[GaryNumanVevo]

Comparing a Hermes appointment to clicking "buy" on an NFT is hilarious. Nonetheless, I've gotten three appointments, have spent around 150k EUR on bags. So far I've made $30k after VAT and US duty. No idea why Paris original Hermes bags go for so much more in the states. If I have an appointment, I'll fly round trip to Paris, buy the bags, and hold them until I go to the states. Great experience, very high class!

[1-more]

You've spent half of your highest salary on bags? Feels like a lot but I'm just some guy. What was the biggest bag balance you've had on the books? Or are you buying and flipping at most one or two at any time? When you make these trips, do you have a US buyer lined up beforehand or do you find them once you're in the US?

[nine_k]

With 20% ROI collected in a few months, after all duties, it's a good deal, even if you pay with a credit card. (You can certainly get a cheaper loan if you're the kind of person to be invited to a bag-dispensing event.)

[xhkkffbf]

Loan? I certainly hope no one is taking out a loan to do this.

Well, I guess if the resell is pretty certain, then a loan is a smart business move. But really no one should be going into debt for an item like this.

[nine_k]

Certainly, a loan was mentioned only for reselling, as a typical business loan to finance a surefire-looking deal.

[GaryNumanVevo]

1) My wife loves Paris

2) Credit card points + Travel miles

[hammyhavoc]

Are you actually Gary Numan?

[GaryNumanVevo]

I think the biggest balance I had was ~$65k at one time. I'm buying one, maybe two per trip depending on what kinds of bags collectors are looking for in the US. I don't have a buyer setup before hand, but I'm in a couple of private facebook groups that I can usually find one a few weeks before I fly to the US.

[1-more]

> a couple of private facebook groups

There's the secret sauce: you need a high trust trade network. Well this is pretty cool. I love to learn about weird informal economies, thanks!

[GaryNumanVevo]

Yep! It's very similar - albeit much smaller - market to watches, collectable vinyl records, trading cards, etc. Just easier to rely on trust and word of mouth sometimes.

[gen220]

Do you know if Hermes is OK with people purchasing with intent to immediately resell?

I think I remember reading that people have "gotten in trouble" (i.e. block-listed from future sales) for being suspected of this, but I might be confusing it with some other company.

[michael_vo]

Hermes monitors the resale websites. If they can find out the identifier then you will be banned.

[fbdab103]

That seems like an idle threat. Hermes needs a "black market" to keep the brand in circulation. Making the item feel risky acquire can add to the thrill of the chase.

Maybe if you try to buy a truckload at once, they would step in, but I doubt any consumer-level flipping is hitting their radar.

[GaryNumanVevo]

Personally, I haven't heard of it happening. Most of the market is off resale websites anyways. Now if you started a boutique trying to resell Hermes bags, then you might have an issue.

[kylehotchkiss]

How much value do these bags lose if you so little as touch them with an ungloved hand?

[GaryNumanVevo]

First appointment they have a limit, IIRC it's like 2 bags, but subsequent appointments you can buy a lot more

[morsch]

Humans of late capitalism

[oblio]

Agreed, this all seems so bizarre and frankly... decadent.

[1oooqooq]

so you're their sales rep?

[GaryNumanVevo]

No? It's a fun luxury item to flip, that can make some decent money. Rolex's used to be good to flip if you had a good rep with an AD, but now the resale market is down.