‘You don’t have any purchase history’: Woman goes to Hermès in Aspen. Then she gets a Picotin bag without ever having bought from a U.S. store
Walking into Hermès without a purchase history is usually the equivalent of showing up to an exclusive party without an invite. Despite this, one woman’s peek at the Hermès store in Aspen turned from casual to unexpected when a plot twist occurred. To the shock of many, she effortlessly walked out with a Picotin bag—no U.S. purchase history, no years-long “relationship.”
TikTok is now spiraling over whether this was beginner’s luck, Aspen magic, or proof that the Hermès rules are as mysterious as they are expensive.
How Did She Buy an Hermès Bag?
Paola Ochoa (@paola.ochoaa) lays it all out clearly for over 700,000 views. How was she able to purchase a bag for the first time without “ever shopping Hermès in the U.S.?” She mentions that at first, it was all a “joke.”
She was shopping with her best friend in the Aspen area, saying, “I was just like, let’s see if I can get a bag. Honestly, in reality, I thought maybe a pair of shoes, more jewelry, something like that.” To preface her story, Paula shares that she has bought Hermès items before, but in Europe.
As she walks into the store and starts perusing, she says one of the two associates “did not look nice” but that the other asked her if she needed any help. Paola proceeds to ask if they can look at the bags they have in stock. The associate says that they have two types: a small handbag or Picotins. Luckily for Paola, Picotins have always been on her wishlist. She says, “I know, of course, that a Birkin or a Kelly is like a dream bag, but I always wanted a Picotin as well, to start off.”
She then gets asked what color she is looking for. At this point, Paola says she was surprised she was getting this far. She said she’s fine with any color, and when the associate brought the bag out, Paola opened it and said, “This is my bag.”
Was the Purchasing Process That Easy?
Paola continues that she was still under the impression she was just looking at the bag, not purchasing. She asks the price and, when given, says, “I honestly did not expect the price to be the price. I have honestly paid more for my Chanel bags than I have for a Picotin, which is insane.”
She then asks if she can have it, and the associate says yes. However, the associate still mentions “looking you up in the system.” Paola tells her that she has bought in Paris before, and the associate says she’ll look her up on the international portal. She finds her name and says, “We’ll register you for the U.S.” Just like that, Paola is now the owner of an Hermès bag.
She finishes up by saying that she is so grateful for the experience. Paola also leaves some advice for viewers out there hoping for a similar miracle: “So, honestly if you’re watching this and you’ve been wanting an Hermès bag like, literally just go into the store and ask.”
Paola says some credit may be due since it might have been a small town and not “full-season” yet, but still encourages people to go in and ask.
In an update clip, Paola reveals the bag and price. She shares the model: Picotin Lock 22 Clemence Bull Calf Skin 48 in the color Biscuit. The price: $4,399 USD, including Aspen tax of 9.3%.
What’s an Hermès Quota Bag and its Purchasing Process?
Some viewers invalidate Paola’s excitement, saying that she simply got the Picotin because it’s not a ‘quota bag.’ But for those not in the luxury goods world, this can be confusing. Luckily for us, The Glam and Glitter posted a layman’s explanation back in July 2025.
The blog explained that quota bags “signify the most highly sought after and exclusive Hermès designs.”
“You can only purchase up to two Hermès quota bags per year, and this is across all of the Hermès boutiques worldwide,” it reads. “Hermès keeps a record of each shopper’s purchasing history to not only calculate your pre-spend, which will determine whether you are offered a bag in the first place, but to also ensure that you cannot buy more than two quota bags per year, regardless of which Hermès boutique you buy them in.”
The blog states that the brand “limits the production of quota bags and this has notoriously driven the already high demand to unparalleled levels. This quota system is key to maintaining the famed exclusivity of Hermès bags.”
@paola.ochoaa ask all your questions below ??? #hermes #hermesbag #hermesnonquotabags #hermespicotin #aspenshopping ♬ original sound – paola ochoa ?
What do the Viewers Say?
Many viewers credit the purchasing ease to the Picotin not being a quota bag. One viewer says, “Picotin is not a quota bag… Not every bag at Hermes is hard to get lol.” Another viewer says, “I always thought picotin bags were available for everyone? I got mine like a yr ago just asking for it . Anyway I’m happy for you! Congrats.”
Paola replies to the comment, saying, “They are available bc they are non quota but some stores won’t even offer you any bags, I think it’s just the game of each store.” This can be true, since The Mary Sue has covered a story before where a man tried walking into Hermès and asking for a Kelly bag but was refused immediately. However, it’s worth noting that the Kelly bag is also highly sought after.
Another viewer defended Paola, writing, “If Picotins were as easy to get as many of these commenters make it out to be, they wouldn’t sell out online within minutes of being posted on the Hermes website. Are they easier to get in the boutique than a quota bag? Of course. Can you just walk in and get one? Sometimes. Are there some stores that are so competitive that even a Picotin requires pre spend? Also yes. Especially if it’s in a popular color or size. I’m happy for you – I have two of them in the 22 size and I think they are great bags.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Paola and Hermès via email.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
