Purchasing a vintage handbag can be more than a stylish wardrobe addition. When chosen wisely, your vintage handbag can be a savvy financial investment too. Many people have invested in rare, designer handbags, solely for their resale value, which will often increase as the availability of the bag decreases. For those looking to potentially sell their vintage handbag, there are steps that can be taken to ensure maximum re-sell value, and the Open for Vintage team have done the research for you.
Discover our expert tips on getting the most for your vintage handbag below.
- Take clear, high quality photographs of your bag. You will need these if you plan to re-sell on a website, and the photography will play a big part in getting buyers attention. Make sure you have plenty of images from different angles and point out any marks/faults – be honest, it makes you more trustworthy. Remember to include photos of the interior and exterior of your bag.
- Be very clear in the title and descriptions. Give as much information as possible so buyers feel confident in their purchase. Mention whether the item is rare, limited edition, whether it’s discontinued, the year of production, where and when you bought it, and what is included (dustbag, receipt, authenticity card etc).
- Where possible, include the dustbag, box, receipt & authenticity card for your purchase. Again, this increases buyer trust by proving authenticity, and will help get you the highest value possible. If you don’t have these items, you can still get your handbag authenticated independently.
- When it comes to pricing your handbag, do your research and be competitive. Make sure you look into how rare or available your handbag is in the wider market, so you know whether or not it’s gone up in value since you purchased it. Do your research on what the same, or if not similar, handbags in the same condition are selling for. Be realistic with how much you’re likely to get.
- Classic handbags are normally a safe investment. If you’ve invested in a classic style such as a Chanel Flapbag, a Louis Vuitton Speedy, or an Hermès Birkin or Kelly, the retail price of these bags regularly rise, meaning your vintage version’s value will probably have gone up too.
- Consider any fees. Selling through a consignment store takes the pressure and the work away from you with selling, but it may take longer to get up for sale and you’ll have to pay a consignment fee. If you sell your handbag independently directly to a buyer, it may be more work, but you’ll get to keep more of the money! Make sure you research properly on all fees before deciding where to re-sell.
- Check your buyer’s reviews. If you’re selling on a resale site like eBay, don’t sell to buyers with bad feedback. Trust your instincts, and don’t move the transaction to a payment option that doesn’t have some form of insurance policy.
- We recommend paying extra for tracking and insurance when shipping your item. It will give you peace of mind, and you’ll regret not having this if it gets lost in the post!
- If the current re-sale price for similar items that your selling are less than what you originally paid, we recommend waiting to re-sell until your item comes back into style, or is relevant to a new trend, and the value goes back up.
10. Know what matters to consumers for the item/brand your selling. Mention details that consumers will be looking for, such as stitching, interior details, handle attachments etc, which help sell your item more.
Discover more about investing in vintage Chanel or Hermes handbags by reading our Chanel Investment Guide or Hermes Investment Guide.
Want some help choosing your designer vintage handbag, or finding out more about how you can re-sell? Contact our team at customerservice@openforvintage.com.
