Written By Natalie Schutz, Owner of Her Authentic
October 3rd, 2019
Once in a while, you will see celebrities or influential people carrying designer purses. Buying a designer bag is more than just buying prestige for yourself, it can actually be an investment! Taking a peek at its hefty price might be a lot to take in at first, but in reality, it’s actually a pretty great investment that can appreciate over time as long as it’s properly taken care of. Who said that real estate is the only asset that appreciates as time passes?
A few decades ago, handbags were used more so for practicality rather than style. However, times have changed and now more and more women feel the importance of fashion in their daily lives. Can you believe that designer bags are the new crowning glory of a person? It won’t only make you look great, it will instantly give you status by wearing it around town, to a meeting, or just running errands.
Selling your designer bags is a new way to quickly increase your social status and net worth. Sell your Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, or luxury brand to earn cash or to upgrade to your dream purse! Like many women, you may have designer handbags sitting in the corners of your closets, begging to be worn, and yet, you have a new baby that you carry everywhere. Why not turn hand-me-downs or unwanted gifts into cash or a bag that is perfect for your needs.
In an ever-evolving economy, it’s always a good idea to have additional ways of making money. From multiple remote jobs to side hustles, there are a million different ways to help you boost your income and get the most out of your time. There’s no stopping a person who craves financial freedom and independence.
One popular way to grow your bank account or save up for that dream getaway is to sell your designer handbags for cash. Let’s look at the reasons you would want to sell these bags and the proper ways to ensure you’re getting the most from your investment.
Why Designer Bags
There are all kinds of hobbies but it is nice to find a hobby that you love and can actually profit from. Different people have different passions and where those passions are you will usually find them investing their time and money to ensure that they get the most bang for their buck.
Some people search the world for the one pair of classic sneakers, some arrange their designer heels inside glass cases in their closets, and some will spend the equivalent of a month’s rent to get the perfect designer handbag.
Designer bags are an investment that, with proper care, can not only recoup their original value but can appreciate should you sell it at a later date. Especially if your designer bag is a desired style or limited edition. Chances are people will often times pay more now than what you originally purchased it for years ago if it is still in good condition! Read our blog 5 Louis Vuitton Handbags That Can Be Great Investments to learn some of our favorites. Just like the plot of land where your house is standing on, these luxury bags tend to increase in price as time goes by.
It might seem outrageous the first time you have heard of it, but the demand for designer bags is definitely at its prime. If you come to think of it, designer bags are actually the real estate equivalent of material things. The reason why many designer bags often appreciate is because most brands increase their retail prices yearly. Some bags will sell over retail second hand, while others sell very close to it. This allows people to get a very low cost per use! Bags like the Chanel Flap Bags and Louis Vuitton Neverfull Totes are just two of the many collections that exponentially increase in value through time.
Caring for a Designer Handbag
If you are looking to resell your designer bag, the first step in the process is caring for it before the sale. No one wants to purchase a bag that has been thrown around and damaged during use. Make sure to avoid spills, cracks, rips, tears, and worst of all makeup or pen marks on the interior. Some customers might consider the bag that you are selling as an extension of you. Taking care of handbags helps retain their value. You can learn 10 tips to care for your designer handbag in our newest blog. Pens always seem to open up and soil the interior of handbags. It may be a good idea to purchase a bag organizer to keep the interior pristine.
When you purchase your designer bag, always keep the boxes, dust bags, and tags to help verify its authenticity. This part is especially important. This step helps you when you are setting your price point for resale. The internet is filled with fakes and resellers that are trying to take advantage of collectors by passing off subpar products as authentic and sadly, many fall for this trap . The imitators are perfecting their work, so just because an item has a receipt, does not mean its authentic. Make sure you are doing your due diligence as a buyer to ensure your hard earned money is well spent.
