Is It Really So Hard To Buy a Hermès Bag?

Etoile Luxury Vintage
2025-04-01T12:00:09+02:00

We all know them: the iconic Hermès bags. But how can you actually get one? It’s quite a challenge and requires a great deal of patience.

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We all know them: the iconic Hermès bags. But how can you actually get one? It’s quite a challenge and requires a great deal of patience. At the Hermès atelier, the bags are made to order only twice a year. This means that if you’re fortunate enough to place an order, you’ll have to wait at least a year before the bag is in your hands.

A Hermès bag, such as the famous Birkin or Kelly, is a luxury item that is incredibly difficult to acquire. This is primarily due to the limited availability, the brand’s exclusivity, and the enormous demand. However, if you’re patient and truly determined to own a Hermès bag, there are a few ways to go about it.

Photo: Pinterest.com

First things first

First, visiting the store is always a good idea. This is the most traditional method, but it can be challenging. Hermès deliberately keeps the stock of popular bags, such as the Birkin and Kelly, very limited. These bags are often offered only to customers with a long purchasing history with the brand, who make regular purchases. There is a list of customers who frequently shop at Hermès, and they are given priority for acquiring items like bags.

You can have your name registered, but there is no guarantee if or when you’ll be able to purchase a bag. For those seriously interested in buying a Hermès bag, it’s important to build a good relationship with the staff at the Hermès boutique. The brand is known for its “clienteling” approach: customers who shop more frequently and maintain a loyal relationship are more likely to qualify for exclusive items.

Photo: Vogue.com

Personal shopper

Another option is to hire a personal shopper. They can help you obtain hard-to-find items. Personal shoppers often have good connections with luxury boutiques and can increase your chances of acquiring a Hermès bag.

Photo: Pinterest.com

Vintage

Additionally, vintage or second-hand stores might be one of the most promising ways to get your hands on a Hermès bag. If you’ve been searching for the perfect Hermès bag for a while, it’s definitely worth checking out our website or visiting our store. You just might find the exact bag you’ve been looking for!

Hermès is renowned for its effort in maintaining the exclusivity of its products. Buying a bag can take a long time and often requires an investment of both time and money. If you’re looking for a specific bag, it’s important to be patient and willing to invest in building a good relationship with the brand or to conduct thorough research.

Photo: Pinterest.com

It’s understandable that it takes so long to purchase a handmade Hermès bag. To work at Hermès and craft one of its iconic items, you must go through an intensive training program of approximately 18 months. The bags are entirely handmade by a skilled craftsman or craftswoman. Even after completing the training, it takes an average of 48 hours to create a Hermès bag!

Do you have any questions or are you looking for a specific designer item? We are more than happy to help you on our online platforms or welcome you in one of our stores in the center of Amsterdam.

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Lots of love,

Eline

Sources:

Vogue.com

Purseblog.com