Is B/K/C not that hard to get anymore?

[phaedrana]

Interesting observations. Not the case where I live (less crisis, strong focus on anything material and the people who afford more than average certainly pile up on B, K and C - more than 1 quota bag per semester for sure) but certainly something to consider. I feel there certainly is no lack in bags where I reside, but most of it goes to a certain clientele.

Where I live even the top 10% focuses on Chanel and Dior for expensive bags (I mean every few meters you see a Chanel), LV is more for their canvas bags, however all of them are dressed top to bottom designer in clothing and accessories.
Hermes is not preferred so much for bags here for some reason, more for jewelry, belts, scarves and ties. However, I must say that the SAs in the Hermes shop are downright rude!
The people though do buy tons of Range Rovers, Aston Martins and Mercedes/BMW/Audis. And also like crazy the full electric cars, like an epidemic or something :/

 

[WhyMrBabcock!]

There is also more supply in Europe, however don't forget all European countries still have financial crisis, and even though Bs and Ks are great for investment, they are not as great as apartments in major city centers.
So the people who can afford to buy Bs and Ks, have just a few instead of a lot, and invest their money in RE instead.
With such low interest rates, also, they would be crazy not to, I would do the same.
Further to that, European people tend to value vacation more than goods, and would prefer to spend a month off on a resort and buy LVs rather than Bs and Ks.

Wonderful summation , I think , of many of my dear European friends ...I feel that those who can afford to have a sizable collection of H typically prioritize travel and life experiences- as well as real estate- but my friends (mostly Scandinavian) have not given up owning many B’s or K’s one day -but are quite happy with one or two that are loved and used ...as to the supply of the bags- I also have come across the typical tsk tsk and imperceptible eye roll for asking- to having SA’s letting me know what’s available out back ! I think there’s more than a touch of serendipity when it comes to H ...when it’s meant to be - it will be...

 

[Lovebb12]

Honestly the new financial crisis in Europe hasn’t even started. Financial difficulty and economy slow down over the last few years - yes, but a less than 20% job cut from DB and Brexit is far from triggering a real European financial crisis.


A financial tsunami is when the stock market slashes, Traders pee themselves in their seats, wealth management clients lost their invest, IB/ financial institutions either go belly up or have to be nationalised, whole teams of employees got sacked within a few hours of notice,new graduates can’t find a job then have to take GAP years, and of course, housing market slashes.


If anyone ever wonder when will be the best time to score a Hermès bag? — this will be! However by then a Hermès bag will be the last item one will ever worry- more about when you will loose your job; the default of banks where you keep your saving; sitting on one or more mortgage which might either becoming a negative equity or receiving loan calls from the lender. For those who want to liquidate your ‘ investment ‘ in Hermès you will really struggle to find a buyer. Victoria doesn’t need a second hand. — somehow I guess not many of us here are for investment at all, but just a consumption.


To invest a house in Europe, I guess the above is talking about in London or at least in the UK? Germany doesn’t work and Paris - hell no. Not sure it is any wiser to buy in the UK nowadays due to the new extra stamp duty for ‘ investment’ purpose. Well if we are talking about the own major residential house, that’s a completely different topic, but that’s not qualify as an ‘ investment.’ If we are talking about buyer of the commercial tower blocks, oh a Himalaya H bag really doesn’t affect the cash flow of the purchaser.


If one has to make a choice in between either a house , a resort holiday or a H bag, hm, for that market it will has to be a house. Otherwise there are enough of Hermès fans from the targeted market who doesn’t have to make this kind of choice.

Hermès are ultimately mainly targeting at those who owns not only houses but also horses.

Meanwhile Hermès wouldn’t like the rivals to enlarge their market share, as a result nowadays FSH is giving tourists a possibly ‘one off’ chance of purchasing quota bag without showing the brand ‘loyalty’.


And yes, the next financial crisis would be the best time to buy H bag, only if by then you will still have an appetite for it. by the way, the chance of it hitting globally, or even only in Europe this year is, still low. We will see.

 

[WhyMrBabcock!]

