I don't understand WHY people let Hermes way, they control how you shop. IF we don't buy the bags, they can not survive, we need to control how we want to shop.
In all reality, if people boycotted their stores it wouldn't affect them. The people who purchase their bags are usually very wealthy and the ones who boycott are usually the ones who can't afford to spend $15k+ on a Birkin.
I was recently in Las Vegas, and all the luxury stores were very welcoming, with the exception of Hermes. They instantly assumed we were just looking, and then told us they had NO bags for sale. Is that even possible? I came home with Celine sunglasses, the Miss Dior large bag in powder pink, and the small Cartier Panthere watch. I obviously have the means to buy Hermes, but I never will. It’s not fun being treated like trash. 💁🏼♀️
My husband had a totally opposite experience while in LV (City Center location) The SA asked if he needed any assistance and he said he wanted a twilly for his wife’s handbag. He showed her a photo I sent, she then showed him a number of them and she suggested the one that best fit. When he got home he told me about his experience, and he said it was great. It doesn’t excuse how you were treated…but the CC Hermes store, and (in my opinion) all the Shops at Crystals have been great. More so than the hotel locations.
Yes, while I am anti-dupes if the price increase some will be done some will buy a fake. Some here treat Hermes like a god, including a SA who has less money than the customers.
Actually - I spoke to an artisan who used to make Kelly’s for Hermes. They know some are fakes because the entire bag was hand stitched- shocking news, the real ones actually have some parts machine made and isn’t as good as the fakes 🤣
Hermes established the game (i.e., the trouble) so they shouldn’t be surprised if trouble is now finding them….or “what goes around, comes around” applies here. Glad they’re now being held accountable in some way & we’ll see what happens. But, you’re right, this luxury brand isn’t the only offender.
i suspect they're being the first sued because its more "accessible". the starting point for buying an hermes bag is a lot lower than any of the watch brands or porsche. if hermes loses it will likely set a precident for the other brands that are known to do this.
Other brands are starting to follow suit and it’s pissing people off. Rolex just stopped because of the resale market I think. Others will stop in the states too if Hermes loses.
Hope they close in LA. They invented the product, they should be able to market it any way they want. It’s not a necessity, but women wanted to flex so hard they actually go to the lengths of suing. How much more shallow can you get? All for the flex.
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
I was treated like a POS at Hermes in Las Vegas. They basically laughed at me when I asked where all the handbags were. I wound up going to one of the Chanel boutiques and they were lovely. Brought home a beautiful Chanel bag.
Good for you! Hermes is a spoiled, entitled narcissist brat. Meanwhile they’re losing business because of their condescending attitude. Joke’s on them! 😂
I saved up money for a few months to buy a ZP, but it got scratched on the third day. I cried so much, and then my boyfriend bought me a bag from*preluxz* for me to carry alternately. Anyway, there are so many bags on the street, so as long as others can't see it, I think it's fine. The thought is there.
I do legal work in the states, but not in California. My interpretation may be slightly off and full disclosure this is a VERY basic opinion. But, yes, we have antitrust laws the US. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) basically polices and investigates US companies, for a number of potential legal issues, not only antitrust. The FTC is also VERY underfunded so the resources they have are limited. (For comparison sake: the FTC has a yearly budget of $590M, DOJ has a budget around $45B, while our national defense has a budget of $1.62T. Yes, that's trillion with a T). I am not surprised they are only going after Hermes now, as they may not of have the resources in the past. Other issues have taken precedent. Personally, I never believed the schtick they are pushing at Hermes and that is one reason I refuse to shop there. For years I have been saying, how have they not been sued? It was really only a matter of time. Now, if this lawsuit will be successful is another conversation, so we will see how this turns out. If you go onto the second hand websites, there are pages and pages and pages of Birkin and Kelly bags for sale, most at a markup. This tells you they are not as rare as they would lead you to believe.
Over caffeinated fashion influencers who incessantly brag about their Hermès hauls online don’t help the situation either. Why is one Birkin handbag not enough for you? Besides, variety is the spice of life. There are many quality accessory brands out there that do not make you jump through this many hoops.
Hi! I was just wondering (being Canadian I don’t know) but isn’t the anti trust law more to protect consumers from goods they actually need ie. food and that sort of thing. Protect them, for example, so that grocery chains can’t come together and just decide to raise the price of bread just for profit and stuff like that?
@@elisiab09 Antitrust laws are applied to any questionable business activities. It can be products OR services. For example in 2013 U.S. DOJ, ruled and found Apple guilty of fixing the prices of ebooks.
I would add that for a lot of people who chose to go to the resale market for a Birkin, it's not about whether they can get allocation, it's about refusing to play the game (which is actually a business strategy) that the company has put in place. Plus, if most people have to spend double or triple the price of a Birkin on things they don't want in order to maybe be offered a Birkin, and then for the offered Birkin to not even be customizable to your exact specifications, it makes a lot more financial sense to find exactly the bag you want on the resale market.
I haven’t had a terrible experience in any of the luxury stores, and that includes Hermes. However I agree with you 100%! And it’s hilarious to me that the people treating customers like crap are the sales associates, usually working for pennies as compared to the customer! Like, ma’am, YOU likely cannot afford this bag and you’re acting holier than thou!
@@SophieShohetOfficial Well what about the crayon thing when they were trying to sell you a credit card? Isn't that tied selling too? By default, customers who don't use points pay more for flights too.
@@TheSharna23 The Hermes sales associates don't make commission on the bags. They make commission on all the other products. Why would they be happy to spend all that time with somebody, just to make no money on the sale?
Definitely more luxury brands like Rolex, AP, and Patek Phillippe too! It definitely is all across the board. Even Lori Piana started to do it with their L19 bags. It is a money making scheme! Xx
I’ve long felt Hermes was instigating a business model that would ultimately lead to a lawsuit. It’s one thing to be a private business & make your price for products whatever the customer will pay. However, legally to discriminate how customers are allowed to purchase goods that are in stock is slimy at best and criminal at worst. I hope either way Hermes will create a more legal and transparent purchasing scale for their customers. I walked in one store to see the hype and was underwhelmed, but I feel they need to be acting in good legal faith. If proven they haven’t, then I look forward to them having to pay thru the nose like their many customers have had to do!
As I said under another video, I’m in two minds about this situation. People are frustrated with the very same exclusivity that drives their desire to buy into the Hermes game. If Hermes wasn’t as exclusive and hard to get, I guarantee you, there’d be less people desiring their bags. In Europe, Hermes purchase history isn’t as important to “qualify” for a birkin but you must open wishlist to even be considered. I just find the hysteria around luxury brands exercising their exclusivity interesting to watch. People love exclusivity until they’re the ones being excluded from the club.
I have heard that Hermes sales associates don't get commission on the Birkin or Kelly so they are encouraged to sell you more things where they actually WILL get commission on
I think its more than that. Plaintiffs saying they were being trick to buy other things and meet specified amount to be offered the bag...and that is the issue.
Hi Sophie, it’s about time someone did something 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I could never play the Hermes game. I don’t feel like the bags are exclusive because you can buy pre loved yesterday you may pay a premium. If you buy from the store you have to buy thousands of dollars for unnecessary products just to get a Birkin and it may not be what you want. No one is going to know if your bag is pre loved but you.
I have mixed feelings about this. It seems like a rich person problem to me, the average person isn't going in and buying a Birkin to begin with. And if you don't want to play the game, then don't. Your life won't end if you don't have a Birkin and there are plenty for sale on the resale sites. I'm so over the whole luxury game--just buy other brands. There are now plenty of great brands that don't charge even close to what some of these luxury brands do. For equal or in some situations, better quality.
Hermes famously turned away the Princess of Wales Diana back in the 80s. Honestly, I can make my own version of the Hermes bag. Togo leather is lowest price, 309 USD at RM Leather supply for a single shoulder hide which is about 8-10 ft. , and you can find all sorts of quality artisans and leatherworkers to make a dupe for under 1000.
My friend work at Hermes as a sales rep. She says that before a customer is offer a bag, that same customer must spend at least $100k or more to be offer a bag. That is just absurd.
That's not true. In my opinion it depends on the SA. I purchased my first Birkin 15 years ago. Before my Birkin I had purchased a few scarves and some bracelets and a picotin bag.
@@superminer2622 if they offer you a birkin bag right on the spot without buying all these extra accessories then their sales practice is pretty good. But obviously, that wasn't the case for you.
