has a limited budget not to buy a bag that may need Hermes spa and handle replacement. I’ve done this, and not only is the handle replacement costly but Hermes may recommend that the rest of the bag have extensive work. None of this may be readily apparent from even detailed reseller pics. Even if a bag seems structurally sound, it may be significantly more delicate than it appears.

Third party professional spa is certainly an option (I’ve done both H Spa and third party professional back when H spa restrictions were less stringent) , but if you have your heart set on only H spa aftercare today, I would not risk buying some of these so called bargains. If the price is too good to be true, then it is. If I buy a bag, I would want complete disclosure of the after market work done. During Covid SIP, I had the good fortune to pick up bags at rock bottom prices that only had cosmetic defects (suntanning on a back panel for example). While prices may not go that low again, it’s still advisable to wait if a bag is in questionable condition. In my experience, bag prices are historically lowest in the summer.

ETA: contrary to popular belief, H Spa cannot work complete miracles on bags whose leather is unsound.
 
Hi! I’m hoping to get some advice from you all experts :smile: I am in the US and dropped my Birkin off for a repair / spa last October which was shipped to Paris. When I checked the status online it says it was shipped to my local boutique on 4/20. Do you know how long it typically takes to get to the boutique here in the states? I know I can always ask them about it but I don’t have a designated SA and wanted to get your advice first :smile: thank you!

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I would call after-sales care at your store and ask. At this point, almost 3 weeks, it should be there.
 
This Birkin 30 appears to have corners and handle touched up but no body repaint apparent. Will this prevent it getting to Hermes for any future repairs or value?

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It looks recolored to me. Even if it is just touch-up, if Hermès did not do that work, they may not service it again.
Remember that H will not touch the interior, too.
 
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Hi,
I’m interested in purchasing this Kelly 32, but 2 things concern me. One being the leather looks like it might be either very dry or cracked. I can’t tell. And two there’s some other type of marking towards the bottom. Is it worth purchasing? It’s the only thing I’ve found around my price point. Most I see are 5k +. I’d love to hear your thoughts :smile:

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It’s a nice pre 2000ish Kelly (assume you know the year) but yes that is dryness and color loss. You’d need some detailed images to understand how bad the dryness is, and if there is cracking. Cracking can never be fixed, only filled.
Color loss can be dyed but if the leather surface is abraded it will never be even.
You need to know about the handles, the corners, the interior.

A Box K32 with these issues should never be priced over $5K. The market has gone mad.

Without going to OT, I always counsel folks to get a bag that does not need a lot of work. It is better to spend a bit more and know the bag is solid. Spa can take a looong time (with your bag unavailable to you) and if you need something like a handle replacement it can be very pricey…a strap can also be very pricey and take forever. Better to have a bag you can happily use now.
 
It’s a nice pre 2000ish Kelly (assume you know the year) but yes that is dryness and color loss. You’d need some detailed images to understand how bad the dryness is, and if there is cracking. Cracking can never be fixed, only filled.
Color loss can be dyed but if the leather surface is abraded it will never be even.
You need to know about the handles, the corners, the interior.

A Box K32 with these issues should never be priced over $5K. The market has gone mad.

Without going to OT, I always counsel folks to get a bag that does not need a lot of work. It is better to spend a bit more and know the bag is solid. Spa can take a looong time (with your bag unavailable to you) and if you need something like a handle replacement it can be very pricey…a strap can also be very pricey and take forever. Better to have a bag you can happily use now.
Hi,
So here’s all the photos for it. The price is $4334. I don’t think the handle would need replacement, at least not right now. It’s not detached/ripped from the bag. I purchased a Kelly prior that was in definite need of a lot of tcl and the handle on that one was completely torn. Personally, I’m not willing to pay 5k+ for one. I know the bag I get won’t be in pristine condition, and that’s okay with me. I just want to make sure it doesn’t have very pressing issues. Like cracking, torn handle, deteriorated interior etc. I do still think this could be a good one. I’ve been watching literally every preloved site and could find none around this price point, and the ones I did find had major issues, specifically cracking.

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dai224
You have had detailed responses and opinions from two of the most experienced and respected members of this forum.
The underlying message might not be what you had hoped to read. Having asked for advice, don't stick your head in the sand but allow yourself to be cautioned and benefit from it.

p.s. I have yet to see a high resolution photograph of that handle that can be enlarged and examined.
 
dai224
You have had detailed responses and opinions from two of the most experienced and respected members of this forum.
The underlying message might not be what you had hoped to read. Having asked for advice, don't stick your head in the sand but allow yourself to be cautioned and benefit from it.

p.s. I have yet to see a high resolution photograph of that handle that can be enlarged and examined.
I was just thinking out loud. My thoughts/opinions was not to offend y’all. I know what I’m open to accepting, and I’m also listening to y’all feedback. I thought this was a discussion place. It was never that serious. Thanks.
 
