You’ve most likely heard about the Hermes wish list for years now but how does the Hermes wish list work in 2023? Get comfortable as we’re about to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know.
“A dream is a wish your heart makes” To most of us, these are simply heartfelt lyrics from a song in the Disney fairy tale, Cinderella. But to those of us who love fashion and luxury, this cherished lyric is more like a metaphor for how we feel about getting our Hermès wish list approved so that we can get our hands on one of their coveted bags. That’s right, Disney. Move over with your glass slippers. Because receiving a Hermès bag is our version of a fairy-tale ending!
Unfortunately, walking into Hermès with hopes of being able to walk out with a Birkin or Kelly bag will likely lead to disappointment. Shopping at Hermès is not like shopping at the majority of other retailers – you don’t just walk in, see what you like, try it on, pay, and walk out. Nope. At this fashion luxury house, you need to have a wish list and be placed on a waitlist. Ugh!
Fear not! If you want to know how the Hermès wish list works, and how to get on an Hermès waiting list, then read on, because we’ve got all of the information!
Table of Contents
How Does the Hermès Wish List Work?
So, how does the wish list work? The most important step in creating a wish list is to build a relationship with an SA.
Once you’ve met an SA with whom you feel comfortable working, you can let them know that you’re interested in buying items from the store and that you would like to work with them to create an Hermès wish list.
The best way to build a relationship with an SA is to make a purchase – or many purchases – from them. Not only is it important for you to have a purchase history with the brand before you can create a wish list, but it’s also really important to be loyal to your SA. If you and your SA have a good relationship, they will work hard to ensure that you get the Hermès items that you want.
After you have made a few purchases from the store, you can let your SA know that you are ready to create a wish list. Your SA will then provide you with a piece of paper – with ‘Hermès’ written at the top. You will use this piece of paper to write down either the item or items that you are hoping to get from the store.
Once you’ve completed your list, your SA will take it to be approved. Before your SA can start finding your wish list items, your list has to be approved by the store director.
The store director will not only take a look at your wish list, but they will also look at your purchase history. As one journalist has stated: “…the store director had to see if I was worthy of one of Hermès’ top three bags. While it may sound ridiculous to some, this is how they maintain their status and drive sales.”
Thus, your best bet at having your Hermès wish list approved is to have a solid purchase history with the brand.
How do I get on the Hermès waiting list?
Firstly you need a wish list, presuming that you have made your wish list and that your wish list has been approved by the store director, you will then be placed on an informal waiting list (as most items are not in stock at the time of your list’s approval).
According to a recent article in British Vogue, “waiting lists at Hermès stores no longer exist.” This is because “[the] demand for [many] styles outstrips supply, meaning that stock varies from store to store. Boutiques have their own style [of] offering [bags], [and] with infrequent deliveries and little notice as to which colourways or finishes will be available to purchase at any given moment…” there is no way to know which bags will show up – or when they will show up – in the boutique. Hence, an informal waitlist.
How to Make an Hermès Wish List
· You need to have a good relationship with an SA
· You need to show loyalty to one SA and one boutique (i.e., shop at one store)
· You may list up to 6 quota bags, but the bags must all be the same style (i.e., Birkin, Kelly, or Constance) – you can list different combinations of any of these bags, but you cannot list more than one style (i.e., you cannot list both a Birkin and a Constance)
· Be extremely specific when describing what you want with respect to size, colour, hardware, and type of leather – this shows that you know the brand well, compared to someone who is willing to just take whatever is available
· The wish list expires after 12 months
· If your wish list expires, you may submit a new one (even if it has the same items as before)
· When shopping at Hermès, it is better to make smaller purchases and spend over a period of time, rather than making a very large purchase at one time
· It is a good idea to make purchases in as many different departments as possible (i.e., accessories, jewellery, clothes, shoes, silks, outerwear, and houseware)
· Your SA likely does not have any say with respect to you receiving your wish list bag; there is a dedicated team responsible for overseeing wish list items that are considered quota bags (i.e., Birkin, Kelly, and Constance)
· There are rumours surrounding purchasing history: Some UK shoppers have claimed that they have received quota bags from their wish list without having made any prior purchases; however, it is possible – and very likely – that even if this is the case, you will get a wish list bag faster if you have a strong relationship with your SA, which includes a solid spending profile
How Many Bags Can I Add to My Hermès Wish List?
Making a wish list is not easy – we want everything! So, just how many bags can you add to your Hermès wish list?
The answer to how many bags you can add to your wish list isn’t straightforward. As many of us know, Hermès is an exclusive and mysterious brand. Thus, wish list information is not widely available.
After some digging, it appears that the wish list process differs based on your location. In both the United States and Canada, there does not seem to be any hard-and-fast rules around how many bags you place on your wish list.
However, if you are in the UK and Europe, it seems as if there is a limit to how many bags you can place on your wish list.
The limit for those in the UK and Europe is 6 bags. And to be specific, that’s 6 quota bags. However, it is not 6 different quota bags. Huh? Hermès is looking to offer their bags to people who are enamoured with the brand, and who are knowledgeable about the brand’s heritage. Thus, you cannot just list any 6 bags that you like. Instead, you are to pick 1 bag, such as the Birkin, Kelly, or Constance. Once you pick the style of the bag that you like, you will then write down your specific combination (i.e., the bag size, type of leather, type of hardware, colour).
Although Hermès’s wish list system seems to differ among continents, it is probably a good idea to follow this rule in Canada and in the United States. This way, you will let your SA and the store directory know that you are serious about having your wish granted.
What to Expect When Making Your Hermès Wish List in Store
Shopping at a luxury design house like Hermès can be intimidating. So, if you’re wondering what to expect when making your Hermès wish list in the store, there are some things to think about.
