How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (2024)

How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (1)

It’s time. You’re finally ready to be the proud owner of an exclusiveHermès bag. You’ve studied the similarities anddifferences between Birkin and Kelly bags and even learnedhow Hermès bags are made. And you’ve spent hours, days, evenmonthsdreaming about the perfect Hermès bag color. So now there’s just one more thing to figure out:how to buy an Hermès bag. Surely, it can't be that hard, right? You’ll be surprised!

Your straightforward quest to own an exquisiteHermès Birkin orKelly bag is far more challenging than just thesteep price tag. Hermès handcrafts the most coveted luxury handbags on the planet, and the company strictly limits the supply in multiple astonishing ways. This has effectively turned the question ofhow to buy anHermès bag into an obsession for women worldwide.

Royalty, heads of state, executives, and celebrities compete fiercely for the opportunity to buy a Birkinor a Kelly bag. There are twoprimaryapproaches tohow to buy an Hermès bag. One is a sprint, and the other is ayears-long odyssey. Eachleads to the ultimate prize — your very ownHermès luxury handbag. Choose yourapproachbased on which gives you greater joy — the thrill of the hunt or thedelightof thehave.

How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (2)

What Makes Hermès Bags So Special?

Whether you choose the arduous, often years-long path to buyingan Hermès bag or the sprint, there is no denying that theBirkin and theKelly bags are international sensations. But what is it that makes Hermès bags so special that thousands worldwide are searching forhow to buy an Hermès bag?

Hermès bags are made frompremium quality leathers unique to the atelierand crafted entirely by hand. Each bag is cut, sewn, and polished by a single artisan, who will have trained with the Hermès design house for a minimum of five years before being trusted with a Birkin or Kelly. The work is painstaking, and the final quality is simply exquisite.

But the exceptional qualityand artisanship arejust part of what makes Hermès bags so highly coveted. Hermèsstrictlylimits theproductionof new Birkin and Kelly bags.

Furthermore, information about the number of Hermès bags made, in which colors, leathers, and styles, as well as when and where they may be shipped, is kept secret. For security reasons, even the Sales Manager (SM) and Sales Associates (SA) at any Hermès boutique know anything about the timing or contents of any shipments until the designer bags arrive at the boutique.

Exquisite craftsmanship, extreme scarcity, and decidedly romanticbackstories have made the Hermès Birkinand Kelly bagsthe most highly desired luxurybags in history.

From Birkin to Kelly to Constance: Understanding Hermès Bag Styles

Did you know that there are over 80 Hermès bag styles in production? These includeLindy,Picotin,Evelyne,Bolide, and manyothers.Figuring outhow to buy an Hermès bagin most styles is pretty easy. They can be purchased from Hermès online or from a brand boutique.

However, Hermès aficionados love the Birkin, Kelly, andConstance bags above all others. These are considered the “Holy Trinity” of Hermès. While collectors were the first to designate these styles as stars, the design house has followed suit. The sale of these bags is highly restricted.

The Birkin and Kelly bags are subject to a stringent quota system worldwide. Hermès allows no one to purchase more than two “quota bags” in a calendar year. If you were to buy a Birkin and a Kelly bag in March, you just have to wait until the following year before buying another. While Constance is not considered a quota bag in most of Europe or the United States, it is in France, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, and Singapore. This quota system is one (of many) reasons that figuring outhow to purchase an Hermèsbag can be so challenging.

How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (3)

The Best Way To Buy an Hermès Bag?

Let’s seehow to buy an Hermès bag.

As you will recall, there aretwo very different answers towhere to buy anHermès bag:at an Hermès boutique or from a vetted independent dealer.It’s sort of like a “choose your own adventure.”If you want toownan Hermès bag, skip ahead.But if you value the thrill of the hunt,you’lllovetrying to get a Birkin or Kelly at a brand boutique. Let’s see why.

First,you cannot purchase a Birkinor Kellybag on the Hermès website. Instead, you must visit one of the many Hermès boutiques around the world. When you enter the shop, do not expect to see any Birkins or Kellys for sale on display. If you luck into the rare circ*mstance of aquota bagon the premises and the SA deems you worthy, you will be invited into a private room. A gloved SA will bring you a glass of champagne and a single bag from the back. With extraordinary luck, there may be two or three bags to choose from.(Wondering what it takes to be considered worthy of purchasing an Hermès bag? We’re getting there.)

But what if one of those bags wasn’t what you were looking for?Can you order anHermès bagfrom theboutique? No. There is no way to order a bag in thestyle,size, color, leather, and hardware you want unless you are an Hermès VIP who is personally invited to custom order aHorseshoe Stamp bag. While long-term customers make requests of their SAs for a specific Birkin, most requests are not fulfilled orwilltake years to be fulfilled.

