It Must Be A Recession - SA Keeps Caling

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caviardreams

caviardreams

O.G.
Aug 26, 2007
79
0
#1
On Wednesday I received a message on my cell phone from a SA that I have never bought from and only spoke to once. I put my name on a wait list for 35cm Birkin in two colors. The message was if I was interested in a 35cm Birkin in Blue Jean which was not one of the colors I wait list for. Since I was on vacation and was not interested in that color I did not call back. On Friday (two days later) my cell rang again and it was the SA calling back to see if I was interested! WOW!
I can't believe that first of all the bag was not gone within a hour, second I can't believe I ever received the call to begin with since I never bought anything at that store and I didn't even ask for that color.
To me it seems people are starting to think twice before dropping $8,000 - $9,000 on a Birkin.
 
#3
Caviardreams!!! I'm desperately looking for a 35cm Bleu Jean Birkin with gold hardware!!!! Can you tell me where this is, who the SA is and what leather and type of hardware it has. If there's anyway you could find out if it's still available I'd be very very grateful!!!! Stephanie
 
#5
I had gotten some similar calls recently that made me wonder the same thing. Since it was the end of the month, I also wondered if there is any sales quota thing going on.
 
#6
I honestly think people are having a hard time spending $8-9k on a non-exotic bag. I am hearing people complain about it all the time, even those who money is really no concern- its more a matter of principal and in this economy and with such uncertainty, people are thinking twice before they spend that kind of money on any luxury items.
 
#8
I agree with Kellybag. These items sell no matter what sort of environment. I think it's more a matter of H providing more bags to meet demand. Yes, they can be difficult to get, but I don't believe it is as tough as it was a few years ago. I seem to see them on display a lot and when I get calls, they typically have a few colors IN ADDITION to the one that I was interested in. So, perhaps a sign of economic times plus additional supply. I think that these bags barely make it to the shelves, so my guess is the latter.
 
#11
yes, even though I -- knock on wood -- have a job, the daily financial news doesn't encourage me to buy. Also, the weakening of the dollar for me has created a great disincentive for me to buy anything outside the U.S.

Plus, thanks to the forum, I am much more knowledgeable about leathers/colors I have become much more selective. Maybe the same goes for the H clientele in general?
 
#12
Well, the recession in the US and the probable knock on effect on rest of the global economies would make most of us take stock and review our spending habits.

However, that said, your experience with being offered a BJ birkin "all of a sudden" is not an unusual one. A couple of years back, a friend developed an interest in Hermes - whilst she didnt really buy a lot of things, just a twilly here, a scarf there (not the big ticket items like RTW or jewellery), she did make it a point to pop by the store if she could and just admire. She then got a call from the SA offering her a Birkin - BJ or Gold. I guess basic neutrals such as BJ, Gold, Black form the bulk of the store's order (as opposed to orders for specific clients - usually the seasonal or rare colors/leathers) so if the store deems that you will be a good "potential" long term client, you get that call.
 
#14
I wouldn't necessarily correlate a recession with Hermes availability. If one looks at historical prices for listed luxury goods companies like Porsche or LVMH, their performance is hardly affected by market downturns.
 
#15
And in fact, Hermes's last quarter showed healthy profits. True, an economic downturn may not be visible in terms of lowered profits just yet, but I suspect that they will not really be feeling much of a pinch.
 
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