For the price of a Birkin, you could probably commission a bespoke, hand crafted bag that fits your exact taste and specifications by a master craftsman. Now THAT would be luxury.
Agreed! This is absolutely absurd. At this point, I believe they only attract people with a low sense of self worth. Their marketing is to appeal to those who value exclusivity that implies social & economical hierarchy. There’s no way I’d pay that much money only to get whatever they give me 🥴.
My considerations as an ex-client of Hermès: I was once “offered to purchase” a Kelly bag at the Hermès store because I always liked their ready-to-wear and accessories so I became a frequent customer. But then they said there was some kind of “waiting list” of months to simply purchase it and probably I wouldn’t even be able to choose the color or materials. I still maintain the same quote I said to the sales person: “Thanks, but there’s nothing luxurious on waiting on a line.” Why would I be on a waiting list just to buy something from them? I mean, who the hell they think they are? 😂 I realised that they actually sell you the opportunity of being able to buy the product, and not the product itself. And, honestly, this is ridiculous. Sorry, but I am a luxury client, not a beggar. I would never bow down to a brand just to get their products. True luxury for me is being able to go and buy something exclusive I like, the way I want, regardless of the price tag. I used to admire Hermès for their high quality, but now I simply don’t see any sense in buying from a company that sells status and not true luxury.
this is bc of the resellers, this happened to chanel and other brands they sold it so much they killed their exclusivity and also the copiers could get hold of discount ones and copy them, I make dupes myself, i'm unable to find the clasps to copy these hermes bags though. imo they should sell you the bag you want but just one per year, it would keep the client happy and keep the exclusivity.
Jane Birkin would be appalled. She was so down-to-earth and NOT snobby. I got my Birkins many years ago, so it’s sad to see so many people saying basically the same thing. Plus, you can just go on the resale market and avoid all this nonsense.
what truly turned me off on Hermes (ive been buying their saddles since the late 80's and bought my first Birkin in 2001- because I was obsessed with Jane) was that when she passed last year the brand didnt issue a single statement not a damn peep.
Oh, come on, stop this gullible nonsense, she lived many decades while the bag was sold for the insane price so she definitely WAS AWARE!!! Most probably got benefits from Hermes.
Too much begging 4 me! Too many designers. I want to be treated as a valued customer, not a pauper. To spend that kind of money, I want to be pampered! Begging them to take my money? Please!
@bonniewagner3846 - Ferrari has an identical way of treating its public customers. As a matter of fact, I wonder if Hermes mimicked the same trait as Ferrari when it comes to trans customers. But you are right; it is pretty gosh and arrogant the way they treat customers; but, Berkin bag for the wife and a Ferrari for myself does sound pretty nice…
@@bonniewagner3824 Designer brand target poor people or those what are willing to buy expensive brands items, while going without lights or food. Sheesh what a rip off
I went to Paris recently and intended to buy a purse to mark the occasion. I agree that the sale girls are total snobs. After waiting over 30 mins at Chanel no one can literally grab a bag on the shelf in front of me for me to see. There was lots of staff looking extremely important and only a few customers. I was even carrying a Chanel purse when I entered. This is not the 1st time either. I am so turned off from buying high end luxury brands I won’t be purchasing them anymore. My husband was really happy about that 😂.
Hermes is very clever. They have changed a $500 item into a $10,000 one. Many businesses would probably like to do the same, but can’t. By limiting supply, they have increased sale and resale value. So all those people who are buying genuine second hand Birkins are also fuelling the whole system. Same with anyone of us who ‘admires’people with Birkins. WE allow this marketing tactic to succeed. If we were to laugh at the foolishness of the Birkin carriers, then the tactic will soon vanish. They really are quite ugly and heavy.
Good points, but I do think if the Birkin, Kelly and Constance weren't so hard to get people wouldn't want them as much. Hermes is playing the game and they are winning at it. They don't have to change anything because people will still play the game and buy thousands of dollars on things they don't need just to have a chance to get a bag in a size and color they never wanted.
It's nothing more than a sales tactic - It's like the more they piss you off the more you want it. People should take a stand against these luxury brands and stop buying their products, believe me their attitudes towards customers will soon change
I don't think people will stop :( As much as I want things to change, I also know that those who buy the Birkins and the Kellys continue to do so because they know they are one of the few who actually can and that's the whole joy of it
So, correct me if I'm wrong. But that means if you get and use the Hermes bag of choice, everyone who knows the process knows how low you had to stoop, how much boot-licking you had to do, and possible bad treatment as a customer you had to tolerate to get a bag. How humiliating. What are we coming to as women?
I guess it would be a case of 'I know people' or 'I have lots of money'. So yeah, that is the appeal of it apparently. I like the basicness of it but to me it's become common.
ding ding ding! couldn't agree more, I dont see them as a status symbol but rather a symbol of FOMO - and just embarrassing - what in Latin America we would call pena ajena - embarrassed for others.
@@stefanidelao5776 I think you said it better than I. Funny thing is Jane Birkin hated the bags named after her and given to her. She would use one at a time and then auction it off for charity. For use of her name, she made Hermès donate money to charity every year. When she passed away, Hermes didn't even issue a statement. But I'm sure you already know that. I'm adding this for the people who don't. Cheers, Stefani!
Great video. They are a private company, and can basically create an environment that they want. No one is forcing anyone to buy a bag or whatever is otherwise “trendy” in the moment. I question this brand’s game though, when they make people jump through hoops and barrels, yet we see constant “closet tours” with hundreds of Hermes’ bags owned by “influencers”, famous people etc. Are they playing the game? Obviously not. By the way, the Birkin is an ugly bag.
@anttoronto3202: You're right on all counts. Hermes can do what they want; people don't have to buy them; it's doubtful 'influencers' pay for their own Hermes bags; the Birkin is ugly. NO bag is worth that price tag.
It is ugly, yes. It's something similar to what my grandma has had as a basic, inexpensive bag since the 1940s. I'd take hers over one of these any day though, at least that one means something.
I feel like a lot of 'luxury' brands have forgotten that the experience was such a part of the draw. I'm not about to work my ass off, save up, and then be treated like a nuisance.
@@kath1626 kath I’ve heard such good things about their makeup. Although all set for now, I’ll happily try their eyeshadows when the time comes for a new palette.
See I actually think that the original design of the bags themselves and the original versions were very "quiet luxury". I don't think if you asked most random guy at a bar to pick a Kelly or Birkin out of a lineup of designer bags that any of them would pick them the way they could easily pick out LVs. But since the showboat side of fashion has increased in the past decade or so the brand has come out with more and more versions of these bags with flashy colors, textures, and bling to make them look more shouty than they actually are.
Seems like a form of extortion. Bribe the Hermes management with enough purchases, and you might just get a quota bag. Seems more honest if they just doubled the price of the bag and sell it outright off the shelf.
I don't own an Hermes handbag but I have recently fallen in love with the Kelly bag. I know I will never be able to afford a bag like that but there are dupes out there which in my eyes are the same. The reason they make it so hard for people is to attract buyers and making their name more exclusive. Spending all that money on a bag is crazy and it could have been spent on more important things
I think Hermes's rules to get one of their quota bags changes from store to store, based on their sales targets, etc. They usually tend to prioritize loyal locals first, as they are the ones that keep spending throughout the year in the boutique. If you visit different Hermes boutiques you will get different customer service and also different "rules" to get their quota bag. My SA offered to get a Birkin for me, but she needed few months to get it from Paris, as it is a really small boutique and they don't get much anyways. So for most of the items I need, I have to tell her first so she can order them for me. In my boutique I always get 5 star customer service, but when travelling abroad, I got mixed experiences in other shops. Even if I own Hermes items, I ddecided to not purchase any Birkin or Kelly, as thieves are now so aware of these, and there is a lot of theft, even on the streets. Few ladies experienced, unfortunately, being robbed by men in a motorbike with knives or guns during the day in the streets. I might never experience this, but I don't want to risk, especially given it is a bag I don't find particularly nice or functional for my lifestyle.
Those of us who have been loyal patrons of this brand for decades recall a time when such treatment was unheard of. The recent practice of coercing customers into buying thousands of dollars worth of Hermes products they may not desire, simply to obtain a Birkin or Kelly, is utterly deplorable.
I have two Birkins that I love. I got them pre-loved and will do it again. They are classic. I have not bothered with the in store games, but I still have the bags I love.❤
QUESTION: Though I've frequently shopped at various Hermes boutiques, for their scarfs & ties mind you, I am interested to know how many Snobs would makes dinner reservations at a unattainable restaurant only to be told that a table may or may not be available on that day, and that your dinner won't be what you ordered.....Unless you first spend twice as much at the Bar?!? Luckily, as a male, I can allow my leather goods to acquire a certain, desired Patina that cannot be achieved with plastic coating!
I still don’t understand why people allow themselves to be treated in such, we are the costumer and we are in control of our money, we can chose where we want to spend it. It is indeed crazy 🙏
Even if I got offered a bag I wouldn't buy it. That money!! While I really like those bags, they're, well, only handbags. It's mindblowing to me to spend that much money on a handbag.
