Is it worth it to get a Kelly bag in-store vs. pre-loved?

[ladybug333]

I know that getting an Hermes Kelly bag in-store is no small feat. I've read that if you want to buy one in the US, you need to build up a sales record with an SA, and that if you want to get a bag in Paris, it's a pretty big gamble whether or not you'll get an appointment.

(Honestly, that kind of excites me haha -- it feels like the bag would hold more meaning if you have to work for it.)

But I also know you can just buy a Kelly bag online. My gut feeling is that going through the process of getting one in-store would be a lifelong memory. But is it really worth it to go through the trouble just for the in-store experience?

I'd love to hear your personal thoughts and what you think.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Ah, the thrill of the chase.
The experience in store is certainly "special" especially when the SA opens up that "virgin box".
& taken to a special area of the store.
I have had the in store experience & have gone the reseller route & since you don't mention your "dream bag"
(size, color, skin, style, price) with H being in high demand, the thrill of the chase may take a back seat.
Scoring an appointment can be tedious as well as a disappointment & only goes so far.
Paris & various H shops throughout the world can be hit or miss & for me buying other items in order to
acquire the bag I'm looking for gets to be a bit tired & fortunately over the years I didn't have to deal with that
So, if you can find the bag of your dream from a reseller I'd consider that & go for the experience of buying
other items at H store where you don't have to worry about your sales history
If you do go the reseller route, just have your bag authenticated..

 

[ladybug333]

Ah, the thrill of the chase.
The experience in store is certainly "special" especially when the SA opens up that "virgin box".
& taken to a special area of the store.
I have had the in store experience & have gone the reseller route & since you don't mention your "dream bag"
(size, color, skin, style, price) with H being in high demand, the thrill of the chase may take a back seat.
Scoring an appointment can be tedious as well as a disappointment & only goes so far.
Paris & various H shops throughout the world can be hit or miss & for me buying other items in order to
acquire the bag I'm looking for gets to be a bit tired & fortunately over the years I didn't have to deal with that
So, if you can find the bag of your dream from a reseller I'd consider that & go for the experience of buying
other items at H store where you don't have to worry about your sales history
If you do go the reseller route, just have your bag authenticated..

Thank you for your reply! I am leaning towards the in-store experience.

 

[Etriers]

It really depends on your objective. Both methods have pros, cons and costs. In many places in the US, a Kelly is more difficult to get than a Birkin, especially in smaller sizes. If you don’t intend to become an H customer and you just want the bag, it will be easier and less expensive to get it from a reseller so you can get what you want and get on with your life. Even if the reseller price is higher than retail, you have to factor in what you will likely spend in a boutique before you are offered a bag. You’ll drive yourself crazy playing “games” as you’ll hear people say, and you’ll read here how folks make themselves cuckoo trying to figure out how to wiggle a bag from an SA fast before they have thousands in sunk costs. OTOH, if it is your aim to become a long-term Hermes customer, buy Hermes products other than that one Kelly, and have your own SA to assist with your shopping, then it is better to find a boutique and get to know a SA, make your wishlist known to her/him and be patient. There are a lot of threads on all of the various aspects of this so it may pay to search and read. Good luck!

 

[missD]

For me, it depends on the store. I’ve had no luck in big city stores but a small franchise store in my state was so nice to me. I think I just purchased a bracelet and a twilly before getting offered Birkin 35s and C18s...and then it kept coming (smaller, more sought after sizes and bags) after I purchased a men’s wallet. I think it’s just because I showed real interest in the merchandise and wasn’t in it for just the B & K in a classic color (and potentially disappear after that). I told them I wanted to expand my collection and do want to get into colors, but leather is where I have to be firm. I also mentioned straight up that I’m not buying anything I don’t love just to score a B/K and they respect that.

It’s so funny, in the Shanghai H store, we were told to buy an equivalent of a B/K/C first before even being told of available bags.

 

[Etriers]

B35 and C is generally not as difficult to get as a Kelly. Getting a Kelly is not impossible and there are stories of people walking away with one on the first visit, but that’s rare in a non-tourist destination. I was offered my first B35 very quickly, but that was a B35 and not a K28 in a neutral color.

 

[eckw]

I think a lot depends on whether you really think you need just the one (quota) bag or not. I bought other things from H directly but got my first B from a reseller (new, at high premium) as I didn’t want to get caught up in the buying game. But then I gradually started loving more and more things from H and once I found a great local SA and even got into fine jewellery (something I never imagined I’d ever buy when I first started with H), then I started getting quota bags directly from the store. If you really think there are limited things that appeal to you from H (RTW for me is still a no-go but I am starting to like their shoes), then a reputable reseller may be your best bet.

