Many consumers want a good quality handbag but try to avoid the costly price tag. Other consumers missed a beloved bag last season and are desperate to find that bag they fell in love with and still remember seeing for the first time. Maybe its that Chanel bag from CoutureUSA that grabbed your heart. Before making your purchase there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Know the Source
Some retail companies offer returns and others do not. Some resale companies just provide credit for a return. Make sure the source you are purchasing from offers a return policy and you are agreeable with the terms of their policy. Find out what methods they use to authenticate the bags they sell. Also find out what their policy is if they misjudge a bag and sell a fake designer bag.
2. Know the Retail Price of Your Desired Handbag
Resale markets are different throughout the United States. Price is usually created by supply and demand. Online resale companies are looking to buy low and sell as high as the consumer will pay. Rebag companies try to purchase where the market is flooded with designer bags and sell to those who do not have access to high-quality handbags.
Many designer bags are about half of the original retail price. However if a bag is super coveted and popular then it will not depreciate as much as a less sought after bag. Designers that have the most desired bags and hold their value are:
- Hermes exclusive
- Certain Chanel and Celine
- Louis Vuitton
- Rare Balenciaga
The resale prices for these designers are often close to the retail price.It is essential to research the original price of your handbag. For example, if you are looking for a Chanel bag from CoutureUSA you would want to find the exact style name and reference number. For current bag styles this is located on the designer site. For past season models you may have to do a little more looking.
Some designer handbags also come with date codes stamped inside them. These date codes act as a serial number. There are many online resources where you can look up the codes to verify the date of the bag and use it as a guide to check the authenticity. The important thing is to get a reasonable starting price. Then evaluate what price you are willing to pay and stick to your price.
3. Physically Examine the Bag
It is not always possible to examine the bag before you buy it. But as soon as you get your hands on the bag here are a few things to look for.
- The stitching needs to be even and no gaps in the seams for an authentic bag.
- Seams will have pattern matched perfectly.
- The quality of the materials will be outstanding.
- Lining, pockets and zippers inside the bag will be of superior quality.
- The designer’s logo will be clear, crisp with no spelling errors.
- Designer bags hold their shape when they are empty.
- Dust bags are always provided with a designer bag.
- Check the number of digits in the serial number for continuity.
- Ask the seller where the bag came from.
It is also a good idea to try to learn the history of where the bag originated. Designer bags from Asian countries be wary of because their copyright laws are very different and not often enforced.
4. Keep Expectations Reasonable
If you are paying full retail than you can expect perfection from your purchase. When you walk into a designer boutique and with a swipe of a card make the purchase of a designer bag you can walk away with a bag in mint condition. Paying a lesser price for the same quality of bag may often require some sacrifices. The bag may have a slight scuff or scratch on it. The good news is that when you are using the bag and add your scuff mark your heart will not sink cause that was a several hundred dollar scratch added to your brand new bag. The previous owner is going to take most of the depreciation expense from the bag’s original purchase.
5. Watch Out For Financing Scams
Some of the online sites generously offer payment plans with up to 30% interest. It is best for you to have your cash on hand or use your personal established method of payment. If you choose the resalers payment options to make sure you read the fine print and understand the terms of the agreement. You could actually end up paying more than the original price of the bag if you are not careful.
6. Trust Your Gut Over Your Heart
You may see the bag of your dreams listed on a site and fall in love. But you notice that not all of the information and pricing are adding up correctly. When in doubt it is better to wait. There will always be another beautiful bag.
There are some great deals out there for designer handbags. If you are seeking to purchase a pre-owned handbag just remember to do your homework and know the value of what you are buying. Physically check the bag as soon as possible and make sure the store you are purchasing from is not only reputable but also has a solid return policy. This handbag is not only a fashion statement; it is also an investment.
Investing in a designer handbag is an excellent situation to follow your heart to find a bag but then turn to your gut and power of reason to make the purchase. Follow these rules or trusted tips and you can be confident you have purchased a genuine designer handbag for a fraction of the cost. You can take your bag out of the town with confidence that it is the real deal.
