Selling Guide

The secondary market for Hermès and Chanel handbags is thriving. For this reason there has never been a better time to sell your handbag for a healthy profit. Maybe the profit doesn’t concern you and you simply wish to upgrade your bag to a new color or style. Whatever your reason for selling, preparation of the bag and understanding your options are key to receiving the best price for it.

Many women become quite anxious when making a decision to sell their Hermès or Chanel. Where do you start? What is the process? How do you ensure you don’t get scammed? These questions can lead to hesitation and discourage women from selling their bag. Women are then either stuck with a bag they don’t want or missing out on the opportunity to handsomely cash in on their much desired luxury handbag.

In this guide we explain how to prepare your bag for sale, the different options available for selling your bag, and how to avoid scam artists when selling Hermès and Chanel handbags online. Using this information will help you make an informed decision when selling and help you receive the maximum price for your asset.

Preparing your Hermès or Chanel bag for sale is an essential step in receiving the best price possible. The first thing to do is to categorize your bag’s condition according to the following guide:

• Fair – Bag has visible imperfections which include scratches, discoloration, and/or tearing. This usually occurs in bags that have been heavily used for a period of months or years.
• Good – Bag has some visible wear, but remains in good condition. Older bags which have signs of ageing including very minor discoloration, wear and/or scratches are categorized as good.
• Very Good – Bag has some visible wear, but remains in very good condition. Older bags which have very slight signs of ageing including very minor discoloration, wear and/or scratches are categorized as very good.
• Excellent – Bag is in near perfect condition with slight signs of wear. Bags which have barely visible imperfections are classified as being in excellent condition.
• Pristine – Bag is in perfect condition with no detectable wear or defects. It looks the same as it did the day it was made.

Being honest with yourself when placing the bag in one of these categories can help you get an idea of the price the bag is likely to fetch. For instance, a bag which is in very good condition can fetch 80-90% of the original price, whereas a bag in pristine condition can fetch 120%+ of the original price. There are also options for upgrading the condition of your bag from, for instance good to excellent, by sending the bag for a “spa treatment” at the Hermès store minor/major repairs done to the damage by the manufacturer.

Once you are happy that the bag is in the best possible condition, do some research. Know the intricate details of the bag – What leather is it made from? What size is it? What metal is the hardware made from? Are the lock, keys, box, dust bag etc. original and in the same condition as the bag? If the bag was a gift, ensure it is authentic by having it professionally authenticated before you attempt to sell.

The final step when preparing the bag for sale is to take a series of high quality pictures of the bag. It is essential to include the flaws, design, and color of the bag in the pictures. Try to use a plain and uncluttered backdrop, leaving nothing to the imagination of the viewer.

Having all this information helps you to provide a clear and descriptive listing for the bag when selling it. It helps professionals identify the condition of the bag and provide an accurate quote if you are consigning or swapping the bag. Preparation is key to a successful and profitable sale.

Auction sites are a popular way to sell luxury handbags as sellers can set their own price and make a healthy profit is the bag sells. However, this is also the riskiest option for selling luxury goods. Just as buyers from auction sites are scammed daily, sellers must also be aware of scams when selling high-end products. After much research, we have identified a few scams which regularly occur on auction sites:

• The transaction is smooth, but the buyer reports they haven’t received the bag. This tactic is employed to make the seller look like the scammer. It is essential to use tracking and insurance when posting the bag to avoid this.
• The buyer is not willing to pay. This is a real pain as it delays the sale of the bag and results in you having to re-list it. In fact, we have come across situations where people actually want the bag sent to them before payment! It should go without saying but never send a bag before payment has cleared.
• The most frightening scam is when a buyer claims they are unhappy with the bag and goes through the protocol of returning it. However, instead of returning your bag they return a fake bag. Due to the terms and conditions of auction websites, there is technically nothing you can do if this happens.

The next option is similar to selling your bag directly to a dealer with a couple of small differences. Consigning your bag to a well-established dealer offers you the ability to set a minimum sale value for the bag. This gives you more control over the price than selling the bag directly to a dealer and also helps you expose you bag solely to your target audience, unlike auction sites.

The other main difference between consigning and selling is that you will only receive the money once the bag has been sold. Unlike selling, where you receive the money immediately, consigning is the better option for those who aren’t concerned about making a quick sale and would prefer to sell the bag for a healthier profit.

When consigning your bag, there are several factors to take into consideration. Check the base fee of the consigner, the popularity and exposure of the company, the transparency and simplicity in their process, and the layout of their product pages. If you are happy with all these factors then proceed with the consignment.

• Preparation is key to receiving a healthy price for your bag
• Consider sending your bag for a “spa treatment” or for repairs before selling
• Know the intricate details of your bag before you sell
• If selling your bag directly, be aware of scams
• It is advised to use trusted businesses over auction sites
• Selling is ideal for those who want quick cash
• Consigning offers higher profits than selling, but takes longer
• Swapping is the perfect option for those upgrading their bag