How To Buy an Hermès Bagat an Hermès Boutique

As forhow to buy an Hermès bagat a brand boutique, itall starts with developing a relationship with a specific Hermès Sales Associate(SA). With an SA on your side, many things are eventually possible. You may be notified the next time a shipment comes in. With an exceptional relationship developed over time, your SA might even put a hold on a Birkin bag for youfor a couple of days.

When you go into the store, you first must find a Sales Associate willing and available to assist you. Ideally, a friend or relative will introduce you to one with whom they have a relationship.

To cultivate a relationship with your SA, make sure you:

  • Dress well when visiting the boutique —preferablyin Hermèsclothing and shoes.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the entire Hermès line as well as the Birkinor Kellyspecifically.

  • Makemultiplepurchases at the same Hermès boutique, ideally with the same SA, to establish a purchasing history (akayour“profile”). Whilemaking a purchaseduring each visitisn’t mandatory, establishing a purchasing history is a critical step on this path to one daybuyinga Birkinor Kellybagat a boutique. Purchase from a wide range of Hermès products so you don't appear interested only in getting a Birkin bag. Consider purchasing scarves, belts, jewelry, makeup, etc.

Once you have fully demonstrated your love for the entire Hermès brand through many, many purchases in several different departments, you are guaranteed a happy SA but not necessarily a Birkinor Kellybag. However, it is reliably reported that spending a cool six figures plus at an Hermès boutique may make some bags reserved for VIPs available to you.

Even after you crack the Birkin-buying codeand masterhow to get an Hermès bag,there is no guarantee the bagyou are eventually offeredwill be the one of your dreams. It may be a Birkin of a different size, color, or leather than what you had hoped for.So, can you refuse the bag you are offered? Legally, of course! Practically, it will hamper your relationship with your SA.

If you want to build an Hermès handbag collection, youmustcontinue to strengthen your relationship with your SA throughongoing andfrequent visits and purchases. Building that collection will take timedue to the strictHermès quotasystem.

If you love the thrill of the huntand have patience and money to burn, buying a Birkin or Kelly bag at an Hermès boutique is ideal for you.

How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (4)

The Best Way To BuyanHermèsBag

As we have seen, the best answer forhow to buy an Hermès bagdepends on your goal. If you cherish the lifestyle of an Hermès hunter and are loaded with patience, time, and money, an Hermès boutique is your answer.If,however, you crave actuallyowningthe gorgeous luxury bag, you can dopreciselywhat celebrities and fashionable women worldwide do: shop with a reputable, independent Hermès dealer.

The benefits of shopping with aspecializedHermès reseller like Madison Avenue Couture are legion. Best of all, you can select the Hermès bag style, size, color, leather, and hardware of your choice.We offer a vast selection ofstore freshbags.You can purchase anexotic skin bag crafted of crocodile, ostrich, or alligator skin. We even have an exceptionalHermès Special Order (HSS)bag collection available to you. Every single one of our Hermès bags isguaranteed authentic and is in stock, ready to be shipped within 48 hours. Shopping with a dealer is also your best chance to score one of the coveted retired colors like Graphite, Glycine, and Gris Tourterelle.

Finally, we know you are “worthy” to own an Hermès bag, and we have no quotas on your purchases.

Establishedindependent Hermès dealers like Madison Avenue Couturehave extensive knowledge and expertise in Hermès handbags.Weacquire authentic new and pre-owned Hermès Birkins, Kellys,Constance,and other bags from people who bought the bags directly from Hermès boutiquesas well asfrom other dealers. Andwedo not discriminate based on income, celebrity status, or purchasing history.

Madison Avenue Couture is America’s largest and most trusted online dealer of store-fresh Hermès handbags. We have eliminated thehurdles, years-long wait, and extensive purchasing history to prove your worthiness fromshopping foran Hermès bag. Visitourwebsite, select one or moreof theauthentic Hermès bags wehave in stock, and receive the exact bag(s) you choose within48hours of completing your purchase. If you don't find your dream bag in our collection,ourconcierge service will be delighted to assist you.

Want to know where to buy an Hermès bag? At Madison Avenue Couture.

How To Buy An Hermès Bag: Everything You Need To Know (2024)

FAQs

How does Hermès decide who gets a bag? ›

The brand's retail experience varies from city to city; local Hermès staff are given a long leash to determine how its handbags — for which demand outstrips supply — are sold. Some bags are allocated via waitlists, others offered at the sales associate's discretion.

