Hermes: The brand that has created its own world of exclusivity and what the shoppers experience
Let’s talk about Hermes, shall we?!
What do you think about when you hear Hermes? I bet 90% of you will think: Birkin. The elusive, impossible-to-get Birkin. And the other 10% might be saying: duh, a scarf! The classic, beautiful Hermes scarf that dresses up any outfit (I am addicted! I started my collection and cannot seem to stop!). How French! All you need is a little black dress and you dress it up with a fabulous, colorful Hermes scarf, and voila, you are chic!
I have to admit. I am a Chanel girl all the way. I love that brand (that’s a whole another article right there… i can talk about it all day and night!).
BUT I have to say I started to really be fascinated with the way Hermes does business, and how it has created this world of uber exclusivity. In fact, it began to spark my interest when I heard stories of luxury YouTubers and various fashionistas talk about how Hermes has to “offer” you a bag and that you can’t just walk in and get it. I will talk more about the three most common experience shoppers around the world have experienced with Hermes later in the article.
Ok, I have to admit, I am SOLD on the Hermes Kelly bag after seeing this video in the NY Times and reading about how Hermes refuses to change. (While you are at it, check out these articles on why a Birkin bag is worth the debt AND if they can survive the resale market (you can actually get one if you can drop $10K!))
I get it, luxury brands sell the allure of exclusivity and lack of accessibility, which is why many of them don’t sell these bags on their website. However, at what point does that just become ridiculous? After all, as I wrote in my previous article here, what if I just want to buy it without the hassle of going into the boutique? What if I just don’t want to deal with anyone and just want the bag delivered to my front door?
Does Hermes want people to be intimidated? Do they want to purposely weed out the majority of the consumers?
What is the deal?!
I’ve been reading a lot about this and watching a lot of Youtube videos on this topic. I want to share with you the three most common experiences shared by many Hermes shoppers and lovers:
1. You have to spend $$$$$ in order to be even offered a Birkin or Kelly
Um, what?! So basically, you have to reach a certain spending level to even be considered “worthy” of owning a Birkin or a Kelly… Even though their small leather goods are already in the thousands, it will still take several purchases to even get there. If you are a fan of their scarves like me, I don’t think we will ever get to that point of being offered a bag, my friends…
The sales associates will say there is no bag in stock until they realize you’ve spent months and thousands of dollars (or tens of thousands, more likely) by the time you ask. No joke, here from the shoppers’ experience here.
Basically, in the U.S., you have to spend a certain amount of money to even be a candidate for a Birkin or a Kelly. In Paris and other European countries, shoppers have had better luck BUT there’s a caveat… which brings us to #2.
2. If your boyfriend or husband requests an appointment and mention that they want to buy one, you have a way better chance of getting it
YEP, you read that right. You have a better chance of purchasing either a Hermes Birkin or a Kelly IF YOUR MAN requests it!!! Hello 1950s… !
I’ve heard stories on PurseBlog AND have heard from some luxury Youtubers who scored Hermes bags that that was indeed the case when they tried to buy one in Paris. When they called to try to make an appointment, they were constantly being rejected; however, when their boyfriends or husbands called and asked for an appointment to gift their women a bag from Hermes, they were able to. Wow, just wow. Is it because the type of person who should carry it is a trophy wife? What gives?! What about all of us, hard-working, bad-ass career women around the world making our own $$ and want to treat ourselves?! (don’t get me wrong, I won’t say “no” if my husband wants to buy it for me… but at least give us an equal chance!)
3. The customer service leaves much to be desired — it’s not the most pleasant shopping experience (at least in many U.S. boutiques) AND you just can’t get the bag you want… just take what they give you
This is too bad… I honestly think it’s extremely important for these brands to teach and train their sales associates to be nice and not assume people have or don’t have money based on how they dress. But according to some shoppers, their SAs actually said it’s nice to look presentable and worthy. No joke…
Not only that, you can’t be choosy, and you basically have no control over what you can buy. Even if you are dropping $10K+ in one bag, you cannot choose the type of leather or color. You just have to take what is offered to you.
I just… can’t deal with that. I am a control freak. I need to get EXACTLY what I want. I will be on the hunt for THE ONE, even if it takes many years and looking through many pre-loved consignment stores and visiting vintage stores around the world. I will not settle for any bag just because it’s from Hermes. I need to find THE ONE.
Even with all of these hurdles, many shoppers hope to be “offered” a bag, being “chosen” to be “worthy” enough to own one of Hermes’ iconic bags.
Still interested in getting your Hermes Birkin or Kelly? You can find many YouTube videos and articles talking about how to score one.
Good luck guys. I think I will opt for the pre-loved market to avoid all the hassle and have THE ONE delivered to my door one day! When that day comes, I will definitely write about it :)
