Birkin Bag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

I think if men go in to buy for their wives they probably get to just buy the bag.

+1 I mean, there's still a waiting list, but men don't have to play the game. Make sure he's dressed well and buys something for himself, too.

A friend's husband was in New York for work about ten years ago. He went in and they tried to play the game with him and he was like just get me the bag and they did. So stupid.

I don't understand the point of the game. Are they trying to pretend these bags are a scarce commodity that only very special people are allowed to buy? Or is it not pretending? I don't get it.

Yes. They pretend you’re not worthy of owning one or you can’t afford it or don’t belong on the store just to make you feel like you have to prove yourself by buying it.

People, abusive sales people don’t deserve your money. Hermes is one of the rudest stores but many of them are rude.

Agree. When I read about the ridiculous “process” for being allowed to give a merchant several thousands of dollars I wonder if these buyers have lost all self-respect.

This has been the process since 1880, since the company moved to 24 Faubourg. This is not walmart.

I actually don't think it matters how long this process has been around. Nor am I confusing it with Walmart, but thank you for the clarification. No matter how long people have been doing it, the idea of having to sell yourself and convince a vendor (even a vendor of high quality merchandise-- still a vendor) that you should be allowed to give them a lot of your money strikes me as ludicrous. It makes me sad for people who fall for this or who get excited by the perceived exclusivity or status it confers. Most of the people I know don't need this. (And I am not disputing that these bags can be an investment. The market shows that they can be.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

I think if men go in to buy for their wives they probably get to just buy the bag.

+1 I mean, there's still a waiting list, but men don't have to play the game. Make sure he's dressed well and buys something for himself, too.

A friend's husband was in New York for work about ten years ago. He went in and they tried to play the game with him and he was like just get me the bag and they did. So stupid.

I don't understand the point of the game. Are they trying to pretend these bags are a scarce commodity that only very special people are allowed to buy? Or is it not pretending? I don't get it.

Yes. They pretend you’re not worthy of owning one or you can’t afford it or don’t belong on the store just to make you feel like you have to prove yourself by buying it.

People, abusive sales people don’t deserve your money. Hermes is one of the rudest stores but many of them are rude.

Agree. When I read about the ridiculous “process” for being allowed to give a merchant several thousands of dollars I wonder if these buyers have lost all self-respect.

This has been the process since 1880, since the company moved to 24 Faubourg. This is not walmart.

I actually don't think it matters how long this process has been around. Nor am I confusing it with Walmart, but thank you for the clarification. No matter how long people have been doing it, the idea of having to sell yourself and convince a vendor (even a vendor of high quality merchandise-- still a vendor) that you should be allowed to give them a lot of your money strikes me as ludicrous. It makes me sad for people who fall for this or who get excited by the perceived exclusivity or status it confers. Most of the people I know don't need this. (And I am not disputing that these bags can be an investment. The market shows that they can be.)

Exclusivity rules all aspects of life - just visit the college forum to experience the desire and despair. It applies to jobs, housing, even mating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

I think if men go in to buy for their wives they probably get to just buy the bag.

+1 I mean, there's still a waiting list, but men don't have to play the game. Make sure he's dressed well and buys something for himself, too.

A friend's husband was in New York for work about ten years ago. He went in and they tried to play the game with him and he was like just get me the bag and they did. So stupid.

I don't understand the point of the game. Are they trying to pretend these bags are a scarce commodity that only very special people are allowed to buy? Or is it not pretending? I don't get it.

Yes. They pretend you’re not worthy of owning one or you can’t afford it or don’t belong on the store just to make you feel like you have to prove yourself by buying it.

People, abusive sales people don’t deserve your money. Hermes is one of the rudest stores but many of them are rude.

Agree. When I read about the ridiculous “process” for being allowed to give a merchant several thousands of dollars I wonder if these buyers have lost all self-respect.

This has been the process since 1880, since the company moved to 24 Faubourg. This is not walmart.