The practice isn’t the same across the board and that’s the problem, be it a luxury brand or not. It’s a form of discrimination… They set the price and that should be enough to “control” who buys their product but they’ve added layers and layers of hurdles. “We all know the game” so Hermes should knows it’s happening. Implied connected sales is just as bad as explicitly saying it if everyone knows the Hermes game. I think we’re in a time of unveiling all the bad practices that we’ve all been forced to accept are normal. I say call all the brands out. I emailed Chanel customer service to buy a cardholder and they told me I had to come in store before I could buy any leather items. “It looks like the closest fashion boutique to you is in San Francisco. Keep in mind, after that first visit you will have a Fashion Advisor who can remotely order any piece you desire from anywhere in the U.S.”. Chanel can keep their cardholder… I don’t appreciate being told I have to do something in order to buy a product. My money should be enough for them but no, they want more control.
My first Chanel purchase was a wallet online. They connected with an SA in San Francisco that had the item in store. I called, ordered it, and it was shipped to me in 2 days.
lol noone is forced to accept this as normal, and a lot of people who don't fall for this game - do not. noone is forced to buy hermès or any other luxury brand. we can get the same quality at a small workshop easily - but ofc, there wouldn't be the logo on there - and the status chasing is the only reason why people drool over hermès. at this day it just shows that you're willing to waste time and money for a mind game and makes these people kinda stupid imo. their money would be better spendt on the preloved market as, yes the bags cost more, but let's be honest - with all of those hoops you have to jump through - you're still better off buying pre loved in the first place.
My SA told me that they are doing this often, because a lot of online orders get returned and exchanged with FAKE Replicas! So if you are not an old customer, i agree with their practice, in order to protect the rest of us!
"Being offered a bag..." always seemed ludicrous to me. If you have a lot of money and/or a social following, they will sell you multiple bags at one time. Hermes is not as exclusive as they think they are. And some of the celebrities they sell to are not good people, which tells you it's all about the $$$. Buy pre-loved. And really: no one makes you/coerces you to buy things you don't want or need.
Why does it matter if the celebrities they sell to are good people? If they were to gate keep based on personality type it would be even more insidious
Linked selling in the US is illegal. I will be curious to see where this goes. I suspect in the end Hermes will need to establish a waitlist system in the US.
@@Taylor987-h8jmost of the brands dont call it waitlist, some call it expression of interest but that is very different from being in the waitlist. Where do you hear this Waitlist System? Is it officially from the brand?
I too have the means but refuse to play a game /beg for a bag. It’s ridiculous. They can do what they wish legally or not but if I’m a customer spending money in a shop I like to be appreciated and treated with grace. I’m also a retail shop owner and I can’t even fathom treating my clients in such a way 😮
Our family business is jewellery and never in my wildest dreams would we allow one of our employees to treat customers that way, no matter if you’re buying simple silver earrings or expensive custom jewellery. Not that they would want to because they’re great people. Of course, we’re only a small, local business but still. It’s such an ugly way to do business, I completely agree with you.
I am not an Hermes customer because I never wanted to play the game. In the US, from what I understand, if someone is asking to see an item, if you have that item in stock, you are required to show it to the customer, mainly because of the discrimination laws. In addition, you cannot make a sale (or a promise of a sale) of one item conditioned on the sale of another item, unless it is a set. If customers stop buying all the mass produced crap Hermes required them to purchase before they could even touch a Birkin, unless Hermes ramps up the production of bags, they will go down the drain. That is my opinion, because their products, apart from the bags, are nothing special, ridiculously overpriced to boot, and lets be honest here: no one would want any of them if not coerced by the salespeople.
I like their scarves. I have quite a few (although they are overpriced 😅). Never understood the allure of their bags though. They are nicely made but nothing spectacular. Quite simple in construction really. Personally wouldn’t buy one.
To be frank, except for the scarves which I think do have a certain level of artistry, all of the other Hermes products especially the ready to wear and shoes all look very frumpy and granny like...everything looks like its for 60+year olds. At this price point, they are competing with other brands like Chanel, Dior, Celine, etc who are much more stylish and fashionable within the same categories. Its obvious that consumers are not going to buy their stuff unless they were coerced LOL. They should just do better and invest more time and effort in their other categories to win customers instead of the current coerced efforts by the salespeople in exchange for bags.
@@MariaPetalcorin I disagree. Birkin and Kelly are completely hand made by artisans from the best quality materials available on this planet. Each one is very complicated to make and a work of art. But, would you feel comfortable carrying around a $12,000 bag? I wouldn't.
The real lawsuit should be around discrimination on how the bag is sold. How does Hermes choose who they will sell the bags to is there any set criteria on how the selection is done.
I'm happy you listened to those of us who asked you to cover this topic. I appreciate it so much! And yes, you said my name correctly! I'm such abig fan of your content despite not owning or planning to own any bags in the future. I just love the way you present information as well as your vlogs. :) Anyway, I'm not an Hermes customer, but I don't have a major problem with their policy. I believe it just needs more transparency as to the guidelines to ensure consistency and prevent nepotism. They need to publish at least a loose set of guidelines with measurable numbers in order to instill confidence and get around the lawsuit. Such as minimum length of time as a customer, minimum total spend as a customer, a minimum number of purchases from x product categories, etc.
7 days ago a guy named Garcia stole 60 Birken bags from an Hermes boutique in a Miami Beach hotel . He didn’t have to wait for a birken. There were 60 on the shelves!
I have never liked the Birkin or Kelly bags. They remind me of old lady bags. The only Hermes item I own is a silk scarf…and only because I fell in love with the design.
A rich people problem. My aunt gave me her 1990's Hermes Birkin in black. I don't use it. It looks like a men's briefcase - bulky and ugly. I don't get why some people go wild over it. It's just a bag.
I want to also point out a really important piece of missing information from the video is that the Hermes commission system actually does not reward their SA for selling any Birkins (and I believe Kellys too) - they don't earn anything from selling these bags. So in essence the company is somehow indirectly setting up their sales people and the store managers who need their SAs to meet store KPIs and to get "smart" into how they do business with customers, as such they have evolved into the current situation where "most" of the quota bags are only offered to customer who have "spent enough" to qualify, otherwise how are they going to reach the store KPI and make a proper living if every customer only comes in to buy bags that they don't earn commissions from. I believe this is going to play a huge part into how this case is going to turn out.
Agreed. Their going to have to change the commission system or they may find former SA’s pop up in this trial on the plaintiffs side. Providing the evidence needed to prove their case.
This is a great topic, I’m excited to hear your two pence 😉 anyway thanks for another Sophie Sunday, I look forward to these videos so much…they really are a wind down before a busy week
I'm always so grateful that you watch and enjoy! And thank you always for the feedback on the vids, it is so helpful to know that you like them. Have a lovely evening my friend!xx
Personally, I believe the Californians will win the lawsuit. Customers are being coerced into buying specific produces; rather than encouraged to purchase accessory products of their choosing. I don't think there is anything wrong with offering specialty products to loyal customers. aside: how would anyone know if you purchased your coveted Birkin from Hermes or a second hand vendor?
it would be nice if they gave you some choice, but you can only hope they'll agree to a color you've suggested to them I got one of their lesser priced bags & said a few colors I'd like. The lady went away & then came back to tell me that one of those colors would be available in a few days (she told me which). I happened to really like the bag even though she didn't give me all the details about it beforehand.
Dior has always been kind to me. They actually talk to me and treat me like I'm a potential consumer. That's why I've bought from them multiple times. The people at Hermes take one look at me and don't even think about lifting a finger. It matters.
I have been to the Hermes shop in Naples, Florida. They could not have been nicer. They knew I wasn’t going to purchase a bag, but my friend did buy a belt. They offered us champagne and other beverages. They also humored me and took out several bags (not Birkins) and let me hold them- with white cotton gloves on. It was a lovely visit.
Having worked for LV, we would have extremely rare and limited launches, particularly with the Arty Capucines, which were often launched in collaboration with some artists. A store may get 5, but there's 250 people on the waiting list, and no more are coming in. So, sales people had to submit an email, basically litigating in favor of their BEST client, against other sales people's, to get the bag. And management awarded the bag based on the purchase history and who was spending in the right "lifestyle" categories. Same as Hermes, LV wanted people to buy ready to wear, jewelry, watches, and home goods as evidence it was a "core" lifestyle client.
