A wealthy TikTok influencer has revealed the extensive and costly steps buyers must take to be able to spend over $10,000 on a Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag.
While the uninitiated might assume that the luxury fashion brand will happily take anyone’s money, 24-year-old Audrey Peters says things are a bit more complicated as Hermès jealously guards her most iconic purses to maintain exclusivity.
In a TikTok video posted last month, Peters explains that shoppers need to be “offered” the opportunity to purchase a Birkin or Kelly – and to receive that offer, they must not only shop at Hermès frequently, but develop relationships with specific sales. associate and diversify your purchases.
A wealthy TikTok influencer revealed the extensive and costly steps shoppers have to take to get their hands on a Hermès Birkin (pictured) or Kelly bag.
Audrey Peters, 24, explained how customers “lure” their chosen sales assistant by often buying from him.
“If you want to buy Hermès Kelly or Birkin directly from the store, you have a process for how you get them,” she says.
She instructs viewers to buy from the same seller more often over time – and “diversify” their purchases – by showing that she bought multiple pairs of sandals to improve her chances.
“If you want to buy Hermès Kelly or Birkin directly from the store, you will need to purchase them,” she says.
While a celebrity can get around the rules, ordinary people – even the wealthy – have to win favor with their local boutique before buying Birkins, which cost upwards of $10,000 each.
“Essentially, you choose one vendor,” Peters says.
“You text her how she’s doing, you contact her and see what new stock they have. Visit as often as you can, as long as it fits your bank account and your schedule.
“And whenever you go, they offer you something to buy. Basically, every item you buy brings you closer to getting an offer to buy a Kelly or a Birkin.
The unwritten rules for buying a Hermès Birkin or Kelly bag
According to influencer Audrey Peters, anyone hoping to get one of those luxe hard-to-find bags from the Hermès store has to jump through a series of hoops just to be able to spend over $10,000 on one of the designer pieces.
These steps include:
- Select a specific Hermès retailer with whom you can build a relationship.
- Regularly send messages to the seller of your choice; ask questions about their personal lives and find out about new products that have arrived in the store
- Visit the seller’s store as often as possible
- During these shopping trips, buy “a little bit”, but make sure you buy a “diverse” range of items. “It is suggested that you distribute your purchases. Buy a pair of shoes, then a blanket, then a cup,” advises Audrey.
“Write her how she is doing, you will contact her and find out what new promotions they have,” she says. “Visit basically as often as you can, it’s realistic for your bank account and your schedule”
“And every time you go, you are encouraged to buy something,” says Audrey (she is wearing Hermès sandals).
“The more you buy, the more likely the seller… will offer one,” the influencer added (left with a Louis Vuitton bag and right with a Saint Laurent bag and Hermès shoes).
“This is commonly known as the bait process because you are trying to get your salesperson to take the bait and let you get Kelly. It’s literally a mind game,” she says.
“Because the more you buy, the more likely the seller will make you an offer,” she says.
“That being said, it is suggested that you distribute your purchases. Buy one pair of shoes, then a blanket, then a cup of tea,” she continues, saying shoppers should “diversify” among different categories.
“This is commonly known as the bait process because you are trying to get your salesperson to take the bait and let you get Kelly. It’s literally a mind game,” she says.
Moreover, the better the buyer turns out to be someone, the more likely he is to get the opportunity to buy “rare” bags made of special materials and colors.
The stars, of course, have an easier life, and Victoria Beckham, in particular, has an extensive collection of Birkins.
Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez with Birkin bags
“The stronger your profile and relationship with your seller, the more likely you are to be offered very rare bags that are resold for over $50,000.
Charles Gorra, founder and CEO of luxury resale website Rebag, confirms that buying a Birkin is not easy, and that Hermès is deliberately making it difficult.
“The process of buying a Hermès Birkin bag in the primary market is shrouded in mystery to maintain the allure of exclusivity,” he told Insider last year.
“Hermes tightly controls inventory and keeps the Birkin retail price a secret, raising prices periodically. Just going to a Hermès store is not enough because they prioritize loyal customers.”
Peters’ video received 25,000 likes, but commentators were generally unimpressed.
Peters’ video received 25,000 likes, but commentators were generally unimpressed.
“Looks like a scam,” wrote one. “Spend a lot of money and maybe we’ll let you buy something else.”
“It’s so absurd, but I understand why people do it. Imagine this in any other industry. Oh, you want that mansion? First buy this studio, and then we’ll see, ”said another.
“No, I will pass,” wrote another. “Not because I don’t have money for Birkin. Mainly because of this…
However, some commenters pointed out that what Peters said was not always true and shared stories of buyers who came and bought a Birkin on their first ride.
“Did anyone just try to bribe a salesman?” a fourth asked.