Hermes store purchase vs. new from reseller

[classicgirll]

I do believe you are being a bit naive. If it were easy to get these bags, and noir ghw b25 is one of the most requested/coveted bags, then people would simply go to the boutique rather than pay fashionphile $30k for said bag second hand. An offer of a bag at a lower spend isn’t 100% impossible but it is less likely everyday, just read experiences here and on the Facebook group to see others’ experiences, and I suspect you are probably setting yourself up for disappointment if you plan to spend $10k at the boutique and just wait. These bags are very limited in quantity and are offered as a reciprocal appreciation from the store to the clients who are bolstering the stores sales the most. You may get along great with the SA but the SM needs to approve offers and they look at the numbers. If I’m an SA/SM and I have a client who spent $10k and isn’t going to spend any more vs one that’s already spent $15k and continues to spend, the coveted bag is always going to go to the continued spender. There are so many people getting into the Hermes brand right now that sadly, 10k for a new client barely makes a blip.

Thank you for taking the time to comment, I really do appreciate it! However, I do think the scarcity is somewhat inflated and social media furthers the myth (might be easier once supply levels go back to 'normal' too) - but even if it is true, all I can really do is hope and wait because at the current time, I'm just not in a position where I would want to spend 30k for the opportunity to spend another 10k.

I do also think it's wild FP is charging $30k what other resellers are charging $20k for... makes me think that people buying from FP are almost buying without thinking and without doing their due diligence (or maybe so wealthy that parting with that 10k will go unnoticed?), which again makes me think that there is a whole lot of misinformation/myths about these bags and their rarity

However, the last thing I want to do is spend 10k with no bag offer in sight, so I am going to weigh my options and decide where to go from here. Ultimately, my goal is definitely to build a profile at the store, because buying resale is just not very sustainable for me
JMHO, and I'm more than happy to remain open-minded Happy holidays to everyone!

 

[classicgirll]

I think spending 1:1 as a new client was possible a decade ago. Or perhaps during the first stages of Covid lockdown when no one was shopping. But today, it would be hard even in places where there is less emphasis on prespend (And impossible in Asia). Bc even if your SA adores you, he or she still has to make a case with the SM. that’s why people try FSH lottery. It might be doable for a 30B, IDK

I personally think it will take a decade for the resale prices to swing back down to reasonable levels for the particular bag you want in new condition to be available anywhere close to retail.

But if you are a student, I assume you have time I wouldn’t worry about prespend at all. If you like other categories, start a relationship with a nice SA in your local store, and be prepared to wait for a while. Don’t buy anything you don’t love.

while I personally don’t keep track of prespend, and I get basically what I want eventually, if I had to calculate it out, it’s probably close to 3:1 as per @acrowcounted and others (I’d rather not calculate it out for my own peace of mind though and just enjoy what H items I love).

note: I don’t think it helps to think of any SAs as milking their clients as you suggest above (though it seems that may be the case in Asia from what I read on the Asian threads). Rather, even at H, they have sales goals. The BKC isn’t in the goals and is in short supply. it Is what it is. JMO though and YMMV

Thank you! I really appreciate all of you for being so gracious and patient and sharing your knowledge with me. I'll keep all this in mind as I think about my next steps - looks like I will have to stomach resale prices unless things shift for the better - but for now, I'll enjoy the bags I currently have.

 

[Genepi]

Hi classic girl,
I very much agree with the opinion that you are very naive if you think 10k is going to get you a 25 cm Birkin in the current environment . Store managers have to approve all offers, you can have a great relationship with SA the store manager has to balance supply and demand. There are major supply chain issuers, if you want almost anything (housewares, furniture, jewelry)you now have to pay up front snd sign a contact allowing a 2 year delivery window. It does not count for spend until it is delivered.
Someone buying a 150k sectional off the display floor will get the pick of bags, let’s face it most of us can’t compete with this.

Many of us have also been warned of significant price increases in Jan. If you are frugal and really want the bag and want it in the 12 months buy it now from a reseller.If you like to gamble and will enjoy playing the game go the boutique route. Alternatively you could try Paris. Keep up us updated on your progress and good luck!

 

[Justlikewhatilike]

Thank you for taking the time to comment, I really do appreciate it! However, I do think the scarcity is somewhat inflated and social media furthers the myth (might be easier once supply levels go back to 'normal' too) - but even if it is true, all I can really do is hope and wait because at the current time, I'm just not in a position where I would want to spend 30k for the opportunity to spend another 10k.

I do also think it's wild FP is charging $30k what other resellers are charging $20k for... makes me think that people buying from FP are almost buying without thinking and without doing their due diligence (or maybe so wealthy that parting with that 10k will go unnoticed?), which again makes me think that there is a whole lot of misinformation/myths about these bags and their rarity

However, the last thing I want to do is spend 10k with no bag offer in sight, so I am going to weigh my options and decide where to go from here. Ultimately, my goal is definitely to build a profile at the store, because buying resale is just not very sustainable for me
JMHO, and I'm more than happy to remain open-minded Happy holidays to everyone!

I hope you really check out the rules of the stores to offer a b25 before starting on building a profile at your store of choice. Assuming you have not started yet.
I know of a store which in 2020 still allows the SA to offer a birkin as first bag. However, this has changed in 2021. The rule has changed to a new customer will not be offered a birkin as a first bag. Seems that the store has more Kelly stocked rather than birkins and the demand happened to be significantly higher for birkins.

