An expert bargain hunter’s ‘Eureka!’ moment soon turned into disappointment after she realized that her secondhand $9.99 Hermès Birkin was a fake.
Ashlee, a popular Canadian thrifter who goes by @msfili on TikTok, posted a video of herself rifling through bags at a local thrift store last month.
As she continued to look, a red leather bag that looked very familiar caught the seasoned bargainer’s eye.
On further inspection, Ashlee believed that she had found a Hermes Birkin with gold hardware for less than $10. The coveted purses usually retail for at least $10,400 and cannot just be bought by walking into a Hermes store.
Ashlee, a popular Canadian thrifter who goes by @msfili on TikTok, found a Hermes Birkin at her local thrift store for $9.99 last month
‘It’s a Hermès. It has a little stain on the front, but it’s not a big deal,’ she can be heard telling viewers.
The thrifter has previously also found Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags at different bargain stores.
But while Ashlee was overjoyed with her latest find, TikTokers began expressing doubts about the authenticity of the ‘pure leather’ bag.
‘I think it’s a great copy,’ one viewer commented.
While another added: ‘Lucky if real.’
But while Ashlee was overjoyed with her latest find, TikTokers began expressing doubts about the authenticity of the ‘pure leather’ bag
One TikToker also made an observation and said: ‘its not a kelly or a good rep even, it has two handles,’ referencing Hermes vintage Kelly bag.
‘Birkin wanna be fake,’ another quipped.
One user also joked: ‘Canal Street original!’ a reference to the New York area famed for fake purses.
Much to her dismay, Ashlee soon discovered that the bag was indeed a copy of the original.
‘This bag unfortunately ended up being fake; it was real leather and felt like good quality.
‘But I have found authentic Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags at the thrift store previously,’ she told Newsweek.
The Hermès Epsom Birkin 35 made with orange d’H epsom leather and palladium-Plated Hardware costs $11,500 on TheRealReal
The Hermès Epsom Birkin 35 made with orange d’H epsom leather and palladium-Plated Hardware costs $11,500 on TheRealReal.
The Birkin is known to be on the most luxurious bags in the world and cannot be bought over-the-counter at an Hermès store.
Over the years, buyers have revealed that they have to build a shopping history at the brand to be ‘offered’ a Birkin or a Kelly – which is when they can buy the bag.
The bag is available in range of colors, out of which the orangish red one is one the most rare.