I agree. I like a nice bag, but they are basically just something to carry your keys, phone and lunch to work, they have nothing to do with my feelings of self worth or identity.
I get the feeling that the clientele for Hermes merchandise are no longer for the celebrity wallets, but geared for the far deeper pockets of their preferred clientele.
Carrying an Hermes is a shout-out that one has something to prove. Because if one did not have something to prove, one would not tolerate this sort of shoddy, rude behavior just to get ... a handbag. Case closed.
People should simply boycott Hermes...they would change their 'game' in no time. A bag manufacturer is playing with your dignity and for what? It's a f*cking bag hello.
@@perspectiveofme We simply want them to feel the pinch… they probs won’t go out of business but especially lately where they have made the game so confusing… they DESERVE alot of pushback.
They probably looked at the watch world an realized what kind of money there is to be made when you create an artifical scarcity. Not only are people spending more money at your store to obtain a ''relationship'' with the brand, but artificial scarcity also creates the illusion of exclusivity and people are willing to pay premium for that. Hermes (and similar brands) also need to set themselves apart from brands such as LV, Gucci, Prada, etc.. that are a lot more obtainable for people who have ''some'' disposable income to keep up the illusion.
I’ve been buying Birkins for years- I even have a custom special order and mini Kelly. Hermes has zero loyalty- I moved to another city and had to get a new SA and she basically told me all my buying history didn’t matter and I was starting fresh like a brand new customer! She also said I buy too much online and that hurts me!!! I have no Hermes in my city so buying online became my only option at times. Disappointing loyal customers are treated so badly.
I would sell every single one of my bags and never parade their brand again. You're paying thousands to be an ad for a company that spits on your dignity and basic human decency.
I 100% agree with you related to the customer service. While at one point I got hung up in the Hermes game but I did not buy anything I truly did not want. I do own a Birkin and a Kelly. At one point I had 2 Birkins both preloved and quickly felt like I had made a mistake on spending so much money on that bag. One I sold the other I still have and I am not looking to purchase another one. I do agree that putting up with the kind of disrespect or having to kiss up to a sales associate is not necessary for a purse that is why I stopped going into the store. I acted like myself and I will say that although I didn't purchase a quota bag I was offered 4 bags. Three I purchased and one I passed. What most don't say is that it is not very easy to purchase any bag in Hermes.
It’s not a luxury experience if you have to wait outside in a line, or be kept guessing about how to get the item you want, or be treated dismissively.
I love my old Hermes scarves, which pretty much ruined me for any other scarves, but this video is exactly why I buy my luxury leather goods, handbags, and sweaters second-hand. Usually they’ve been a little lived-in while well-cared for, and I’m too old to want to look like new money 😂
Because they don’t want any person with it. It’s supposed to be q true luxury bag. They don’t want a nouveau riche even from France to get it quickly. With that in mind, they don’t want a nouveau riche American with credit cards to get it as well. It’s the old money product, so they try their best to screen.
This place is not the richest fashion house for no reason. they use these to entice people to buy normal stuff that is too expensive as they cannot ramp up the production of high quality leather; it is not hard to make a lot of the medium quality stuff that also needs to be sold. Rolex is owned by a not for profit but try buying a Daytona, even now.
As exclusive as they say these bags are I see loads and loads of people with them. Perhaps half of them are fake but still I see a lot of these bags everywhere
It is the clumsiest, most annoying bag design I’ve ever dealt with. If you lock it, it’s a struggle to get it open, ergo answering a cell phone, or grabbing your wallet can be a 4 minute exercise in frustration. So you leave it open. Now, it looks sloppy and is hangs open, still not easy to deal with. When it was designed upper class women I guess did not need to get into their bags for wallets so could keep it closed and looking smart. Great if you are an upper crusty in the 50’s & 60s, hopelessly antiquated for today. Pass.
The rude and disrespectful customer service completely turns me off from the brand. Also spending 5 digits on a bag seems ridiculous especially in this economy. I buy other luxury brand bags and enjoy the experience most of the time. I won’t tolerate being treated like crap and not even getting to choose what I want for the hard earned money I use to spend on my bags.
You got it. They don’t want t tbe nouveau riche with it either. They prefer the older money. Hence the screens. If your family has bought three or four bags from them over decades and you are old money pretty sure you get offered it. If you are Joan from the street that has a 200k black card it’s going to be a longer move
@@ireneswackyjournals8810 I’m pretty sure Jenny from the block aka JLo can still get a bag. Back in the day they treated Oprah and Gail like absolute trash and it was all over the news. Disgusting company.
@@dollymadeson3963 I remember the Oprah situation but forgot the store. 8 know they did this and still do. They leave it to the discretion of the Hermes store and that means that if the person had a thing against woman of a race or ethnic background they will make them go through hell.
Hermes has good quality but the price is too high and on quota. Drop them but not as fast as most other brands that don't offer high equality. They are a luxury house; a kelly bag is a bag that was designed 90 years ago; most other houses are fashion houses that are selling fashion that changes every few months.
I have a beauty room channel and I feature both luxury and non luxury bags on it. Hermes though is the one brand I will never purchase. For me the prices are excessively over inflated and the brands way of treating customers is not good. Imagine if your local food store told you that you needed to be put on a waiting list for their products and that you needed to buy a certain amount of products before be allowed to attain the item you actually want and on top of that pay exorbitant amounts. No thanks, I’d rather buy cheaper, well made bags or bags that are inspired by the brand so that I can get the look for less.
There are brands worse than Hermes. LV makes pretty ordinary stuff and sells it very high markups. I would prefer buying a Birkin which has appreciated in price to a LV piece.
I just found your channel & you have a new subscriber!! It is so refreshing for the truth about H’s sales strategy & horrific customer service! Decades ago, my mom purchased a Kelly. Of course, customer service was on par without question. I found H’s willingness to cater to a select group of people, while turning their backs on their loyal customers to be quite distasteful and disrespectful. An Hermes bag no long has the same status as it once did!
The Bags Look nice, but the closure is so impractical. When im out i ant to be able to easily access my things, but if you properly close the Kelly that isn’t possible. I know someone who has one and they always have it open and that makes the closure obsolete. Apart from the astronomical price and the number of hoops to jump through that’s the main reason why I don’t want a Hermes bag…
SCREW THEM ALL. SCREW THIS GAME. THIS IS NOT LUXURY. I ordered bespoke from a master Chinese artisan shop, with the EXACT colour mix that I wanted, original factory leather, pinnacle hardware, completely hand stitched. He sent me WIP pictures and videos of the bags, was always there to all my questions, patiently explained everything. It's a fantasy bag because such colour combo doesn't exist in the wild. But that's how real luxury was supposed to be - tailor made high quality goods. The craftsmanship are absolutely above and beyond. Absolutely amazing experience. Sorry but, I'm two feet in the rep game. Unless if you care about resell value (which is lolz), there's basically no point in getting authentic anymore.
Hermes is not forcing anyone to buy their products. So why are people complaining about the brand? If you don’t like the service, then don’t buy anything from Hermes. Straight and simple, right? But noooo… it’s the exclusivity of the brand that people are after. So don’t blame Hermes if you enable the brand to play you 🤣
You'll soon see how tables will turn, Hermes will soon be begging customers to buy their products. What's on top will eventually come crashing down; especially behaving in that manner. Truly vile.
Such an interesting video, thank you! I'm assuming that the SA are condescending because if you're the naive person who spent months waiting for a bag, they're not interested in you. Maybe they only want the Elite who can actually afford more bags - not the customer who will buy "only" one or two Hermes bags in their lifetime. This is kind of what Chanel seems to have been doing for a while. I often heard (in the past) that LV's Neverfull was the "secretary bag" - meaning people with lower incomes were the ones buying it, which was tarnishing LV's luxuriousness - and now there's a waiting list for it! Maybe I'm completely wrong, I don't know! Take care ❤
It’s a bag. You put stuff in it. These ridiculous prices and the increasingly complicated hoops the customer are forced to jump through while being treated with contempt is beyond belief. My only requirement for purchasing a bag is an outside pocket for my epipens that’s quickly and easily accessible, which these don’t have.
You should be able to have a customized bag made just for you for the prices they charge. A bespoke piece made with the leather,color, size and finish you choose!
Hermes is a privately owned company and it’s always been about exclusivity. People who think they are entitled to own a quota bag have to accept that fact. Other companies like Porsche and Rolex have the same exclusivity techniques.
Wanted to buy my wife and daughter some scarves but couldn't get waited on at the Hermes boutique in Doha's Vendome Mall...spent my money at the nearby LV boutique. Going back next month and I'm going to try the Ferragamo boutique as well.
Update: back in Doha and was treated well this time, bought two Hermes scarves. Also picked up one from Cartier which was adorned with bent nails and love bracelets.
Hermès loves clients interested in their "métiers" and brand in general. The Birkin, Kelly and Constance are offered to their loyal (big spenders) clients first. It's smart in a world of luxury going middle class and I bet other brands would love to do the same.
