If you happen to own an authentic Hermes Birkin bag, be sure to keep it in the best condition because that particular article is considered a lucrative investment asset. A study conducted by Baghunter, a reputable online trader of luxury handbags revealed that during the past 35 years, Hermes Birkin bags commanded higher investment returns than Standard & Poor 500 (S&P 500) shares and even gold.
Baghunter sales analysts made a comparative study of the return on investment (ROI) yielded by each of the three (3) commodities. On the average, stock market shares had a nominal ROI of 11.66 percent and an actual ROI of 8.65%. Gold, on the other hand, showed an average ROI of 1.9 % per annum, while posting a lower actual average return of -1.5%.
In contrast, the performance of Hermes Birkin bags over the same period were far more exceptional than the two; because not a single Hermes Birkin creation had a value that fluctuated on a downward trend. Initially, Hermes Birkin bags appreciated in value by 14.2 percent and went on to peak in prices through the years. In 2001, the surge in prices reached a substantial 25 percent from the original selling prices.
It is nor surprising therefore, why in 2015, a record-breaking sale of a pink crocodile-skin Hermes creation commanded a remarkable selling price of $223,000. In 2016, a diamond edition Birkin bag fetched as much as $300,168 at an auction.
Why are Hermes Birkin Bags Ultra Expensive?
First off, only the creme de la creme of high society and the super-moneyed, can afford to be first hand owners of a Hermes Birkin handbag. Some can afford to buy more than one and keep them as priceless collections. Some others tend to be more practical, by first selling their Birkin original to reputable high-end traders of pre-owned luxury bags, before buying the latest edition. The most exclusive of course are those that were commissioned as custom made specifically for a single owner.
A single Hermes original can come with a price tag ranging from $12,000 at the least, or up to $200,000 at the most. It takes about six years before a new version of a Hermes handbag comes out. Since only a few will be released, the privileged few who get to buy them are those at the top of the waiting list.
Every bag is made from genuine premium leather and embellished with buckles, keys and locks plated with precious metals, either gold or palladium. Most important of all is that each Hermes bag was handmade by an expert craftsman, skilled at sewing bags using a special kind of stitch that is said to be 2 centuries old.
When buying pre-owned or pre-loved Hermes Birkin branded bags, be sure you know how to authenticate them or bring along someone who knows how to distinguish a genuine from a faux pas. Fake or knock-off versions have practically landed at online stores, so if you are looking to buy not just to own one but also to bank on it as a long term investment, make sure you will be buying from reputable dealers who also maintain a reputation for trading only with genuine luxury bags.