Outraged customers are suing Hermès over a ban on buying Birkin bags

California shoppers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Hermès, claiming the French luxury brand's purchasing practices for Birkin bags are "unfair," Hypebeast reports.

In the antitrust lawsuit, plaintiffs Tina Cavalleri and Mark Glinoga allege that Hermès illegally requires customers to purchase ancillary products instead of providing the opportunity to purchase a Birkin bag, an illegal practice known as "tying."

Cavalleri explained that after spending "tens of thousands of dollars" at Hermès, he was told that Birkin bags are for "customers who consistently support [the brand's] business." Meanwhile, Glinoga was advised to "buy other things and accessories".

Hermès had previously denied this claim. "Hermès strictly prohibits any sale of certain products as a condition of the purchase of other products," the brand told Business of Fashion last year.

Note that the price of Birkin bags starts at 10,000 dollars, while these models are 2-3 times more expensive in retail stores.