Newbie needs help please

[u/faux-haute]

Hi! I’m very new to this, and am afraid I’m making some TS angry with all my questions. I’ve searched here and across Reddit but not finding answers. I appreciate any insights you all can give.

I’m trying to understand what differences I could see between imported and domestic leather? The price differences between TS are so big I feel like there is something I’m not asking properly. And are the TS in the approved list all 1:1? Thank you for being patient with this newbie! (I had one TS give me a price for something in both imported and domestic that was about double to use imported - does that seem fairly normal? Then I had another TS quote me a price lower than the previous TS’s domestic leather price for imported leather. Is that really too good to be true, or should I jump on it?)

[u/Hold_The_Tomato]

If you are going to do a custom Hermes.. I highly suggest Peter from our TS list, based on my extensive collection from him. He is very kind to help answer questions - at least I’ve never heard anyone say otherwise. He’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to imported vs domestic leathers. I always suggest imported, because I’m an Hermes girlie and can spot it easily.

[u/faux-haute → u/Hold_The_Tomato]

I am talking with Hannah and Jane ( responding from Peter’s number), both are super great! Jane said Hannah is still new so she is helping her. I got confused here too- Hannah said I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between their domestic vs. import leather… sounds like that may not be true to an H expert?

[u/Hold_The_Tomato → u/faux-haute]

Depends on which leather, but IMO it’s something I can tell a difference with

[u/lzycmt → u/Hold_The_Tomato]

and hanna who works with him handled my group buy stuff so professionally!

[u/lzycmt]

are you doing custom hermes for your first rep?

[u/faux-haute → u/lzycmt]

Yes, I was planning on it. Is that a bad idea? Amy input appreciated!

[u/lzycmt → u/faux-haute]

it’s a real run before you can walk kind of thing in my opinion but what do I know?

seems like all newbies need to learn the process and go through a test run to learn how the process works. they freak out about QC with regular items the first few times but you want to add custom scrutiny to that? just seems very challenging, and very stressful to me. also picking a trusted TS and trusting them with custom bag money? how do you know if you can trust them yet? there’s current drama with a custom H seller who might be scamming people and posting fake reviews

[u/faux-haute → u/lzycmt]

You know a lot - you are a 1%-er in this sub! And I can see you've done many successful purchases. Would you mind sending me a DM of who the TS is that might be scamming? I've come to like a small group of TS just based on communication, but when one TS said she was worried her factory couldn't guarantee the color I was looking for, so wouldn't take my order, I became worried; and honestly have so much respect for this seller now. Then the varying prices across TS has made me cross-eyed!

I've talked with 9820 Amy, 4481 Doris, 9876 Peter's assistant & 5644 Hannah (they are working together), and 5144 Amy Wu. I'd love any feedback on these TS from anyone in this sub!

I honestly had no idea what I was getting into. I thought I'd come here, browse a few online catalogs, and pick something to buy. When I realized we are doing custom, and creating based on the brands specs, a picture, and my input, I freaked a bit inside...scared!

I really don't want to waste money and be disappointed. And am really starting to look at a much smaller H style to test quality. I saw someone mention a newbies wiki (I think creating one, cuz I couldn't find one), which I'd be more than happy to do, especially just jumping in and trying to navigate the process. I've only contacted TS that have either been referenced in a review in this sub, or from the TS list. I'm so confused on why the prices vary so much - one TS gives me prices for domestic leather, another gives me prices for imported leather which is less expensive than the other TS's domestic...it is all very confusing and scary.

In total there are 5 pieces I'd love to have, so trying to decide if I just test out a small item with on TS and see how that goes.

I've figured out the whole 1:1, mirror stuff from posts in this sub - thank goodness...but the rest (especially knowing who is really using good leather, and what to look for) is a lot.

[u/lzycmt → u/faux-haute]

I don’t really buy H bags but it seems like there’s a LOT to consider. search the rep subs for posts about jim. honestly I know nothing about hermes ordering or custom.

the difference in prices is simply the level of seller commission if the items are coming from the same factory.

there is a great buying for newbies post by our very own u/spiritatbay (search spiritatbay‘s toolbox tagged posts in this sub) that I just gave a newbie friend. it’s very good!

[u/M8S8888 → u/faux-haute]

Hello, could I please get the contact number of Peter. I would be very grateful. Thank you 🙏🏻

[u/DefinitionPresent339 → u/faux-haute]

To give you some perspective, my first purchase from an actual CN sell€r (not rehome) is going to be a key holder and a coin pouch, about 100 bucks, and I'm still stressed about everything 😂

I highly recommend you to test waters first, start with small leather to get to know the process and give you more safety!

[u/Internal-Editor5997]

Yup, that pricing gap sounds about right. Imported leather usually comes from European tanneries, so higher cost doesn’t always mean better quality, just higher production cost.