Top 5 Places To Buy a Birkin Secondhand
Oh, the Birkin.
The most coveted of luxury handbags brought to you by the French fashion house, Hermès. The one Samantha Jones lies about to acquire in Sex and the City when a clerk responds to her with the famous line, "It's not a bag, it's a Birkin.” The one Logan Huntzberger buys a young and naive Rory Gilmore, stoking her grandmother’s jealousy. And, yes, the one that Kyle Richards drools over when Crystal Kung Minkoff casually carries it in practically every episode of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
If you are thinking about plunking down some Benjamins for a Birkin, I have the best places you can secure it secondhand. These top 5 places to buy a Birkin are tried and true, tested and verified, so whether you want a basic Birkin 25 in the classic orange color or the famous Himalayan Croc in a 30 or 35cm, keep reading to find the best place to buy a Birkin on the pre-loved market.
Where To Buy A Birkin? (It’s Not as Easy as You Think)
While nearly every fashionista on the planet dreams of acquiring their first Birkin, that fantasy doesn't just present itself on a platinum platter. One does not just pull out their AmEx Black and swipe it at the store when you feel inspired. There’s a process, hunny, so buckle up. Why is it so hard to own a Birkin?! First off, Hermès outright refuses to let the public know how many bags they manufacture yearly (hence, scarcity). Second, you can't just waltz into an Hermès store and walk out sporting a Birkin. You've got to be on the list, which I heard you could be stuck on for years!
The rumor on the luxury handbag streets is that you need to be a regular customer with an impressive purchase history from an Hermès Boutique. These could be expensive items like Twilly scarves, Chaine D'Ancre belts, small leather goods or even perfume and makeup. And even if you gallop over this hurdle, you are not guaranteed to be offered a Birkin – or have any idea the offer would be a color, size or hardware of your liking. What's more? Even if you had an unlimited budget (these things start at 10K and go upwards of half a million dollars!), building a collection of Birkins isn't easy. Hermès has a strict quota of only two luxury bags a year for its buyers and the resale market is pretty competitive, too.
Why Do Birkins Cost So Much?
These bags are considered a work of art. Each bag is handcrafted using premium materials like calf skin, alligator skin or ostrich skin in their Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, France, factory. According to a 2021 article in VANITY FAIR, artisans at Hermès are trained for years before they are even allowed to make a Birkin. These leatherworkers can spend 18 months learning the craft and another 8 years working towards the title of Master Artisan. The exquisite craftsmanship, iconic status and limited supply make the Hermès Birkin the most sought-after luxury purse in the world. In a 2022 Sotheby's auction, a diamond Himalayan Birkin 30 was sold for over $440,000!
But what if there's a way to get your hands on one of these beauties? What if you didn’t have to cry like the YouTube famous PurseOnFleek, who broke the Birkin internet after not being offered her dream bag at her home Hermes. A highly recommended, sustainable and safe way to acquire this accessory would be the secondhand market. Birkin bags are not cheap, after all. They start at $10K and go upwards from there, depending on the type of leather, hardware and stones used. So you want to make sure you’re using a safe secondhand platform to buy your Birkin. If you don't want to fly to Paris and play the Hermès Journey game, you can get yourself an Hermès Birkin (or a Kelly, if that's your style) at one of these online secondhand shops.
The Top 5 Places to Buy a Birkin Secondhand
#1. FASHIONPHILE
Who doesn't love pre-loved handbags in mint condition? I know I do! If you're looking to access pre-owned luxury goods at wildly discounted prices, Fashionphile should be your first pit stop. Their offerings of secondhand designer handbags, accessories and jewelry are second to none. I’ve purchased several Valentinos and Balenciagas here.
The company has been around since 1999 and has been growing rapidly, considering how luxury is becoming accessible. Before listing any of the items for sale, they are checked by qualified authenticators with expertise for specific brands.
They are legit, and honestly, I find it comforting knowing I won't lose my money to a scam.
Fashionphile has a ton of hot and trendy handbags as well as quite a few timeless pieces, including Hermès. Make sure you keep an eye out on their inventory because if you're looking for a more specific handbag, you may or may not come across one.
Fashionphile also has its selling studios in over 10 locations with plans to open more. Customers can bring their luxury items to one of these studios and sell them at an agreed-upon price.
