Would you buy a refurbished Birkin in a htf color?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

B

bagarella

Member
Dec 4, 2015
163
51
#1
Hello!. Years ago I posted how I live far from any Hermes. Since then I have bought Birkins from one resale site . Both bags look brand new and I am happy I went that route. I got the colors I want and just bought what I needed. I still wish I lived closer to a store or my kids were older to travel more but oh well for now. Ok my question is.. I have always wanted a particular color bag. There is one for sale but it's been touched up . Is that a deal breaker for others. I like my items to look fairly new so being touched up uff. But the color hasn't been out in years and there is almost none ever for sale on any of the resale markets as I have been looking. I don't plan on selling it but you Never know as time goes on maybe I will sell it since it was painted . Maybe I just won't sell it since I have loved that color for years now and I can just enjoy it knowing it's not perfect and just use it regularly. It's priced over a brand new one at retail so it pains me that I can't live near a store but again oh well. That is my life.
Thanks for your thoughts.
 
#3
Well the short answer is 'No', and certainly not over retail, not even close. I do buy pre-loved as well as boutique bags, mostly because I generally prefer UTR/out of favor styles. But I would be loathe to purchase a bag I knew for certain would be unlikely to be serviced by Hermes because for me, the lifetime service is part of what I love about the brand. There are other well-regarded spa services available so I suppose, if I found a downright steal on something I coveted and was truly unlike to find no matter how patiently I searched I might consider it, but again, no chance I would do it for a price over retail.

In my relatively short experience (compared to many OG's on this forum), I've seen a bunch of revisited colors, as well as shades I'd consider close enough/equally lovely. If it's a unique leather, that might be different. For example, I don't think elephant is coming back anytime soon; but there always seems to be another pink, another blue, etc. Are you willing to share the color? Others might have more of a perspective on how rare it might actually be....

This is just my perspective on your question so YMMV. :flowers:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tonimichelle, CrackBerryCream, A bottle of Red and 7 others
#4
Sure it's lagoon. It was my favorite color of hermes and since then I have wanted a lagoon bag. There are so few available and when there is a good condition one it's usually double the price and for a bag 10 years old I don't want to spend over 20k. The one that is available now that isn't double is just over retail ( just over 13k) but it's the touched up one. :shocked:


I appreciate both of your insights. My husband said no but I don't base my decisions on him lol. My first Birkin was menthe which is so stunning and it's not lagoon but I didn't like atoll. I will just enjoy my menthe and if a good condition lagoon ever comes by I will try to snag it. :heart::heart::heart:
 
#7
bagarella said:
Sure it's lagoon. It was my favorite color of hermes and since then I have wanted a lagoon bag. There are so few available and when there is a good condition one it's usually double the price and for a bag 10 years old I don't want to spend over 20k. The one that is available now that isn't double is just over retail ( just over 13k) but it's the touched up one. :shocked:


I appreciate both of your insights. My husband said no but I don't base my decisions on him lol. My first Birkin was menthe which is so stunning and it's not lagoon but I didn't like atoll. I will just enjoy my menthe and if a good condition lagoon ever comes by I will try to snag it. :heart::heart::heart:
Click to expand...
The odds of Lagon coming back are pretty good, I'd say, plus H makes so many blues and greens that you might find another hue you love. ITA with everyone that I'd never pay over retail for a bag that was touched up by a third party.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tonimichelle, textilegirl, CrackBerryCream and 3 others
#9
It's a really hard question because on one hand an approximation of a colour is not the colour. On the hand, that you can never get it sparred or repaired at H, + it's over current retail (never mind retail 'then'). I suppose, the decision would factor-in the quality of the workmanship re touch-up too.

Personally, I would wait until the right Lagoon came along. it may may not be as (relatively) reasonable but the touch-up won't be an issue. No fashion, not even vintage, lasts forever.
 
  • Like
  • Insightful
Reactions: textilegirl, Hermes Zen, bagarella and 2 others
#11
I would never pay anywhere close to retail for a painted Birkin or even a professionally refurbished one, mainly bc
I don’t trust refurbishment that I have not personally arranged.

During Covid, I bought several fabulous deals that I sent for professional refurbishment (not painted)
Bc the bags were for my own personal use.

Black barenia Birkin 30, gold swift Birkin 30, and black box retourne kelly 28, each for 7K USD
And a suntanned (back panel) Bordeaux kelly 32 sellier for 4K USD
Many things can be refurbished like discoloration or darkened handles. HW can be brushed.
But you have to use a talented third party professional that you trust, not someone else’s.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Insightful
Reactions: Christofle, textilegirl, Hermes Zen and 2 others
#13
papertiger said:
It's a really hard question because on one hand an approximation of a colour is not the colour. On the hand, that you can never get it sparred or repaired at H, + it's over current retail (never mind retail 'then'). I suppose, the decision would factor-in the quality of the workmanship re touch-up too.

Personally, I would wait until the right Lagoon came along. it may may not be as (relatively) reasonable but the touch-up won't be an issue. No fashion, not even vintage, lasts forever.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I use to go on TPF so much when I was a resident physician back 2007 to 2011 and remember seeing your posts. I took a long break from the site after starting work and having kids but since I am going from collecting Chanel and LV to now Hermes I am trying to get back on here and read more about Hermes so I can make good decisions. I love that I can see the beautiful pictures of the bags all the members post. So much better to really see what a bag looks like. Hope to keep learning from you all. :flowers:
 
  • Like
  • Thanks
  • Love
Reactions: Tonimichelle, pinksandblues, maxroxxherhandbags and 5 others
#15
I'm leaning towards a no ... I bought a wine red lambskin Chanel years ago which was touched up, but the hand feel was very different as compared to those that haven't been touched up, i.e. not as soft. It depends on how the touch up was done and whether only a small area (like the corners), or more substantial than that. I think for a purchase like Hermes, I'd prefer to leave no grey area behind, if you know what I mean :) Hope it helps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bagarella
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top