Honestly the new financial crisis in Europe hasn’t even started. Financial difficulty and economy slow down over the last few years - yes, but a less than 20% job cut from DB and Brexit is far from triggering a real European financial crisis.


A financial tsunami is when the stock market slashes, Traders pee themselves in their seats, wealth management clients lost their invest, IB/ financial institutions either go belly up or have to be nationalised, whole teams of employees got sacked within a few hours of notice,new graduates can’t find a job then have to take GAP years, and of course, housing market slashes.


If anyone ever wonder when will be the best time to score a Hermès bag? — this will be! However by then a Hermès bag will be the last item one will ever worry- more about when you will loose your job; the default of banks where you keep your saving; sitting on one or more mortgage which might either becoming a negative equity or receiving loan calls from the lender. For those who want to liquidate your ‘ investment ‘ in Hermès you will really struggle to find a buyer. Victoria doesn’t need a second hand. — somehow I guess not many of us here are for investment at all, but just a consumption.


To invest a house in Europe, I guess the above is talking about in London or at least in the UK? Germany doesn’t work and Paris - hell no. Not sure it is any wiser to buy in the UK nowadays due to the new extra stamp duty for ‘ investment’ purpose. Well if we are talking about the own major residential house, that’s a completely different topic, but that’s not qualify as an ‘ investment.’ If we are talking about buyer of the commercial tower blocks, oh a Himalaya H bag really doesn’t affect the cash flow of the purchaser.


If one has to make a choice in between either a house , a resort holiday or a H bag, hm, for that market it will has to be a house. Otherwise there are enough of Hermès fans from the targeted market who doesn’t have to make this kind of choice.

Hermès are ultimately mainly targeting at those who owns not only houses but also horses.

Meanwhile Hermès wouldn’t like the rivals to enlarge their market share, as a result nowadays FSH is giving tourists a possibly ‘one off’ chance of purchasing quota bag without showing the brand ‘loyalty’.


And yes, the next financial crisis would be the best time to buy H bag, only if by then you will still have an appetite for it. by the way, the chance of it hitting globally, or even only in Europe this year is, still low. We will see.

I think there are two additional points to consider:
1: H is opening two new manufacturing facilities that bags WILL eventually be much easier to purchase. H is trying to meet demand - so ipso facto - bags are and will be much easier to find ... (so the logic goes )

2: As for downturns and economic doom and gloom - we need to consider the reseller market - will resale values plummet or hold steady ? Who knows - the Birkin reseller craze is the tulip craze of our time... but this is a question as to where people will put their money ...good questions- but we’ll have to wait and see..but I do think it depends on why we covet and buy these beautiful things ...status / exclusivity/ fashion/ investment / joy ? All are valid- but darn They ARE expensive pieces of leather ...!

 

[craielover]

Hermes's second quarter financials were just out a few days ago. Increase in every sector across different markets. I read "B/K/C not that hard to get" as customers know they need to buy things to show their loyalty before they get offers.

 

[craielover]

Where I live even the top 10% focuses on Chanel and Dior for expensive bags (I mean every few meters you see a Chanel), LV is more for their canvas bags, however all of them are dressed top to bottom designer in clothing and accessories.
Hermes is not preferred so much for bags here for some reason, more for jewelry, belts, scarves and ties. However, I must say that the SAs in the Hermes shop are downright rude!
The people though do buy tons of Range Rovers, Aston Martins and Mercedes/BMW/Audis. And also like crazy the full electric cars, like an epidemic or something :/

Interesting observation. Where I live, it is very common that people drive Tesla north of 100Ks are not even remotely interested in the H game. Most of them can easily afford a decent collection but seem to care less. A lot of times it's the people who have to save for it crave for it more than anything.

 

[Yoshi1296]

I think there are two additional points to consider:
1: H is opening two new manufacturing facilities that bags WILL eventually be much easier to purchase. H is trying to meet demand - so ipso facto - bags are and will be much easier to find ... (so the logic goes )

2: As for downturns and economic doom and gloom - we need to consider the reseller market - will resale values plummet or hold steady ? Who knows - the Birkin reseller craze is the tulip craze of our time... but this is a question as to where people will put their money ...good questions- but we’ll have to wait and see..but I do think it depends on why we covet and buy these beautiful things ...status / exclusivity/ fashion/ investment / joy ? All are valid- but darn They ARE expensive pieces of leather ...!

