How To Safely Sell Your Designer Handbag

As a handbag expert, I’m going to spill some of the secrets I have learned over the years on How To Safety Sell Your Designer Handbag and other important advice you need to know.

As an owner of a successful online consignment boutique, I have learned a great amount of information in the last 24 years working in this field. I have sold thousands of preowned authentic designer handbags. There is a glamorous side to being in the fashion business and there is also a bad side as with many things. I have been stolen from, robbed in person and had packages worth over $5,000 simply disappear in international shipping. It can be a dangerous and risky business buying and selling bags if you are not careful. Read more below on how to  safely sell your designer handbag.

Handbag Safety

These days with the current world situation, there are even more bad characters out there than ever before. They are always out looking for new opportunities. I’m sure you have seen many recent stories on the news about thefts in department stores or home robberies. They will come get your items if they see an opportunity or simply take them by force in a parking lot when you are least expecting it. It’s always good to be aware of your surroundings. Carrying expensive handbags and even owning them and storing them is not always safe to do. This information is not meant to scare you, its meant to bring some insight to something you may not have thought about. Did you know, it’s not a great idea to put your bags out on display? This makes it too easy for a thief to break in your house and instantly see what you have. I recommend storing bags in a safe or a locked closet.

Safety Tip #1: When you are out and about, be very aware of your surroundings and carry pepper spray or a whistle with you. Don’t walk around alone with a $5,000 purse in a dark parking lot. Be cautious. 

Designer Handbags

Designer brands like Chanel and Hermes have dramatically increased in value most recently. More than ever collectors are buying and selling. Many are investing money in handbags instead of the stock market, gold or bitcoin. After hearing some stories this week I wanted to post about safety and some advice.

When it comes to buying and selling there are some things you should know before you spend your hard earned money. Here is my handbag advice for the day.

 

1. Authenticity

When purchasing a designer handbag always make sure it is authentic. To be the safest, I recommend purchasing from a reputable department store or an experienced consignment store. Places like my shop, Luxica Designer Consignment, NeimanMarcus or an actual Chanel Boutique, Louis Vuitton Boutique etc. Reputable stores have a proven track record and are safe to purchase from. Most specialized luxury consignment stores have a huge knowledge base for all main brands and lots of experience in buying and selling authentic luxury goods. Especially smaller shops because they are paying big attention to each and every item that is going in and out. You will also get better personalized service at smaller consignment shops than the big ones. Always buy from a trusted seller. When you do make the purchase on a valuable handbag, it’s always a good idea to keep the proof of purchase for the future. This can help with proving authenticity when you go to sell your handbag. 

2. Insurance & Cameras

Now that we have that squared away, you made your decision and picked out a designer handbag, your must have bag of the season and you are so excited. Yay, Congratulations! You now own a highly desired collectable that is so beautiful! But wait! Did you know you are now a target for thieves? I highly recommend you immediately insure your handbag or entire collection if you have one. It’s always best to be safe than sorry. Bonus tip: If you are storing expensive bags in your home over $5,000 which many do, please, please get cameras and an alarm.

 3. Keep Your Receipts

Take pictures of your handbags. Collect evidence (receipts) you purchased your bags. Hide these documents in a safe place. If you lose this information, insurance will most likely not be helpful in covering your loss. (This big mistake will cost you a small fortune). I know from experience.

 4. Wear and Damage

Handbags are meant to be used. When you are using your handbag be mindful of how long you are keeping this bag for and if you plan on selling it or not. If you think you might sell it, be careful with corner wear and stains. Handbags with corner wear are hard to sell and the value will go down significantly. If you are keeping your bag forever, don’t worry, wear it and enjoy it in good health!

 5. You Decide You Don’t Want Your Bag Anymore

You want something else more fitting, bigger or smaller. Maybe you need to pay rent or buy food because of inflation. Maybe you want the latest bag from Neiman Marcus. I think I have heard every reason there is to want to sell a designer handbag. It really doesn’t matter why you want or need to sell your bag, no one will judge you. Everyone is in a different situation and period in their life. Once you make the decision, SELL IT! Just try not to sell anything too sentimental, once it’s gone, it’s gone forever and it’s not ever coming back…unless you buy another one, but it won’t be “the original you had”.

 6. Selling Your Bag On Poshmark

You want to sell your bag. Great news, you have options! You can make the most money by selling it yourself on Poshmark. They take a 20% cut. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of shipping and possible returns or have never sold a bag yourself before, have an experienced consignment platform do the work for you. If you price your bag for more than anyone else on Poshmark it wont be selling very fast. Shoppers are smart and they can google how much that particular bag is selling for on the second hand market. You might really think your bag is rare or special but its only worth what someone is willing to pay.

7. Consignment

Consignment is an easy and safe way to sell your bag. It’s simple because they do all the work for you. Simply send in your bag to the consignment shop and let them authenticate it, list it for sale, take the photos and ship the item to the customer once it sells. They deal with any returns or hassles that may arise. When consigning your item you would agree on the price to be sold and then you would earn a percentage of the sale.

Luxica 

Of course I have to highly recommend my online shop, Luxica Designer Consignment not only because I work here, but because out of all consignment platforms we are one of highest payouts. We pay 80% on bags over $5,000 and 70% for bags over $1,000.

 8. Clean Out Your Bag Before Selling

Before you actually sell your bag, please clean it out, or at least shake it out. As someone who has to authenticate and price handbags for a living, it can be a real task when someone hands in a bag to be sold and its full of particles and dust. Do a once over and make sure your bag is in good condition and clean enough to be sold.  (Not that your bag is dirty, Im sure it’s perfect and brand new, never used, still in the box with the receipt) Can you tell…I’ve seen it all! Ok all jokes aside – you’re looking for the highest possible value on your bag. If your bag is clean, in good condition, has the box, dust bag and receipt this all greatly helps with the sale.

9. Take Good Photos Of Your Handbag

If you decide to sell your handbag yourself on somewhere like Ebay.com , there are some things you can do to make sure your listing is going to bring in the highest amount of cash. Pictures are key! Try to take high quality photos in good lighting preferably sunlight with a plain white background. Customers like to see as much detail as possible. Take photos of the front, back, sides, bottom, handles, straps, and under the flaps, if there are flaps. If there’s a serial number or hologram sticker make sure you get a clear picture of it so the numbers clearly show. If it has an authentic card make sure to include that in a photo as well.

10. Descriptions

Always be honest with bag condition. Describe in detail all the flaws your bag may have. Your customer will be prepared when it comes in the mail. You do not want a return due to “not as described”, it can be a real hassle and then both parties will have the money on hold until a resolution is made by paypal. This is no fun let me tell you. If and when your bag sells, make sure to ship it in a sturdy box with secure tape. Most importantly make sure your package is insured for the full amount. I highly recommend FedEx if you are shipping a high value bag over $5,000.

 

11. Selling in Person to Someone You Don’t Know

If you have a high value handbag, and are selling yourself on a platform such as facebook or craigslist-I highly recommend to never meet anyone at your home in person to sell. This can be dangerous and may end up in a dangerous situation or even a robbery. Always meet in a public place if you must and please try to bring someone with you. Use common sense here and always use your intuition.

Conclusion on How To Safely Sell Your Designer Handbag

 

I hope some of this information was helpful to you if you are thinking about buying, selling, or storing your handbag. Please note all of this information is my personal opinions and based of of my own experience. 

If you have any questions about how to sell a designer handbag, feel free to ask me in comments. I’m happy to give advice.

Thanks for reading, How To Safely Sell Your Designer Handbag. You may also enjoy How to clean a Louis Vuitton Handbag.