I find this story fascinating! If Hermes loses the lawsuit and are pushed to allow anyone to purchase Birkins, I don’t see the exclusivity going away. The fact is, not just anyone can drop 10k+ on a bag, so the exclusivity will always be there. That being said, they are the worst brand about making customers play the game. Yes, other brands do it. In 2012 I wanted the Chanel classic flap and was told I needed to be on a list. I realized I had gone to middle school with the SA, and he put me at the top of the list. I got the bag in about two months. Chanel does it for sure, but not to the extent that Hermes does. Hermes takes it to a level that is just wrong. I understand SA’s saving new hot items for their regular customers. Hermes is not doing that. They are requiring people to spend thousands for a small chance at these bags. They deserve this lawsuit. It’s not right. I hope the people suing win this and make an example out of Hermes.
I hope they win, the cost of these bags plus having to buy all the other products to ensure you might be offered one is ridiculous! This is the 21st century if you have a store then you sell things! I hope all the other stores are quaking in their boots, as consumers we do not need to be told what we can and cannot have! I will never ever buy any Hermes product purely because of this, absolutely so pleased someone has taken them on regarding this! Go get them!
A business owner will always adjust their behavior / business model if someone files suit and wins. There will be far fewer Birkins in California Hermes stores to go around. Therefore, the SAs can honestly say "we don't have any Birkins in stock to sell you". Take it from a business owner is California, it is a game we must all play to continue to operate in one of the most difficult states in the US to do business.
What I find interesting with Hermes marketing is that it seems that there is no pattern how they sell this coveted bags even within the same country. In France notably in paris its thru online registration for leather appointment and its like a lottery but then again it doesnt mean you will be offered the bag youre after or any bag at all. Here in Sydney Australia theres no leather appointment but its seems only their very high spenders can be offered and get the quota bag if there are any. I might be wrong but other luxury brands does not do this marketing strategy. For example chanels bag before they become crazy expensive they dont do this strategy.
I purchased my birkin after requesting it about 1 year before, without any other previous purchases and without having any connection with the sale assistants
The Anti trust law applies to all 50 US States, not just California . Honestly I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner and I’m interested in how many others will join the class action suit., could be hundreds or even thousands. On another note after watching your video review of your custom Launer I decided to give one a try, ordered one and I absolutely love it so thanks for your thorough review 😊
If anyone really wants a Kelly or Birkin you can buy one second hand. There are thousands on the market, people just want to make videos on buying one from the boutique. No one knows where you bought it from unless you put it out there.
They’re marked up very high on the resale market but I guess one might as well pay that high price Instead of spending more money at the store buying crap you don’t need in other to get a bag.
@@damolaalabi8211 Hi, most people know there is a mark up so I thought it was not worth saying. But even with the mark up it is less then buying items from Hermes over a years period in hopes, not guarantees, that you will get one.
One of the reasons the sales associates “encourage” customers to buy expensive ancillary items in order to be offered a quota bag is because sales associates don’t earn commission on the bags!
Honestly, isn't anybody feeling embarrassed trying so hard to gain acceptance into the club? It reeks of desperation and the bags give off the same ick factor as wearing Balenciaga. If you are relying on a purse to advertise your worth, there is a problem. There are plenty of other gorgeous bags to choose from.
If it's a class action lawsuit, everyone who can prove they were affected gets some compensation. So usually it's only the lawyers that do well out of it.
The claims are quite true according to my sister in law who is a valued customer by Hermes. You have to build up an account with hermes buy buying at least 5 or more items before you can buy their expensive bags and because my SIL is a valued customer , Hermes even emailed and offered her their new limited edition bags that will her be release in 1 to 2 years time and she needs to give a certain amount for the guarantee that she will get the item. Ridiculous.
I watched someone talking about this a few days ago (sorry can’t remember who). I believe she said that they had a temporary sign (later make into a permanent sign) in a Canadian Hermes store with words to the effect of - non of the employees are allowed to make you purchase other products in order for you to get a quota bag. It sounded like the sales staff were being thrown under the bus. The video stressed heavily that sales staff do not get commission from quota bag sales. The truth is no company would tolerate this kind of practise if they didn’t agree or approve of it first. I think Hermes should be punished for the way they sell their quota bags, treat some of their customers and their staff. Do I believe this will happen, no I don’t.
It does also feel like some people aren't the customer Hermes "wants" if they're told to do all this buying and jump through all these hoops all to still not get a bag while others buy far less or nothing and get offered a bag.
My self-esteem is not so brittle that I need to be in the "Allocation" club to think more of myself. I know my self-worth and it's more than allowing an SA to manipulate me in this condescending manner. This is the brand's reflection of it's attitude of its patrons. It's a handbag--if it fell into the middle of the ocean it wouldn't grow wings and save itself.
Hermes policy re: buying ancillary items has been in place for years. I've purchased Hermes Birkins, Kellys, and other bags for over 10 years. However, despite that I'm a long time customer my Hermes SA stated that I needed to purchase "other items", every year, since they want their customers to "support the brand". Thus, I've purchased shoes, boots, sandals, blankets, ties, bracelets, twilly's, scarves, etc. etc., but it's never enough because my SA keeps pushing me to buy more. Finally, I said "I should be grandfathered in" so I don't have to buy a bunch of stuff, but that's not the case. Long standing customers, like myself, are tired of the "games" Hermes plays. My SA said that they are opening new boutiques in order to "offer bags to more customers", which I took to mean these new customers are willing to pay to game. I'm tired of Hermes policies and I'm hopeful that this lawsuit will have a positive outcome for all customers, everywhere.
My friends husband went to Hermes in Singapore. He was with a sales assistant looking at accessories for a present for his wife (my friend). He was choosing between a scarf and a belt, and he asked the sales assistant what the price was for the belt. All of a sudden, everything was sold out and unavailable to buy 😅
After getting a dupe and carrying it for a day or two. I was over EVER wanting to purchase a real one. Trust me, it’s definitely about the prestige or idea that you can afford it.
Hi Sophie, I'm now watching your vlog about Hermes. Now this is the case for some car dealers , and this is wrong . Love your vlogs . All the Best. Simon x
I believe you said Sophie, what will happen....the two in California will win and Hermes will say, fine, we are going to make many less in the future to keep the exclusivity. You are correct in your prediction.
@@purpurina5663Kylie was caught carrying a fake one and someone on RUclips did a whole video on that. It was when she was younger and had blown up about her transformation. Right before her lip kits.
@@Demi1369I didn't know! In any case, I assume her/her sisters' closet has real ones now... or maybe a mix of real and fakes. There's this whole thing now of rich people carrying fakes anyway.
@@Demi1369I didn't know! In any case, I assume her/her sisters' closet has real ones now... or maybe a mix of real and fakes. There's this whole thing now of rich people carrying fakes anyway.
I should join the those two…. It happened to me few times as i move so much cuz of work. I have spent so much already but have not received any bags i want.
Yeah, they definitely had it coming. I remember pre-social media time when the Kellys and Birkins were considered “old lady” bags and hardly anyone wanted them…Hermes really played the game well and created demand for those bags. I personally think that they should be held accountable because what they’ve doing is just not right. Simple. However, my husband’s point of view (which I just got:) is that he doesn’t feel sorry for the customers at all - they’ve fallen for these practices for some pretentious over-priced item and the whole thing is so superficial that is not even worth his attention 😆
The entire hunger marketing strategy by Hermes is actually really tacky. When I see someone carrying Hermes, they always look a bit ashamed. Their bags are well made but not functional, and if you join in the Hermes game, you're a sucker.
Although the suit was filed in California, it’s a federal statute handled in federal courts in California. I really appreciate you asking as many RUclipsrs around the world are talking about the suit with no knowledge of our laws or courts. Thank you!!!
Oh the irony…. Foreigners who have no knowledge of our laws in the USA can bark and condemn but we can’t do that to their countries, even when we know their laws. 🤔 😂 🤡
Great topic Sophie. I’ve always feel that buying from Hermes fuel their shady game! Just wonder if UK also have similar laws? Perhaps we can take them to uk court too! 😂
As a Californian: suing is our favorite passtime, we have pretty incredible consumer rights here. I find this whole thing funny. Honestly these luxury brands can't play games here. This could also be considered fraud based on the insurance codes here (I'm in the insurance space). Very keen to see how this plays out... I used to work for the State Controller's office about two decades back, they will be frothing at the mouth to collect interest on any seizures should Hérmes lose this suit, tbh. They love to take things and collect the spoils off them. 🤣 It feels like a less violent pig butchering scam to me. It's why knock offs are so popular (I don't buy those) and plentiful. It's sad, really. I could see the EU changing tactics if this gets a snowball rolling and I know Australia's got some fantastic consumer rights laws as well. I have never liked Hérmes. I associate it with angry elders who are a bit out of touch. I have a couple of friends with Birkins but in my community we value other brands as status more.
