5 things you need to know if you want to make a vintage designer find
One of my favorite pastimes is scouring designer websites in search of that perfect designer vintage bag. My very first Chanel was a ‘second-hand’, but secretly brand new because the previous owner had only worn it twice. That is definitely worth all the detective work. And of course, those sites are especially great if you're looking for that one designer bag that is no longer being made. I have been searching for over a year for the ‘Sac Plat’ from Louis Vuitton, which is no longer available in stores. After dozens of bags and many different sites, I finally made an offer and snagged a beautiful specimen. Actually, I bought a piece of antique (she says proudly as the daughter of an antique dealer).
According to experts, (the right) designer bags are one of the best investments you can make, as they become more valuable over time. For a brief moment, I considered scouring antique markets in France all year round after reading about a girl who found a real Hermès at a flea market for less than a hundred euros and was able to fund her studies with the profit. For now, I’ll stick to online and I’d like to give you some tips on what to look out for, although I can’t help but note all the flea markets in the area for my trip to France this summer.
1. Go for a certified website
Designer-Vintage, The Next Closet, and Vestiaire Collective check all items for authenticity. This way, you can be sure that you are not buying a fake.
2. Do extensive comparative research
Sometimes a certain bag is such a hype that vintage prices shoot up. But often this is country-specific, so especially check designer websites from different countries to find the best price for your dream bag (Inseller from the United Arab Emirates, Fashionphile from America, or Rebelle from Germany).
3. Too good to be true is often fake
On Marktplaats and eBay, you often find designer bags for a bargain, but there’s a good chance they are completely fake. No one sells a real Chanel or Hermès for a few hundred euros unless you live in the middle of nowhere in France.
4. Always try to negotiate
On many sites, you can make a price proposal. Make sure to take advantage of this. Often there is some wiggle room in the price and you might be able to knock off a few hundred euros.
5. Check if everything is included
If you are looking for a bag for yourself, it’s not a disaster if the certificate card or dust bag is no longer present. It’s even a reason to negotiate the price down a bit. But if you eventually want to resell the bag, it’s important that everything is complete, otherwise the potential buyer has that strong negotiating position...
