You didn’t want the bag. Not at first. But then came the endless unboxings, the Pinterest boards, the influencer reels. Suddenly, owning a LOUIS VUITTON felt like a rite of passage. You walked into the store with hope—and walked out with nothing but a “Sorry, it’s out of stock” and a bruised ego.

From there, the hunt begins. You refresh resale sites like it’s your part-time job. One day, there it is! For twice the price. Slightly used. But you don’t care. You need it.

And that’s exactly how luxury wins—by never letting you feel like you’ve already arrived.

They sell scarcity like it’s stitched into the leather. And while you’re out there convincing yourself this purchase is an investment, they’re laughing in a boardroom surrounded by bags you’ll never see.

What’s rarer than a Birkin? The truth behind how easy it is to get one—if you weren’t being deliberately kept on the outside.

Spend First, Ask Questions Later: The High Price of Being “Loyal”

“Loyalty” in the luxury world is code for “spend enough to make us notice you.” Want a CHANEL Classic Flap? Better start with a few scented candles and maybe a $1,200 wallet you didn’t need. Once you’ve racked up enough purchases, they might let you peek at the good stuff.

You’re not building a relationship—you’re building a tab.

The more you buy, the more they raise the prices. You’re playing a game where the rules change the second you think you’ve won.

The Secondhand Swindle: Why “Investment Bags” Are a Myth

Let’s get something straight: most luxury bags are not appreciating assets. The few that do? They’re engineered to. When a Birkin sells above retail, it’s not because the market loves it—it’s because HERMÈS said so.

Meanwhile, the once-beloved BALENCIAGA Motorcycle Bag is languishing in resale purgatory, its former glory drowned in markdowns and outdated TikToks.

And don’t believe for a second that brands hate resale. They need it. It props up the illusion. It’s free marketing. It lets them raise prices without flinching. Resale isn’t the afterparty—it’s part of the strategy..

Out of Stock, But Never Out of Tricks

You think they’re out of the Multi Pochette? Cute. They’re not. It’s just behind a velvet curtain, waiting for someone “worth” the reveal.

Brands intentionally underproduce—or pretend to. “Exclusivity” is a magic word that makes basic items feel rare. And rare things feel expensive. And expensive things make you feel important.

It’s not supply and demand. It’s supply manipulation and emotional demand creation. It’s scarcity theater, and the house always has extra inventory backstage.

When you confuse hospitality with hierarchy.

The Secondhand Swindle: Why “Investment Bags” Are a Myth

Let’s get something straight: most luxury bags are not appreciating assets. The few that do? They’re engineered to. When a Birkin sells above retail, it’s not because the market loves it—it’s because HERMÈS said so.

Meanwhile, the once-beloved BALENCIAGA Motorcycle Bag is languishing in resale purgatory, its former glory drowned in markdowns and outdated TikToks.

And don’t believe for a second that brands hate resale. They need it. It props up the illusion. It’s free marketing. It lets them raise prices without flinching. Resale isn’t the afterparty—it’s part of the strategy.