 

[ladybug333]

It really depends on your objective. Both methods have pros, cons and costs. In many places in the US, a Kelly is more difficult to get than a Birkin, especially in smaller sizes. If you don’t intend to become an H customer and you just want the bag, it will be easier and less expensive to get it from a reseller so you can get what you want and get on with your life. Even if the reseller price is higher than retail, you have to factor in what you will likely spend in a boutique before you are offered a bag. You’ll drive yourself crazy playing “games” as you’ll hear people say, and you’ll read here how folks make themselves cuckoo trying to figure out how to wiggle a bag from an SA fast before they have thousands in sunk costs. OTOH, if it is your aim to become a long-term Hermes customer, buy Hermes products other than that one Kelly, and have your own SA to assist with your shopping, then it is better to find a boutique and get to know a SA, make your wishlist known to her/him and be patient. There are a lot of threads on all of the various aspects of this so it may pay to search and read. Good luck!

Thank you so much for this! Really appreciate it.

So, I go to Europe at least once a year. Do you think it’s easier to get a Kelly somewhere like France, where it seems purchase history is less of a requirement? I don’t really want to spend money on Hermès products I don’t need just to get a bag in the US (especially if it’s possible to get one without that SA relationship in France).

 

[ladybug333]

I think a lot depends on whether you really think you need just the one (quota) bag or not. I bought other things from H directly but got my first B from a reseller (new, at high premium) as I didn’t want to get caught up in the buying game. But then I gradually started loving more and more things from H and once I found a great local SA and even got into fine jewellery (something I never imagined I’d ever buy when I first started with H), then I started getting quota bags directly from the store. If you really think there are limited things that appeal to you from H (RTW for me is still a no-go but I am starting to like their shoes), then a reputable reseller may be your best bet.

That’s helpful, thank you! I will take a deeper look at their other products and see if there’s anything that I would want to buy regardless of getting a Kelly

 

[ladybug333]

B35 and C is generally not as difficult to get as a Kelly. Getting a Kelly is not impossible and there are stories of people walking away with one on the first visit, but that’s rare in a non-tourist destination. I was offered my first B35 very quickly, but that was a B35 and not a K28 in a neutral color.

Interesting! I didn’t realize Kellys can be harder to come by than Birkins. I’d want a K25 in something colorful like green, magenta, or yellow. Do you think it would be easier to get in something colorful vs a neutral color?

 

[ladybug333]

For me, it depends on the store. I’ve had no luck in big city stores but a small franchise store in my state was so nice to me. I think I just purchased a bracelet and a twilly before getting offered Birkin 35s and C18s...and then it kept coming (smaller, more sought after sizes and bags) after I purchased a men’s wallet. I think it’s just because I showed real interest in the merchandise and wasn’t in it for just the B & K in a classic color (and potentially disappear after that). I told them I wanted to expand my collection and do want to get into colors, but leather is where I have to be firm. I also mentioned straight up that I’m not buying anything I don’t love just to score a B/K and they respect that.

It’s so funny, in the Shanghai H store, we were told to buy an equivalent of a B/K/C first before even being told of available bags.

WOW! An equivalent in other goods before getting a bag offer...Hermès really has this exclusivity thing down haha.

 

[Etriers]

Thank you so much for this! Really appreciate it.

So, I go to Europe at least once a year. Do you think it’s easier to get a Kelly somewhere like France, where it seems purchase history is less of a requirement? I don’t really want to spend money on Hermès products I don’t need just to get a bag in the US (especially if it’s possible to get one without that SA relationship in France).

WOW! An equivalent in other goods before getting a bag offer...Hermès really has this exclusivity thing down haha.

Yes, a K25 will be hard to get.

FSH is the most likely place to get a Kelly with no purchase history. All you have to do is get an appointment. There is a lot of information on tPF about lines and appointments at other stores in France.

They seem exclusive because they are exclusive. A Kelly is entirely handmade by a single craftsperson.

You need to spend some time reading and researching the other threads on tPF about how to get a Kelly. Really. Trust that you are not the first person to wonder about this, it has been discussed exhaustively. A lot. Ad nauseum even....Check out all of the stickies under the H Shopping forum, especially the “How to get a Birkin” sticky, the H shopping threads, the Paris shopping thread, the H relationship threads, the Kelly threads and the threads for your country/state. Then read the reseller threads on the H side for your inevitable reseller questions.

 

[HKsai]

Interesting! I didn’t realize Kellys can be harder to come by than Birkins. I’d want a K25 in something colorful like green, magenta, or yellow. Do you think it would be easier to get in something colorful vs a neutral color?

Honestly k25 is hard to get even for a established customers. I would strongly consider preloved especially if other H items don’t appeal to you. Good luck!

 

[WKN]

All you have to do is get an appointment.

You mean, "if you get an appointment"! [says me who tried 6x and failed to get any (appointment, that is) in October]. Good luck though and keep us updated on whichever route you decided on!

 

[Serva1]

I have never experienced building the relationship, spending money on things you really don’t need, or the ”reseller route”. I just never would do that for a handbag. I only have one Kelly bag, guess I’m in the minority but I really enjoy buying from the boutique. I could consider a vintage croc bag some day but I’m not in a hurry and I might change my mind about it too. My vote goes to the boutique. If you are looking for your first K you might be open to several options concerning colour, but if you are looking for a special combo the chance is of course slimmer. Be patient.