One seasoned bargain hunter’s “Eureka!” moment quickly turned to disappointment when she realized her $9.99 secondhand Hermès Birkin was a fake.
Ashlee, a popular Canadian thrift shopper known on TikTok as @msfili, posted a video of herself rummaging through bags at a local thrift store last month.
As she looked further, the seasoned negotiator noticed a red leather bag that looked very familiar to her.
Upon closer inspection, Ashlee realized she had found a Hermes Birkin with gold detailing for less than $10.
Ashlee, a popular Canadian thrifter known on TikTok as @msfili, found a Hermes Birkin at her local thrift store last month for $9.99
“It’s a Hermès. There’s a little stain on the front, but it’s not too bad,” she can be heard telling viewers.
The thrift store owner previously found bags from Louis Vuitton and Chanel at various bargain stores.
But while Ashlee was thrilled with her latest find, TikTokers began to question the authenticity of the “pure leather” bag.
“I think it’s a great specimen,” one viewer commented.
While another added: ‘If that’s true then he’s a lucky guy.’
But while Ashlee was thrilled with her latest find, TikTokers began to question the authenticity of the ‘pure leather’ bag
A TikToker also noted, “It’s not a Kelly bag and it doesn’t have a good reputation, it has two handles,” referring to the vintage Kelly bag from Hermès.
“Birkin wants to be fake,” joked another.
A user also joked, “Original on Canal Street!”
To her horror, Ashlee soon discovered that the bag was indeed a copy of the original.
‘Unfortunately this bag turned out to be fake; it was real leather and felt of good quality.
“But I’ve found authentic Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags at thrift stores before,” she said Newsweek.
The Hermès Epsom Birkin 35, made of orange d’H epsom leather and palladium-plated hardware, costs $11,500 at TheRealReal
The Hermès Epsom Birkin 35, made of orange d’H epsom leather and palladium-plated hardware, retails for $11,500 TheRealReal.
The Birkin is known as one of the most luxurious bags in the world and is not just available in any Hermès store.
Over the years, buyers have said that they have to build up a shopping history with the brand in order to be “offered” a Birkin or Kelly, at which point they can purchase the bag.
The bag is available in different colours, of which the orange-red is one of the rarest.