Hi,
So here’s all the photos for it. The price is $4334. I don’t think the handle would need replacement, at least not right now. It’s not detached/ripped from the bag. I purchased a Kelly prior that was in definite need of a lot of tcl and the handle on that one was completely torn. Personally, I’m not willing to pay 5k+ for one. I know the bag I get won’t be in pristine condition, and that’s okay with me. I just want to make sure it doesn’t have very pressing issues. Like cracking, torn handle, deteriorated interior etc. I do still think this could be a good one. I’ve been watching literally every preloved site and could find none around this price point, and the ones I did find had major issues, specifically cracking.

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In image two, am I seeing a 2cm crack along the back right corner?
 
Hi,
So here’s all the photos for it. The price is $4334. I don’t think the handle would need replacement, at least not right now. It’s not detached/ripped from the bag. I purchased a Kelly prior that was in definite need of a lot of tcl and the handle on that one was completely torn. Personally, I’m not willing to pay 5k+ for one. I know the bag I get won’t be in pristine condition, and that’s okay with me. I just want to make sure it doesn’t have very pressing issues. Like cracking, torn handle, deteriorated interior etc. I do still think this could be a good one. I’ve been watching literally every preloved site and could find none around this price point, and the ones I did find had major issues, specifically cracking.

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Another place to get an opinion is @docride ’s Lazarus thread
her site is good to read if only to learn from the bags of others lol
but You can also ask questions re this bag
she can give her opinion

:smile:
 
Hi,
So here’s all the photos for it. The price is $4334. I don’t think the handle would need replacement, at least not right now. It’s not detached/ripped from the bag. I purchased a Kelly prior that was in definite need of a lot of tcl and the handle on that one was completely torn. Personally, I’m not willing to pay 5k+ for one. I know the bag I get won’t be in pristine condition, and that’s okay with me. I just want to make sure it doesn’t have very pressing issues. Like cracking, torn handle, deteriorated interior etc. I do still think this could be a good one. I’ve been watching literally every preloved site and could find none around this price point, and the ones I did find had major issues, specifically cracking.

You've definitely received great advice here... I will chime in to say this. If you are not willing to spend $5k but are willing to spend $4300 for a lesser condition bag.... do you plan on having it sent to spa at some point? Because you are going to spend that $700 delta easily once H fixes the issues the bag appears to have. It can also take some time depending on what part of the year the bag is sent in. This is just my perspective, but I would rather spend that $700 (ish) up front to get a bag that doesn't need spa, versus spending it on the backend anyway and sending the bag away. (Obviously I am generalizing here but you get the point.)

I agree with @QuelleFromage that spending a little more is usually worth it. I say this obviously not knowing your financial situation but strictly from a position of opinion/advice.
 
You've definitely received great advice here... I will chime in to say this. If you are not willing to spend $5k but are willing to spend $4300 for a lesser condition bag.... do you plan on having it sent to spa at some point? Because you are going to spend that $700 delta easily once H fixes the issues the bag appears to have. It can also take some time depending on what part of the year the bag is sent in. This is just my perspective, but I would rather spend that $700 (ish) up front to get a bag that doesn't need spa, versus spending it on the backend anyway and sending the bag away. (Obviously I am generalizing here but you get the point.)

I agree with @QuelleFromage that spending a little more is usually worth it. I say this obviously not knowing your financial situation but strictly from a position of opinion/advice.
I 100 percent understand and agree. Personally for me, I have other financial goals I’m trying to reach, so spending more is not on my to do. Realistically, if I were to get one that was in amazing condition I’d have to spend between 6-7k. Not including taxes and customs. I’ve seen some on eBay that’s cost more than this one, some even 5k+ with heavy cracking. The prices for some of these bags with their conditions is beyond absurd. I’ve already gone through the Hermes send bag to Paris experience. I know the length it takes for extensive work and the cost. I don’t think this bag would need that extensive type of work, but again I could be wrong. Photos can be deceiving. To me, to pay less upfront and paying for spa would still be less than outright buying a near perfect bag. Customs and taxes are an extra 1k on the costs. I think when it comes to preloved it all depends on budget and what’s realistically feasible. I see people constantly purchasing bags on Vestiare in horrendous condition at lower prices, and even I know there’s no way those bags will ever be able to be restored. Again, I do agree if you can pay more for better you should.
 
@dai224
reading this thread I feel moved to ask why the desperation to buy the bag NOW?
Perhaps it would be better to wait until you have a little more money saved.
5k although low for a Hermes bag is still a large sum of money and I would err on the side of caution buying a vintage Box leather bag that I am unable to view in person.
My advice would be to take a deep breath and wait a little longer.
 
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