Hermès Resale Shops Quote Very Different Prices. Which One Should You Trust?

You’ve asked several shops and the prices are far apart. Is someone trying to take advantage of you? Can you simply choose the shop offering the highest price? How much of a difference is normal? And how can you compare quotes properly?

It is normal for the same bag to receive different quotes from different platforms. The difference mainly comes from the conditions of each platform, not the bag itself. But before comparing prices, make sure you are comparing the same type of figure: a buyout quote, a consignment listing price, and a personal marketplace selling price cannot be compared directly.

Why Do Different Shops Quote Such Different Prices for the Same Bag?

There are four sources of quote differences, all on the platform side and unrelated to the bag itself.

All four points can be asked directly. Asking “Are you currently looking for a buyer for this model and size?” is more useful than asking “Can you offer me a little more?”

There is also an industry-level reference point for “authentication capability.” In Japan’s parallel-import and secondhand branded-goods distribution sector, there are industry self-regulatory systems. The Japan Association Against Counterfeit Product Distribution (AACD) has established its “Association Standards,” which define products that members may and may not handle. Members are required to comply, and the association also provides training and certification for “Association Standards Judges” (AACD　協会基準とは).

Two things need to be distinguished: different quotes for the same bag come from platform conditions; large price differences between different bags come from the characteristics of the products themselves.

According to publicly available information from international auction house Sotheby’s, leather Birkin and Kelly bags in classic colors, larger sizes, and good condition generally start at around US$10,000–15,000, while smaller sizes, newer production years, and popular colors are commonly seen at around US$25,000–60,000. Looking at size alone, when other conditions are the same, Birkin 30 and 35 may be 30%–50% lower in price than mini sizes (Sotheby’s　Top 5 Things to Consider When Valuing a Birkin Bag or Hermès Kelly Bag).

So before comparing your bag with someone else’s selling price, first make sure the model, size, color, production year, and condition are in the same category. If the two bags are not comparable, the difference between the two figures does not tell you much.

For a detailed explanation of the four factors, see “Why Do Hermès Buyout Prices Differ?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/why-buyout-prices-differ).

Before Comparing, Make Sure You Are Comparing the Same Type of Price

The three figures mean different things, and the calculation of the amount you actually receive is also different.

Therefore, a higher consignment listing price does not necessarily mean that you will receive more. Comparing one shop’s consignment listing price with another shop’s buyout quote produces a difference that has no meaningful basis.

For a complete comparison of the two options, see “How to Sell Your Hermès Bag for a Higher Price” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/sell-for-highest-price). For the structural differences between the four types of channels, see “What Types of Secondhand Hermès Shops Are There in Japan, and How Should You Choose?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/japanese-reseller-types).

Can You Simply Choose the Shop Offering the Highest Quote?

A quote that is significantly higher than the others is often adjusted after the bag is physically inspected and authenticated.

An initial quote is usually based on photos and product information. The final quote is determined after the physical inspection. If an initial quote is significantly higher than the others but no basis is provided, there is also more room for the price to be lowered when you bring the bag in.

The point is not simply whether the number is high or low, but whether the figure has a clear basis:

1. Does the shop explain which condition grade the price corresponds to?
2. Are the reasons for any deductions provided in writing?
3. If the price is lowered between the initial quote and the final quote, are the reasons and corresponding amounts explained item by item?

If a shop cannot answer all three questions, the reference value of its high quote is limited.

How Much of a Difference Is Normal?

There is no fixed “reasonable” range. The way to judge it is to look at the distribution of quotes rather than a single number.

We recommend obtaining quotes from 3–5 shops on the same day and using the middle range as a reference.

The reason for getting quotes on the same day is that market conditions can change. Quotes obtained several days apart are not directly comparable. The reason for using the middle range rather than simply choosing the highest quote is that the figure that significantly deviates from the others is the one that requires further explanation.

How Should You Compare Quotes?

Give every shop the same information. Otherwise, you are not comparing the same thing.

We recommend providing photos of the following: full front, back, bottom, all four corners, base of the handles, hardware close-ups, interior, stamp location, a group photo of all included accessories, and a 360-degree video of the bag. The more complete the information, the smaller the price adjustment is likely to be after physical inspection.

Send the same set of photos and the same product information to every shop. Only then can the quotes you receive be compared side by side.

XIAOMA’s online initial quote timing: 30 minutes to 2 hours for standard models, and within 24 hours for rare models and exotic leathers.

For the complete photo checklist, see “Is It Safe to Sell Your Hermès?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/selling-hermes-safe).

What Else Should You Check Besides the Quote?

Price is only one factor. Whether the transaction can be completed smoothly depends on four other points. These are all things customers can verify themselves:

1. Whether the secondhand dealer’s license number can be found
2. Whether there is a physical store address that customers can visit
3. Whether the reasons for price deductions are provided in writing
4. Whether the payment timing is clearly stated

The first point can be checked online. Since April 1, 2024, Japanese secondhand dealers must publish their name, the name of the Public Safety Commission that issued their license, and their license number on a website they manage themselves; businesses operating through online transactions are not subject to the small-scale exemption (警視庁　古物営業法の一部改正について). If you cannot find the license number on the website, this check should not pass.

XIAOMA’s secondhand dealer license number is Tokyo Metropolitan Public Safety Commission No. 304381506931. Its stores are located in Japan (Ginza, Tokyo and Umeda, Osaka), Hong Kong, Singapore, France (Paris), and Dubai.

For the complete 10-point checklist and how to verify each item, see “How to Tell Whether a Secondhand Hermès Shop Is Legitimate” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/identify-legit-reseller).

What to Do Next

After comparing prices, the next step is to check each point in order and confirm what needs to be verified. See “What Should You Check Before Selling Your Hermès Bag?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/selling-checklist).

If you first want to estimate how much your bag is worth, see “How Much Is My Hermès Worth Now?” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/how-much-my-hermes-worth). For the complete process, see “The Complete Guide to Selling Your Hermès” (https://ginzaxiaoma.com/zh-CN/blog/guide-to-selling-your-hermes).

XIAOMA has specialized in Hermès for more than 10 years and has authenticated more than 2 million luxury items in total.

XIAOMA (Ginza Xiaoma) is operated by ASU BRAND Co., Ltd.

Not sure whether to choose a buyout or consignment? Contact XIAOMA for a free “Buyout Quote + Recommended Consignment Price” and see both options at a glance.

Last updated: October 2026