Reality is you own a brand's product by means of your capability NOT THE BRAND OWNING YOU.. It's literally a purse and going through this much bulls##t to be able buy is rubbish... simply move on to a brand that respects your time and money you're willing to pay. No Fs should be given to these self proclaimed LUXURY monsters.
Service and treatment varies greatly from store to store or even person to person. I've been collecting Hermes for over 15 yrs and have never had poor treatment no matter which store I visited. So, there's that!
The video is interesting and even more the comments. It boils down to dignity and confidence. I do not need a Kelly or Birkin and I would never lower myself to those ridiculous standards. Having said that, my experience buying scarves at Hermes have been positive with regard of treatment from the SI but maybe it is because I clearing walked in with my Loro Piana or Bottega Veneta bags which I chose bought and did not have to beg anybody to get!
I have 2 Birkins - both bought pre-loved and yes more than retail cost. BUT...I got the color; size; material that I wanted. AND I didn't spend thousands on stuff I didn't want and pretending to like being treated poorly. NOT happening. I love my bags and I don't need more from them so I'm done with them. I would never play that game.
I admit I don’t buy name brands, but find the idea of hooking customers this way an excellent idea. If they can keep doing this successfully, then I commend them.
I really don't want to offend anyone, but to me the possession of a Birkin bag is just a sign of low self esteem. A sane person doesn't spend thousands of dollars for being humiliated and wait in line with hundreds of other people.
Today the Birkin is so basic, every RUclipsr and their momma has one. Hermes is an over priced brand which is high quality but so is vintage Coach bags which quality can match Hermes or any other :luxury: brand for that matter.
I will NEVER purchase from Hermes. I never wanted to play "the game" and to be treated like worst than dirt is not my jam. I'll take my hard earned money to company's that value me. Thank you for this video.
I have one Kelly and one Birkin. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful S.A. who I genuinely like and who has really helped me learn and appreciate the brand. And even then, the process was still not easy. I had less than a 1 to 1 spend for my Kelly ( I got it in 2021) and that spend included an Evelyn bag. I just got my Birkin a few weeks ago and I spent slightly about 1.3 to 1 but that also includes the purchase of a picotin. I really love and enjoy my items. But now that I have a daughter it is harder and harder to justify spending these amounts of money on bags - no matter how lovely or great quality one finds them to be.
Would you be so kind to describe your thoughts knowing that Hermes was expecting you to spend so much money before even possibly proposing these bags to you? In other words, what made you justify and accepts what I would consider a form of extorsion?
The new process is insane. I got my 1st Birkin with NO purchase history. My 2nd was offered when I went in for $200 twillys. Although I buy stuff from Hermes, it’s only what I like. I’m not buying a bunch of stuff I don’t want to get a bag. I’m sorry
Not worth it and a waste of time and money. For that price, your paying for superb customer service, quality and availability. Why are they playing games with customers? I would buy products from lesser known designers who have better quality, service and pricing anyday.
why I dont understand is how so many the influencers have collections of Hermes quota bags when theyre so hard to acquire.I have a Kelly 28 in rouge de Coeur that my husband bought me and its beautiful but I have honesty never worn it because im afraid of ruining it. I much prefer my celine, fend or feragamo i bags ,I can enjoy them without being too precious . All in all I dont see the big fuss about Hermes
The only Hermès items I’ve ever bought are a few scarves, because I enjoyed wearing silk scarves a few years ago, in my early 20s. I only had really pleasant experience, despite my purchase probably being ones of the cheapest items by the brand. I went to the store in Mayfair, London, The Exchange, London, and the flagship in Paris. They all treated me well, despite my ordinary girl-next-door look. When I bought my first one I even told them that this was my first scarf, and they were extremely helpful and nice in helping me choose the most iconic one available at the time. At one of the branches, I was even told by one of the associates that it’s not that hard to obtain a Kelly or Birkin, and although I had only spent a tiny teeny fraction of what normal Hermès customers would, he had offered to check the availabilities and put me on and waiting list. But I declined. The key is to be nice and down-to earth, but not fake nice. Just act like you’re making any normal purchase. I think if you act snob, they’re not going to be nice to you. And in most cases, snobs are the wannabes, and they can probably see through that. I don’t know what its like in America.
All the tacky influencers like Tamara et al have cheapened the Hermes legacy, so many bags in different colours but basically the same bag totally going against Jane Birkin’s ethos wearing her one bag until it was destroyed then buying another and not babying it. Now it’s all about flexing and obnoxious overconsumption, so tacky! Plus the rumours of them wearing super fakes 😂
Influencers have driving the demand too high. That is Hermes has gone back to the Haute Couture standard of 2 pieces a year. The demand for the bags exceeds the couture high end customer which is only about 4000 people worldwide. Those are the core customers that will buy Dior Couture and not Ready to Wear. Those are the customers that Hermes wants.
I must say if the woman who created Hermes saw the prices, the customer service (as people confess), the bad publicity from those who do……..she would definitely be furious at everyone. I have worked as a sales representative, done everything that was necessary and never ever treated a person badly, or snobbish, or rude or even when I had a bad day at home never ever lash out at anyone. It is a big ❌. I really cannot understand how someone working in such a shop like Hermes treat people in a way to feel badly about themselves? Why do that? What is their problem?
A new brand couldn’t achieve this. But Hermès’ worked for decades supplying truly functional and exceptional items to their customers. Their heritage has allowed for the strategy, however wrong these days. It’s all marketing.
This is insane! I’m so bored of these crazy expensive bags! The only reason people buy them is for the status symbol! Case in point….Let’s talk about the Constance bag…If that bag didn’t have a huge gold H on it, you’d never buy it! If Walmart sold a bag that looks like a Louis Vuitton (for example) with same quality materials, but instead of little LV’s all over but it had little W’s for Walmart, you’d never wear it! Even if it cost a lot less! People need to stop the flex! Ridiculous! Hermes is the worst! Those hideous old-lady bags are for status only! Nobody truly likes those bags! If you’d spend $20,000 on a bag, you need a therapist! Having to beg to be ALLOWED to spend money at Hermes? Insane! Stop the madness!
Neither of those Hermes models are convenient to carry. I notice that everyone with that type of bag always has the buckle hanging open because it is too inconvenient to open it and close it every time, and open the flap and trawl around for what you need. What about beautiful bags made in the USA, like from Go Forth Leather Goods, Coastal Hillbilly, or KMM & Co leather goods. So beautiful and tough enough to last a lifetime, literally. And who wants to be too precious with a bag, always worrying about scuffing the corners or scratches. Anyway, Wannabe people who often carry those bags have the appearance of wealth, but not real wealth.
I would rather just buy some Coach or MK bag than one of these overpriced Hermes bags. Yes the quality of leather and materials won't be as good but at least they aren't trying to make their product super exclusive and super expensive. Most people don't have $20,000 to spend on a bag. You could so easily get a LV bag for a small fraction of the price of a Birkin Bag. These prices are crazy.
I have an issue shopping in America - every sales person wants to be my bestie. Shopping in Europe is so much more relaxing where I don’t have to worried the sales staff is comfortable all the way up my ass while I shop the store at my own pace. I find that once I’m ready for service, they’re there and ready to help, but not a moment too soon. Additionally, it has been proven over and over again that people respond to negging - what you get from the sales staff in the A-list stores. I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it, and it works.
Hermès can keep doing whatever the heck they want. I don’t own an Hermès Birkin, but their stock price has increased 51% over the price I paid; if I had put as much money into Hermès as I did into BRK/B, I’d be able to buy a pretty nice used Birkin with just that. Meanwhile, LVMH stock has decreased since I bought it; you can buy those used in Dillards now and I always see at least two every time I go to the supermarket in my suburban/rural town.
The reason the bags are so sought after is that you have to chase them. It's part of the marketing ploy. This is never going to change as long as it works, and it does work.
When people stop caring about this bags and stop shopping them Hermes will see the problem it has created spend your money we’re they treat you professionally better!
LOL! right? my BKK vendor would come to our hotel, have us look over actual real luxury good catalogs and if we wanted anything all we would have to do was provide him with was what grade of the item we wanted - Good, Better, Best; negotiate the set price and they would come back the next day with your item to inspect. You could refuse the item for any reason and payment was only exchanged if you were entirely satisfied. But visiting their actual storefronts were great fun too. You would literally be led into multiple special secret entrance rooms behind bookcases, up stairwells and behind legitimate commerce. The super fakes/replicas are very, very hard to detect even on close thorough inspection.
These bags are not worth what they’re priced at or the prespend. It’s become a brand for aspirational flexers. The vast majority of people playing the games can’t even afford these bags. They buy pre spend and resell it on Facebook and instagram stories. The recent price increases are utterly ridiculous. Because of the flexers who game the system it’s increased pre spend for everyone. People are so desperate to get their hands on these bags for validation. Sure some of the client service is good but if someone claims they’ve never had bad or frustrating service they’re lying unless they’re spending 100k plus a year. The lack of response or extremely slow response is shitty service. Prioritizing clients who buy jewelry and Rtw and home is shitty service. The sas are Spoiled and greedy and the clients are to blame for this and management. It’s true that carrying these bags is not a badge of honor or showing you won some great game. It shows you’re emotionally and mentally stunted because you need validation from strangers after throwing astronomical amounts of money on some pieces of leather sewn together. It’s not an exclusive club. Hundreds of thousands of people have these bags including escorts and teens.