I actually don't think it matters how long this process has been around. Nor am I confusing it with Walmart, but thank you for the clarification. No matter how long people have been doing it, the idea of having to sell yourself and convince a vendor (even a vendor of high quality merchandise-- still a vendor) that you should be allowed to give them a lot of your money strikes me as ludicrous. It makes me sad for people who fall for this or who get excited by the perceived exclusivity or status it confers. Most of the people I know don't need this. (And I am not disputing that these bags can be an investment. The market shows that they can be.)

Exclusivity rules all aspects of life - just visit the college forum to experience the desire and despair. It applies to jobs, housing, even mating.

Very true. But at least with colleges and jobs, the idea of having some intrinsic qualities or acquired qualifications or "fit" are understandable metrics that colleges and employers can and should use. The idea that a handbag vendor has convinced people that anything other than the desire to own and the money to purchase should weigh into it is just silly. That people buy into it enough to partcipate or to defend the process is depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Picotins are lovely bags. I have a little collection of them too.

we're horse people, so the shape is adorable.

Hermes makes beautiful saddles but also this $40 bar of glycerin that is absolutely identical to the $5 version and at some point it’s not fun if the joke’s on you, no? I don’t understand the appeal.

https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/glycerin-soap-H000143Ev00/

Comparatively an Hermes saddle only costs 40% or so more than a comparable saddle, it’s probably the best “value” they sell, but still you have to figure there’s a big up charge for the brand and why would anyone want to feel like a sucker?

Serious riders don’t buy Hermes.

You must be young, because in the 80’s they were ubiquitous.
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/tbt-steinkraus-hermes-saddle-my-personal-love-story/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

I think if men go in to buy for their wives they probably get to just buy the bag.

+1 I mean, there's still a waiting list, but men don't have to play the game. Make sure he's dressed well and buys something for himself, too.

A friend's husband was in New York for work about ten years ago. He went in and they tried to play the game with him and he was like just get me the bag and they did. So stupid.

I don't understand the point of the game. Are they trying to pretend these bags are a scarce commodity that only very special people are allowed to buy? Or is it not pretending? I don't get it.

Yes. They pretend you’re not worthy of owning one or you can’t afford it or don’t belong on the store just to make you feel like you have to prove yourself by buying it.

People, abusive sales people don’t deserve your money. Hermes is one of the rudest stores but many of them are rude.

Agree. When I read about the ridiculous “process” for being allowed to give a merchant several thousands of dollars I wonder if these buyers have lost all self-respect.

This has been the process since 1880, since the company moved to 24 Faubourg. This is not walmart.

I actually don't think it matters how long this process has been around. Nor am I confusing it with Walmart, but thank you for the clarification. No matter how long people have been doing it, the idea of having to sell yourself and convince a vendor (even a vendor of high quality merchandise-- still a vendor) that you should be allowed to give them a lot of your money strikes me as ludicrous. It makes me sad for people who fall for this or who get excited by the perceived exclusivity or status it confers. Most of the people I know don't need this. (And I am not disputing that these bags can be an investment. The market shows that they can be.)

Exclusivity rules all aspects of life - just visit the college forum to experience the desire and despair. It applies to jobs, housing, even mating.

Very true. But at least with colleges and jobs, the idea of having some intrinsic qualities or acquired qualifications or "fit" are understandable metrics that colleges and employers can and should use. The idea that a handbag vendor has convinced people that anything other than the desire to own and the money to purchase should weigh into it is just silly. That people buy into it enough to partcipate or to defend the process is depressing.

It's all marketing, and they are good at their job. No different than whatever the in-style of jeans, or sweats, or Stanley cup (of the non-hockey variety), or athletic wear brand.... The list is long. Only the Hermes target audience is more affluent. People buy things that signal who they are. No different than the Birkenstock market, or Patagonia or .....