How long is the waiting list for a Hermès bag? ›

Rather than relying on a waiting list, you may need to build up a relationship with a sales associate, express your interest in owning a bag, and even demonstrate your commitment to the brand. It's also important to remember that while there is no official waiting list, the boutiques do use a 'wish list' system.

Can a regular person buy a Birkin bag? ›

Only customers with an extensive purchase history at the French brand are offered the opportunity to buy “quota bags” such as the Birkin or the Kelly. This practice, dubbed “the Hermès game,” has kept the bags exclusive—but it's also ruffled many feathers.

Can I walk in and buy a Birkin? ›

You just can't walk into an Hermès boutique and buy a Birkin immediately. It must be ordered, and there is a waiting list. You also can't buy the Birkin, Kelly, or most of Hermès's more iconic styles online.

Which is harder to get, Kelly or Birkin? ›

Some areas of the US have smaller, less competitive Hermès stores where it may be easier to be offered a mini Kelly than a Birkin 25, such as in your situation. Other big city locations such as New York City and Beverly Hills are highly competitive and being offered a mini Kelly is akin to winning the lottery.

Which Hermès bag is an investment? ›

Birkin bags can double in value in 5 years. An Hermès expert explains why it's a better investment than gold. “It's similar to buying a Picasso and holding it in your home, because you can look at it, you can enjoy it,” said James Firestein, founder of OpenLuxury.

How many Hermès bags can you buy a year? ›

If you buy a Birkin bag straight from a Hermès boutique, you'll only be able to buy two luxury handbags per year. This means you could invest in one Birkin and one Kelly, but no more. This two-bag rule allows Hermès to keep on top of orders and also maintain the exclusivity of their accessories.

How difficult is it to get a Birkin? ›

The Birkin and Kelly bags are subject to a stringent quota system worldwide. Hermès allows no one to purchase more than two “quota bags” in a calendar year. If you were to buy a Birkin and a Kelly bag in March, you just have to wait until the following year before buying another.

How to become a Hermès VIP? ›

VIP status is typically granted to the brand's most loyal and high-spending customers. In some cases, corporate clients and partners may receive private sale invitations through their business relationships with Hermes.

How much should I pay for a Birkin? ›

To sum up, the Hermès Birkin bag, with its rich history, iconic status, and high quality, stands as an emblem of luxury and exclusivity. Its price, influenced by factors such as materials, craftsmanship, size, color, rarity, and its condition, can range from $12,000 to a staggering $200,000.

What is the current price of a Birkin? ›

Birkin bags range from $10,400 to $2 million.

What is Birkin bait? ›

The purse is so coveted and so limited that there's a culture of so-called “Birkin bait” spending, where customers buy lots of Hermès products to bribe their way into the chance—yes, chance—to purchase one. The company knows these customers are its lifeblood, and it goes to great lengths to keep them around and happy.

Who owns the most expensive Birkin bag? ›

All about the 'world's most expensive' Himalayan Birkin bag, owned by Jennifer Lopez and Kim K. Crafted from Nile crocodile hide and custom-colored to achieve its distinctive gradation, the Hermès Himalaya Birkin is the holy grail for any handbag collector — but scoring one might be tougher than summiting Mount Everest ...

How do I ask for a Birkin? ›

Before asking for a Birkin or Kelly, explain that you love the brand, have purchased items in the past, that you are visiting from your hometown which does not have a local boutique. Further explain that you would love to shop and buy some items with the hopes of getting a quota bag if possible.

Can you spot a fake Birkin? ›

You can also spot a fake Birkin by checking the protective covering on its hardware. If the bag is new, it will have been shipped from Hermès with a protective cover of clear, shiny film. Fakes tend to use white or paper tape instead.

Who gets to buy a Birkin bag? ›

Some bags are allocated via waitlists, others offered at the sales associate's discretion (many shoppers vie for attention by trying to seem extra stylish or wealthy). Others are reportedly sold on a first-come-first-serve basis (particularly at the brand's original flagship store in Paris).

How does Hermès quota bag work? ›

The Hermès quota bag system is a strategy that ensures the exclusivity and extreme desirability of the premier Hermès bags, the Birkin and the Kelly. Not only does the company severely limit the production of these coveted bags, but it also restrains buyers from purchasing as many as they want.

How much do you have to spend to be offered a Kelly? ›

There is no “set amount” that you must spend to be offered a Birkin or Kelly in the US. Also, it is unlikely that an Hermes SA will tell you a specific amount that you must spend.

Who does Hermès favor? ›

Hermes (/ˈhɜːrmiːz/; Greek: Ἑρμῆς) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology considered the herald of the gods. He is also widely considered the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators.

References

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