I don't get why everyone's so furious at Hermes. They're not like other supposed high end brands that pop thousands of brands fresh from the factory and always have them in stock. They're one of the only real luxury brands that has remained a product targeted at the uber wealthy and not at kids that shop at Target and then at LV when they want something special. At 10,000 - 50,000 euro a piece, they are certainly not targeted at the average Joe on an average income. They're not even targeted to those that make a higher than average salary! And there have always been brands that NO person on the street could afford apart from Hollywood celebs and/or the upper class. But of course, we like to forget that, because marketers make us think we have to have them in order to be accepted by rubbish people. With so many brands that sell items costing €1,000 and higher that we've come to normalise and justify these crazy purchasing habits. And now your average fashion-lover is pissed that there are exclusive brands that we can't get to that easily. Hmm. In today's consumer society, fashion influencers are acting like it should be normal to go and get a high end luxury purse. The truth is most ppl on average salaries can afford bags from brands like Furlaand Kate Spade etc. People on higher than average salaries go for moderately-prices brands like Marc Jacobs , Balanciaga or LV . There are richer people than us who can snap their fingers at Hermes and be first in line. You and I should not be thinking of owning a Hermes purse. In the past, I'd purchased a Chanel double flap and an LV and a handful of SL bags, but I've regretted spending my hard-earned money on items like these. Just because "I liked them" wasn't cutting it anymore. It's stopped me from buying the property I wanted so I was forced to sell some stuff just so I could purchase the little home of my dreams and have a pension when I retire. I too have made mistakes, like many of us luxury addicts. But we ought to know our limits. The truth is that walking into an LV store has become like shopping at Zara's these days, because everyone shops there now. It's become normalised and we've come to see everyone obsessing over the same darn items. And Hermes doesn't want to be Disneyland. It doesn't WANT to be accessible to the poor. Tiffany's and Cartier were Hermes in the 1960s. Not just any Tom Dick or Harry could buy a Tiffany's or Cartier. Now Cartier has become McDonald's. You see people with bad grammar who don't dine at the Four Seasons wearing the Love bracelet. As lovely as they are, this is NOT okay. Even my doctor and lawyer friends can't afford an Hermes. You know who wears Hermes purses in my country? Influencers making over €100,000 annually, people that have been bribed by corrupt politicians and earn a salary 5 or 6 times higher than anyone else in the nation. CEOs and owners of multinationals. And they WEAR their Hermes bags everyday. They don't keep them locked in a safe and keep them as an investment and not try to scratch them (like you or I might) because they can always snap their fingers and order another one easily. Because god forbid you damage the bag. The moment you do, your Hermes investment plummets significantly. That's how poor we are. And we need to get over ourselves if we're saying things like "OMG whatever happened to Hermes?" The question you should be asking yourself is WHY you're even dreaming of doing everything in your power to get your hands on a €15,000 purse. If you're struggling to get one, you're poor. Simple. Even if you own your own property - If you have to work hard for it, you're poor. If you're mad at Hermes having a waiting list, it's only because you're not stinking rich. And not being stinking rich is normal. If you can't get the bag you want quickly, you're one of the 99% even if you're a small business owner like me. People like you and I watching this video are considered to be poor by the uber rich. Fact. Buy other things with your wealth. Buy real estate. Invest in the stock market.
Abuse customers and pay the price. The concept of forcing customers to meet requirements before they can purchase is a short term sales boosting strategy, that always ends badly. Requiring appointments to walk into a shop is ridiculous too. It’s well known that as soon as anything becomes common, it loses any semblance of desirability. Now that everyone has ‘luxury’ pieces the very market they want is no longer interested. The bubble has burst.
Do they still make bags? Do shops still have stocks? Probably, on a made-to-order basis only? A lot of people selling pre-loved bags, so there will still be available units. They want to be talked about.
I don't want to buy Hermes bags. I don't like their way of selling. If I want to buy a bag, it's just the bag. I would never imagine having to buy a lot of other things, just to be allowed to buy an Hermes bag - Nice, no thanks from here :)
I just want to say that Hermès wants Brand loyalty. I’ve never had any issues getting the bags I wanted I have a great relationship with Hermès and come from generations of loyal customers 💋💋💋💋💋
Personally, out of self-respect, I refuse to let any company control me the way Hermès does their customers. Hermès is about their own personal ego trip, greed & control over those people who are too obsessed with the so-called 'prestige' they think comes with owning a bag. As though the ownership will ensure them nothing but happiness & a long life. Hermès is actually spitting on their own customers & laughing in their faces as they take their money & slam the door behind them.
This is pure greed. Seems just as bad as hiring child labor or working people in a sweat shop. And they’re not even that great. I see the same old bag every time I see one of these women carrying one on TV. I live in Jersey and have never ever seen one in person. Only ever on TV. Same bag, different colors, same Bravo Network. I own a Chanel. I went to the Short Hills Mall. Walked into the Store. Told the sales lady what I wanted. Though I had to go back 2 weeks later to pick it up, I certainly didn’t have to BEG for it. After watching this, that’s what I think these people are doing. They’re begging Hermes to let them give Hermes their money to carry a bag that they will eventually get tired of and only pull out and use when they need to show how much money they have….or don’t lmao.
They are playing reverse psychology and it didn’t work on me in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. I gave a slight smile and simply walked out, looking indifferent. They were trained to give the cold treatment to make their products more desirable. Anyone who has experienced their merchandise would know- leather is just leather.
For the price of a Birkin, you could probably commission a bespoke, hand crafted bag that fits your exact taste and specifications by a master craftsman. Now THAT would be luxury.
Amen. Pay someone to design and craft a bag just for you. No one will own one like it. You wont come close to what you would pay for the Birkin.
Sounds like Peter Nitz bags from Switzerland.
I had found some one in Italy who can do that.
All about the brand
Agreed! This is absolutely absurd. At this point, I believe they only attract people with a low sense of self worth. Their marketing is to appeal to those who value exclusivity that implies social & economical hierarchy. There’s no way I’d pay that much money only to get whatever they give me 🥴.
My considerations as an ex-client of Hermès:
I was once “offered to purchase” a Kelly bag at the Hermès store because I always liked their ready-to-wear and accessories so I became a frequent customer. But then they said there was some kind of “waiting list” of months to simply purchase it and probably I wouldn’t even be able to choose the color or materials.
I still maintain the same quote I said to the sales person: “Thanks, but there’s nothing luxurious on waiting on a line.”
Why would I be on a waiting list just to buy something from them? I mean, who the hell they think they are? 😂
I realised that they actually sell you the opportunity of being able to buy the product, and not the product itself.
And, honestly, this is ridiculous.
Sorry, but I am a luxury client, not a beggar. I would never bow down to a brand just to get their products.
True luxury for me is being able to go and buy something exclusive I like, the way I want, regardless of the price tag.
I used to admire Hermès for their high quality, but now I simply don’t see any sense in buying from a company that sells status and not true luxury.
you're literally a dude.
this is bc of the resellers, this happened to chanel and other brands they sold it so much they killed their exclusivity and also the copiers could get hold of discount ones and copy them, I make dupes myself, i'm unable to find the clasps to copy these hermes bags though.
imo they should sell you the bag you want but just one per year, it would keep the client happy and keep the exclusivity.
@@misakistalker I'm actually interested where you get those clasps as I'd want to make a dupe from a bag myself!
Selling status and not true luxury items…succinctly put!
Very well said.
Jane Birkin would be appalled. She was so down-to-earth and NOT snobby. I got my Birkins many years ago, so it’s sad to see so many people saying basically the same thing. Plus, you can just go on the resale market and avoid all this nonsense.
True
what truly turned me off on Hermes (ive been buying their saddles since the late 80's and bought my first Birkin in 2001- because I was obsessed with Jane) was that when she passed last year the brand didnt issue a single statement not a damn peep.
@@stefanidelao5776 what, for real?! how can they be so ignorant of such an important part of their brand’s history…
You're so right...
Oh, come on, stop this gullible nonsense, she lived many decades while the bag was sold for the insane price so she definitely WAS AWARE!!! Most probably got benefits from Hermes.
I will NEVER bow down to a retailer like that, no way! I'll spend my money elsewhere!
The Hermès game is actually fun, in my opinion.
Too much begging 4 me! Too many designers. I want to be treated as a valued customer, not a pauper. To spend that kind of money, I want to be pampered! Begging them to take my money? Please!
@bonniewagner3846 - Ferrari has an identical way of treating its public customers.
As a matter of fact, I wonder if Hermes mimicked the same trait as Ferrari when it comes to trans customers. But you are right; it is pretty gosh and arrogant the way they treat customers; but, Berkin bag for the wife and a Ferrari for myself does sound pretty nice…
@@bonniewagner3824 Designer brand target poor people or those what are willing to buy expensive brands items, while going without lights or food. Sheesh what a rip off
Agreed. Say it louder for the people in the back.
