The Birkin bag

Bags

There are bags, and then there are bags. From the cheap, environmentally unfriendly plastic bag from the supermarket to expensive designer bags that are considered collector's items. Not all bags are the same. Just like with notaries. Not all notaries are the same. Who do you entrust with your most important matters?

Birkin bag

In our office lounge, an orange Birkin bag hangs prominently on a display hanger as part of our very modest art collection. The Hermès Birkin bag is the ultimate bag, at the top of many a woman's wish list. Did you know that there's a remarkable story behind the creation of this bag?

The story behind the Birkin

The story of the Hermès Birkin bag begins on a plane from Paris to London in 1981. During the flight, Jean-Louis Dumas, then president of the luxury fashion house Hermès, sits next to the English actress and singer (of the song "Je t'aime moi non plus") Jane Birkin. Just after Jane has struggled to stow her wicker handbag in the overhead compartment, it topples over, scattering all her belongings on and around Jean-Louis. Jane apologizes as she gathers her belongings, explaining that she had tried very hard to find a beautiful leather bag to hold all her belongings, but that such a bag apparently didn't exist. Jean-Louis never forgets the special encounter with the beautiful actress, and in 1984, inspired by Jane's story, Hermès introduces the Birkin bag; a leather bag of considerable size for its time, capable of carrying more than just a wallet and lipstick. In the first few years after its introduction, Jane regularly used the bag bearing her name, but later admitted to finding it heavy and cumbersome. Nevertheless, the Birkin bag became a huge success and has since achieved iconic status.

Veblen good

A Birkin is only available to patient enthusiasts willing to spend a fortune. A genuine Birkin starts at €4,800, and you can safely expect a waiting period of at least two years. All Birkin bags are handmade from only the finest materials by a team of specially trained artisans. Every Birkin is provided with a craftsman's stamp incorporating the maker's ID number and the date. The Birkin is a so-called "Veblen good." This is an economic term. It refers to a good with positive price elasticity: as prices rise, demand for the good increases, and as prices fall, demand for that good decreases.

Cost-conscious

A Veblen good is essentially the opposite of the service we, as notaries, provide to the public. Demand for notarial services decreases as prices rise, and more people visit notaries when prices fall. This is negative price elasticity. Incidentally, this also applies to plastic bags.

At MAES Notarissen, unlike many other notaries or lead generators , we are open and transparent about our fees. These are clearly stated on our website and in the quote accepted by the client upon placing the order. You can also find them on the website of the Cheapest Notary. We prove to be very affordable, especially with our discount label, Basisnotarissen Rijnmond. At MAES Notarissen, we strive to provide cost-conscious services of the highest quality. We recognize the need to manage your budget for notarial services and that what we charge should be value for money. We believe our fee structure is reasonable and competitive, and that our fees are commensurate with the value we add. Our goal is to maintain a lasting relationship with our clients based on the quality we provide and the corresponding fees.

Not everything is what it seems

With its iconic status, the Birkin is a highly sought-after bag that captures the imagination of many women. Other brands (and we're not just talking about the larger budget fashion chains) and major fashion houses have also clearly drawn inspiration from this unique handbag.

Look-alikes of the Hermès Birkin can be found in every price range, from high-end to very affordable. Because not everything is what it seems. At a notary's office, we know this better than anyone. And notaries are not created equal.