I agree. Although I wouldn't expect them to meet demand. I think they will still stick to being very limited and selective with their B/K/C offerings.

Hermes thrives from their insane resale value because it enforces their exclusive and luxurious image and presence in the fashion community. So I think they will try to keep the demand high, production to a limit, in order to maintain the desirability and value in the resale market. And plus to keep their own sales high, ie. buying other Hermes items to get offers on the quota bags.

 

[Yoshi1296]

Interesting observation. Where I live, it is very common that people drive Tesla north of 100Ks are not even remotely interested in the H game. Most of them can easily afford a decent collection but seem to care less. A lot of times it's the people who have to save for it crave for it more than anything.

This is very true. Most people look at putting their money towards traditionally valuable items like jewelry, homes, and cars. Handbags aren't a priority to many. My mom can easily get a B/K/C collection going, but she believes that investing in property and jewelry is much more worth it.

I'm one of those folks that have to save for Hermes to satisfy the craving.

 

[craielover]

This is very true. Most people look at putting their money towards traditionally valuable items like jewelry, homes, and cars. Handbags aren't a priority to many. My mom can easily get a B/K/C collection going, but she believes that investing in property and jewelry is much more worth it.

I'm one of those folks that have to save for Hermes to satisfy the craving.

Thanks for sharing. With all the bills flying and things going, the majority of us have to save or at least justify it somehow

 

[momoc]

Just sharing my personal experience - I started actually going to my local store and made my first purchase there at the beginning of June. I just had a Kelly offered to me this week and purchased one. I was also getting a Constance offer by the end of June so less than a month (day after I made a second purchase at the store - sadly I missed my SA's phone call because I was on a plane). My spending is around the 1:1 ratio. I don't have B on my wishlist for now so I don't know if that would be harder.

I know - everything is anecdotal and it varies greatly depending on location, country, your particular store, your particular SA..etc. etc. I would say that I do not believe my SA is one of the senior ones - she was going to offer me a different K but in the end she couldn't, I believe another SA took it for her client, and my SA is like, super young, early-mid twenties. All in all this is still a LOT faster than I expected. I did not expect it to come until maybe another couple months from now! I'm USA based FYI.

 

[Poohbeary]

It started last year during our Summer vacation in HongKong. Knowing that it is one of the hardest place to get a Kelly or Birkin, my DH and I just simply went in to Hermès to try our luck. We straight forward asked for B30 to a nice and friendly young SA and after taking my information, she asked us to look around. Soon after, a much senior SA approached us and asked me series of questions (my knowledge about Hermès, details of my requested Birkin etc). Since I am kind of familiar with Hermès types of leathers & color names, I was able to answer her questions. She told us to wait and couple minutes later, the young SA came to us with big smile on her face and brought us upstairs to a private room. I was very excited and tried to keep my composure. Inside she offered us a GHW Blue Paon Birkin 30 in Clemence leather which we said yes. I was really in shock and can’t believed it at first. While wrapping twillies on , she told us that we were very lucky to get this Birkin on first attempt in HongKong and I couldn’t agreed more. I kept thanking her and promised to keep in touch. So, that’s my first Birkin purchase with 2 twillies and no other purchases. It’s hard to believe but H miracles do happen. 6 months later , we went back to Hermès during long layover in HongKong and get offered Constance 24. I politely declined since I only like Birkin or Kelly. They didn’t have any Kelly but offered a Blue Encre PHW B35 in Togo leather. Such a beautiful color and of course we took it. This time I also bought silk in wallet and my husband got a belt. Those were my experiences of getting Birkin In HongKong. We tried Paris twice to no available so I guess it’s all depends on our luck. But one thing for sure , once you get the first one, it is much easier to ask for next one (same country). Next time I will write my recent Hermes US experiences in getting Birkin and Kelly which also in short period of time. Sorry for my long post!