I went to Paris recently and intended to buy a purse to mark the occasion. I agree that the sale girls are total snobs. After waiting over 30 mins at Chanel no one can literally grab a bag on the shelf in front of me for me to see. There was lots of staff looking extremely important and only a few customers. I was even carrying a Chanel purse when I entered. This is not the 1st time either. I am so turned off from buying high end luxury brands I won’t be purchasing them anymore. My husband was really happy about that 😂.
You'd think people would be nice to someone who is willing to spend a lot of money for one of your bags...
I think its a sale tactic
Hermes is very clever. They have changed a $500 item into a $10,000 one. Many businesses would probably like to do the same, but can’t. By limiting supply, they have increased sale and resale value. So all those people who are buying genuine second hand Birkins are also fuelling the whole system. Same with anyone of us who ‘admires’people with Birkins. WE allow this marketing tactic to succeed. If we were to laugh at the foolishness of the Birkin carriers, then the tactic will soon vanish. They really are quite ugly and heavy.
Many luxury companies are following this strategy and it is about time we refuse to participate on this nonsense!
I don't understand all this madness😂 prefer quiet but good quality bags, and invest in homes rather then ugly bags😂
It's ALL IN THE MARKETING. ''Snob Appeal" has worked for years, but only for lower middle class who want to appear upper middle class.
Good points, but I do think if the Birkin, Kelly and Constance weren't so hard to get people wouldn't want them as much. Hermes is playing the game and they are winning at it. They don't have to change anything because people will still play the game and buy thousands of dollars on things they don't need just to have a chance to get a bag in a size and color they never wanted.
I could not carry this load stone. I could not walk ten feet with one on my shoulder or hand. My back would go out.
It's nothing more than a sales tactic - It's like the more they piss you off the more you want it. People should take a stand against these luxury brands and stop buying their products, believe me their attitudes towards customers will soon change
There's an old saying. Pride goes before a fall! And Hermes is due
Sounds like those desperate women who enjoy chasing after the bad boy that doesn’t really want them 🤣
I'll never understand. When I'm pissed off, I do everything to avoid that establishment and any branding associated with it.
I don't think people will stop :( As much as I want things to change, I also know that those who buy the Birkins and the Kellys continue to do so because they know they are one of the few who actually can and that's the whole joy of it
I’d just buy a fake and be happy! Being happy is what is most important, surely…….💖🌸💖🌸💖
So, correct me if I'm wrong. But that means if you get and use the Hermes bag of choice, everyone who knows the process knows how low you had to stoop, how much boot-licking you had to do, and possible bad treatment as a customer you had to tolerate to get a bag. How humiliating. What are we coming to as women?
Some of us women have self esteem and we don’t do that
I guess it would be a case of 'I know people' or 'I have lots of money'. So yeah, that is the appeal of it apparently. I like the basicness of it but to me it's become common.
ding ding ding! couldn't agree more, I dont see them as a status symbol but rather a symbol of FOMO - and just embarrassing - what in Latin America we would call pena ajena - embarrassed for others.
@@stefanidelao5776 I think you said it better than I. Funny thing is Jane Birkin hated the bags named after her and given to her. She would use one at a time and then auction it off for charity. For use of her name, she made Hermès donate money to charity every year. When she passed away, Hermes didn't even issue a statement. But I'm sure you already know that. I'm adding this for the people who don't. Cheers, Stefani!
Totally disagree.
Birkins are a symbol of VIP status and Hermès LOYALTY.
Regular people like you wouldn't understand.🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Great video.
They are a private company, and can basically create an environment that they want. No one is forcing anyone to buy a bag or whatever is otherwise “trendy” in the moment. I question this brand’s game though, when they make people jump through hoops and barrels, yet we see constant “closet tours” with hundreds of Hermes’ bags owned by “influencers”, famous people etc. Are they playing the game? Obviously not.
By the way, the Birkin is an ugly bag.
Those closets with influencers that have hundreds of birkins are not real bags 😅it’s just to display opulence 😂
Can you say FAKES
@anttoronto3202: You're right on all counts.
Hermes can do what they want;
people don't have to buy them;
it's doubtful 'influencers' pay for their own Hermes bags;
the Birkin is ugly.
NO bag is worth that price tag.
@@kurisuchan07
They're not fakes. There are dedicated Hermès resellers.
It is ugly, yes. It's something similar to what my grandma has had as a basic, inexpensive bag since the 1940s.
I'd take hers over one of these any day though, at least that one means something.
I love designer handbags but when it comes birken and Kelly bags too many foolish rules just to buy them which is a huge turnoff.
I feel like a lot of 'luxury' brands have forgotten that the experience was such a part of the draw. I'm not about to work my ass off, save up, and then be treated like a nuisance.
I couldn’t be less interested to have an Hermès bag. They’re just so showy.
The perfumes I enjoy very much though!
Love the perfumes too! I also enjoy their make-up. ❤
The perfumes and scarfs are great especially the vintage scarfs.
@@annaolsson5441 the vintage scarves melt my heart. Lovely!
@@kath1626 kath I’ve heard such good things about their makeup. Although all set for now, I’ll happily try their eyeshadows when the time comes for a new palette.
See I actually think that the original design of the bags themselves and the original versions were very "quiet luxury". I don't think if you asked most random guy at a bar to pick a Kelly or Birkin out of a lineup of designer bags that any of them would pick them the way they could easily pick out LVs. But since the showboat side of fashion has increased in the past decade or so the brand has come out with more and more versions of these bags with flashy colors, textures, and bling to make them look more shouty than they actually are.
Seems like a form of extortion. Bribe the Hermes management with enough purchases, and you might just get a quota bag. Seems more honest if they just doubled the price of the bag and sell it outright off the shelf.
I don't own an Hermes handbag but I have recently fallen in love with the Kelly bag. I know I will never be able to afford a bag like that but there are dupes out there which in my eyes are the same. The reason they make it so hard for people is to attract buyers and making their name more exclusive. Spending all that money on a bag is crazy and it could have been spent on more important things
I think Hermes's rules to get one of their quota bags changes from store to store, based on their sales targets, etc. They usually tend to prioritize loyal locals first, as they are the ones that keep spending throughout the year in the boutique. If you visit different Hermes boutiques you will get different customer service and also different "rules" to get their quota bag. My SA offered to get a Birkin for me, but she needed few months to get it from Paris, as it is a really small boutique and they don't get much anyways. So for most of the items I need, I have to tell her first so she can order them for me. In my boutique I always get 5 star customer service, but when travelling abroad, I got mixed experiences in other shops. Even if I own Hermes items, I ddecided to not purchase any Birkin or Kelly, as thieves are now so aware of these, and there is a lot of theft, even on the streets. Few ladies experienced, unfortunately, being robbed by men in a motorbike with knives or guns during the day in the streets. I might never experience this, but I don't want to risk, especially given it is a bag I don't find particularly nice or functional for my lifestyle.
I'm glad that you had a nice experience with your SA!
I'm sorry, as a person who never bought luxury bags, these kind of rules sounds ridiculous. 😂
They are 😂
Those of us who have been loyal patrons of this brand for decades recall a time when such treatment was unheard of. The recent practice of coercing customers into buying thousands of dollars worth of Hermes products they may not desire, simply to obtain a Birkin or Kelly, is utterly deplorable.
Good to know it wasn’t always this way. Thanks for sharing.
I have two Birkins that I love. I got them pre-loved and will do it again. They are classic. I have not bothered with the in store games, but I still have the bags I love.❤
I would tell anyone to buy preowned...any high-end designer bag. In fact, I think the older the bag, the better.
QUESTION: Though I've frequently shopped at various Hermes boutiques, for their scarfs & ties mind you, I am interested to know how many Snobs would makes dinner reservations at a unattainable restaurant only to be told that a table may or may not be available on that day, and that your dinner won't be what you ordered.....Unless you first spend twice as much at the Bar?!?
Luckily, as a male, I can allow my leather goods to acquire a certain, desired Patina that cannot be achieved with plastic coating!
I still don’t understand why people allow themselves to be treated in such, we are the costumer and we are in control of our money, we can chose where we want to spend it. It is indeed crazy 🙏
Even if I got offered a bag I wouldn't buy it. That money!! While I really like those bags, they're, well, only handbags. It's mindblowing to me to spend that much money on a handbag.
I agree. I like a nice bag, but they are basically just something to carry your keys, phone and lunch to work, they have nothing to do with my feelings of self worth or identity.
No handbag should require a “journey”….that’s ridiculous.
I get the feeling that the clientele for Hermes merchandise are no longer for the celebrity wallets, but geared for the far deeper pockets of their preferred clientele.
Carrying an Hermes is a shout-out that one has something to prove. Because if one did not have something to prove, one would not tolerate this sort of shoddy, rude behavior just to get ... a handbag. Case closed.
Most hermes stuff does not have a logo and thus is not so egregious as other companies.
