How to Buy a Birkin Bag

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 3, 2021 References

The Hermès Birkin is the most sought after bag in the world with a price tag to match. Incredibly hard to find and costing as much as some cars, their limited supply drives the high demand for this elite accessory. If you’ve been dreaming of buying an Hermès Birkin bag, figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. Bring home your own iconic, orange box by looking the part, making connections, and getting creative with your shopping options. Since the Birkin isn’t for everyone, there are other alternatives to consider if you can’t get your hands on (or afford!) one of your own. To help you get your hands on an Hermès Birkin bag, we've put together some insider tips below.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shopping at a Hermès Store

1
Look (and act) the part of a Birkin owner. Hermès employees are often selective with who they let see their humble supplies of the most coveted bag. Dress to impress but make sure not to go overboard by choosing a clean, well fitting, fashion forward outfit that shows you know your stuff.
- Treat the sales associates kindly, and display any knowledge you have of the brand in conversation before bringing up the Birkin.
- Wear some Hermès merchandise you already own, like scarves, belts, or other bags.^{[1]
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2
Take a shot and ask a sales associate to see one of the bags. While it’s rare, there are some lucky people who simply strolled into a Hermès store, asked to buy a Birkin, and walked away successful. Avoid shopping on weekends because most stores receive supplies during the week. Try to go in the morning to show you’re serious and beat any crowds.^{[2]
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3
Create a reputation with the store by building a purchase history. If you’ve already tried asking to buy the bag and gotten a resounding no, you can increase your chances of getting your hands on a Birkin by building up to it with smaller purchases first. Wallets, belts, scarves, smaller bags, and other options are more affordable and will show associates you’re the right kind of person to be a walking billboard for the holy grail of handbags.^{[3]
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- Going back to the same location and working with the same sales associate over and over will speed the process up. Connections are important!
- If you’re going to shop at multiple locations or with multiple salespeople you’ll have to make a larger amount of purchases before being shown a Birkin.
- With time and patience a salesperson may offer to show you something special in their private room.
4
Take a trip to the Las Vegas shops to increase your odds of being helped. Head into one of the three Hermès locations along Las Vegas Boulevard and ask an employee if they have any in stock.^{[4]
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- Vegas is a magnet for wealthy people from all over the world who dress in a broad range of styles, so sales associates have a hard time knowing who is and isn’t serious about the Birkin based on appearance.
5
Make an appointment at the mothership store in Paris if within your means. Maximize your options and go straight to the source by shopping at the global flagship store located at 24 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. Get in line early in the morning to score yourself an appointment with a leather specialist on a first-come-first-serve basis.^{[5]
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- If you can’t get an appointment, build a reputation for yourself by purchasing some smaller priced items or fine jewelry and try again the next day.
- Avoid going in August. Stocks are lowest at this time since that’s when many of the leather specialists take their vacations.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Finding Used Bags

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Try a pawn shop if you’re willing to purchase a used bag. People sometimes use their Birkins as collateral for a loan and when they can’t pay it back the pawn shop sells it. Choose to shop at pawn shops and jewelry exchanges in upscale neighborhoods. Make sure you’re not buying a knock-off by checking for:
- Hand stitching on the entire bag. All real Birkins are completely hand sewn.
- Dents and cracks in the handle. A real Birkin handle will connect to the bag in a smooth line.
- Quality hardware. The zippers, buckles, and latches on a real Birkin are made of quality materials but the one’s on a fake will look and feel cheap and could get stuck easily.^{[7]
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2
Consider buying pre-owned through a certified online reseller. While you can’t purchase a Birkin through the Hermès website, there are some companies that sell used ones.
- Privé Porter’s website has a contact submission form. Fill it out and a specialist will get in touch with you about their stock.
- The Real Real showcases their available bags on their website. Make an account, add your billing information, and shop right from the site for your not-exactly-new (but certified authentic) Birkin.^{[8]
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Regularly check marketplace websites for more used options. Make an account with a company like eBay, LetGo, OfferUp, or PoshMark and search for the Birkin you want. Message the seller, negotiate a price, and make arrangements for the exchange. To stay safe during your meeting:
- Ask for extensive pictures beforehand to ensure you’re getting what you want.
- Meet up in a public place.
- Thoroughly inspect the bag to confirm it’s real.
- Bring a friend with you for a second opinion before you finalize payment.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Shopping for Alternatives

1
Consider buying from a different Hermès line if the Birkin isn't an option right now. If finding or affording a Birkin feels too overwhelming there are alternative lines from the brand that will still look great.
- The Evelyne is a cross body bag that features a perforated H design and costs between $500 and $1,000.
- The Picotin is a lightweight bag with minimal hardware ranging in price from $1,000 to $3,000.
- The Kelly is a hard sided design made with textured goat leather and is priced between $5,000 and $8,000.^{[9]
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Try a different designer brand if Hermès is too much right now. Opting for a less expensive designer brand opens your options up to similar styles and luxury without the same price tag.^{[10]
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- The Michael Kors Studio Mercer Tote Bag is almost identical to a Birkin and costs around $300.
- The Kate Spade New York Hayes Street Isobel has a similar design and feel as the Birkin but comes in at about $350.
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Opt for a lower end copy-cat as a last resort. If designer brands are truly not an option right now, you can still get the look by shopping for bags with similar design elements without the luxury cost! A good option is the Dasein Padlock Satchel Handbag which can be found at online retailers like Overstock. The best part? It only costs about $50.^{[11]
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