Sell Your Designer Bags
When looking to sell your designer bags, you will want to take quality photos of your handbag. A quality, high-resolution photo will make or break an advertisement online. Take pictures from every angle and be sure to take pictures of the inside. You want to make sure that your photos are on par with the bag you are selling. Natural light always makes for the best pictures. Well photographed items always sell for higher than the same item with worse quality pictures.
Make sure to disclose any necessary information about the designer bag’s condition to avoid an upset buyer or chargeback. Customers are more likely to be appreciative of honest sellers. You don’t have to exaggerate your designer bags’ state. The photos will speak for itself. That’s why you have to put a little more effort into presentation to catch peoples attention. Remember to also mention condition details that someone might not readily be able to tell from pictures such as an odor being present.
When setting up your photos, don’t just throw your bag on a table and snap a blurry picture. Set the stage in a way that showcases the beauty of the bag. Look at the aesthetics of the photo and make sure that your ad is something that will draw the eye. Think of a carefully plotted mini photoshoot for your designer bag to get that perfect shot. Because if you catch a customer’s attention, the bag that they pick automatically becomes a part of them. Customers want their bags to reflect their personalities, and with the right photo snapshots, it is more likely for you to close the deal with them. Houses are staged before being put on the market. Well staged pictures will get you an even higher sales price!
Who To Sell To
Any time that you are selling any product online, you want to make sure that not only the seller is a valid source but that the buyer is too. The smart decision would be to never sell to anyone who has negative reviews. Chances are if there are more negative reviews than positive ones, your experience will not be a good one.
Other things to look out for on the review front are companies or profiles with few reviews. There is a slight chance that they are a brand new account and haven’t gathered many reviews so check the date of the account and go with your gut but be warned that there are a lot of scammers out there that will prey on sellers. Taking extra precautionary measures is not a crime. Take note of customers information through browsing their social media platforms or asking their details directly.
Just like how you want to be cautious in selling, your customers also want to feel secure and know that they are in good hands. Always positively assure them by filling them in with the necessary information that they want to know from you. Remember that selling is a two-way relationship, both of you need to have mutual trust of each other. Make sure that you are not hiding anything from your customers, even the most minute details.
Before sending your product to anyone through the mail, pay the extra cost for tracking and insurance. You could lose a lot of money if your handbag becomes lost or damaged.
Pricing Your Designer Bag
Before selling your bag, it must be priced accordingly. Keep in mind that it is pre-used and consumers may not want to pay full price for something that already has some wear and tear. Just be honest in pricing but also know your bag’s worth. You can research on eBay or other marketplaces to see what similar bags are selling for.
The best way to get the best price is to do your research. The right amount can help you sell your bag faster. Remember, Louis Vuitton and other designers tend to increase their prices yearly. A handbag you bought 5 years ago could be worth up to 30% more today. Items can be priced higher than resale if they are retired and no longer produced. These are rare items that are no longer available in stores.
Where to Sell Designer Bags
There are multiple ways to sell designer bags. From social media sellers, larger resellers or selling privately, the options are numerous when it comes to how you want to sell your designer bags. There are pros and cons to each option, so choose what works best for you.
There is the potential to make more money with private selling, as there are no commissions that will need to be paid to a third party seller. However, on the flip side, selling privately means that you will shoulder a lot more risk. It might also take a little longer to sell it. People can see how long you have a bag listed for. You may get a lot of low ballers if you price it too high and it sits without a real offer.
If the risk isn’t worth it to you and you need fast cash, then selling to Her Authentic or a consignment store can be much faster to get cash for your designer handbag. Choose a reputable luxury reseller that has a history of good reviews. A credible and trusted company that specializes in selling designer bags might be a better alternative than doing it all by yourself.
In Conclusion
The market for you to sell your designer bags is at an all-time high. Consumers are always looking for great deals, and it is a fantastic way for you to earn extra income. Just be sure to do your homework so you can get the most from your investment and don’t get scammed. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
For more information or to get an instant quote for your handbag, check out our website and let us know how we can help.