People should simply boycott Hermes...they would change their 'game' in no time. A bag manufacturer is playing with your dignity and for what? It's a f*cking bag hello.
I mean, it clearly works for them. They're still at the top of their game. So, they don't need to change it as long as they get the money...
@@perspectiveofme We simply want them to feel the pinch… they probs won’t go out of business but especially lately where they have made the game so confusing… they DESERVE alot of pushback.
They probably looked at the watch world an realized what kind of money there is to be made when you create an artifical scarcity. Not only are people spending more money at your store to obtain a ''relationship'' with the brand, but artificial scarcity also creates the illusion of exclusivity and people are willing to pay premium for that. Hermes (and similar brands) also need to set themselves apart from brands such as LV, Gucci, Prada, etc.. that are a lot more obtainable for people who have ''some'' disposable income to keep up the illusion.
artificial scarcity is such a good term for it!
I don’t even like those bags, they’re stiff, poorly fitted, damage easily, boring design, and uncomfortable to carry.
I’ve been buying Birkins for years- I even have a custom special order and mini Kelly.
Hermes has zero loyalty- I moved to another city and had to get a new SA and she basically told me all my buying history didn’t matter and I was starting fresh like a brand new customer! She also said I buy too much online and that hurts me!!! I have no Hermes in my city so buying online became my only option at times.
Disappointing loyal customers are treated so badly.
Well... LA de fricking dah! Starting over? I don't think so hiefer!
I would sell every single one of my bags and never parade their brand again. You're paying thousands to be an ad for a company that spits on your dignity and basic human decency.
That's soo ridiculous!
I 100% agree with you related to the customer service. While at one point I got hung up in the Hermes game but I did not buy anything I truly did not want. I do own a Birkin and a Kelly. At one point I had 2 Birkins both preloved and quickly felt like I had made a mistake on spending so much money on that bag. One I sold the other I still have and I am not looking to purchase another one. I do agree that putting up with the kind of disrespect or having to kiss up to a sales associate is not necessary for a purse that is why I stopped going into the store. I acted like myself and I will say that although I didn't purchase a quota bag I was offered 4 bags. Three I purchased and one I passed. What most don't say is that it is not very easy to purchase any bag in Hermes.
It’s not a luxury experience if you have to wait outside in a line, or be kept guessing about how to get the item you want, or be treated dismissively.
I love my old Hermes scarves, which pretty much ruined me for any other scarves, but this video is exactly why I buy my luxury leather goods, handbags, and sweaters second-hand. Usually they’ve been a little lived-in while well-cared for, and I’m too old to want to look like new money 😂
Why not just increase the price to $50,000 and sell them to whoever wants one?
Because they don’t want any person with it. It’s supposed to be q true luxury bag. They don’t want a nouveau riche even from France to get it quickly. With that in mind, they don’t want a nouveau riche American with credit cards to get it as well. It’s the old money product, so they try their best to screen.
@@ireneswackyjournals8810 Thanks, that makes sense!
@@ireneswackyjournals8810 Too bad, because someone willing to spend $50,000 (or even half that) can get it brand new from the resale market
This place is not the richest fashion house for no reason. they use these to entice people to buy normal stuff that is too expensive as they cannot ramp up the production of high quality leather; it is not hard to make a lot of the medium quality stuff that also needs to be sold. Rolex is owned by a not for profit but try buying a Daytona, even now.
As exclusive as they say these bags are I see loads and loads of people with them. Perhaps half of them are fake but still I see a lot of these bags everywhere
A good number are fake and others buy second hand.
I stumbled down some rabbit hole once that took me to a place in China that will make you an EXACT replica of these bags for $1,000.
Just buy a pre-loved, and there are loads.
It is the clumsiest, most annoying bag design I’ve ever dealt with. If you lock it, it’s a struggle to get it open, ergo answering a cell phone, or grabbing your wallet can be a 4 minute exercise in frustration. So you leave it open. Now, it looks sloppy and is hangs open, still not easy to deal with. When it was designed upper class women I guess did not need to get into their bags for wallets so could keep it closed and looking smart. Great if you are an upper crusty in the 50’s & 60s, hopelessly antiquated for today. Pass.
So many good fakes now so why bother buying real one
Especially since you can't buy the real one, even if you can afford it, Hermès is like "Nope, not you!"
The rude and disrespectful customer service completely turns me off from the brand. Also spending 5 digits on a bag seems ridiculous especially in this economy. I buy other luxury brand bags and enjoy the experience most of the time. I won’t tolerate being treated like crap and not even getting to choose what I want for the hard earned money I use to spend on my bags.
Clearly Hermes don’t want the “little people” to be seen with their products. It’s what makes Hermes the products that they are.
True. It’s about exclusivity!
You got it. They don’t want t tbe nouveau riche with it either. They prefer the older money. Hence the screens. If your family has bought three or four bags from them over decades and you are old money pretty sure you get offered it. If you are Joan from the street that has a 200k black card it’s going to be a longer move
@@ireneswackyjournals8810 I’m pretty sure Jenny from the block aka JLo can still get a bag. Back in the day they treated Oprah and Gail like absolute trash and it was all over the news. Disgusting company.
@@dollymadeson3963 I remember the Oprah situation but forgot the store. 8 know they did this and still do. They leave it to the discretion of the Hermes store and that means that if the person had a thing against woman of a race or ethnic background they will make them go through hell.
unfortunately, the current market is noveau riche. so many ppl i know who are obsessed with hermes are the little people that want to look rich haha.
Hermes has good quality but the price is too high and on quota. Drop them but not as fast as most other brands that don't offer high equality. They are a luxury house; a kelly bag is a bag that was designed 90 years ago; most other houses are fashion houses that are selling fashion that changes every few months.
I have a beauty room channel and I feature both luxury and non luxury bags on it. Hermes though is the one brand I will never purchase. For me the prices are excessively over inflated and the brands way of treating customers is not good. Imagine if your local food store told you that you needed to be put on a waiting list for their products and that you needed to buy a certain amount of products before be allowed to attain the item you actually want and on top of that pay exorbitant amounts. No thanks, I’d rather buy cheaper, well made bags or bags that are inspired by the brand so that I can get the look for less.
There are brands worse than Hermes. LV makes pretty ordinary stuff and sells it very high markups. I would prefer buying a Birkin which has appreciated in price to a LV piece.
The prices are in line with other companies. The problem is that they play games.
I just found your channel & you have a new subscriber!!
It is so refreshing for the truth about H’s sales strategy & horrific customer service!
Decades ago, my mom purchased a Kelly. Of course, customer service was on par without question.
I found H’s willingness to cater to a select group of people, while turning their backs on their loyal customers to be quite distasteful and disrespectful. An Hermes bag no long has the same status as it once did!
The Bags Look nice, but the closure is so impractical. When im out i ant to be able to easily access my things, but if you properly close the Kelly that isn’t possible. I know someone who has one and they always have it open and that makes the closure obsolete. Apart from the astronomical price and the number of hoops to jump through that’s the main reason why I don’t want a Hermes bag…
SCREW THEM ALL. SCREW THIS GAME. THIS IS NOT LUXURY. I ordered bespoke from a master Chinese artisan shop, with the EXACT colour mix that I wanted, original factory leather, pinnacle hardware, completely hand stitched. He sent me WIP pictures and videos of the bags, was always there to all my questions, patiently explained everything. It's a fantasy bag because such colour combo doesn't exist in the wild. But that's how real luxury was supposed to be - tailor made high quality goods. The craftsmanship are absolutely above and beyond. Absolutely amazing experience. Sorry but, I'm two feet in the rep game. Unless if you care about resell value (which is lolz), there's basically no point in getting authentic anymore.
I did the same.
Hermes is not forcing anyone to buy their products. So why are people complaining about the brand? If you don’t like the service, then don’t buy anything from Hermes. Straight and simple, right? But noooo… it’s the exclusivity of the brand that people are after. So don’t blame Hermes if you enable the brand to play you 🤣
Exactly.
You'll soon see how tables will turn, Hermes will soon be begging customers to buy their products. What's on top will eventually come crashing down; especially behaving in that manner. Truly vile.
Such an interesting video, thank you! I'm assuming that the SA are condescending because if you're the naive person who spent months waiting for a bag, they're not interested in you. Maybe they only want the Elite who can actually afford more bags - not the customer who will buy "only" one or two Hermes bags in their lifetime. This is kind of what Chanel seems to have been doing for a while. I often heard (in the past) that LV's Neverfull was the "secretary bag" - meaning people with lower incomes were the ones buying it, which was tarnishing LV's luxuriousness - and now there's a waiting list for it! Maybe I'm completely wrong, I don't know! Take care ❤
They must be laughing at the way we will jump through hoops for a chance to buy an Hermes bug. I’d just feel foolish!
I’d feel pǐssed off.
It’s a bag. You put stuff in it. These ridiculous prices and the increasingly complicated hoops the customer are forced to jump through while being treated with contempt is beyond belief.
My only requirement for purchasing a bag is an outside pocket for my epipens that’s quickly and easily accessible, which these don’t have.
