What’s your unpopular Hermes opinion?

[tinkerbell68]

Reading the posts by @littleblackbag and @LJNLori I feel I identify with their sentiments and I also feel a little sad too.
I cant help feeling that the widespread awareness of Hermes as an uber Luxe brand via its popularity on instagram, with influencers and as tabloid fodder with prices often mentioned is a real turn off.
I love my SA and love some of the product but dont actually enjoy going into any boutique other than my home-store these days to look at stock because they're such a zoo.
regarding wearing Hermes bags in particular, I know people say 'who cares what others think' and to a degree I do agree.
I wear what i want, always have.
I'm not a shrinking violet when it comes to dressing up!
BUT..Living and working in London using public transport I dont feel comfortable having things or wearing things that are obviously 'expensive'.
Therefore the newish awareness of Hermes bags means that I reach for my Kelly's and Jypsiere for 'special occasions' as opposed to daily use due to the signature fastening.
My unpopular opinion is the widespread awareness of the expense and exclusivity of the brand is off-putting for some of the brands most loyal and long-term fans.

And the perceived ‘cost’ of an H bag, particularly a B or a K, is so inflated due to resale prices. The actual retail cost isn’t readily available on the internet so their value seems OTT. Though I too generally don’t care what other people think of me and wear what I want when I want, on occasion I pause.
Unpopular opinion: H retail prices are high but would it be better if they were more public? If someone didn’t think I’d spent $30,000 on a bag?

 

[FaubourgTropical]

And the perceived ‘cost’ of an H bag, particularly a B or a K, is so inflated due to resale prices. The actual retail cost isn’t readily available on the internet so their value seems OTT. Though I too generally don’t care what other people think of me and wear what I want when I want, on occasion I pause.
Unpopular opinion: H retail prices are high but would it be better if they were more public? If someone didn’t think I’d spent $30,000 on a bag?

+1. Friends are shocked to know that my bags are 'only' 1/3 of resellers prices and suddenly they don’t judge so much (kidding…. My friends are lovely). I told people my bags are cheap as I only buy from stores

To keep on topic. My unpopular opinion: everyone (ie. Customers and SAs) in Hermes stores are so pressured (to get and refuse, respectively) birkins or kellys that it’s no longer fun to pop into stores to browse other than the homestore where everyone knows your name.

 

[Notorious Pink]

I see what you mean. But I think they want to attract and expand to a crowd that wants a more “youthful and fun” vibe? On the other hand I can see how if someone who has been a long standing customer and have so many timeless pieces that some may want something “different”?

In other words market diversification

I completely agree that they are diversifying, and I wouldn’t say that any is better than the other as they are rather different. Yet, the way that it is all bunched together makes it feel like there’s two distinct product offerings without a clear cohesion other than the Hermes motifs used throughout. This leads me to wonder if Hermes will ever create a separate space like they did for Petit H for more youthful and trendy pieces.

Funny, I see this from a different perspective; the scarves have always had a whimsy not necessarily seen in the other metiers, so - and especially when we are discussing RTW which is based on a scarf design - it seems more like a different aspect of Hermès that is also a part of RTW (much like the scarf motifs on the T-shirt dresses, twillaines and knitwear). But I happen to love a lot of the RTW now, finding it a lot more accessible and wearable than in seasons past.

I went to H in 2019 and was shown a black Picotin 18 as a walk-in … bet that doesn’t happen anymore.

Lol, I remember years ago they had Kellys on display and available for sale…and they didn’t sell all that quickly!

 

[Xthgirl]

The danae jewelry line reminds me of gold they sell in the middle east at the souk/ gold markets. Or jewelry the ladies from the Middle east wear (bold and heavy yellow gold jewelry). Pls no offense.


I still prefer rose gold and the refinement of 18k Italian gold. Looks more polished (literally).

 

[hoot]

The danae jewelry line reminds me of gold they sell in the middle east at the souk/ gold markets. Or jewelry the ladies from the Middle east wear (bold and heavy yellow gold jewelry). Pls no offense.


I still prefer rose gold and the refinement of 18k Italian gold. Looks more polished (literally).

Love different perspectives on jewelry and I see what you mean.

My opinion: I think this line is priced higher than their other gold pieces and I’m not sure why.

The moment I saw this new line, all I could see was knit stitches.
I love to knit and have been for decades so anything that reminds me of knit stitches I go crazy for I think there’s too much going on in most of the pieces unfortunately so that’s why I was only interested in the ear cuff.

