Designer bags are every woman’s dream come true. The level of sophistication that they have and their high quality is something that cannot be ignored. However, these bags are costly.
Luckily, you can buy a pre-owned,pre-loved or second-hand designer bags. They have great deals and are still a good option for you if you are looking for something unique. However, shopping second hand requires extensive research to ensure that you are not buying a fake one. Here are some tips to follow.
Know The Brand Style In And Out
Most online shopping can be done with a one-click process, and you are ready to pay. That is, however, not the case for second-hand designer bags. You will need to invest a lot of time looking around and doing a lot of research on what is in the market. You should read the specs of the bag on the websites to see what it has.
You could also check on the reviews of that particular site and see what other people are saying. If the majority of people are happy with the services and the products, then you can trust them. If many customers are complaining of the quality of the bag, then this is a red flag that you should beware of. When possible, you could go to the store and try on the bag. See it for yourself to confirm if it is what you are looking for.
Condition Of The Bag
You should ensure that the bag is in excellent condition. One of the most common things to look at are the wears on the corners and any scratches on it. The seller should give you information on any wear on the bag so that you can decide if you are comfortable with it or not. If you find that these light scratches and scuffs are a deal breaker, then maybe second-hand bags are not for you. These are some of the signs to show that it may not be genuine.
Seams-If the seams on the bag are not straight and the patterns not matching up, then it may mean that it is fake.
Logo-It will be blurry, have some misspellings and may even be smudged. It will show that it is not real.
Strength– A good bag will be able to stand upright when empty. The sides will cave into the way the bag falls over.
Understand The Return Policy
One of the main points that you should note is that second-hand shopping is different from retail and online shopping. Returning the bag or getting your money back may be harder than in the other instances. You will find that some sites will have a stringent no return policy which may force you to resell the bag on your own.
Some will allow you to return it only in a specific period, which if you extend, you will not be able to do that. With this one, you may get only a fraction of what you had paid for. Ensure that you know the return policy well and that you are comfortable with it, in case anything goes wrong.
Understand Pricing
Pricing of second-hand designer bags is something that you should pay attention to. Some of these bags will go at half their original price while some will be a bit expensive. The more a bag is coveted, the less it will depreciate in its value. You will find that bag designs from Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga will have their resale prices being almost close to the retail price.
Waiting Lists
These bags tend to sell very fast since many people want them. If there is a waiting list, do not hesitate to follow in line so that you will be first to know when your bag arrives. You could sign up to be informed by email once your ideal bag has arrived.
Keep Your Records
It is essential to keep tab of all the exchanges that you made with the seller and all the receipts acquired. It will help you in case of any future references. Remember that you cannot be too careful and it is prudent to practice caution even though this does not mean that these sites are not reputable.
Buy From A Reputable Reseller
You can buy your bag from a pre-owned store, eBay, from someone selling it on Facebook or Instagram or even at your local shop. You need to ensure that you can trust the person reselling it to you. They should give you a receipt for the purchase that you have made.
A reputable online shop will have a return policy and also guarantee that it is an authentic designer purse. You should check how long they have been doing this to see if they have experience in it. Someone who has been doing it for years is better than someone with only a month in it since they know all the ins and outs and are more likely to have a vast customer base.
Trust Your Gut
If something does not feel right to you, do not go forward with it. If a site does not have pictures of the bag or the information given is inadequate, then avoid them as fast as you can. If you do not feel good about the transaction, do not give in to the allure of the bag.
Also, if the price is too good to be true, then it might be fake. Acting quickly on deals may seem to be a good idea, but it may not be the real bag. Spending a little more money to get the right one will not hurt. Ensure that when you buy, you follow your instincts. Do not ignore them, since they may be right.
In the second-hand designer bags market, there are many great deals that will be hard to avoid. However, it is good to take your time and do your research. Ensure that you know how the original bag looks like to avoid getting a fake one. With the above points, you are ready to start your shopping spree.