You should be able to have a customized bag made just for you for the prices they charge. A bespoke piece made with the leather,color, size and finish you choose!
Hermes is a privately owned company and it’s always been about exclusivity. People who think they are entitled to own a quota bag have to accept that fact. Other companies like Porsche and Rolex have the same exclusivity techniques.
Actual luxury brands have exclusivity and do not give any of their products to just about any John Doe.
Wanted to buy my wife and daughter some scarves but couldn't get waited on at the Hermes boutique in Doha's Vendome Mall...spent my money at the nearby LV boutique. Going back next month and I'm going to try the Ferragamo boutique as well.
Look at the vintage ones instead, nicer silk.
Hermes silk is just so luxurious than an LV or Chanel one. I have them on all three brands.
Update: back in Doha and was treated well this time, bought two Hermes scarves. Also picked up one from Cartier which was adorned with bent nails and love bracelets.
Totally agree. I’m just not here for it either. I’d rather be treated well and just get what I want when I walk in.
Hermès loves clients interested in their "métiers" and brand in general. The Birkin, Kelly and Constance are offered to their loyal (big spenders) clients first. It's smart in a world of luxury going middle class and I bet other brands would love to do the same.
Reality is you own a brand's product by means of your capability NOT THE BRAND OWNING YOU.. It's literally a purse and going through this much bulls##t to be able buy is rubbish... simply move on to a brand that respects your time and money you're willing to pay. No Fs should be given to these self proclaimed LUXURY monsters.
Service and treatment varies greatly from store to store or even person to person. I've been collecting Hermes for over 15 yrs and have never had poor treatment no matter which store I visited. So, there's that!
I'm happy for you!
You must share your secrets.........😊
The video is interesting and even more the comments. It boils down to dignity and confidence. I do not need a Kelly or Birkin and I would never lower myself to those ridiculous standards. Having said that, my experience buying scarves at Hermes have been positive with regard of treatment from the SI but maybe it is because I clearing walked in with my Loro Piana or Bottega Veneta bags which I chose bought and did not have to beg anybody to get!
You can buy Birkin bags and Kelly’s very easily from secondary market stores, so this is no longer relevant.
Veblen effect is effective for the target market - poor people who want to appear rich (but actually only to fellow poor people).
I have 2 Birkins - both bought pre-loved and yes more than retail cost. BUT...I got the color; size; material that I wanted. AND I didn't spend thousands on stuff I didn't want and pretending to like being treated poorly. NOT happening. I love my bags and I don't need more from them so I'm done with them. I would never play that game.
I admit I don’t buy name brands, but find the idea of hooking customers this way an excellent idea. If they can keep doing this successfully, then I commend them.
I really don't want to offend anyone, but to me the possession of a Birkin bag is just a sign of low self esteem. A sane person doesn't spend thousands of dollars for being humiliated and wait in line with hundreds of other people.
Today the Birkin is so basic, every RUclipsr and their momma has one. Hermes is an over priced brand which is high quality but so is vintage Coach bags which quality can match Hermes or any other :luxury: brand for that matter.
The pink ones are gorgeous! Thank you! 💯😘😘😘
I will NEVER purchase from Hermes. I never wanted to play "the game" and to be treated like worst than dirt is not my jam. I'll take my hard earned money to company's that value me. Thank you for this video.
I have one Kelly and one Birkin. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful S.A. who I genuinely like and who has really helped me learn and appreciate the brand. And even then, the process was still not easy. I had less than a 1 to 1 spend for my Kelly ( I got it in 2021) and that spend included an Evelyn bag. I just got my Birkin a few weeks ago and I spent slightly about 1.3 to 1 but that also includes the purchase of a picotin. I really love and enjoy my items. But now that I have a daughter it is harder and harder to justify spending these amounts of money on bags - no matter how lovely or great quality one finds them to be.
You are cheated, trand victim
Would you be so kind to describe your thoughts knowing that Hermes was expecting you to spend so much money before even possibly proposing these bags to you? In other words, what made you justify and accepts what I would consider a form of extorsion?
@@cyclamen831 coz she can afford it. 😂
The Hermés bags I want aren’t even quotas. I still want them but they need to be in the color and hardware I want.
The new process is insane. I got my 1st Birkin with NO purchase history. My 2nd was offered when I went in for $200 twillys. Although I buy stuff from Hermes, it’s only what I like. I’m not buying a bunch of stuff I don’t want to get a bag. I’m sorry
Not worth it and a waste of time and money. For that price, your paying for superb customer service, quality and availability. Why are they playing games with customers? I would buy products from lesser known designers who have better quality, service and pricing anyday.
not that I can afford Hermes bags in the first place, but I would never beg a brand to take my money. Ridiculous
why I dont understand is how so many the influencers have collections of Hermes quota bags when theyre so hard to acquire.I have a Kelly 28 in rouge de Coeur that my husband bought me and its beautiful but I have honesty never worn it because im afraid of ruining it. I much prefer my celine, fend or feragamo i bags ,I can enjoy them without being too precious . All in all I dont see the big fuss about Hermes
The only Hermès items I’ve ever bought are a few scarves, because I enjoyed wearing silk scarves a few years ago, in my early 20s. I only had really pleasant experience, despite my purchase probably being ones of the cheapest items by the brand. I went to the store in Mayfair, London, The Exchange, London, and the flagship in Paris. They all treated me well, despite my ordinary girl-next-door look. When I bought my first one I even told them that this was my first scarf, and they were extremely helpful and nice in helping me choose the most iconic one available at the time. At one of the branches, I was even told by one of the associates that it’s not that hard to obtain a Kelly or Birkin, and although I had only spent a tiny teeny fraction of what normal Hermès customers would, he had offered to check the availabilities and put me on and waiting list. But I declined. The key is to be nice and down-to earth, but not fake nice. Just act like you’re making any normal purchase. I think if you act snob, they’re not going to be nice to you. And in most cases, snobs are the wannabes, and they can probably see through that. I don’t know what its like in America.
All the tacky influencers like Tamara et al have cheapened the Hermes legacy, so many bags in different colours but basically the same bag totally going against Jane Birkin’s ethos wearing her one bag until it was destroyed then buying another and not babying it. Now it’s all about flexing and obnoxious overconsumption, so tacky! Plus the rumours of them wearing super fakes 😂
agree totally
Influencers have driving the demand too high. That is Hermes has gone back to the Haute Couture standard of 2 pieces a year. The demand for the bags exceeds the couture high end customer which is only about 4000 people worldwide. Those are the core customers that will buy Dior Couture and not Ready to Wear. Those are the customers that Hermes wants.
I must say if the woman who created Hermes saw the prices, the customer service (as people confess), the bad publicity from those who do……..she would definitely be furious at everyone. I have worked as a sales representative, done everything that was necessary and never ever treated a person badly, or snobbish, or rude or even when I had a bad day at home never ever lash out at anyone. It is a big ❌. I really cannot understand how someone working in such a shop like Hermes treat people in a way to feel badly about themselves? Why do that? What is their problem?
A new brand couldn’t achieve this. But Hermès’ worked for decades supplying truly functional and exceptional items to their customers. Their heritage has allowed for the strategy, however wrong these days. It’s all marketing.
It's just a Bag I spend on Coach for 350.00 on a nice one it Las for ever 👍
Yes I love coach bag,
This is insane! I’m so bored of these crazy expensive bags! The only reason people buy them is for the status symbol! Case in point….Let’s talk about the Constance bag…If that bag didn’t have a huge gold H on it, you’d never buy it! If Walmart sold a bag that looks like a Louis Vuitton (for example) with same quality materials, but instead of little LV’s all over but it had little W’s for Walmart, you’d never wear it! Even if it cost a lot less! People need to stop the flex! Ridiculous! Hermes is the worst! Those hideous old-lady bags are for status only! Nobody truly likes those bags! If you’d spend $20,000 on a bag, you need a therapist! Having to beg to be ALLOWED to spend money at Hermes? Insane! Stop the madness!
Neither of those Hermes models are convenient to carry. I notice that everyone with that type of bag always has the buckle hanging open because it is too inconvenient to open it and close it every time, and open the flap and trawl around for what you need. What about beautiful bags made in the USA, like from Go Forth Leather Goods, Coastal Hillbilly, or KMM & Co leather goods. So beautiful and tough enough to last a lifetime, literally. And who wants to be too precious with a bag, always worrying about scuffing the corners or scratches. Anyway, Wannabe people who often carry those bags have the appearance of wealth, but not real wealth.
I would rather just buy some Coach or MK bag than one of these overpriced Hermes bags. Yes the quality of leather and materials won't be as good but at least they aren't trying to make their product super exclusive and super expensive. Most people don't have $20,000 to spend on a bag. You could so easily get a LV bag for a small fraction of the price of a Birkin Bag. These prices are crazy.
I have an issue shopping in America - every sales person wants to be my bestie. Shopping in Europe is so much more relaxing where I don’t have to worried the sales staff is comfortable all the way up my ass while I shop the store at my own pace. I find that once I’m ready for service, they’re there and ready to help, but not a moment too soon. Additionally, it has been proven over and over again that people respond to negging - what you get from the sales staff in the A-list stores. I’ve seen it, I’ve experienced it, and it works.
