Buying a Hermès Bag Online: Dream or Delusion?
Hermès is one of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, beloved by both women and men for its timeless elegance and exceptional quality.
The brand’s prestigious history dates back to 1837, when founder Thierry Hermès established the business. Since then, Hermès has earned lasting loyalty from generations of customers around the globe.
What sets Hermès apart isn’t just its sophisticated designs—it’s also the use of the finest leathers and the unmatched craftsmanship behind every piece, from handbags to wallets. Each item is handmade by skilled artisans and, with proper care, can last a lifetime.
In recent years, Hermès products have attracted loyal fans, professional resellers, and luxury buyers. As a result, purchasing directly from the official Hermès online store has become increasingly competitive. Even if you're eager to buy, it’s not unusual to find that the item you want is already gone.
This article explores why buying from Hermès Online is so challenging, offers tips to improve your chances, and suggests alternative ways to get the items you’re after. If you’re serious about owning a piece of Hermès, this guide will help you navigate the journey.
Why Is it So Hard to Buy from Hermès Online?
Let’s explore three key reasons why purchasing from Hermès online can be difficult. See if any of these situations apply to you.
Product Release Timing Is Unpredictable
One major reason buying Hermès products online is difficult is that product listings appear without notice. Since there’s no set schedule for when items become available, timing your visit right is tough. However, you’re more likely to catch new listings during the holiday season, especially in November and December, when restocks tend to increase.
You Can’t Add the Item to Your Cart
Another common issue is being unable to add an item to your cart. This typically means that someone else has already purchased it. Even if you find an item through the site's filters, it may have already been available for purchase 10 to 30 minutes earlier, so by the time you try to check out, it’s often gone.
Automated Purchasing Bots May Be at Work
Finally, there's the possibility that automated purchasing bots are involved. These bots are programmed to instantly buy and pay for products, without any human action. Once a product is listed, bots can complete the purchase faster than anyone. This kind of automation may be one reason why you’re constantly missing out on items from Hermès Online.
Tips on How to Buy a Hermès Bag Online
Now that you know why buying from Hermès online is so difficult, let’s explore how you can improve your chances. Below are three key tips to help you successfully make a purchase.
Understand Typical Listing Times
One of the most essential tips is understanding when products will likely be listed. Popular Hermès items often sell out within a minute, making adding them to your cart nearly impossible unless you're perfectly timed.
Generally, new listings tend to appear during two time frames:
- Between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM
- Between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM
Knowing these patterns can help you be ready at the right time.
Prepare in Advance
To increase your chances, be sure to take care of everything you can ahead of time. Hermès products are high-end and can be quite expensive, so it’s wise to plan accordingly.
Before finding your desired item on the site, check the average price range and contact your credit card company to confirm your current spending limit. If you're not prepared, you could miss the chance to buy, simply because your card transaction gets declined.
Confirming your credit card limit in advance is another essential step toward securing your purchase.
Complete Checkout as Quickly as Possible
Another key tip is to go from cart to checkout as quickly as possible. To reduce the risk of missing out, bookmark the product page on your smartphone before the item goes live—this gives you quicker access when the listing appears.
Also, be aware of potential credit card cancellations due to fraud detection systems. If your card suddenly gets charged a large amount on an international site, your provider may flag the transaction as suspicious and cancel it.
In short:
- Bookmark the product page in advance
- Be ready to act fast
- Avoid card issues by informing your credit card company in advance
If you follow these steps, you'll be better positioned to successfully purchase your desired Hermès item and have it shipped right to your door.
How to Buy a Hermès Bag Online: The Role of the Sales Associate (SA)
When buying a bag from Hermès—in-store or online—the sales associate (SA) plays a surprisingly influential role. It’s often not about simply walking in and picking out what you want at physical stores. Instead, building a relationship with an SA can be the key to even being offered certain bags, especially high-demand ones like the Birkin or Kelly. These associates may appear to have “nothing in stock.” Still, once they sense you’re a serious, loyal customer, not a reseller, they might discreetly offer items that weren’t initially on display.
While their role may seem less important if you're shopping online, the reality is that it’s challenging to purchase highly sought-after models through the Hermès website. That’s why, for many buyers, working with a sales associate is almost unavoidable when trying to buy directly from Hermès.
What to Do When You Can’t Buy from the Hermès Online Store
If you're having trouble making a purchase on the Hermès online store, here are four practical alternatives you can try.
Visit a Store Regularly
One option is to visit a physical Hermès store frequently. The item you’re looking for may be available in-store if your timing is right. You might build rapport with the staff by visiting the same store repeatedly—this could eventually lead to helpful insights, like when new stock arrives. However, this approach can require significant time and travel expenses if the store isn't nearby.
Try Purchasing from an International Hermès Online Store
Another option is to shop from Hermès online stores in other countries. Each regional website offers different product availability, so even if your desired item isn’t in stock on your local website, it may be available elsewhere. While international purchases often come with added fees, specific platforms allow customers to order from overseas Hermès sites without needing a local address.
Use a Marketplace App (With Caution)
Though not generally recommended, buying Hermès items through marketplace apps is possible. These platforms can be convenient and occasionally offer sought-after products, but shopping for luxury items on resale apps comes with risks. Prices may be inflated, and there’s always the chance of encountering counterfeit goods. If you choose this route, thoroughly review the seller’s ratings and reputation before purchasing.
Buy from a Trusted Resale Store
If you're unable to find what you want through the official site, consider purchasing from a reputable pre-owned luxury retailer. Gallery Rare, established in 1979, offers a wide selection of both new and pre-owned Hermès products—including popular bags like the Birkin, Kelly, and Picotin. Even if your budget doesn’t align with the listed price, Gallery Rare offers interest-free shopping loan options for up to 36 months, making it easier to own the Hermès piece you’ve been eyeing. Check out our official online store if you're having trouble finding your dream Hermès item elsewhere.
Conclusion: Can You Buy a Hermès Bag Online?
-
Online, restocks are unpredictable, and automated bots often snap up popular items.
-
To improve your chances, be familiar with restock times and prepare in advance.
-
If you still can’t buy on the official Hermès website, consider turning to a trusted pre-owned retailer.
This article explained why buying directly from the Hermès online store is difficult, along with practical tips and backup plans. Popular products can sell out in just minutes, with regular shoppers and resellers vying for the same items. And because Hermès is a prestigious global brand—especially among women—even used items tend to hold their value, with some fetching premium prices on the secondary market.
There are many ways to get your hands on Hermès products, but to save time and effort, it’s worth checking the Gallery Rare online store first. You might find the item you’ve been looking for at the perfect moment. From wallets to handbags, we offer an extensive lineup of Hermès items, which are worth a look if you're serious about owning one.
*Please note that the prices listed in our blog are for reference only and are converted from Japanese Yen (JPY) to US Dollars (USD) using the exchange rate of June 2025. Prices on the sales site include customs duties and shipping fees. Actual exchange rates may vary.