I own 2 Birkin bags that I carry in certain circumstances, I also wear Birkenstocks in certain circumstances. Not everyone is one note.

[Anonymous]

Are there any other fashion items where the buyer has to prove themselves to the seller?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other fashion items where the buyer has to prove themselves to the seller?

Any haute couture, I would think. If you tried to walk into a truly high end boutique off the street you’d probably get the Julia Roberts -Pretty Woman treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other fashion items where the buyer has to prove themselves to the seller?

Any haute couture, I would think. If you tried to walk into a truly high end boutique off the street you’d probably get the Julia Roberts -Pretty Woman treatment.

I don’t think this is true, although it was probably ready to wear. I have a cousin who walked into Valentino in Italy, having never been anywhere fancier than Nordstrom, to buy a gown for an event. They treated her very well and outfitted her in a really stunning dress to the tune of like $10k.

[Anonymous]

Yawn. This thread is très ennuyeux.

[Anonymous]

I think Birkins have lost prestige since there are so many available secondhand now. Any one of us could just enter our credit card number online and have it shipped to our door without dealing with the ridiculous attitude of the SA and security guards. There are multiple reputable sites selling them.

[Anonymous]

No. I run around after kids all day, as do most women in my social circle. I have zero use for a bag that is 20k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

SA?

SA = Sales Associate
QB is quota bag, not qualifying bag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are there any other fashion items where the buyer has to prove themselves to the seller?

Any haute couture, I would think. If you tried to walk into a truly high end boutique off the street you’d probably get the Julia Roberts -Pretty Woman treatment.

And if this were to happen to me, like Julia Roberts I would spend my considerable money in any establishment but that one. I wouldn’t try to suck up to the sales people in order to be invited to buy something from them. 😀 I will never understand people being willing to do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

SA?

SA = Sales Associate
QB is quota bag, not qualifying bag.

This sounds so fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH bought me one. He played the Hermes game and Birkin was his second QB bag offer. It was quicker than he expected. He also got me a Kelly about a year later. I prefer to the Kelly.

What’s the game?

You buy work with the same SA and develop “a relationship” ie spend money. You develop a wish list. When something on your wish list or similar becomes available and if you “qualify”based on spend level and relationship, you SA will offer you the bag. Hence the term QB, qualifying bag. These are bags that don't go on the floor for general consumption, Birkins, Kelly etc.

There are other nuances and other paths but this is the general simple overview.

I think if men go in to buy for their wives they probably get to just buy the bag.

+1 I mean, there's still a waiting list, but men don't have to play the game. Make sure he's dressed well and buys something for himself, too.

A friend's husband was in New York for work about ten years ago. He went in and they tried to play the game with him and he was like just get me the bag and they did. So stupid.

I don't understand the point of the game. Are they trying to pretend these bags are a scarce commodity that only very special people are allowed to buy? Or is it not pretending? I don't get it.

Yes. They pretend you’re not worthy of owning one or you can’t afford it or don’t belong on the store just to make you feel like you have to prove yourself by buying it.

People, abusive sales people don’t deserve your money. Hermes is one of the rudest stores but many of them are rude.

Agree. When I read about the ridiculous “process” for being allowed to give a merchant several thousands of dollars I wonder if these buyers have lost all self-respect.

This has been the process since 1880, since the company moved to 24 Faubourg. This is not walmart.

I actually don't think it matters how long this process has been around. Nor am I confusing it with Walmart, but thank you for the clarification. No matter how long people have been doing it, the idea of having to sell yourself and convince a vendor (even a vendor of high quality merchandise-- still a vendor) that you should be allowed to give them a lot of your money strikes me as ludicrous. It makes me sad for people who fall for this or who get excited by the perceived exclusivity or status it confers. Most of the people I know don't need this. (And I am not disputing that these bags can be an investment. The market shows that they can be.)

Anyone with enough money can buy a Ferrari, only a few can buy the one they want. This isn’t a Hermes specific strategy.