I love it and wear it daily but I just hate that I spent two grand on a silly ear cuff. lol! Never been a fan of rose gold so I am happy there’s finally some new options.

 

[saskiamoet]

My unpopular opinion is that I’ve always had a wonderful experience at my Hermes boutique. I met my lovely SA and have been with her for many years. Maybe it’s because I don’t spend a lot of money on other things. I don’t buy expensive jewelry or furniture, and certainly don’t spend money on high end clothing (I like to buy good jeans and shoes). I don’t even have an expensive watch. I live a pretty simple and low key life. When I go to Hermes I have fun! I walk in and chat with everyone and see what fun little thing I want to treat myself with. A scarf, a bracelet maybe new shoes. And every so often I pick up a new handbag. I go without high expectations and always have fun. I think I’m blissfully oblivious to what the current trends are, or what other people think. And maybe that’s helped.

 

[WhiteBus]

My unpopular opinion is that I’ve always had a wonderful experience at my Hermes boutique. I met my lovely SA and have been with her for many years. Maybe it’s because I don’t spend a lot of money on other things. I don’t buy expensive jewelry or furniture, and certainly don’t spend money on high end clothing (I like to buy good jeans and shoes). I don’t even have an expensive watch. I live a pretty simple and low key life. When I go to Hermes I have fun! I walk in and chat with everyone and see what fun little thing I want to treat myself with. A scarf, a bracelet maybe new shoes. And every so often I pick up a new handbag. I go without high expectations and always have fun. I think I’m blissfully oblivious to what the current trends are, or what other people think. And maybe that’s helped.

Interesting because technically this completely off-topic, because this is the experience of most Hermes devotees.

BUT

the fact that you felt it would fit in here, just shows how much popular media is used ad an opportunity for people to whinge and whine, to let of steam.

It is a salutary reflection on what discussion about Hermes has become and explains why there are questions about how to go about buying the most straightforward of objects.
The 'community' has generated such negative aura around Hermes that prevents people from just behaving like ordinary shoppers.

AND that can be my unpopular opinion

 

[Pivoine66]

Interesting because technically this completely off-topic, because this is the experience of most Hermes devotees.

BUT

the fact that you felt it would fit in here, just shows how much popular media is used ad an opportunity for people to whinge and whine, to let of steam.

It is a salutary reflection on what discussion about Hermes has become and explains why there are questions about how to go about buying the most straightforward of objects.
The 'community' has generated such negative aura around Hermes that prevents people from just behaving like ordinary shoppers.

AND that can be my unpopular opinion

IMO - For the last about 3 , 4 years some of the clientèle has changed IMPO due to the new reseller market of brand new K and B for insane reseller prices
(where could you find so many - or at all - brand new K or B in the about 1980s - 2016s in vintage/second hand boutiques and then on reseller sites?).
So incredibly many people who only pretend to be "in love" with H in order to get a bag and flip it for profit.
Often scheming, buying the most popular items e.g. Avalon blankets, scarves, jewelry, shoes like Orans, ... edited: forgot: chypres ... only to rather "get rid of this stuff as soon as possible" on ebay, VC , FB..."
aand: Are Chypres really that much appreciated? E.g. more than 10 - ten! - pages of them only on VC...

 

[SDC2003]

The new clients who gloat about time frames for offers. Example: “I got a Birkin after just 2 months with my Hermes fairy.” Why does time frame matter? Is there a prize for those who get the fastest offer? Are these clients expecting some kind of standing ovation?

 

[880]

Lol, I remember years ago they had Kellys on display and available for sale…and they didn’t sell all that quickly!

We were younger then, and our moms scorned kelly bags as old lady bags bc. . .they preferred chanel

 

[lurketylurk]

I suspect this will be a VERY unpopular opinion but I don't really get the hate for resellers, either from Hermes itself or people here. Hermes charges a set price for bags and once you pay for the bag, it's your possession to do with what you wish. The fact that there is an inflated resale market at all is a direct result of Hermes's policies. So I don't really understand why they try to ban resellers - it's not like people are stealing their bags. Hermes is getting paid for the bags at the prices they want to charge. And resellers wouldn't charge inflated prices once they flip the bags unless people wanted them enough to pay that price. So really, it's just the market being...the market. And I don't even really understand the argument that resellers are an affront to people who love the brand. I love the brand and I hate shopping in the boutique. So if I can pay someone extra to get an item I love to avoid that, then how is that a bad thing?

