What a story- and I don't even own an Hermès. I hope you and H can track the bag via the reference number, wouldn't that be fantastic.
I'm in need of advice..my authenticated K28 is deemed fake by Paris HQ
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Well, this story put me off from buying from Hermes resellers but one thing might be worth mentioning - some of us (myself included) are not blessed with wealth and for those saving for both eg. retirement and the dream bag it might be hard to pull $20k for accessories that have be no use in their current lifestyle (jewellery, wallets, RTW -I'm too large
). I'm talking about big city like London where my face won't be remembered by the SA unless I'd drop serious money. I love the point about saving for such bag but if only the rules were clearer (eg. how much is enough to show the appreciation for the brand) and we wouldn't see the resellers with tonnes of brand new H bags (so the SA training doesn't work if then can get away?)Of course one might say - this is not brand for you. I just like certain things made by Hermes: leather bracelets, a few bags (obviously the B/K range for the reason how hardware plays with the shape and colour), maybe Jige, Evelyne. I would imagine that then I'm not the right customer for the brand but just wanted to make my point here.
OP - really sorry about the situation.
It was a thought - no need to get worked up over it ....Geez...
OP - I hope this gets sorted out in a better way than it is right now.
however, between H, the reseller, the buyer (OP) and the authenticator no one can be wrong... something does not add up here, which is probably why this has been discussed for 26 pages
however, between H, the reseller, the buyer (OP) and the authenticator no one can be wrong... something does not add up here, which is probably why this has been discussed for 26 pages
Okay chill
Yes I know there have been many bags bought from resellers that have gone to the Spa with no issues. I think I’ve also read stories of people being asked for proof of purchase.no brand likes resellers coming in and buying their stuff to sell away. I don’t think there’s any brand that supports that. And this is an example of what might happen if you purchase from a reseller.
You can’t say that this isn’t a warning or rather a lesson to be learnt. no matter how reputable the seller, how “expert” the authenticator, you run the risk of something like this happening.
No need to get so worked up!
I am so, so sorry what you are going through.
I think the number of conspiracy theories laid out here is laughable.
OP, I'm sorry people have to complicate things.
You bought what is almost certainly an authentic bag and had it authenticated by the top authenticator in probably the world.
Authentication by photos is different than by hand but there are tells.
The fact that your bag went through three levels of checking at HQ means they themselves were unsure. Whatever it is they are seeing or not seeing is probably an anomaly in your authentic bag.
I am not sure I believe there are many, if any, people left at Hermès whom I'd trust absolutely in authenticating a bag more than ten years old. I certainly don't trust H unequivocally in these matters.
The odds of anyone special ordering a sellier Mou from a super-fake manufacturer with that date stamp, etc. - I won't go into detail but the evolution of the superfakes makes it very, very unlikely.
You have an owner of the bag, a trusted reseller, an authenticator/world-class collector, and a new owner of the bag, all but one of whom have held the bag in their hands and all of whom feel it is authentic.
All the posts from people who have clearly never worked with bababebi - better to talk about what you have experienced yourselves. She is respected worldwide as an expert. I trust her and believe that she would absolutely come forward if she believed she had made a mistake.
Of course it is all possible - a superfake Mou that slipped through this many experts. It's just very, very unlikely given all the above.
I'm hopeful the previous owner of the bag will be able to find you a paper trail that will support you. We are all (ok, most of us apparently!) still pulling for you and your Kelly.
OP - I have been following your thread and have been reading all your updates and comments. I was so hoping for another out come but I hope with the original owner involved the outcome changes! It is great the reseller is standing behind their lifetime guarantee and your home store has been helpful. Thanks for sharing your journey with grace and transparency!
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thank you for the update OP! I am glad the original owner is involved. Finding the original sales record is crucial in this case. I hope they can get in touch with Hermes, either via the head office or via the store they bought the bag from, to obtain the original sale record. In the meanwhile, if you can ask Hermes head office to hold off destroying the bag, it would also be helpful. Good luck!
So glad to hear that the original buyer is involved too, I hope that will work in your favor. Wishing you all the best, good luck!
Hope the original buyer can sort things out for you, OP.
One question that lingers in my head is that can’t HQ just search their database or request to actually see if this specific bag was purchased from one of their shops?
Also, Hermès is a huge company, wouldn’t they have some sort of online database that records which specific bag each artisan made? I know they produce a lot of bags but if they have a spa system where it goes back to the original artisan for repair, they should have some sort of online database/spreadsheet which can help identify the info of a specific bag so they know when it was made, which artisan, which store it was sent to, etc.
Simply relying on an artisan stamp and authenticating is not enough. They should have some sort of system where each bag they produce is logged into the system as it is shipped off to a store to be sold.
One question that lingers in my head is that can’t HQ just search their database or request to actually see if this specific bag was purchased from one of their shops?
Also, Hermès is a huge company, wouldn’t they have some sort of online database that records which specific bag each artisan made? I know they produce a lot of bags but if they have a spa system where it goes back to the original artisan for repair, they should have some sort of online database/spreadsheet which can help identify the info of a specific bag so they know when it was made, which artisan, which store it was sent to, etc.
Simply relying on an artisan stamp and authenticating is not enough. They should have some sort of system where each bag they produce is logged into the system as it is shipped off to a store to be sold.
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This thread is the most perfect illustration of Mark Twain’s quote “ it’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled”
Half of the support for the seller and authenticator here are not by any means altruistic. They are merely self-denial of the possibility that some of you may be touting a fake Birkin or Kelly but would rather not know the truth after all, ignorance is bliss. Like someone aptly said earlier - if we don’t trust Hermes, why are we willing to shell up to 5 figures on their merchandise? If their artisans are inexperienced and not well trained, why have we created a demand for Hermes goods to the point where supply can’t seem to catch up?
Half of the support for the seller and authenticator here are not by any means altruistic. They are merely self-denial of the possibility that some of you may be touting a fake Birkin or Kelly but would rather not know the truth after all, ignorance is bliss. Like someone aptly said earlier - if we don’t trust Hermes, why are we willing to shell up to 5 figures on their merchandise? If their artisans are inexperienced and not well trained, why have we created a demand for Hermes goods to the point where supply can’t seem to catch up?
Op I really hope the original seller can step in and help you out. Hopefully they can provide the needed information to validate everything.
I'm not even going to comment on the conspiracy theories, I just want op to get her bag back or her money back!
Edited to add - this thread gives me anxiety and it's not even my bag. I just feel terrible for the op.
I'm not even going to comment on the conspiracy theories, I just want op to get her bag back or her money back!
Edited to add - this thread gives me anxiety and it's not even my bag. I just feel terrible for the op.
Quick question I meant to ask in my previous post (I can’t edit) - what makes someone the top authenticator in the world? I am dead serious about wanting to know. I think people are confusing “most popular” with “best” and we should be wary of such broad statements that can misled potential buyers. To say someone is the best at anything would require some level of certifiable authority and tangible qualification that confirms their expertise in a given craft or discipline. Last I checked, anyone can be an authenticator which in and of itself is Problematic.
Many members here have stated that Bababebi, the authenticator OP used, is the gold standard. She has been featured on Christie’s auction house ((article was posted towards the beginning of this thread)) and is employed by the top Hermès collectors. She is very reputable. She has also been a member here for many years and provides free authentication for members.
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