photo courtesy @ snejyo
There has been a lot of chatter surrounding Hermès lately. Maybe more than usual. With the release of mid-year financials, looming fatigue among seasoned collectors, mandatory presentation of personal identification and matching credit cards for in store purchases of quota bags, shipping restrictions, and more, there is a lot to discuss.
Hermès Profits
Hermès just released their mid-year financials revealing a 9% increase in profits over the past quarter. With almost every other luxury maison struggling and facing losses, Hermès continues to come out on top. And despite many dissatisfied seasoned collectors and newbies just starting their relationship with Hermès, profits continue to beat expectations.
@cocomeetshermes
Changes Reported by Hermes Clients Globally as of Summer 2025
Presentation of ID
The biggest shift recently is the enforcement of customers showing their personal ID when making quota bag purchases in person. In the past, sales associates (SA) generally did not request an ID when checking out because they knew their long term clients. Recent reports indicate that presenting a current ID to make quota bag purchases is being increasingly enforced. The credit card or form of payment must also be in the same name as the purchaser’s ID.
From our loyal community members that chimed in to share their experiences from around the world, we have learnt that when placing a wishlist in locations that operate through the wish system, changes have been reported. Boutiques are requiring clients to place their name, home address, phone number, email address when placing the wish. They are also reminded that the wish bag must be picked up by the person who placed the wish with an ID and matching credit card in their name or the bag will not be released.
Comparable requirements are also being enforced at other boutiques without wishlists, like Madison and Hawaii, according to many community members.
photo @pursebop
Shipping Changes in the US
Shipping quota bags had become common during Covid when travel was restricted and boutiques were closed except for individual appointments. SAs became accustomed to shipping products and bags to their regular customers. After Covid, restrictions were lifted and boutiques were open. Nevertheless, this shipping practice continued in some states.
Shipping bags also became common where established clients built a relationship with a SA in a city outside their home location. Some clients moved but did not want to build a new SA relationship. Others have a SA who transferred to a different Hermès location. They continued to shop with their SA in the new city instead of building a new relationship in their local boutique.
From client testimonials it appears Hermès has now put an end to allowing SAs to ship bags (quota) to clients who live outside the location. We have countless reports from clientele confirming this. The client is now required to travel to that location and purchase the items in person with their personal ID and matching credit card. Whether the items can be held and for how long may vary case to case based on the client’s relationship to the boutique. At this time we can only confirm this recent change with the Madison flagship. We cannot comment on the exceptions that may be made.
Additionally in the past, if a bag was paid for in store, it could be shipped to your home for the convenience of the traveller. It appears now that handbags must exit after payment with you.
photo @pursebop
This change has many long reaching ramifications for both clients and SAs.
- Clients must be present in person to purchase quota bags with an ID and matching credit card.
- Clients with no boutique near their hometown could be forced to travel (on short notice) to be offered a quota bag.
- Boutiques may be prevented from shipping quota bags in the future.
It is possible sales associates and boutiques alike could experience a decrease in sales from their former out of state clients who may now have to choose a local store based on the no ship bag rule. We expect clients would naturally want to shop where the opportunity to purchase leather exists.
PurseBop Community Experiences
Here are some testimonials from our community members, which show that these changes could be global.
- Yes. Payment needs to be made by the person who gets the wish. Card or bank account needs to be in their name. Milan, Italy.
- Yes, here in Amsterdam the Netherlands also. I needed to show ID to pick up my SO. My SA laughed but it is mandatory now.
Is this Hermès’ attempt to force clients to focus on their local boutique in their home city? Or is this change in policy to prevent resellers from having access to quota bags? Are there other unknown reasons for this shift? What do you think? We want to hear from you. Share your recent experiences with us.
Updated: August 11th, 2025
Comments