Need advice and support. I have a big, fat problem!

[Lilikay]

Oh I don't know if Hermes will do that at all...

I remember reading a thread here that ended with something like that...a dreadful one though.

 

[Lilikay]

I wouldn't go to Hermes,
Also I dont believe that they authenticate bags.-they sell bags they dont authenticate.
The only way you would know by taking it to Hermes is by sending it to Spa-and if its a good fake you would only know by the time it reached France.
Go to Bababebi she is as good as taking it into the store and a lot quicker.

No, no, they don’t authenticate, but they would have to come up with something for the customer about the destruction of the bag, I believe. When you drop your bag you do get a document regarding the service you are requesting. I’ve done this many times.

 

[momoc]

I remember reading a thread here that ended with something like that...a dreadful one though.

I also know of threads where members shared how Hermes may have incorrectly deemed a real bag fake...

(also sorry I was editing my post I tend to do that a lot. Added the opinion that what if you want to fight a legal battle, having the bag destroyed means one less piece of evidence)

In any case, I think you made the right choice reaching out to bababebi! She is very nice to work with. Let's hear what she says first. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[eagle1002us]

Good luck.

 

[AnnaE]

Hi again lovely ladies,

I don’t even know how to start telling this story. It’s long and complicated, so I’ll start from the beginning and try to make it as short as possible. If necessary, I may need to add something later.
The truth is I’m not yet sure of what have just happened to me, but it’s not looking good.
Basically, I have this one Birkin that I have bought from a reseller in 2017 in a brand new condition. I have paid an indecent amount of money for it only because it was my HG, my dream bag and I still love it very much.
However, maybe because it’s the only bag that I have that didn’t come from the H store, the fear of not being Authentic has always haunted me.
That said, I always felt like I shouldn’t bring it to the store to be serviced and knew that the day would come that I would start to feel like moving over.
Turns out that when I started to take pictures to send to website and reached out to check the Authenticity Report from the reseller, I’ve found out that the stamp code of the bag I have in my possession is not the same one of the bag in the photos at their website and in the Report. In a nutshell, they sold me one bag and delivered another one, purposely or not.
I’ve contacted them and, unfortunately,
they chose to defend themselves saying they the bag I have is not the bag they sold me. In other words, now they want to make me sound like the scammer.
The funny thing is that the only reason why I have their Authentication Report is because they also sold me a fake Hermes scarf and contacted me to let me know and send me the refund. Due to the fact that the scarf was fake, I got scared of having a fake bag and asked for the report, which they usually don’t make available to the buyers.
Sadly I was stupid enough to get the report and not check throughly the stamp code. In my defense I have to say that having checked many times the stamp code I thought it was alright when I saw it in the report because it’s almost the same. Same letters, almost same numbers, different order, so I guess I just got confused and so relieved I was, I just wanted to leave it behind me.
I still want to believe it’s all a mistake and the bag is authentic and all will be fine, but, seriously, what are the odds?
I don’t know what to do. Don’t know what do I want to do...
Anyone with similar experiences? Any ideas? Should I just drink a glass of wine and forget about it?

Like everyone else said, you need to get your bag authenticated. It could be that the reseller had two identical bags (especially if it was a desirable combo) and they simply mixed it up. Stranger things have happened. I once received an authentic scarf in a fake scarf box (the box wasn't even part of the listing, the scarf just showed up in it).

Good luck.

 

[jenayb]

OK, so....

1) they sent you an Authentication Report. Who did the authentication? Was it internal to the reseller (in which case it can only be one of a few) or an external authenticator? If external, you may have recourse there, or at least answers.

2) the bag in their report is identical to yours in every way except the atelier stamp is very slightly different? That seems like a really strange coincidence. I am assuming it's a photo not a typo or they would just correct the typo and give you a new certificate. It just seems odd that a reseller would have two identical bags with such close stamps at the exact same time. I would suspect something very weird at this reseller.

3) If you've loved the bag this long, I would agree, get a Bababebi authentication. Either it's real and you can sell it, or it's not in which case, I would definitely call out the reseller any way you can. Then you know you have a superfake (which are expensive as is) and frankly although normally I would never recommend keeping a fake, if you've carried it for over three years and can't get your money back, you might as well keep enjoying it. It's not your doing, after all.

This. All of this.

Also, doubtful, but did you by chance use an Amex to pay? Their purchase protection is out of this planet; you could fine a chargeback for an item you bought in 1987 and be golden.