Hello Sophie, I also read about that lawsuit and thought to myself: "finally, someone moved it". And yes, Porsche is pretty much the same haha, sorry was I not supposed to name them? It's not you so you're good 😉. Happy Easter to your family! 🌷🐣🌞🌸
@@therealmrsdiz4544 sure about Ferrari, in reality many luxury brands have that manipulation in one way or another. I named Porsche, because Sophie mentioned she likes the brand in question, she likes Porsche. For a GT3, you have to play that game of buying more cars before you're "allowed" to get that one.
Some people buy those ‘luxury tat ‘ as wedding presents in large quantities and then get offered bags too. I have zero interest in those bags as I don’t agree with this marketing strategy. I like Hermes perfume though 🌸
I feel like there’s definitely a case to be made about tying for a birkin/kelly over any other brand. Both because it’s how they determine brand loyalty and their Sa commission structure. I know it’s totally first world problems, but Hermes practices for these bags outside of the wishlist system have always struck me as illegal. Like there is special treatment for top customers at other brands. But the difference is if I had the funds and wanted to be a special edition peekaboo or even an exotic from fendi I could just go in and buy it. I have a pretty good relationship with my fendi sa, so I do get access potentially to presales. But I built that relationship by buying a couple bags that I actually wanted and just periodically stopping in.
My daughter is first on that class action lawsuit, many more people have joined this lawsuit, it’s a shame on Hermes for their illegal Tying that they do to clients It’s all catching up to them now
I see it both ways. On the side of the people who began the lawsuit: it is absolutely coercion to promise someone something if they spend X amount of dollars and then not deliver on that promise. On the side of Hermès: everyone knows this is the game and if you're stupid enough to spend tens of thousands knowing you may not get what you want in the end than it's shame on you. Hermès clearly want their customers to be rich. If that kind of wealth isn't completely disposable to you than you shouldn't be playing the game to begin with.
doesn't matter, it's illegal in the US to tie products to each other. doesn't matter what you think or how much you want to gatekeep, no business should be above the law.
This lawsuit is really interesting! if they end up going to court, you definitely should report us what's happening... This thing where shops are allowed to choose their customers is really dividing. My husband said that of course they have the right to choose their customers but again, I'm not convinced he knows how Hermes is treating their customers that want to buy Birkins. I think they should be saying straight from the beginning, for example "you need to spend 20k+ to be offered a Birkin" , and not bully the customers to buy plates they don't want.
This is exactly why so many people who can afford the real thing just go and get fakes. You can have them handmade and pick everything you want. Not saying to go do it, but this is why even in wealthy circles this kind of thing goes on. I personally know people who can absolutely afford the real thing and have other bags from brands like Hermes who simply don’t want to deal with the BS or the high markup on pre-loved just for a *bag* . At the end of the day a bag is just an object that is meant to serve you and, if you want, look nice while doing it. People want to own their stuff, they don’t want to be owned by their stuff. If they can get a handstitched Birkin in the colors and finishes they want for $1000 instead of being forced to pay out the nose to maybe be offered a bag that isn’t even the bag they want, it just becomes a game for them to see what they can actually get for their money and whether anyone will even know. Many of them carry them into the boutiques and even the SAs can’t tell. The working conditions in many luxury house factories are no better than the ones making the fakes. There was a whole thing about how shitty it is for the people making Chanel bags for example. Personally I prefer artisan brands that are less regularly faked and more unique and more reasonably priced but to each their own. I just want a beautiful bag, not a status symbol. Although many designer bags are admittedly very beautiful and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at one, it just seems ridiculous to jump through all these incredibly illegal hoops just hoping to get anything. I’m not about to be out here begging for a damn bag lol like wtf
I have a mixture of preloved and boutique bags. Best thing is to buy larger bags preloved as can get for less than retail. I think important to note with this that different in uk to the us. I’m never encouraged to buy anything in uk and have been fairly successful at getting bags (including Constance recently which I do recommend if you can get one). I do buy other Hermes items but only because I genuinely like the items but we are not talking high value. Am following this case with interest.
The exclusivity of Hermes is what makes it luxury. The quality. The fact that everyone can't acquire one. LUXURY. If the Californians win, they will ruin the Hermes luxury market. Possibly by driving costs severely up. Or letting the resale market flood and therefore lowering the value of the Hermes bags.
I had no idea, that Hermes did this. I thought that they produced a very limited quanity, hence the waiting list. I didn't know that they encouraged customers to buy other Hermes items, so they "might" get the chance to buy a Birkin. It all seems ridiculous.
I don't understand WHY people let Hermes way, they control how you shop. IF we don't buy the bags, they can not survive, we need to control how we want to shop.
True😊
Exactly. I’ve never been a fan of Hermes products and I certainly NEVER will now.
Their target market have so much money it doesn’t matter what they’re forced to purchase because their bank account is in the billions
They satisfy a segment of people who thinks, the things they are denied, are the best.
In all reality, if people boycotted their stores it wouldn't affect them. The people who purchase their bags are usually very wealthy and the ones who boycott are usually the ones who can't afford to spend $15k+ on a Birkin.
I was recently in Las Vegas, and all the luxury stores were very welcoming, with the exception of Hermes. They instantly assumed we were just looking, and then told us they had NO bags for sale. Is that even possible? I came home with Celine sunglasses, the Miss Dior large bag in powder pink, and the small Cartier Panthere watch. I obviously have the means to buy Hermes, but I never will. It’s not fun being treated like trash. 💁🏼♀️
Was treated horribly at Hermes Monaco. No plans to walk into another Hermes store again.
@@Emma-qh1ch my husband shares your feelings. He was furious.
My husband had a totally opposite experience while in LV (City Center location) The SA asked if he needed any assistance and he said he wanted a twilly for his wife’s handbag. He showed her a photo I sent, she then showed him a number of them and she suggested the one that best fit. When he got home he told me about his experience, and he said it was great. It doesn’t excuse how you were treated…but the CC Hermes store, and (in my opinion) all the Shops at Crystals have been great. More so than the hotel locations.
I was not even allowed inside Hermes’ Melbourne! 🤣🤣
@@danielintheantipodes6741Oh god 😂.. you mean you weren’t dressed like royalty? Shame on you, lmao.
This is why dupes are getting better and better......
Tanner Leatherstein has really showed how much an Hermes bag is actually worth.
Yes, while I am anti-dupes if the price increase some will be done some will buy a fake. Some here treat Hermes like a god, including a SA who has less money than the customers.
Actually - I spoke to an artisan who used to make Kelly’s for Hermes. They know some are fakes because the entire bag was hand stitched- shocking news, the real ones actually have some parts machine made and isn’t as good as the fakes 🤣
Damn right pretty soon the Birkin will be as worthless and as faked as Louis Vuitton
I’m shocked it didn’t happen sooner. We are the most litigious country in the world. It’s about time!
So true! I love to see it.
And this is the most litigious state. Let's see how it shakes out yeah? Hehe 🧸🌁
Finally someone standing up to them!! Well done!!
Hermes established the game (i.e., the trouble) so they shouldn’t be surprised if trouble is now finding them….or “what goes around, comes around” applies here. Glad they’re now being held accountable in some way & we’ll see what happens. But, you’re right, this luxury brand isn’t the only offender.
i suspect they're being the first sued because its more "accessible". the starting point for buying an hermes bag is a lot lower than any of the watch brands or porsche.
if hermes loses it will likely set a precident for the other brands that are known to do this.
Other brands are starting to follow suit and it’s pissing people off. Rolex just stopped because of the resale market I think. Others will stop in the states too if Hermes loses.
Hope they close in LA. They invented the product, they should be able to market it any way they want. It’s not a necessity, but women wanted to flex so hard they actually go to the lengths of suing. How much more shallow can you get? All for the flex.
I wouldn't buy a Hermes, even pre-loved because of their selling practices. I think it is sickening.
They are ugly anyway!
Chanel as well, crazy pricing.