Hermès can keep doing whatever the heck they want. I don’t own an Hermès Birkin, but their stock price has increased 51% over the price I paid; if I had put as much money into Hermès as I did into BRK/B, I’d be able to buy a pretty nice used Birkin with just that. Meanwhile, LVMH stock has decreased since I bought it; you can buy those used in Dillards now and I always see at least two every time I go to the supermarket in my suburban/rural town.
Dior is in trouble in Italy for using sweatshops to manufacture. A $2800 bag retail; they paid the sweatshop $57.
The reason the bags are so sought after is that you have to chase them. It's part of the marketing ploy. This is never going to change as long as it works, and it does work.
Agree with you 💯 bought Hermes Kelly 25cm over 20 yrs ago you went in and chose what you want and color none of this existed before!!!
These bags are heavy, not very practical and not particularly attractive, don’t understand the appeal.
I think they are waiting for price to go up to resell it. The bag itself is not practical.
Yes and half the time people carrying them with the flaps open. Why would I want a bag that doesn’t have great function
When people stop caring about this bags and stop shopping them Hermes will see the problem it has created spend your money we’re they treat you professionally better!
Am I the only one who just finds the Birkin design ugly?
Luxury brands are getting way too ubiquitous and it’s getting to their head. Can’t wait for their bubble to burst
Come to Asia and choose any Hermes u want 😅 not need to wait
LOL! right? my BKK vendor would come to our hotel, have us look over actual real luxury good catalogs and if we wanted anything all we would have to do was provide him with was what grade of the item we wanted - Good, Better, Best; negotiate the set price and they would come back the next day with your item to inspect. You could refuse the item for any reason and payment was only exchanged if you were entirely satisfied. But visiting their actual storefronts were great fun too. You would literally be led into multiple special secret entrance rooms behind bookcases, up stairwells and behind legitimate commerce. The super fakes/replicas are very, very hard to detect even on close thorough inspection.
These bags are not worth what they’re priced at or the prespend. It’s become a brand for aspirational flexers. The vast majority of people playing the games can’t even afford these bags. They buy pre spend and resell it on Facebook and instagram stories. The recent price increases are utterly ridiculous. Because of the flexers who game the system it’s increased pre spend for everyone. People are so desperate to get their hands on these bags for validation. Sure some of the client service is good but if someone claims they’ve never had bad or frustrating service they’re lying unless they’re spending 100k plus a year. The lack of response or extremely slow response is shitty service. Prioritizing clients who buy jewelry and Rtw and home is shitty service. The sas are
Spoiled and greedy and the clients are to blame for this and management. It’s true that carrying these bags is not a badge of honor or showing you won some great game. It shows you’re emotionally and mentally stunted because you need validation from strangers after throwing astronomical amounts of money on some pieces of leather sewn together. It’s not an exclusive club. Hundreds of thousands of people have these bags including escorts and teens.
I don't get why everyone's so furious at Hermes. They're not like other supposed high end brands that pop thousands of brands fresh from the factory and always have them in stock. They're one of the only real luxury brands that has remained a product targeted at the uber wealthy and not at kids that shop at Target and then at LV when they want something special. At 10,000 - 50,000 euro a piece, they are certainly not targeted at the average Joe on an average income. They're not even targeted to those that make a higher than average salary! And there have always been brands that NO person on the street could afford apart from Hollywood celebs and/or the upper class. But of course, we like to forget that, because marketers make us think we have to have them in order to be accepted by rubbish people. With so many brands that sell items costing €1,000 and higher that we've come to normalise and justify these crazy purchasing habits. And now your average fashion-lover is pissed that there are exclusive brands that we can't get to that easily. Hmm.
In today's consumer society, fashion influencers are acting like it should be normal to go and get a high end luxury purse. The truth is most ppl on average salaries can afford bags from brands like Furlaand Kate Spade etc. People on higher than average salaries go for moderately-prices brands like Marc Jacobs , Balanciaga or LV . There are richer people than us who can snap their fingers at Hermes and be first in line. You and I should not be thinking of owning a Hermes purse. In the past, I'd purchased a Chanel double flap and an LV and a handful of SL bags, but I've regretted spending my hard-earned money on items like these. Just because "I liked them" wasn't cutting it anymore. It's stopped me from buying the property I wanted so I was forced to sell some stuff just so I could purchase the little home of my dreams and have a pension when I retire. I too have made mistakes, like many of us luxury addicts. But we ought to know our limits. The truth is that walking into an LV store has become like shopping at Zara's these days, because everyone shops there now. It's become normalised and we've come to see everyone obsessing over the same darn items. And Hermes doesn't want to be Disneyland. It doesn't WANT to be accessible to the poor.
Tiffany's and Cartier were Hermes in the 1960s. Not just any Tom Dick or Harry could buy a Tiffany's or Cartier. Now Cartier has become McDonald's. You see people with bad grammar who don't dine at the Four Seasons wearing the Love bracelet. As lovely as they are, this is NOT okay. Even my doctor and lawyer friends can't afford an Hermes. You know who wears Hermes purses in my country? Influencers making over €100,000 annually, people that have been bribed by corrupt politicians and earn a salary 5 or 6 times higher than anyone else in the nation. CEOs and owners of multinationals. And they WEAR their Hermes bags everyday. They don't keep them locked in a safe and keep them as an investment and not try to scratch them (like you or I might) because they can always snap their fingers and order another one easily. Because god forbid you damage the bag. The moment you do, your Hermes investment plummets significantly.
That's how poor we are. And we need to get over ourselves if we're saying things like "OMG whatever happened to Hermes?" The question you should be asking yourself is WHY you're even dreaming of doing everything in your power to get your hands on a €15,000 purse. If you're struggling to get one, you're poor. Simple. Even if you own your own property - If you have to work hard for it, you're poor.
If you're mad at Hermes having a waiting list, it's only because you're not stinking rich. And not being stinking rich is normal. If you can't get the bag you want quickly, you're one of the 99% even if you're a small business owner like me. People like you and I watching this video are considered to be poor by the uber rich. Fact. Buy other things with your wealth. Buy real estate. Invest in the stock market.
Abuse customers and pay the price. The concept of forcing customers to meet requirements before they can purchase is a short term sales boosting strategy, that always ends badly. Requiring appointments to walk into a shop is ridiculous too. It’s well known that as soon as anything becomes common, it loses any semblance of desirability. Now that everyone has ‘luxury’ pieces the very market they want is no longer interested. The bubble has burst.
My SA said that prespend is a myth
they are lying to you haha
Lol
This can’t be real. Never would I ever. I have visited LV, Gucci et al in Toronto (where I live) and I am always treated like gold.
Do they still make bags? Do shops still have stocks? Probably, on a made-to-order basis only?
A lot of people selling pre-loved bags, so there will still be available units.
They want to be talked about.
People are crazy. That they tolerate this snobbery is ridiculous. Give your money to companies that deserve it.
I don't want to buy Hermes bags.
I don't like their way of selling. If I want to buy a bag, it's just the bag. I would never imagine having to buy a lot of other things, just to be allowed to buy an Hermes bag - Nice, no thanks from here :)
Really!
I just want to say that Hermès wants Brand loyalty. I’ve never had any issues getting the bags I wanted I have a great relationship with Hermès and come from generations of loyal customers 💋💋💋💋💋
Personally, out of self-respect, I refuse to let any company control me the way Hermès does their customers. Hermès is about their own personal ego trip, greed & control over those people who are too obsessed with the so-called 'prestige' they think comes with owning a bag. As though the ownership will ensure them nothing but happiness & a long life. Hermès is actually spitting on their own customers & laughing in their faces as they take their money & slam the door behind them.
It is just about making money; don't take it personally.
This is pure greed. Seems just as bad as hiring child labor or working people in a sweat shop. And they’re not even that great. I see the same old bag every time I see one of these women carrying one on TV. I live in Jersey and have never ever seen one in person. Only ever on TV. Same bag, different colors, same Bravo Network. I own a Chanel. I went to the Short Hills Mall. Walked into the Store. Told the sales lady what I wanted. Though I had to go back 2 weeks later to pick it up, I certainly didn’t have to BEG for it. After watching this, that’s what I think these people are doing. They’re begging Hermes to let them give Hermes their money to carry a bag that they will eventually get tired of and only pull out and use when they need to show how much money they have….or don’t lmao.
Even Louis Vuitton has started with this with their Speedy P( where in it is only sold to their VVIC and VIC clienteles only.!
Would people flock to buy this bag if it was sold at Walmart?
If you feel mistreated by Hermes’s sales person, you are not rich enough to be their customer. Hermes’s target customers enjoy this manipulative game.
They are playing reverse psychology and it didn’t work on me in Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. I gave a slight smile and simply walked out, looking indifferent. They were trained to give the cold treatment to make their products more desirable. Anyone who has experienced their merchandise would know- leather is just leather.