‘The value of the bag just diminished by 10 grand’: Woman sends $70K ultra-rare Hermès Birkin to The RealReal to sell. Then she gets it back
If you’re looking to sell a Birkin bag, things like packaging are of vital importance. So, when TheRealReal sent back an influencer’s bag in less-than-perfect condition, they were less than pleased.
TikToker Crazy Angry Asian (@crazy.angry.asian) summarised the problem in their explainer video, which amassed 90,400 views.
They explained that this influencer had a $70,000 Hermes Birkin bag, which is both limited edition and available to buy through invite only. She wanted to sell the bag new, with all the stickers and the box and bag in perfect condition. While she once opened the bag, she never actually used it. She shipped the bag to TheRealReal to sell, but when the bag was returned to her, the box was ripped, and the stickers/protective plastic on the bag were peeled off. Crazy Angry Asian estimated that this devalued the bag by $10,000.
People hate on TheRealReal
The TikToker added that this influencer got quotes from various places before agreeing to sell the bag, including Love Luxury. However, she wasn’t willing to fly to London to sell the bag in person.
This is something Crazy Angry Asian didn’t agree with.
“For a $70,000 bag, I will [expletive] get on the plane,” she said. “I will watch with my own two eyeballs the person take the bag out of the box with glove service because this is a $70,000 bag, it is the price of a BMW.”
“But no she shipped it to TheRealReal and they shipped it back to her and this is what happened,” she added. “Lesson learned.”
The original videos, which were made by influencer Kenzy (@woahkenzyy), have amassed over 1.1 million views. We reached out to Kenzy and the TikToker via email.
@crazy.angry.asian Bro!!!!! An Hermes blue box! I’m deceased! #hermesbirkin #hermesunboxing #influencersinthewild #pursecollector #loveluxury ♬ Stealthy mischief(1088178) – KBYS
How did commenters react?
Commenters had a variety of reactions. Some were sKeptical of how the bag got into that condition, with one saying: “Someone used that bag then sent it back when it was super used.”
“They used that bag!” a second agreed. “I’m telling you, one of the employees/owners of The Real Real, used that damn bag because it’s a specialty bag. It’s a cute bag but I’d never pay that kind of money for a bag. However, I do have things I collect so I understand keeping it and the box in such excellent shape. It’s part of what makes it special and worth the money being asked.”
Others felt less able to relate to the problem because of the kind of money involved. “I’m multiple tax brackets away from these issues,” a third quipped, while a fourth added, “Girl, that’s my entire mortgage.”
Elsewhere, commenters agreed with Crazy Angry Asian that Love Luxury would’ve been a better option, with a fifth noting, “As an avid Love Luxury watcher she definitely should have hopped on that plane and took it to London. They would have definitely taken waaaay better care of the bag AND the box and would have given them 2 payout options which I’m sure both of which would be very worth the flight there.”
This has happened to other people too
Kenzy isn’t alone in her experience. Back in 2o22, on PurseForum, a customer shared how theRealReal purportedly ruined their “brand new Chanel boy bag,” which they sent to the company in “perfect, immaculate condition.”
They explained that they asked for the bag back, and “specifically asked for it to be packaged well.” When the bag arrived, they were “shocked.”
“It was packed with a TRR dustbag, but it wasn’t stuffed,” they explained. “This is a boy bag made of soft lambskin. It needs to be stuffed at all times. The chain handle was also wrapped around inside the bag.”
They continued, “The bag is squashed and the bottom is collapsing. This only happens with boy bags that are not taken care of well or are heavily used. Now I probably won’t be able to sell it anywhere else as it is damaged.”
The user also shared pictures of the bag, detailing the damage caused to it.
TheRealReal didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via email.
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