Firstly, it’s best to make an appointment before going into the store. Although there is nothing wrong with just walking in, making an appointment will allow the store to understand what you are looking for from the beginning, and can connect you with an SA.
If you already have an SA with whom you regularly work, making an appointment will be easier – as you will be able to connect with your SA, directly. If you are new to the world of Hermès, then calling your local boutique to have them connect you with an SA is likely easier than just walking in and hoping to find an SA. While this strategy can work, it is risky, given that some stores are very busy, and you may to have to wait a very long time before being able to connect with an SA. In some disappointing cases, the store may be so busy catering to their known clientele that you may not be able to connect with an SA at all! Call ahead!
During your appointment, your SA will get to know you and what you like. Your personal information will be taken down, and your SA will create a profile for you. Then, your SA will show you different models of bags, as well as different swatches and options of leather, sizes, and hardware.
Once you figure out what you are looking for, your SA will write down your wish. As mentioned above, be as specific as possible! This lets your SA know that you are serious about a particular bag and that you care about the brand’s heritage and dedication to craftsmanship.
After this process is complete, your SA will give your wish list to the store director for approval. But it is important to remember: Even if your wish list is approved, it may not be granted. Depending on the bag that you wished for, your spending history, and your relationship with your SA, it may take a long time for your wish to be granted; and in some situations, your wish may not be granted at all.
I Made an Hermès Wish List How Long Do I have to Wait?
We know. You’re now asking yourself some important questions: “What do you mean there is no formal waitlist? I made an Hermès wish list! How long do I have to wait to receive a bag?! What does an informal waitlist mean?”
Well, an informal waitlist means that even if you’ve been waiting longer than someone else for your Birkin or Kelly bag, you may not get it before someone else. For example: If you requested a 30cm, black Birkin bag with silver hardware but that style has yet to be sent to the store, then you will have to wait until that color combination arrives at the boutique.
However, if another person requested a 25cm, gold Birkin bag with gold hardware and it gets sent to the store, then that person will get their Birkin before you…even though they created their wish later than you, and even though that person only had to wait 3 weeks for their bag to arrive, while you have been waiting for a year.
How Does Hermes Decides Who Gets a Bag?
Hermes work on a first come first serve but that is specified to the bag. You will be placed onto a waiting list of sorts but for instance, if your wish list item is the same as another person, and that person has been waiting a long time, then that person will likely receive their Birkin or Kelly bag before you do.
Additionally, each SA is only allotted a certain number of bags to offer to their clients. Therefore, instead of the bag you want being sent to your SA to sell to you, it’s possible that the bag will be sent to a different SA, who will then offer it to their client.
Something else to think about is your wish list’s expiry date. Just when do Hermès wish lists expire?
Based on our research, it appears that your wish list expires after 12 months (i.e., 1 year).
You can, however, contact your SA to let them know that you are still interested in the same items. Then, your SA will create a new wish list for you.
Do You Have to Be on a List to Get a Birkin Bag?
Yes! As discussed, a Birkin bag is considered a quota bag. This means that you will have to create an Hermès wish list with your SA (Sales Associate). If your wish list is approved you will be placed on an informal waiting list.
How Long is the Birkin Waiting List?
Because there is no formal Birkin waiting list, there is really no way to predict how long it will take for you to receive your bag.
How long you wait for your Birkin bag comes down to a few factors: which size Birkin you requested, the colour combination you are looking for, whether or not the bag you want has been requested by another person, and whether or not that person wished for that bag before or after you, which SA received the bag, and whether or not that SA has a client who has also requested that bag, and your purchase history, especially compared to the purchase history of another customer who wants the same bag.
Based on the above reasons, you might have to wait months – or in some cases, years – before you’re able to buy the Birkin bag of your dreams.
Can You Just Ask for a Birkin?
If you’re looking to purchase one of Hermès’ most sought-after bags, you’re probably curious as to how to go about doing so. Can you just ask for a Birkin?
Can you? Sure. Will this net you a bag? Likely not. Here’s why…
Hermès bags are handmade, taking up to 20 hours to make a Kelly and up to 40 hours for a Birkin! As a result, these highly covetable bags are not available at the drop of a hat: The long production hours, as well as the exclusivity of the brand, mean a very low level of production. Thus, SAs do not just sell these bags to anyone who asks for one.
Although people have claimed to have purchased a Birkin or Kelly bag by simply walking into the store and asking for one, this is not a typical shopping experience at Hermès. What is more typical, however, is working with an SA to create an Hermès wish list.
How to Create A Hermes Wish List In London
Some of you might be wondering what the Hermès wish list system is like in London (or in other areas of the UK). Well, for those of you who live in London or the UK, your best bet at having your wish granted is by visiting the boutique on New Bond Street.
The New Bond Street boutique is one of the biggest Hermès stores in London.
This is great news for shoppers, as this means that the store receives a lot of stock (compared to other stores). Thus, more stock equals an increased chance at scoring the Hermès quota bags of your orange dreams!
Hermès New Bond Street Appointment
Because the store is big, it is frequented by a lot of people. Therefore, you will definitely want to make an appointment at Hermès’ New Bond Street location!
If you don’t want to wait on a list you can always shop pre-loved. Not only does it mean you don’t have to get on a list it also means you can find unique styles and colourways. We always recommend only shopping at resellers where you can benefit from their authentication services, such as:
We strongly recommend that when you purchase any pre-loved designer piece, you should always get it authenticated by a reputable authentication service for peace of mind and protection. You can find authentication services here.
Further Reading & COMING SOON:
· Full list of Hermès bags 2023 (COMING SOON)
· Why Are Hermes Bags SO Expensive? The REAL REASON!
· How to Get an Hermès Quota Bag (What is an Hermès Quota Bag; COMING SOON)