Buying vintage bags online doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a gross old sack that smells like mothballs stuffed with tissues. Better yet, you can actually end up with some worthwhile treasures and major deals on designer items.
I’ve bought most of my Louis Vuitton items online, sight unseen. I have only gotten scammed once and it was quite the lesson. I will gladly pass on that info so you can avoid my pain:
Quickly, some points on when I got scammed:
- The listing was on eBay and the seller had no previous sales/reviews. I know. Rookie mistake.
- The pictures of the bag WERE REAL but stolen. I know that now.
- The price was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. Trust your gut. No one is selling you a brand new IG fashion blogger coveted Pochette Metis for under $1,000.
- The seller’s address was in Ohio. I thought this might be some lovely older woman trying her hand at eBay and decided to risk it. This hypothesis was debunked when the order shipped from the Kingdom of Bahrain. When I returned it, I shipped it back to the Netherlands. Yeah.
- I did get my money back! Ebay is great. Take screenshots of EVERYTHING as insurance. The listing and the user suddenly disappeared after I received the bag.
Ok, now on to the goods, here’s how to buy online:
- Where I buy: eBay, Fashionphile, The Real Real, Yoogi’s Closet
- Research the bag you want to buy first. Get familiar with the design, where the date code is located, the materials it comes in etc.
- PurseForum is a great resource and you can submit a listing if you’re unsure of the autheticity.
- If you’re buying a classic Louis Vuitton bag like a Speedy or Neverfull, DO NOT purchase from eBay. Those bags are highly faked and you’re better off with a reseller like Fashionphile.
- **Caveat to the above point is if you’re purchasing a Speedy or Neverfull in a non-canvas material like the Epi Leather, Vernis, or Empreinte. See point below on checking date codes to make sure the piece was in production at the correct time.
- In general, you’ll get better deals on older pieces that have been discontinued vs newer resells — Older doesn’t mean out of fashion. LV has some amazing pieces that will never go out of style (see photographic proof of my Noe bucket bag obsession above)
- Check the photos very well. Read the description for damage or issues, make sure it comes with the strap, if it includes a dust bag, basically, THE DEETS
- Do not be put off by cosmetic issues that can be fixed. Many bags from the 90s will have discolored, green-tinged hardware and zippers. You can easily fix this with a q-tip and Brasso.
- Pen marks on the inside of lining can be fixed with a product called Amodex, which also works wonders on Longchamp Le Pliage bags.
- Leather cleaners are also a great option for rejuvenating a tired looking bag.
- Issues you might want to avoid include any scratches on leather (especially Epi), cracking edges along the top or the bottom opening of the bag, and corner wear.
- On eBay, make sure the seller has very high reviews and many sales. Read the reviews and check out the seller carefully. Look for a return policy and ask questions if needed.
- When in doubt on eBay, I go with a seller from Japan. Why? They have very strict laws on counterfeit items in Japan and resellers need to have licenses. Most of the bigger accounts on eBay from Japan also have actual storefronts so they are very reputable and safe. Plus, in my experience things ship faster from Japan than with USPS, no joke.
- Make sure the listing includes a photo of the date code. Make sure the code actually makes sense and is consistent with authentic bags from that era. Info here on LV date codes.
- Bidding options can result in a better deal. If you’re able to make an offer, try! I’ve saved $$$ this way.
- I have not bought bags on Poshmark. Not because it’s not legit, but because I find people price things absurdly high and I can usually get much better deals and more options on eBay. I have however sold on Poshmark at what I believe are fair prices (check my account).
Happy shopping!
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