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
I was treated like a POS at Hermes in Las Vegas. They basically laughed at me when I asked where all the handbags were.
I wound up going to one of the Chanel boutiques and they were lovely. Brought home a beautiful Chanel bag.
That's my favorite Chanel boutique!
Good for you! Hermes is a spoiled, entitled narcissist brat. Meanwhile they’re losing business because of their condescending attitude. Joke’s on them! 😂
Tbf they've always been nice in the Manchester concessions though I've never asked to buy anything myself just been with people who are
Why didn’t you simply say: Ok, then I’m ordering coffee. It seems this is a cafe, not a boutique.. 😂
Absolutely no one tells me how to spend my money. Period.
I saved up money for a few months to buy a ZP, but it got scratched on the third day. I cried so much, and then my boyfriend bought me a bag from*preluxz* for me to carry alternately. Anyway, there are so many bags on the street, so as long as others can't see it, I think it's fine. The thought is there.
I do legal work in the states, but not in California. My interpretation may be slightly off and full disclosure this is a VERY basic opinion. But, yes, we have antitrust laws the US. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) basically polices and investigates US companies, for a number of potential legal issues, not only antitrust. The FTC is also VERY underfunded so the resources they have are limited. (For comparison sake: the FTC has a yearly budget of $590M, DOJ has a budget around $45B, while our national defense has a budget of $1.62T. Yes, that's trillion with a T). I am not surprised they are only going after Hermes now, as they may not of have the resources in the past. Other issues have taken precedent. Personally, I never believed the schtick they are pushing at Hermes and that is one reason I refuse to shop there. For years I have been saying, how have they not been sued? It was really only a matter of time. Now, if this lawsuit will be successful is another conversation, so we will see how this turns out. If you go onto the second hand websites, there are pages and pages and pages of Birkin and Kelly bags for sale, most at a markup. This tells you they are not as rare as they would lead you to believe.
Over caffeinated fashion influencers who incessantly brag about their Hermès hauls online don’t help the situation either. Why is one Birkin handbag not enough for you? Besides, variety is the spice of life. There are many quality accessory brands out there that do not make you jump through this many hoops.
Hermès never said their products were rare…. Supply is simply not sustainable to demands…
@@aalti I never said the company said that.
Hi! I was just wondering (being Canadian I don’t know) but isn’t the anti trust law more to protect consumers from goods they actually need ie. food and that sort of thing. Protect them, for example, so that grocery chains can’t come together and just decide to raise the price of bread just for profit and stuff like that?
@@elisiab09 Antitrust laws are applied to any questionable business activities. It can be products OR services. For example in 2013 U.S. DOJ, ruled and found Apple guilty of fixing the prices of ebooks.
Hi Sophie ! I hope the whole Hermès circus- lawsuit will air on social media to have a little but of fun 😅.
Hello lovely Joanna! I hope you're so well, it's been a while! It'll certainly be interesting to see what happens with this... Hugs xx
@@SophieShohetOfficial I'm watching your vlogs as usual ❤️❤️
I would add that for a lot of people who chose to go to the resale market for a Birkin, it's not about whether they can get allocation, it's about refusing to play the game (which is actually a business strategy) that the company has put in place. Plus, if most people have to spend double or triple the price of a Birkin on things they don't want in order to maybe be offered a Birkin, and then for the offered Birkin to not even be customizable to your exact specifications, it makes a lot more financial sense to find exactly the bag you want on the resale market.
Not just Hermes, it's all of them. Stuck up and make things difficult everytime.
You're so right! It's across the board! Hugs xx
I disagree. I get treated just fine anywhere I go but I refuse to go into any Hermes store, much less try to open the door.
I haven’t had a terrible experience in any of the luxury stores, and that includes Hermes.
However I agree with you 100%! And it’s hilarious to me that the people treating customers like crap are the sales associates, usually working for pennies as compared to the customer! Like, ma’am, YOU likely cannot afford this bag and you’re acting holier than thou!
@@SophieShohetOfficial Well what about the crayon thing when they were trying to sell you a credit card? Isn't that tied selling too? By default, customers who don't use points pay more for flights too.
@@TheSharna23 The Hermes sales associates don't make commission on the bags. They make commission on all the other products. Why would they be happy to spend all that time with somebody, just to make no money on the sale?
Definitely more luxury brands like Rolex, AP, and Patek Phillippe too! It definitely is all across the board. Even Lori Piana started to do it with their L19 bags. It is a money making scheme! Xx
I’ve long felt Hermes was instigating a business model that would ultimately lead to a lawsuit. It’s one thing to be a private business & make your price for products whatever the customer will pay. However, legally to discriminate how customers are allowed to purchase goods that are in stock is slimy at best and criminal at worst. I hope either way Hermes will create a more legal and transparent purchasing scale for their customers. I walked in one store to see the hype and was underwhelmed, but I feel they need to be acting in good legal faith. If proven they haven’t, then I look forward to them having to pay thru the nose like their many customers have had to do!
As I said under another video, I’m in two minds about this situation. People are frustrated with the very same exclusivity that drives their desire to buy into the Hermes game. If Hermes wasn’t as exclusive and hard to get, I guarantee you, there’d be less people desiring their bags. In Europe, Hermes purchase history isn’t as important to “qualify” for a birkin but you must open wishlist to even be considered. I just find the hysteria around luxury brands exercising their exclusivity interesting to watch. People love exclusivity until they’re the ones being excluded from the club.
I have heard that Hermes sales associates don't get commission on the Birkin or Kelly so they are encouraged to sell you more things where they actually WILL get commission on
I think its more than that. Plaintiffs saying they were being trick to buy other things and meet specified amount to be offered the bag...and that is the issue.
Buy vintage and get exactly what you want. It may be a little bit more money, but that doesn't go to them and you don't have to play the game and beg.
If they make you spend 1:1 then you might as well buy resale.
Why does anyone keep buying them… I hope they lose - good for the lawsuit!!
Hi Sophie, it’s about time someone did something 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I could never play the Hermes game. I don’t feel like the bags are exclusive because you can buy pre loved yesterday you may pay a premium. If you buy from the store you have to buy thousands of dollars for unnecessary products just to get a Birkin and it may not be what you want. No one is going to know if your bag is pre loved but you.
That’s true! Who is going to know and who is going to care?!
I have mixed feelings about this. It seems like a rich person problem to me, the average person isn't going in and buying a Birkin to begin with. And if you don't want to play the game, then don't. Your life won't end if you don't have a Birkin and there are plenty for sale on the resale sites. I'm so over the whole luxury game--just buy other brands. There are now plenty of great brands that don't charge even close to what some of these luxury brands do. For equal or in some situations, better quality.
@flo: the one plaintiff already has a Birkin. She wanted another one but was told she didn’t spend enough money to earn another one…
@@idaranwa4370 🤣🤣🤣🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
Exactly. Your life won't end if you don't get a Birkin, and if we're honest, your life wouldn't become better by getting one.
@@idaranwa4370omg that’s so stupid!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@Polkadot2 The law applies to everyone.
Hermes famously turned away the Princess of Wales Diana back in the 80s. Honestly, I can make my own version of the Hermes bag. Togo leather is lowest price, 309 USD at RM Leather supply for a single shoulder hide which is about 8-10 ft. , and you can find all sorts of quality artisans and leatherworkers to make a dupe for under 1000.
This seems long overdue now that I think about it
„Luxury tat“ = savage, Sophie! 🤣♥️🤣♥️🤣♥️🤣
My friend work at Hermes as a sales rep. She says that before a customer is offer a bag, that same customer must spend at least $100k or more to be offer a bag. That is just absurd.
That's not true. In my opinion it depends on the SA. I purchased my first Birkin 15 years ago. Before my Birkin I had purchased a few scarves and some bracelets and a picotin bag.
@@ConstantlyRepeatingMyself yeah, 15 years ago.
Ehh i got offered a special Constance after buying one belt , one oran, one set of ankle boots
@@superminer2622 if they offer you a birkin bag right on the spot without buying all these extra accessories then their sales practice is pretty good. But obviously, that wasn't the case for you.
The practice isn’t the same across the board and that’s the problem, be it a luxury brand or not. It’s a form of discrimination… They set the price and that should be enough to “control” who buys their product but they’ve added layers and layers of hurdles. “We all know the game” so Hermes should knows it’s happening. Implied connected sales is just as bad as explicitly saying it if everyone knows the Hermes game.
