Your Most Asked Hermès Questions, Answered!

I asked my Hermès SA, so you don’t have to!

Ever found yourself wondering how one actually secures a quota bag? Well, you’re not alone. Hermès has long thrived on an air of mystery—unspoken rules, quiet rituals, and a client experience that feels as exclusive as some of their rarest handbags. Yet for all its allure, the mystery often leaves us second-guessing what to ask, when to ask, and whether we should ask at all. Hence why many of us choose to admire from a distance, piecing together info from forums, TikTok and Youtube—which more often than not turns to be false.

So I decided to do what most of us are too shy to do. I asked. No guesswork, no speculation, no myths passed down like Hermès folklore. I went straight to the source—my Hermès sales associate—and asked the questions we all secretly want answered but rarely voice. Because the truth is, the only way to truly understand the Hermès experience is to replace assumption with clarity. Consider this your personal invitation behind the orange curtain.

How much do you have to pre-spend at Hermès to get a quota bag?

Starting with the most commonly asked H-question I get from my readers: how much do you have to pre-spend for a Hermes quota bag offer? A general answer you’ll find online is going to be 1:1, meaning that if a bag costs, let’s say, $10,000, you should count with spending this amount on other items at Hermes to be considered for a quota bag offer. However, this isn’t necessarily true. My sales associate, for example, insists that it’s not about how much you spend with the brand, but how much you actually appreciate it. And when I asked her to give me some tips on how to score a quota bag faster, she advised me to set up and regularly renew my wishlist. Basically, as soon as the bag that matches my given specifications arrives, she lets me know. Or if someone refuses a bag that matches with the one I requested. So set up your wishlist ASAP!

What happens if you reject a bag offer?

So a lot of people believe that they are going to get blacklisted if they reject a bag offer from Hermes. But this is so not true! Basically, what they do is they record the rejection against your account to show that you were offered a bag. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing, because your SA would rather have you buy something you love. Of course, you shouldn’t expect a new offer next week. My SA recommends giving it a month or so before you ask again.

Pro tip: To avoid having to reject your offer, try to be specific when you make a wish. Don’t just say yes to every style, every size, every type of hardware, leather, color. In fact, be very precise about what size, color, leather and hardware you want. This will significantly decrease your chances of having to reject the bag that ultimately gets offered to you.

Can you return a Hermès Bag?

So you finally received that precious offer and brought the bag home. But…after unboxing it, you decided that you don’t really like it that much. Have you just made a very expensive mistake? Well, first of all, don’t panic! My SA has told me that you can actually return the bag if you decide you don’t like it. However, in this case you’ll only receive a credit note, and that credit note cannot be used on any other leather goods. So, decide carefully. Again, you can simply reject the bag offer. You won’t get blacklisted or banned, nothing like that.

How do you get a Hermès Special Order (SO)?

Usually, Hermès reserves SOs for their most valuable clients. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask! According to my sales associate specifically, it’s not rare for a client to reject the SO, which means that they may be able to allocate it to someone else. Basically, if you are really interested in placing a special order, make sure to let your Hermès SA know!

Can you get blacklisted for reselling H-items?

And finally, the question on every Hermès lover’s mind—but that most of us are too shy to ask: can you get blacklisted for reselling Hermès items? According to my SA, the answer is yes—Hermès does keep a close eye on the resale market to protect its brand and maintain the exclusivity that makes these pieces so coveted. Their goal is simple: to ensure their bags end up in the hands of people who genuinely love and appreciate them, not just those looking for a quick profit. That said, if you’re an occasional seller or simply parting with a piece you no longer like, there’s usually no need to panic. Hermès’ focus is on habitual resellers, not devoted collectors who sometimes move on from a bag.

So here you have it: your most asked Hermès questions—answered! Feel free to let me know in the comments below if you have any other questions, and I’ll do my best to help!

xoxo’s, Masha