Is the Hermes "Birkin" worth the money and the wait? Is it obtainable?
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Congrats !!! Enjoy in good health !I've been on the waiting list for almost 3 years, but finally I got my first Birkin. 35cm Hermès Gris Perle Taurillon Clemence Leather Birkin Handbag.
YAY!! It worth a wait and love It)
Oh my goodness yes, it's worth it! But the only place to do it, is Paris. My mother and I walked into FSH a couple of years ago and just asked the first SA we came across if we could order a kelly for her and a birkin for me - he said, absolutely! Took our details and literally 3 months later, we were sent an email advising that our bags were ready for collection.
Personally, the price is definitely worth it - the bags are breathtaking. But for me, I only enjoy shopping with Hermes in Paris. It feels genuinely like luxury in Paris, I feel like a client and that the SAs want to help me. In essence, shopping in Hermes Paris feels like shopping at any other luxury brand in Australia, such as LV or T&Co.
I have dealt with Hermes in Australia and find them to be pretty off-putting, to be frank. They have limited stock, they never offer to assist find a piece, even something as basic as a specific Dogon wallet in a certain colour - if they don't have it in the store, they couldn't care less and forget asking them when they might get another supply of stock. Not sure why they behave that way, I certainly don't let it affect my appreciation of Hermes. But I find it a limited and limiting attitude on the part of their own staff.
Personally, the price is definitely worth it - the bags are breathtaking. But for me, I only enjoy shopping with Hermes in Paris. It feels genuinely like luxury in Paris, I feel like a client and that the SAs want to help me. In essence, shopping in Hermes Paris feels like shopping at any other luxury brand in Australia, such as LV or T&Co.
I have dealt with Hermes in Australia and find them to be pretty off-putting, to be frank. They have limited stock, they never offer to assist find a piece, even something as basic as a specific Dogon wallet in a certain colour - if they don't have it in the store, they couldn't care less and forget asking them when they might get another supply of stock. Not sure why they behave that way, I certainly don't let it affect my appreciation of Hermes. But I find it a limited and limiting attitude on the part of their own staff.
I am currently on the hunt for my first B35 and have feelers out in two boutiques in the US. My mother is going to Amsterdam next week..It's not Paris, but has anyone had any luck there? I am also wondering how much time I should give myself before I break down and go to a reseller on Madison Avenue. The prices are insane, but I'd have my choice of many sizes, colors and hardware. If I knew I could get definitely one in Paris I would spend the extra money to just fly over and get one. The experience sounds fabulous!
No harm in going down the reseller route if they have your HG bag as even if you are fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to purchase a B there is absolutely no guarantee that the leather, hardware, size and colour will be to your liking. You may well find if you purchase your first B from a reseller then continue to build a relationship with Hermes you will find it easier in future. Many SAs seem to like offering bags to clients they feel are worthy and demonstrating your love for the brand/bag by carrying one with you goes a long way sometimes, shallow I know but it can work.
Thank you so much for the advice. I do have a relationship with the SA at one of the stores and I have bought several bracelets, a watch, a ton of ties and an Evelyn bag from the store. I am hoping that is enough. I've only been waiting about a month and From what I've been reading that doesn't seem like any time at all! the reseller is just so much more expensive I could literally pay for a trip to Paris on the difference! I guess it will be the ultimate test of my patience.
You might want to check out th following threads for great tips.. My opinion is if you just want B or K, then go the reseller route unless you get offered as walk-in in Paris. otherwise spending a little time exploring the shopping experience in boutique with a nice SA is something very special. Good luck.
Amsterdam shopping experience:
http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/hermes-in-amsterdam-netherlands-410277.html
Paris shopping experience:
http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/paris-trip-for-hermes-bags-457159-803.html
Info for Hermes shopping newbie:
http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes-shopping/the-newbies-how-do-i-get-a-birkin-505926.html
If you are flexible on colour, etc, you will have a better chance. Do you have anything specific in mind just now?
I am somewhat flexible. I'd like a 35 in Clemence or Togo, maybe Epsom in any blue or gray tone, just not something too light (like a baby blue or dove gray) anything else I'd take in a heartbeat! Hardware doesn't matter at all.
In that case as you have a degree of flexibility I would wait a little longer. I didn't have the patience and bought mine new from a reseller at a crazy price, however, I was very specific in my requirements at the time and only one colour would do. I am older and wiser now, lol!
It will happen! I was offered my first B in size 30 after 2.5 months, and turned down 2 before I got mine, 4 months after meeting my sale associate. I didn't buy anything crazy, just what I love, mainly CSGMs and a watch. I love my SA and we bond over Hermes and non-Hermes things! I think that's the key, finding the right SA you click with, and seeing them for more than a tool to get to your Birkin. My SA has taught me so many interesting things about Hermes, and introduced me to things I didn't even know I love.