I think we’re in a time of unveiling all the bad practices that we’ve all been forced to accept are normal. I say call all the brands out. I emailed Chanel customer service to buy a cardholder and they told me I had to come in store before I could buy any leather items. “It looks like the closest fashion boutique to you is in San Francisco. Keep in mind, after that first visit you will have a Fashion Advisor who can remotely order any piece you desire from anywhere in the U.S.”. Chanel can keep their cardholder… I don’t appreciate being told I have to do something in order to buy a product. My money should be enough for them but no, they want more control.
My first Chanel purchase was a wallet online. They connected with an SA in San Francisco that had the item in store. I called, ordered it, and it was shipped to me in 2 days.
@@SB_41 WOW! When was that? My experience was Feb 2024. I’ve lost the desire to shop with Chanel altogether
They want you on file, which i'm pretty sure breaches privacy laws.
lol noone is forced to accept this as normal, and a lot of people who don't fall for this game - do not. noone is forced to buy hermès or any other luxury brand. we can get the same quality at a small workshop easily - but ofc, there wouldn't be the logo on there - and the status chasing is the only reason why people drool over hermès. at this day it just shows that you're willing to waste time and money for a mind game and makes these people kinda stupid imo.
their money would be better spendt on the preloved market as, yes the bags cost more, but let's be honest - with all of those hoops you have to jump through - you're still better off buying pre loved in the first place.
My SA told me that they are doing this often, because a lot of online orders get returned and exchanged with FAKE Replicas! So if you are not an old customer, i agree with their practice, in order to protect the rest of us!
Im glad they are doing this...Hermès plays a dirty game....
VERY dirty!
I also find it fascinating that no one in the influencer community who is on 'the list' is speaking about this lawsuit.
Those are the consumers playing the game…I guess they don’t want to hurt their chances as a customer.
"Being offered a bag..." always seemed ludicrous to me. If you have a lot of money and/or a social following, they will sell you multiple bags at one time. Hermes is not as exclusive as they think they are. And some of the celebrities they sell to are not good people, which tells you it's all about the $$$. Buy pre-loved. And really: no one makes you/coerces you to buy things you don't want or need.
Why does it matter if the celebrities they sell to are good people? If they were to gate keep based on personality type it would be even more insidious
Linked selling in the US is illegal. I will be curious to see where this goes. I suspect in the end Hermes will need to establish a waitlist system in the US.
They do have a waitlist system. If Hermes lose this lawsuit it will open the floodgates for more people to sue.
@@Taylor987-h8jmost of the brands dont call it waitlist, some call it expression of interest but that is very different from being in the waitlist. Where do you hear this Waitlist System? Is it officially from the brand?
Its financial abuse. Period. And people who defend it need to be called into question.
This is going to be an intersting lawsuit. I imagine there are similar laws in Canada. I'll have to watch.
All of the information that comes out is going to be very, very interesting even if the plaintiffs loose.
I agree@@LotsofWhatever
I too have the means but refuse to play a game /beg for a bag. It’s ridiculous. They can do what they wish legally or not but if I’m a customer spending money in a shop I like to be appreciated and treated with grace.
I’m also a retail shop owner and I can’t even fathom treating my clients in such a way 😮
💯 👏🏻 You have class. Hermes has none.
Our family business is jewellery and never in my wildest dreams would we allow one of our employees to treat customers that way, no matter if you’re buying simple silver earrings or expensive custom jewellery. Not that they would want to because they’re great people. Of course, we’re only a small, local business but still. It’s such an ugly way to do business, I completely agree with you.
I am not an Hermes customer because I never wanted to play the game. In the US, from what I understand, if someone is asking to see an item, if you have that item in stock, you are required to show it to the customer, mainly because of the discrimination laws. In addition, you cannot make a sale (or a promise of a sale) of one item conditioned on the sale of another item, unless it is a set. If customers stop buying all the mass produced crap Hermes required them to purchase before they could even touch a Birkin, unless Hermes ramps up the production of bags, they will go down the drain. That is my opinion, because their products, apart from the bags, are nothing special, ridiculously overpriced to boot, and lets be honest here: no one would want any of them if not coerced by the salespeople.
I like their scarves. I have quite a few (although they are overpriced 😅). Never understood the allure of their bags though. They are nicely made but nothing spectacular. Quite simple in construction really. Personally wouldn’t buy one.
To be frank, except for the scarves which I think do have a certain level of artistry, all of the other Hermes products especially the ready to wear and shoes all look very frumpy and granny like...everything looks like its for 60+year olds. At this price point, they are competing with other brands like Chanel, Dior, Celine, etc who are much more stylish and fashionable within the same categories. Its obvious that consumers are not going to buy their stuff unless they were coerced LOL. They should just do better and invest more time and effort in their other categories to win customers instead of the current coerced efforts by the salespeople in exchange for bags.
@@210-ws9kk Exactly. It's all grandma style because they don't need to make an effort. I prefer Burberry scarves myself.
@@MariaPetalcorin I disagree. Birkin and Kelly are completely hand made by artisans from the best quality materials available on this planet. Each one is very complicated to make and a work of art. But, would you feel comfortable carrying around a $12,000 bag? I wouldn't.
The real lawsuit should be around discrimination on how the bag is sold. How does Hermes choose who they will sell the bags to is there any set criteria on how the selection is done.
Any brand that does business this way sucks period point blank.
I'm happy you listened to those of us who asked you to cover this topic. I appreciate it so much! And yes, you said my name correctly! I'm such abig fan of your content despite not owning or planning to own any bags in the future. I just love the way you present information as well as your vlogs. :)
Anyway, I'm not an Hermes customer, but I don't have a major problem with their policy. I believe it just needs more transparency as to the guidelines to ensure consistency and prevent nepotism. They need to publish at least a loose set of guidelines with measurable numbers in order to instill confidence and get around the lawsuit. Such as minimum length of time as a customer, minimum total spend as a customer, a minimum number of purchases from x product categories, etc.
Great points Sophie . I’ve never played the “ game” nor will I ever play the game 😊
7 days ago a guy named Garcia stole 60 Birken bags from an Hermes boutique in a Miami Beach hotel . He didn’t have to wait for a birken. There were 60 on the shelves!
I’m actually surprised a lawsuit like this hasn’t happened earlier. Their practices of not being able to buy certain products is quite shady
I have never liked the Birkin or Kelly bags. They remind me of old lady bags. The only Hermes item I own is a silk scarf…and only because I fell in love with the design.
A rich people problem. My aunt gave me her 1990's Hermes Birkin in black. I don't use it. It looks like a men's briefcase - bulky and ugly. I don't get why some people go wild over it. It's just a bag.
May I have it please?
I want to also point out a really important piece of missing information from the video is that the Hermes commission system actually does not reward their SA for selling any Birkins (and I believe Kellys too) - they don't earn anything from selling these bags. So in essence the company is somehow indirectly setting up their sales people and the store managers who need their SAs to meet store KPIs and to get "smart" into how they do business with customers, as such they have evolved into the current situation where "most" of the quota bags are only offered to customer who have "spent enough" to qualify, otherwise how are they going to reach the store KPI and make a proper living if every customer only comes in to buy bags that they don't earn commissions from. I believe this is going to play a huge part into how this case is going to turn out.
Agreed. Their going to have to change the commission system or they may find former SA’s pop up in this trial on the plaintiffs side. Providing the evidence needed to prove their case.
@@tarreemhacaruso2687 thats going to be really interesting to hear
This is a great topic, I’m excited to hear your two pence 😉 anyway thanks for another Sophie Sunday, I look forward to these videos so much…they really are a wind down before a busy week
I'm always so grateful that you watch and enjoy! And thank you always for the feedback on the vids, it is so helpful to know that you like them. Have a lovely evening my friend!xx
Personally, I believe the Californians will win the lawsuit. Customers are being coerced into buying specific produces; rather than encouraged to purchase accessory products of their choosing. I don't think there is anything wrong with offering specialty products to loyal customers. aside: how would anyone know if you purchased your coveted Birkin from Hermes or a second hand vendor?
it would be nice if they gave you some choice, but you can only hope they'll agree to a color you've suggested to them
I got one of their lesser priced bags & said a few colors I'd like. The lady went away & then came back to tell me that one of those colors would be available in a few days (she told me which). I happened to really like the bag even though she didn't give me all the details about it beforehand.