 

[WhiteBus]

I suspect this will be a VERY unpopular opinion but I don't really get the hate for resellers, either from Hermes itself or people here. Hermes charges a set price for bags and once you pay for the bag, it's your possession to do with what you wish. The fact that there is an inflated resale market at all is a direct result of Hermes's policies. So I don't really understand why they try to ban resellers - it's not like people are stealing their bags. Hermes is getting paid for the bags at the prices they want to charge. And resellers wouldn't charge inflated prices once they flip the bags unless people wanted them enough to pay that price. So really, it's just the market being...the market. And I don't even really understand the argument that resellers are an affront to people who love the brand. I love the brand and I hate shopping in the boutique. So if I can pay someone extra to get an item I love to avoid that, then how is that a bad thing?

I understand and get what you say BUT from my perspective there is a general distain for ticket touts who acquire tickets for popular concerts or events and resell them for many multiples of their face value
thereby reducing their affordability and availability to genuine fans.
In some places I believe this is actually illegal.
Culturally ticket touts are despised and I look upon resellers of brand new Hermes bags in the same way.
However justified, their clients are supporting and perpetuating trade to the detriment of genuine customers.

 

[benjinito]

I understand and get what you say BUT from my perspective there is a general distain for ticket touts who acquire tickets for popular concerts or events and resell them for many multiples of their face value
thereby reducing their affordability and availability to genuine fans.
In some places I believe this is actually illegal.
Culturally ticket touts are despised and I look upon resellers of brand new Hermes bags in the same way.
However justified, their clients are supporting and perpetuating trade to the detriment of genuine customers.

This 100%!

I didn’t see anything wrong with reselling 10 years ago. But today, the ease of online reselling has created scarcity in almost every aspect of life - show tickets, luxury fashion, fast fashion, kids toys. I’ve even seen people buying and reselling a hot Mexican candy that was trending on social media I’m just sick of it.

 

[880]

I don't even really understand the argument that resellers are an affront to people who love the brand

this IS a perfect unpopular H opinion lol

I happen to agree with @WhiteBus and others re bag arbitrage, and in general, in exchange for solid, fair treatment at my home boutique, i do not shop other boutiques in the US, and I limit my shopping elsewhere to FSH where I visit twice annually, and to parts of Asia where my family and I have homes. Hermes corporate’s official policy and definition of those who legitimately love the brand,* is against those clients who flip.

Like premier boutique watch brands whose supply cannot begin to meet demand, H does not favor certain types of clients in descending order: resale flippers; chronic traveling clients, called travelers (visiting an H indiscriminately in every port); and, even any who resell for any reason, including simply cleaning out ones closet. Stock is so scarce that H can afford to cherry pick its clients, and thus, I have been told from more than one SA/SM, is the reason for opaque criteria).

I do buy discontinued bags or fun deals ( as art projects) from resellers who generally sell far below retail. i did once buy a craie 30B, ghw, for a few K USD above retail, but it was for my moms 75th birthday and from a trusted source who does not engage in flipping. I do shop with dedicated SAs at my home store and FSH, and have started to shop Singapore, but all my SAs know of each other, and my bag offers have increased, not suffered. Part of the reason for this may be that I am primarily an RTW client, so I can be counted on to shop every season. Bags are a secondary concern as my bag collection is mainly done, or at least stable.

*sadly for those customers who love the QBs and who cannot afford or dislike other boutique offerings, it’s pretty clear that companies like Hermes and chanel have erected substantial barriers to entry. From various publicized accts in the media; investment banking reports on premier retail; and statements from SAs/SMs, it is clear that these companies would far rather grow a high net worth VIPs than provide rare stock to lower tier one-of shoppers. For many of us that fall in between, it’s dependent on SA/SM relationship.

my unpopular H opinion arises out of all that. It’s that the in between clients who may be able to distinguish themselves are those without a list to purchase. I am primarily a retail client who is not product driven. I don’t have a set list or even a specific idea that I must have. Rather I have to fall in love with something that happens to be in the store; in my budget; and that will work happily with items I already own.If I see items that meet those criteria, I will purchase.

 

[WhiteBus]

This 100%!

I didn’t see anything wrong with reselling 10 years ago. But today, the ease of online reselling has created scarcity in almost every aspect of life - show tickets, luxury fashion, fast fashion, kids toys. I’ve even seen people buying and reselling a hot Mexican candy that was trending on social media I’m just sick of it.

Exactly
There is nothing wrong with refreshing your wardrobe and taking the opportunity to get something that is no longer available, even if you get a bit more than you paid in the first place.