 

[classicgirll]

Hi classic girl,
I very much agree with the opinion that you are very naive if you think 10k is going to get you a 25 cm Birkin in the current environment . Store managers have to approve all offers, you can have a great relationship with SA the store manager has to balance supply and demand. There are major supply chain issuers, if you want almost anything (housewares, furniture, jewelry)you now have to pay up front snd sign a contact allowing a 2 year delivery window. It does not count for spend until it is delivered.
Someone buying a 150k sectional off the display floor will get the pick of bags, let’s face it most of us can’t compete with this.

Many of us have also been warned of significant price increases in Jan. If you are frugal and really want the bag and want it in the 12 months buy it now from a reseller.If you like to gamble and will enjoy playing the game go the boutique route. Alternatively you could try Paris. Keep up us updated on your progress and good luck!

Thank you for the intel - didn't know all of this - and certainly will do!

 

[classicgirll]

I hope you really check out the rules of the stores to offer a b25 before starting on building a profile at your store of choice. Assuming you have not started yet.
I know of a store which in 2020 still allows the SA to offer a birkin as first bag. However, this has changed in 2021. The rule has changed to a new customer will not be offered a birkin as a first bag. Seems that the store has more Kelly stocked rather than birkins and the demand happened to be significantly higher for birkins.

Oh wow, that's interesting! My store will most likely be Chicago, but I'm not sure what their policies are. I'll try to find out. Thank you for the information!

 

[QuelleFromage]

Oh wow, that's interesting! My store will most likely be Chicago, but I'm not sure what their policies are. I'll try to find out. Thank you for the information!

I'm just going to say that everyone's experience is individual. I would recommend getting to know an SA or two, or three , letting them know that you like the brand but also have a bag in mind (you are hardly the only one, so it's not anything to hide).....a good SA with good communication skills will let you know the playing field, diplomatically.

I would never call someone "naive" for being optimistic about the chance of finding a coveted bag. Optimism tends to produce pretty good results, and after all, it's only a bag. The whole thing is supposed to be enjoyable

 

[FaubourgTropical]

Optimism tends to produce pretty good results, and after all, it's only a bag.

^^^
It's maddening with Hermes that sometimes the impossible happens. It’s like the Euromillion: there’s always a winner, no matter how small the odds. The chance of winning is zero if you don’t buy the ticket.

ETA to avoid false hope: only in Europe

 

[QuelleFromage]

^^^
It's maddening with Hermes that sometimes the impossible happens. It’s like the Euromillion: there’s always a winner, no matter how small the odds. The chance of winning is zero if you don’t buy the ticket.

ETA to avoid false hope: only in Europe

I mean, you're be surprised. Sometimes things like SOs come out of the blue. I would never suggest it's common, but it does happen, even in the US. Asia....whole other thing but I've very very rarely shopped in Asia due to the pricing.

 

[classicgirll]

I mean, you're be surprised. Sometimes things like SOs come out of the blue. I would never suggest it's common, but it does happen, even in the US. Asia....whole other thing but I've very very rarely shopped in Asia due to the pricing.

Thank you for the vote of optimism!

 

[DrawitraLoveHermes]

I'm just going to say that everyone's experience is individual. I would recommend getting to know an SA or two, or three , letting them know that you like the brand but also have a bag in mind (you are hardly the only one, so it's not anything to hide).....a good SA with good communication skills will let you know the playing field, diplomatically.

I would never call someone "naive" for being optimistic about the chance of finding a coveted bag. Optimism tends to produce pretty good results, and after all, it's only a bag. The whole thing is supposed to be enjoyable

This is ^ ^ Thank you for nice and kind words! The optimistic is a key !

 

[classicgirll]

Hey everyone! Here's just something I've been wondering; kind of rhetorical but if someone has an answer, I'd appreciate it!
I often see togo B25s on fashionphile for the ~19-20k mark (not new condition), which means the seller probably is netting $15k... so where do I find the people selling their B25s for 14-15k??

 

[Build-a-B-K-collection]

Hey everyone! Here's just something I've been wondering; kind of rhetorical but if someone has an answer, I'd appreciate it!
I often see togo B25s on fashionphile for the ~19-20k mark (not new condition), which means the seller probably is netting $15k... so where do I find the people selling their B25s for 14-15k??

you rarely will find a genuine reseller selling at that price. Genuine re-sellers seem to sell at similar prices.

 

[acrowcounted]

Hey everyone! Here's just something I've been wondering; kind of rhetorical but if someone has an answer, I'd appreciate it!
I often see togo B25s on fashionphile for the ~19-20k mark (not new condition), which means the seller probably is netting $15k... so where do I find the people selling their B25s for 14-15k??

They are getting $15k, immediate payment, no risk of charge back, no hassle of shipping labels, no tax reporting, no risk of misdeliveries, no hassle of marketing/taking nice pictures/haggling/buyers remorse etc and privacy by selling to FP. When dealing with high value Hermes bags, those intangible items are worth a considerable amount, approximately $4-5k apparently.

 

[classicgirll]

They are getting $15k, immediate payment, no risk of charge back, no hassle of shipping labels, no tax reporting, no risk of misdeliveries, no hassle of marketing/taking nice pictures/haggling/buyers remorse etc and privacy by selling to FP. When dealing with high value Hermes bags, those intangible items are worth a considerable amount, approximately $4-5k apparently.

That's what I thought, thank you..... wish there was a safe way to buy from them directly, but I guess not!