Why Hermès Birkin Bags Are So Hard to Get – Exploring the Exclusive Waitlist

There are some collections and products on the luxury market that have earned a reputation as being almost impossible to get. In the luxury handbag sector, the Hermès Birkin is up there as one of the most coveted and the most difficult to find – famously referenced for its elusive status in Sex and the City and other famous shows / movies.

But why is it that the Birkin is so notorious in its absence from the market – and why is this specific bag both so popular and so difficult to find?

Why is the Birkin Bag So Sought After?

As one of the most famous bags to ever be made and released, the Hermès Birkin is a must-have among the wealthy, the famous, the investment-mad, and of course those luxury handbag lovers who covet the bag’s history and prominence as much as its value and design.

Named after Jane Birkin who helped conceptualise the bag and bring it to life as a functional and practical, yet timelessly stylish handbag, the Birkin bag comes in a range of sizes and is recognisable for its shape, double handles, and the lock on the front. A core set of colours are released as part of the Birkin range, alongside seasonal and collaborative designs that breathe new life into the Hermès collection and ensure that there is always something new and exciting for collections to buy. 

We can’t ignore that the bag is as much a status symbol as it is a luxury must-have accessory. The number of Birkin bags that are purchased as investment pieces and as collector items for resale proves this. However, it’s a culmination of all these features that keeps the Birkin at the top of the market.

What Makes the Birkin Bag so Hard to Get?

Birkin bags are notoriously expensive. This stems from the fact that they are rare and so difficult to find – which makes them more difficult for buyers to get their hands on, and thereby pushes the price of available models even higher.

Do you see how the very existence of the bag, its high price tag, and its limited supply creates a self-serving cycle of desire and popularity, culminating in high value?

Because the Birkin bag is handmade by artisan crafters and designers, and because it uses the finest materials and the most professional finishes, it is expensive to buy. This, paired with the high demand garnered by the above features, and the limited supply that surrounds the Hermès brand, ensures that the price stays high and the number of bags in circulation stays low.

The supply of available Hermès Birkin bags will never surpass or even match the demand among collectors and buyers, meaning that Hermès can maintain its position as one of the most coveted brands on the market. 

Is There Really a Waitlist?

If someone offers you a reasonably priced Birkin bag with no waitlist, then the chances are that the bag is counterfeit and they are trying to sell you a fake. 

This is the reality of a bag that is so in-demand that the retailers have long waitlists, and resellers see the price and value of the bag increase exponentially as soon as it leaves the original stockist.

It is widely acknowledged that any available Birkin in a retail environment will be already promised to a specific customer, often one who knows the store well and is considered loyal owing to the number of purchases made. It could even be the case that a single bag has been offered or put aside for several customers, proving that money is not everything and what connections are integral in getting a bag as rare as a Birkin.

The slightly elusive nature of the waitlist, the rare status of the Birkin bag, and the history behind it gives Hermès a unique layer of luxury marketing that most brands can only dream of. So, is it actually possible for a buyer to find their own Birkin?

Is it Possible to Buy Your Own Birkin Bag?

With access to the right reseller, via a reputable and trustworthy boutique, buyers can choose from a range of new and vintage Birkin bags – all of which have been sold to the boutique by their original buyer, priced accordingly, and will hold their value long after resale. 

We hope this helps and inspires you to find your own perfect Birkin.