Dior has always been kind to me. They actually talk to me and treat me like I'm a potential consumer. That's why I've bought from them multiple times. The people at Hermes take one look at me and don't even think about lifting a finger. It matters.
I have been to the Hermes shop in Naples, Florida. They could not have been nicer. They knew I wasn’t going to purchase a bag, but my friend did buy a belt. They offered us champagne and other beverages. They also humored me and took out several bags (not Birkins) and let me hold them- with white cotton gloves on. It was a lovely visit.
Keep us posted Sophie - this is really interesting for us all! Xxx
Having worked for LV, we would have extremely rare and limited launches, particularly with the Arty Capucines, which were often launched in collaboration with some artists. A store may get 5, but there's 250 people on the waiting list, and no more are coming in. So, sales people had to submit an email, basically litigating in favor of their BEST client, against other sales people's, to get the bag. And management awarded the bag based on the purchase history and who was spending in the right "lifestyle" categories. Same as Hermes, LV wanted people to buy ready to wear, jewelry, watches, and home goods as evidence it was a "core" lifestyle client.
Sophia, you are right! The luxury car industry is doing the same shit! Really don't want to deal with all those shit! 😢😢
Which brand was she talking about in the video?
Consumers fault. I refuse to be told what I can buy. I will never buy hermes. I'm fine with my LV's.
I find this story fascinating! If Hermes loses the lawsuit and are pushed to allow anyone to purchase Birkins, I don’t see the exclusivity going away. The fact is, not just anyone can drop 10k+ on a bag, so the exclusivity will always be there. That being said, they are the worst brand about making customers play the game. Yes, other brands do it. In 2012 I wanted the Chanel classic flap and was told I needed to be on a list. I realized I had gone to middle school with the SA, and he put me at the top of the list. I got the bag in about two months. Chanel does it for sure, but not to the extent that Hermes does. Hermes takes it to a level that is just wrong. I understand SA’s saving new hot items for their regular customers. Hermes is not doing that. They are requiring people to spend thousands for a small chance at these bags. They deserve this lawsuit. It’s not right. I hope the people suing win this and make an example out of Hermes.
It's very discriminatory as to who gets offered.
I hope they win, the cost of these bags plus having to buy all the other products to ensure you might be offered one is ridiculous! This is the 21st century if you have a store then you sell things! I hope all the other stores are quaking in their boots, as consumers we do not need to be told what we can and cannot have! I will never ever buy any Hermes product purely because of this, absolutely so pleased someone has taken them on regarding this! Go get them!
A business owner will always adjust their behavior / business model if someone files suit and wins. There will be far fewer Birkins in California Hermes stores to go around. Therefore, the SAs can honestly say "we don't have any Birkins in stock to sell you". Take it from a business owner is California, it is a game we must all play to continue to operate in one of the most difficult states in the US to do business.
luxury tat ! lol so true - and it's about status - period! people pretending it's not duhhhhhhhhhhh it's capiatlism on steroids
I am going to use that term!
@jonny. You are right! It is about status and what that bag represents when a person carries it.
Luxury tat is the correct terminology! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
What I find interesting with Hermes marketing is that it seems that there is no pattern how they sell this coveted bags even within the same country. In France notably in paris its thru online registration for leather appointment and its like a lottery but then again it doesnt mean you will be offered the bag youre after or any bag at all. Here in Sydney Australia theres no leather appointment but its seems only their very high spenders can be offered and get the quota bag if there are any. I might be wrong but other luxury brands does not do this marketing strategy. For example chanels bag before they become crazy expensive they dont do this strategy.
I purchased my birkin after requesting it about 1 year before, without any other previous purchases and without having any connection with the sale assistants
Interestingly, that in a *preluxs* , the inside sewing at the handles is more carefully made (leather is not so frayed), than in the original one.
The Anti trust law applies to all 50 US States, not just California . Honestly I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner and I’m interested in how many others will join the class action suit., could be hundreds or even thousands. On another note after watching your video review of your custom Launer I decided to give one a try, ordered one and I absolutely love it so thanks for your thorough review 😊
If anyone really wants a Kelly or Birkin you can buy one second hand. There are thousands on the market, people just want to make videos on buying one from the boutique. No one knows where you bought it from unless you put it out there.
They’re marked up very high on the resale market but I guess one might as well pay that high price Instead of spending more money at the store buying crap you don’t need in other to get a bag.
@@damolaalabi8211 Hi, most people know there is a mark up so I thought it was not worth saying. But even with the mark up it is less then buying items from Hermes over a years period in hopes, not guarantees, that you will get one.
@@damolaalabi8211 it took me a year but I found my Birkins for decent prices
People sulking because they can’t hack it.
One of the reasons the sales associates “encourage” customers to buy expensive ancillary items in order to be offered a quota bag is because sales associates don’t earn commission on the bags!
Honestly, isn't anybody feeling embarrassed trying so hard to gain acceptance into the club? It reeks of desperation and the bags give off the same ick factor as wearing Balenciaga. If you are relying on a purse to advertise your worth, there is a problem. There are plenty of other gorgeous bags to choose from.
If it's a class action lawsuit, everyone who can prove they were affected gets some compensation. So usually it's only the lawyers that do well out of it.
Louis Vuitton does this: I get text from sales associates before the collections come out offering items to me
Here in NYC, the very high end designers have "sample sales" but it's invite only to their elite customers.
The claims are quite true according to my sister in law who is a valued customer by Hermes. You have to build up an account with hermes buy buying at least 5 or more items before you can buy their expensive bags and because my SIL is a valued customer , Hermes even emailed and offered her their new limited edition bags that will her be release in 1 to 2 years time and she needs to give a certain amount for the guarantee that she will get the item. Ridiculous.
I watched someone talking about this a few days ago (sorry can’t remember who). I believe she said that they had a temporary sign (later make into a permanent sign) in a Canadian Hermes store with words to the effect of - non of the employees are allowed to make you purchase other products in order for you to get a quota bag. It sounded like the sales staff were being thrown under the bus. The video stressed heavily that sales staff do not get commission from quota bag sales. The truth is no company would tolerate this kind of practise if they didn’t agree or approve of it first. I think Hermes should be punished for the way they sell their quota bags, treat some of their customers and their staff. Do I believe this will happen, no I don’t.
It does also feel like some people aren't the customer Hermes "wants" if they're told to do all this buying and jump through all these hoops all to still not get a bag while others buy far less or nothing and get offered a bag.
My self-esteem is not so brittle that I need to be in the "Allocation" club to think more of myself. I know my self-worth and it's more than allowing an SA to manipulate me in this condescending manner. This is the brand's reflection of it's attitude of its patrons. It's a handbag--if it fell into the middle of the ocean it wouldn't grow wings and save itself.
Hermes policy re: buying ancillary items has been in place for years. I've purchased Hermes Birkins, Kellys, and other bags for over 10 years. However, despite that I'm a long time customer my Hermes SA stated that I needed to purchase "other items", every year, since they want their customers to "support the brand". Thus, I've purchased shoes, boots, sandals, blankets, ties, bracelets, twilly's, scarves, etc. etc., but it's never enough because my SA keeps pushing me to buy more. Finally, I said "I should be grandfathered in" so I don't have to buy a bunch of stuff, but that's not the case. Long standing customers, like myself, are tired of the "games" Hermes plays. My SA said that they are opening new boutiques in order to "offer bags to more customers", which I took to mean these new customers are willing to pay to game. I'm tired of Hermes policies and I'm hopeful that this lawsuit will have a positive outcome for all customers, everywhere.
The SA earn commission on ancillary products and not on the bags.
My friends husband went to Hermes in Singapore. He was with a sales assistant looking at accessories for a present for his wife (my friend). He was choosing between a scarf and a belt, and he asked the sales assistant what the price was for the belt. All of a sudden, everything was sold out and unavailable to buy 😅
I think all commission jobs should end tbh.
Nothing about the Hermes bags are special enough for me. It’s just the name, not the look of the actual bags. I don’t play that game.
Agree with you. It's all about status.
I always thought they were outrageously priced and very ugly. 👎🏻
After getting a dupe and carrying it for a day or two. I was over EVER wanting to purchase a real one. Trust me, it’s definitely about the prestige or idea that you can afford it.
If I were Hermes I would pay out and just make way less bags and increase the price
Agree.
Hi Sophie, I'm now watching your vlog about Hermes. Now this is the case for some car dealers , and this is wrong . Love your vlogs . All the Best. Simon x
I would never even consider buying Hermes anything- I find the whole process desperate and honestly sort of gross…
More customers should get IN in that lawsuit!! Shady Hermes game going one for years, too long!!
