The question is not whether you want a Birkin, one of those very special (and very expensive) bags that French brand Hermès makes by hand. Even if you’re willing to pay the small fortune it costs. The question is whether you’ve earned the privilege of wearing one of these luxury accessories on your arm.

And no, this is not a joke, not a metaphor. At least from the perspective of two US customers who claim that Hermés refused to sell their Birkin bags when they wanted to buy them, a rejection they have already taken to court. Their accusations are serious: They say the company violated antitrust law and used its coveted models as commercial bait.

It may seem strange, but there is more to it than meets the eye.

What about my Birkin? Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga asked themselves a similar question when they tried to get their hands on one of Hermès’ exclusive, coveted and expensive Birkin bags. Their situations are slightly different, but they say they both had to go through a common experience: when they tried to buy one of those leather bags that were handmade and worn among others celebrities The Parisian firm like Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian or Cardi B told them it wasn’t possible. The reason was that they did not meet the requirements to own an exclusive Birkin. And no, when it came to circumstances, they weren’t talking about money.

Only for those committed. What reasons did Hermès give for not selling you the bag? Essentially, not paying enough attention to the brand means not making enough purchases financially. Always, of course, according to the version of the plaintiffs who filed the class-action complaint in San Francisco, California, where they presented their case.

For example, Cavalleri explains that when she went to a store to buy the bag in September 2022, they told her that it would have to hold out, at least for now. Birkins will be reserved only for customers who “consistently support” the brand, the lawsuit states. Cavalleri, on the other hand, claims to have spent “thousands of dollars” on the French company.

Glinoga’s situation is not much different. In the complaint, which was reflected in media outlets such as France24, Bloomberg and Swiss Info agency, it is explained that he tried to buy one of these bags several times throughout 2023, but received the same result as Cavalleri: “Each time, he was informed that I had to buy other products and accessories. This experience made them It angered them so much that they both filed a lawsuit in California, hoping others affected would join in if they had and wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Click on the image to go to the tweet.

But… So what do they blame? Cavalleri and Glinoga’s complaint goes far beyond the fact that they were not sold a bag, even one that was as popular and travel-friendly as a Birkin. Their lawsuit supports that the French company employed tactics that run afoul of U.S. antitrust laws. They therefore demand that the California justice system prevent him from continuing to implement such strategies and seek monetary damages.

Essentially, they argue that Hermès makes the sale of its “jewelry” bag conditional on the customer first creating a good shopping list from its catalogue. According to the lawsuit, the Paris-based company always “linked” sales of the Birkin to purchases of other products and only allowed customers with “sufficient purchasing history” to display its signature bag.

“Consumers are conditioned to buy ancillary products from the defendants just because they want to buy a Birkin bag,” the complaint states, adding that by acting in this way, the French company “practically increases the price” of your bags and also the profit you make from them.

In a closed room. The lawsuit goes further and claims that a traditional shopper cannot afford one of the luxury Birkin bags. Even if you are prepared to pay the thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars they are asking for. The complaint, filed in San Francisco Federal Court, argues that customers must first have earned the reward and have demonstrated that they are “valuable”; This idea is included in the complaint, where it is stated verbatim: “In general, only eligible consumers who are deemed worthy of receiving a Birkin bag will be shown.” And even in this case, the sales ceremony is not very similar to ordinary purchases.

“Defendants direct these salespeople to offer Birkin bags only to consumers who have established a sufficient ‘purchase history’ or ‘purchase profile.’ […] “Sold alongside ancillary products such as scarves, jewelry, shoes, belts and household goods,” the document states, adding that Birkins are used to encourage customers to take home more, cheaper items for which the advertisers will earn a commission.

When they finally reach one of the valuable bags, the complaint continues, they are shown in a private room. No online catalogs or samples placed on store shelves. Bloomberg assures that Hermès has not responded to Cavalleri and Glinoga’s questions regarding their accusations. The company has approximately 43 stores across the United States, including eight in California.

Don’t say bag, say Birkin. If the demand for Cavallero and Glinoga has reached such a huge impact, it is because Hermès is no ordinary brand and, of course, Birkin is no ordinary bag. Hermès is a historic French company that continues its two-century journey and is focused on a premium market segment. Birkin bags occupy one of the most special places in the wide accessory catalog ranging from perfume to jewelry, from clothing to furniture.

Named after actress Jane Birkin, the model was introduced in the mid-1980s and soon became highly exclusive items worn on the shoulders of celebrities from the silver screen or the music industry. for example, Jennifer Lopez. The price does not suit every budget: it varies from thousands of euros to hundreds of thousands of euros.

Sotheby’s website notes that some particularly exclusive and coveted units have sold for $115,600, $300,000 or $450,000; This figure was paid for the very special Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30 in 2022, which is made of crocodile skin and may also include white color. It will be encrusted with a gold padlock and dozens of white diamonds.

Pictures | Wikipedia and Hermès

in Xataka | Rolexes are supposed to be expensive, but they’re not that expensive. France fined the company 91 million euros