The secret tips you need to know before you buy that pre-loved designer handbag…

Like most people, I love a high-end bargain, especially when it comes to pre-loved designer handbag’s. Discovering a luxury bag you love for an irresistible price tag is lots of fun, though there are many things to look out for. Here is a list of important things to be aware of when considering a pre-loved designer handbag online.

Who is selling?

One of the fundamental things to look out for when purchasing a pre-loved designer handbag on eBay, is the seller. It is important to detect whether they are an independent seller, or a large-scale seller – there is no right or wrong seller to buy from, however there are key differences to look out for. A large-scale seller with 100% feedback is a great sign, as it indicates they only buy and sell authentic items. With an independent seller, there may not be any feedback. In this case, it is crucial to search all the details and ask as many questions as possible. If they are unresponsive, pass on the deal. Feedback is the most vital part of buying a designer bag on eBay, because it provides you with an insight into what you’re really buying. If there are even a few negative comments regarding the quality or authenticity of the bag, this for me is enough to put me off buying it.

If you are happy with what you can see from the seller, proceed to research whether they have sold the particular brand of bag before. If you can see that they have sold numerous bags from that brand before, this usually shows that they know about the bag, and will willingly answer any questions with sufficient information. If they haven’t sold a bag from that brand before, this does not imply that it is a fake, it just means that you will need to do that extra little bit of research or questioning to detect the information that you need.

Finally, there are a lot of sellers or companies which wholesale top of the range, fake luxury bags. Some of these sellers can be so sneaky in their description, and often brush over the fact that the item is counterfeit. To avoid this from a large-scale seller, ensure that you really do your research into the feedback section, and compare the price of the bag to the original, perhaps on the brand’s official website.

When purchasing a designer bag online, there are so many sellers who know how to trick you into thinking the bag is authentic when it’s really a fake. So, take your time, and avoid being swayed into an ‘amazing’ deal.

How Many Photos are there?

When purchasing pre-loved designer handbags on eBay, there is an element of trust involved. But, the more photos the seller provides, the greater this sense of trust becomes. Personally, I like to see lots and lots of photos of the bag, as to me, this signals an authentic bag. A seller of wholesale fakes is likely to share a few, but perfectly depicted images of the bag. It is important to see all aspects of the bag, for example the handle, any areas of wear, the stitching, inside the bag and any stains. The more photos the better. If there is a part of the bag which has not been photographed, as a consumer you have the right to request images of that specific area. If they refuse, they are likely to be hiding a damaged area, in which case I would strongly recommend walking away from the deal.

If you are interested in a bag that is relatively new, have a look on the brand’s official website to compare the images provided and those that the brand is showing. Look for any major differences which the seller hasn’t specified, and rely on your gut feeling. If the bag you are looking at is vintage, do your research. Perhaps start a forum with those in the know, or see if you can find the same bag that has been sold elsewhere to compare the images.

Again, don’t be taken for a fool. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting before parting with your cash.

Assess the Details the Seller has Provided

When I am personally looking on eBay for a pre-loved bag, after looking at the seller and the photos, I assess the details provided by the seller. A key thing to look out for if you are unsure if the bag is authentic, is the receipt, tags, certificate and dust-bag. Although nowadays many fakes come alongside fake authentications, this is often the icing on the cake for determining a real bag, especially when there are lots of photos and positive feedback.

Also, look to see if they list the bag in detail. For example, if they list it as simply ‘Small Louis Vuitton Bag’, it indicates they know less about it, thus cannot provide you with as many answers to potential questions. Alternatively, this example would prove a lot more legitimate to me – ‘Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 Bandouliere Monogram Bag’, as it shows they know more than the average person. Another thing to look for is the year, especially if it has just come out, you may not be getting as good a deal as you think.

The Price

At the end of the day, designer bags are expensive. When delving into the designer end of eBay, it’s important to hold realistic expectations, or else you may find yourself being ripped off. Obviously, brands vary in price, and also the quality and age of the bag will impact what you pay.

Personally, if I saw a pre-loved designer handbag on eBay under around £150, I wouldn’t look any further, simply because it seems too good to be true. Perhaps rarely, they are authentic bags and the seller is not aware of how much they sell for, but for me, it’s not worth the risk or time to research. The same applies for if the bag is selling for thousands, it may be significantly overpriced to trick you into thinking you are getting a great deal. This is why it is crucial to do some external research into what you are actually getting, and if the price seems appropriate.

Don’t Compromise!

One of the most important things to remember, is not to compromise. There will always be more deals on the same model of bag, you just have to remain patient to ensure that you are not being ripped off and getting the exact bag you want. One thing I’ve also noticed, especially with eBay, is that there is a sense of pressure when looking at an item. When it says that there is only 30 minutes left for you to bid or make an offer, it forces us to jump in and make impulsive decisions that perhaps we would normally think about more.

Building on this, try to set a budget maximum. With eBay, you may feel pressured to up your bid to ensure you get the bag, when really you are paying significantly more than you regularly would.

How to Spot a Fake

Here are a few tips on how to differentiate between authentic and fake designer handbag’s from a selection of popular designers.

• Louis Vuitton – Perhaps the easiest brand to spot a fake, there are many things which authentic Louis Vuitton bags have that fakes do not. An authentic Louis Vuitton bag will have proportional stitching and the leather will be a pale yellow (although this gets a bit more orange with age). The logo on the body of the bag should be the authentic Louis Vuitton print, and will be equally symmetrical. Perhaps the biggest NO NO is when the handles have plastic around them. Instant sign of a fake.
• Chanel – Slightly more difficult to detect a fake Chanel than a Louis Vuitton, but here are the main things to spot. Fake Chanels are often disproportionate in shape, and are a lot bulkier than the authentic bags, which are a lot sleeker. Fakes often have very heavy quilting, whereas again, the authentic bags are a lot smoother. The stitching should also be very discreet on an authentic Chanel, so if it is really visible it is likely to be fake.
• Hermes – Authentic Hermes bags are so much more crisp in shape than fakes, which are often bulkier and unstructured. Inside the bag, the logo should be clear and sharp on an authentic Hermes. Often with fakes, it is messy and disproportionate. It also sometimes seems like it is chipping away. On the hardware, fakes engrave the logo very deeply, whereas an authentic Hermes will engrave the logo very slightly and thinly.
• Gucci – Authentic Gucci bags are very difficult to detect, as there are a lot of fakes that are of reasonably high quality. Gucci bags with the logo print will have a glossy sheen to them if they are authentic, whereas fakes will be more matte. Also, authentic Gucci bags will be consistent in the repetition of the logo, and will have a very tight stitching. Fakes will be irregular in their logo repetition and typically have very thick and visible stitching. Another thing to look out for is that fakes will often have a faded colour.

In summary, remember these five things for fake-free shopping:

• Look at the seller’s feedback and history
• Research the designer handbag, and gain an expectation of what it should sell for
• Don’t be susceptible – look for photos and details
• Do no compromise, there will always be more deals
• Ask questions if you are unsure about something

Have you purchased a pre-loved designer handbag online? Let us know in the comments!