I believe you said Sophie, what will happen....the two in California will win and Hermes will say, fine, we are going to make many less in the future to keep the exclusivity. You are correct in your prediction.
I think they'll say that in the US while selling like mad in China, Korea, Dubai, etc.
And then the Kardashians have a closet full of them 🙄
@@purpurina5663Kylie was caught carrying a fake one and someone on RUclips did a whole video on that. It was when she was younger and had blown up about her transformation. Right before her lip kits.
@@Demi1369I didn't know! In any case, I assume her/her sisters' closet has real ones now... or maybe a mix of real and fakes. There's this whole thing now of rich people carrying fakes anyway.
@@Demi1369I didn't know! In any case, I assume her/her sisters' closet has real ones now... or maybe a mix of real and fakes. There's this whole thing now of rich people carrying fakes anyway.
---Hence the word "exclusive". It is a marketing technique in use (successfully) for time in memorium.
I should join the those two…. It happened to me few times as i move so much cuz of work. I have spent so much already but have not received any bags i want.
Yeah, they definitely had it coming. I remember pre-social media time when the Kellys and Birkins were considered “old lady” bags and hardly anyone wanted them…Hermes really played the game well and created demand for those bags. I personally think that they should be held accountable because what they’ve doing is just not right. Simple. However, my husband’s point of view (which I just got:) is that he doesn’t feel sorry for the customers at all - they’ve fallen for these practices for some pretentious over-priced item and the whole thing is so superficial that is not even worth his attention 😆
The entire hunger marketing strategy by Hermes is actually really tacky. When I see someone carrying Hermes, they always look a bit ashamed. Their bags are well made but not functional, and if you join in the Hermes game, you're a sucker.
I like how the ad of the Birkin has hoops.😂
yeah for the customer to jump thorugh 😂
Although the suit was filed in California, it’s a federal statute handled in federal courts in California. I really appreciate you asking as many RUclipsrs around the world are talking about the suit with no knowledge of our laws or courts. Thank you!!!
Oh the irony…. Foreigners who have no knowledge of our laws in the USA can bark and condemn but we can’t do that to their countries, even when we know their laws. 🤔 😂 🤡
Great topic Sophie. I’ve always feel that buying from Hermes fuel their shady game! Just wonder if UK also have similar laws? Perhaps we can take them to uk court too! 😂
As a Californian: suing is our favorite passtime, we have pretty incredible consumer rights here. I find this whole thing funny. Honestly these luxury brands can't play games here. This could also be considered fraud based on the insurance codes here (I'm in the insurance space). Very keen to see how this plays out...
I used to work for the State Controller's office about two decades back, they will be frothing at the mouth to collect interest on any seizures should Hérmes lose this suit, tbh. They love to take things and collect the spoils off them. 🤣
It feels like a less violent pig butchering scam to me. It's why knock offs are so popular (I don't buy those) and plentiful. It's sad, really.
I could see the EU changing tactics if this gets a snowball rolling and I know Australia's got some fantastic consumer rights laws as well.
I have never liked Hérmes. I associate it with angry elders who are a bit out of touch. I have a couple of friends with Birkins but in my community we value other brands as status more.
Hello Sophie, I also read about that lawsuit and thought to myself: "finally, someone moved it". And yes, Porsche is pretty much the same haha, sorry was I not supposed to name them? It's not you so you're good 😉. Happy Easter to your family! 🌷🐣🌞🌸
I thought she was taking about Ferrari.
@@therealmrsdiz4544 sure about Ferrari, in reality many luxury brands have that manipulation in one way or another. I named Porsche, because Sophie mentioned she likes the brand in question, she likes Porsche. For a GT3, you have to play that game of buying more cars before you're "allowed" to get that one.
I’m glad you did because I was wondering about which car brand it was 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Some people buy those ‘luxury tat ‘ as wedding presents in large quantities and then get offered bags too. I have zero interest in those bags as I don’t agree with this marketing strategy. I like Hermes perfume though 🌸
20k spend, still not offered. I think now is 1:5 ratio and high jewels clothing only
Sorry I meant High jewelry and furniture. They don’t even consider people who buy ready to wear or fashion jewelry as “qualified” purchase
I feel like there’s definitely a case to be made about tying for a birkin/kelly over any other brand. Both because it’s how they determine brand loyalty and their Sa commission structure.
I know it’s totally first world problems, but Hermes practices for these bags outside of the wishlist system have always struck me as illegal.
Like there is special treatment for top customers at other brands. But the difference is if I had the funds and wanted to be a special edition peekaboo or even an exotic from fendi I could just go in and buy it.
I have a pretty good relationship with my fendi sa, so I do get access potentially to presales. But I built that relationship by buying a couple bags that I actually wanted and just periodically stopping in.
Same here. The people at Fendi are cool and helpful as heck. Over the phone or in person, they are the best with me. I’ll always be a customer.
@@irinaivanovic9792 like it's the only brand i have any relationship with. I'm not a major spender, but they still treat me pretty well. I love my SA.
My daughter is first on that class action lawsuit, many more people have joined this lawsuit, it’s a shame on Hermes for their illegal Tying that they do to clients
It’s all catching up to them now
I see it both ways. On the side of the people who began the lawsuit: it is absolutely coercion to promise someone something if they spend X amount of dollars and then not deliver on that promise. On the side of Hermès: everyone knows this is the game and if you're stupid enough to spend tens of thousands knowing you may not get what you want in the end than it's shame on you. Hermès clearly want their customers to be rich. If that kind of wealth isn't completely disposable to you than you shouldn't be playing the game to begin with.
doesn't matter, it's illegal in the US to tie products to each other. doesn't matter what you think or how much you want to gatekeep, no business should be above the law.
This lawsuit is really interesting! if they end up going to court, you definitely should report us what's happening... This thing where shops are allowed to choose their customers is really dividing. My husband said that of course they have the right to choose their customers but again, I'm not convinced he knows how Hermes is treating their customers that want to buy Birkins. I think they should be saying straight from the beginning, for example "you need to spend 20k+ to be offered a Birkin" , and not bully the customers to buy plates they don't want.
They will probably stop selling them in the US
This is exactly why so many people who can afford the real thing just go and get fakes. You can have them handmade and pick everything you want. Not saying to go do it, but this is why even in wealthy circles this kind of thing goes on. I personally know people who can absolutely afford the real thing and have other bags from brands like Hermes who simply don’t want to deal with the BS or the high markup on pre-loved just for a *bag* . At the end of the day a bag is just an object that is meant to serve you and, if you want, look nice while doing it. People want to own their stuff, they don’t want to be owned by their stuff. If they can get a handstitched Birkin in the colors and finishes they want for $1000 instead of being forced to pay out the nose to maybe be offered a bag that isn’t even the bag they want, it just becomes a game for them to see what they can actually get for their money and whether anyone will even know. Many of them carry them into the boutiques and even the SAs can’t tell. The working conditions in many luxury house factories are no better than the ones making the fakes. There was a whole thing about how shitty it is for the people making Chanel bags for example. Personally I prefer artisan brands that are less regularly faked and more unique and more reasonably priced but to each their own. I just want a beautiful bag, not a status symbol. Although many designer bags are admittedly very beautiful and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at one, it just seems ridiculous to jump through all these incredibly illegal hoops just hoping to get anything. I’m not about to be out here begging for a damn bag lol like wtf
I have a mixture of preloved and boutique bags. Best thing is to buy larger bags preloved as can get for less than retail. I think important to note with this that different in uk to the us. I’m never encouraged to buy anything in uk and have been fairly successful at getting bags (including Constance recently which I do recommend if you can get one). I do buy other Hermes items but only because I genuinely like the items but we are not talking high value. Am following this case with interest.
The exclusivity of Hermes is what makes it luxury. The quality. The fact that everyone can't acquire one. LUXURY. If the Californians win, they will ruin the Hermes luxury market. Possibly by driving costs severely up. Or letting the resale market flood and therefore lowering the value of the Hermes bags.
I am happy that happened, Hermes deserve the lawsuit i😂
I had no idea, that Hermes did this. I thought that they produced a very limited quanity, hence the waiting list. I didn't know that they encouraged customers to buy other Hermes items, so they "might" get the chance to buy a Birkin. It all seems ridiculous.