 

[laurenad]

Try not feel too bad... many of us have been scammed at some point in life. For me it was the fake college ID and not to mention internet dating scams Since it’s bothering h you try to get authenticated. If is authentic great!! If not still consider using bc it sounds like a staple in your wardrobe. As long as you aren’t trying to sell the bag you are not trying to deceive people... that is just the bag you happen to have and it’s really no ones business. Also would it be possible to procure this HG bag from the boutique? Honestly it’s nice to have tpf where you can discuss bag woes. Good luck

I want to hear more about these internet dating scams!

 

[880]

Try not feel too bad... many of us have been scammed

You should not feel badly at all. This is not on you! My identity was stolen in 2019, and unbelievably they were able to arrest the person. (Sadly she was only a part of a ring) but I felt terribly (like was I careless with my info at some point Or what could I have done differently)
hoswver, IMO, yours sounds like a simple typo on the report since all the other info checks out. Fingers crossed re bababebi

 

[Love Of My Life]

As suggested have the bag authenticated to know where you stand.
Out of curiosity does this reseller have a history of selling bags that are not authentic?
If there is any info available that may help you should you decide to pursue a legal case, go for it JMO
You may not get your money back because of the time frame but you can perhaps ruffle the feathers of the reseller
Good luck to you & sorry that you have to be subjected to this reseller

 

[girlsandbirkins]

Can you let us know which country this reseller is based in?

 

[Lilikay]

I want to hear more about these internet dating scams!

Same!

 

[Lilikay]

You should not feel badly at all. This is not on you! My identity was stolen in 2019, and unbelievably they were able to arrest the person. (Sadly she was only a part of a ring) but I felt terribly (like was I careless with my info at some point Or what could I have done differently)
hoswver, IMO, yours sounds like a simple typo on the report since all the other info checks out. Fingers crossed re bababebi

So sorry to hear about your identity being stolen...oh gosh...

 

[Lilikay]

Dear ladies,

Hi again!
I have received amazing support from all of you and I’m pleased to let you all know that I’ve reached out to Bababebi for a professional opinion and she had considered the bag authentic! Actually she even said the bag is perfect!
Thank you all for the great advice!
Despite the fortunate outcome, I’m still disappointed with the reseller, since, instead of providing me with support and advice like you guys, decided to hide and put the blame on me. It was indeed a very unprofessional behavior.
Nevertheless, answering some questions I received about it, no, I have never heard about any case of this reseller selling fake bags, although I bought a fake scarf once and got my money back.
I just think they are small resellers and kind of amateurs. They are THE LUXURY CLOSET and are based in Dubai. I’ve sold many, many goods with their help and they even have an actual store, but they usually estimate prices very low comparing to the resale market and sell for crazy prices.

Now, if you were me, would you take this bag to the H store to be refurbished?

 

[loh]

Dear ladies,

Hi again!
I have received amazing support from all of you and I’m pleased to let you all know that I’ve reached out to Bababebi for a professional opinion and she had considered the bag authentic! Actually she even said the bag is perfect!
Thank you all for the great advice!
Despite the fortunate outcome, I’m still disappointed with the reseller, since, instead of providing me with support and advice like you guys, decided to hide and put the blame on me. It was indeed a very unprofessional behavior.
Nevertheless, answering some questions I received about it, no, I have never heard about any case of this reseller selling fake bags, although I bought a fake scarf once and got my money back.
I just think they are small resellers and kind of amateurs. They are THE LUXURY CLOSET and are based in Dubai. I’ve sold many, many goods with their help and they even have an actual store, but they usually estimate prices very low comparing to the resale market and sell for crazy prices.

Now, if you were me, would you take this bag to the H store to be refurbished?

Yay!! So happy and relieved for you!

 

[eagle1002us]

I have heard that people who have given their bags to Hermes spa for refurbishment not knowing their bag was fake had their bag confiscated by Hermes. Please have your bag authenticated before handing your bag to Hermes because if it is fake, Hermes may keep it and then destroy it as it violates their intellectual property rights.

I heard of someone shopping at what used to be my local boutique carrying a faux Hermes bag who had her bag taken from her and it was destroyed. I don't know how H gets away with that. `I would think they wouldn't go around inspecting everyone's bag. So if someone was carrying an obvious fake, which, for the sake of argument might have two straps where a genuine H bag has one, it might be problematic but what about the people who admire H but cannot afford to acquire the real thing? Sometimes getting a faux product is the first step to getting a genuine one.