#2. REBAG
Rebag is another authorized website that lets you buy a Birkin Secondhand (or any designer, tbh) and also sell your authentic designer handbags, fine jewelry, watches, and accessories. They stock over 50+ designer brands, including some coveted ones like Hermès, Luis Vuitton, and Chanel, among others.
What's more, you can trade in your pre-loved items for credit. Using their 'Clair Trade' service, Rebag will offer a credit of 15% more than their cash offer. This can be used towards your purchase of a new bag.
Like Fashionphile, Rebag also inspects every item before listing it on their site, which is why they have strict guidelines on the condition of bags if you wish to sell yours. They provide free shipping on orders above $500. To put the cherry on top, signing up with Rebag gives you $200 off your first purchase. The website also offers promo codes or discount codes from time to time, so do keep a watch every once in a while!
#3. POSHMARK & EBAY
I put these two together, because they’re pretty much the same thing - online marketplace for buying and selling used clothes, shoes, handbags and more. While Poshmark focuses exclusively on bags, clothing and home goods, eBay has been the go-to platform for finding those random buys for decades, whether you’re trying to buy a Beanie Baby, a pre-loved Birkin or a very specific vintage piece of China nobody carries. Unlike other platforms, you might be able to buy unique and rare items at prices lower than retail rates! And if you do find an Hermès that you want but can't afford to pay the listed price, Poshmark has a "make an offer" option so you can negotiate with the seller. eBay has fixed pricing, live bidding and the ability to “make an offer” to the seller.
They authenticate anything over $500 where the items are sent to their headquarters to check for authenticity. But if you still feel sketchy, buyers are protected in case of receiving a counterfeit item or if the item doesn't meet the description. You have three days upon receiving the item to check and keep it. If you feel something's wrong, you can return it within three days and get a full refund.
If you plan to buy from eBay, make sure you've read the reviews on the seller's profile and see if they're legit. Be sure to check if they're a top seller with an eBay Authenticate icon.
Fortunately, eBay has an 'Authenticity Guarantee' program for handbags listed for over $350. The items ordered are sent to their facility first for inspection. The authenticators further vet whether or not the item fits the seller's listing description. The item is then shipped along with an NFC-enabled card as proof of inspection. Shop securely on either of these much loved sites!
#4. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
What Goes Around Comes Around specializes in selling vintage luxury accessories and apparel. They have been New York's leading pre-owned luxury business since 1993. Their flagship location is the go-to spot for celebrities and connoisseurs alike who look for some of the most exquisite pieces.
WGACA has a team of buyers who travel the world to hand-select items from the most coveted fashion brands – they have an unrivaled selection of Hermès, Chanel, Versace, Dior and many others. If you happen to live in NYC, you can visit their vintage-themed store and find yourself lost in a sea of Birkins pre-loved by Manhattan’s elite. And, if not, just scroll through their selection on their website (and remember to sign up for their email list to get 10% off)!
#5. SEASON 2 CONSIGN
With over a decade of experience reselling luxury handbags, sisters Erika Schrieber and Monica Mularski sell Birkins (and more) out of their online shop, Season 2 Consign.
Operating out of South Florida, they pride themselves on providing the best luxury shopping experience. They have a massive following on Instagram and do live shopping streams several times per week. The two founders are pretty well versed in the luxury market, and they’re stuff is known to sell like hot cakes.
The website stocks tons of Hermes Birkins, and also Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. All their merchandise is 100% authentic, usually in pristine condition or with minor wear and tear.
If you love using Instagram (who doesn't!), make sure you check Season2Consign's profile for updates and new arrivals. Many of the items sell out in seconds – so make sure you rush~
The Secret Save - My #1 Tip for Buying a Birkin Secondhand
Whether you're into sustainable style like me or you just want to get access to the world's most exclusive bag, this guide will help you when you're ready to make a Birkin your own. Make your hard-earned money go farther by using these tried-and-true secondhand platforms to find the Hermès Birkin bag of your dreams.
And my final tip for you? Make sure you’re purchasing on a laptop while signed into your RAKUTEN account. It’s an amazing Chrome Plug In that offers cashback for various sites and I’ve seen as high at 10% for ReBag, Poshmark and eBay! And when you’re buying a Birkin, 10% is a lotttttt of cash back. So sign up, sign in and SAVE!
Bookmark this page so you can be equipped when you're ready to click Add to Cart! NOW TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW — would you buy a Birkin secondhand?
— J