 

[Lovebb12]

Oops, sorry the previous comment didn’t insert the quotation meant to reply to—
‘ however don't forget all European countries still have financial crisis’

It was more a reply merely to the above point than a comprehensive answer to the OP.

1) point noted and agree to some degree, in the longer term yes, much easier to get, but not yet for today. With same reason as per Yoshi1296 : Hermes spent decades to build the thirst and they won’t be in a rush to meet the mass market demand for quota bags, but yes there are on going demand for the purpose of showing ‘ loyalty’ across the line of , not only bags but all the lines, as per kleider. Somehow this is indeed a strategy for people who has to save for it.

2) it is a relevantly expensive bag depends on which market segment the buyer comes from. Yoshi1296 sums my thoughts well — people who doesn’t need to decide in between a house or a birkin really don’t see it that expensive. In fact for this market segment a rare coloured diamond for instance, easily worth tons of Birkins. 20 Birkins and Kellys sums very little even including the 1:1 extra spending ratio compare to gem stones at today’s value. ( aha, reservation for tmr’s value of diamonds, too. Another topic but won’t expand.)

If we are talking about the real reseller’s market from the professional resellers there- well they can make a profit when economy is upward, under the U turn people don’t need to buy through them anymore;

If we are talking about the second hand market - same same really and as I said - during the down turn the seller will be struggle to find a buyer — the used to be potential buyers will be worrying about many other things but not a bag, and people such as Victoria ( Beckham) doesn’t need a second hand.

3) luckily for H there are far more buyers who need to think about the spending and see it as a relevantly exclusive — the strategy and the image it has been building will still work on those who has to ‘ save’ for the bag. And those might as well used to be ‘ saving ‘ for LV. — just a game of winning money from other market segments to increase the revenue...

I hate to say this because it might offend so many people, I have posted in another thread that - the second hand market might helps those not comfortably afford many Birkins to have some hope that ‘ if I don’t want it, one day I can sell it.’ So it somehow helping to boost up the sales for Hermes. But in fact once the game is easier for others those hold this kind of illusion and none professional resellers might as well ending up similar to those who sat on a negative equity- well not quite, but still.

In the end of the day, there are buyers who never sell their bags and there are others who keep’ one in one out’, everyone to their own and as long as both are buying — Hermes is laughing.

I think there are two additional points to consider:
1: H is opening two new manufacturing facilities that bags WILL eventually be much easier to purchase. H is trying to meet demand - so ipso facto - bags are and will be much easier to find ... (so the logic goes )

2: As for downturns and economic doom and gloom - we need to consider the reseller market - will resale values plummet or hold steady ? Who knows - the Birkin reseller craze is the tulip craze of our time... but this is a question as to where people will put their money ...good questions- but we’ll have to wait and see..but I do think it depends on why we covet and buy these beautiful things ...status / exclusivity/ fashion/ investment / joy ? All are valid- but darn They ARE expensive pieces of leather ...!

 

[Yoshi1296]

While all this is being discussed, I have one question,

Out of B/K/C...what is the hardest to get now? This always fluctuates. Before overall it was C, then a B for a bit, and now I hear Ks are super difficult.

 

[eagle1002us]

Is the long dued global recession is finally coming?

Some days yes, some days no. I think people fear another recession like 2008 and that's why there is this ambiguity, is it coming or not?

 

[eagle1002us]

This is very true. Most people look at putting their money towards traditionally valuable items like jewelry, homes, and cars. Handbags aren't a priority to many. My mom can easily get a B/K/C collection going, but she believes that investing in property and jewelry is much more worth it.

I'm one of those folks that have to save for Hermes to satisfy the craving.

I would think in general it's hard to sell jewelry for a profit. Maybe Cartier and VCA, etc., not a problem but jewelry like brooches are not worn that much (if at all) where I am. Also, it''s not really in good taste (not to mention safety) piling on the bling. I speak from where I sit. Of course in wealthy countries or cities there are occasions to dress up, parties or weddings. My point is that jewelry usually is a risky collectible. This is why people advise to buy it if you love it and will wear it. That way changes in jewelry styles, gold prices and resale values won't matter quite so much.