There are so many great reasons to sell the things you no longer love. By selling your vintage designer bags, you can stop them from gathering dust in the back of a wardrobe. This means you can make space for the things you really love and make some cash while you're at it.
When deciding to sell a vintage bag, there are a lot of factors and avenues to consider. To make it a little bit easier, make sure you do your research before going ahead with a sale.
How Old Does A Bag Have To Be To Be Considered Vintage?
Sometimes it is wrongly assumed that vintage just means an item is somewhat old. However when it comes to bags, the general consensus is that a bag manufactured about one or two decades ago is vintage. When it is older than 100 years old, it is then considered antique.
Should I Sell My Vintage Bags?
If you no longer wear them then the chances are that you won’t miss them. It is a good idea to group all of your vintage bags and assess which ones you think are worth selling.
When you see them all together it might give you a better idea which ones to sell and which to keep. If you have several Louis Vuitton bags, you might not get a huge amount of wear out of all of them. The same goes for the color of your bags, make sure there aren't too many duplicates.
Before deciding to sell your bags, you also might want to do some research online to see if your vintage bags could be worth anything. Also, properly evaluate your bag beforehand to check its condition. If the interior is full of stains or the strap is ripped, it might be worth getting it fixed before making a sale.
How To Prepare Before Selling A Vintage Bag
- Gather any receipts, papers, dustbags, and boxes.
- If you don’t have any information on your bag, try to find the model name, leather type, and color. Check if the bag has a stamp for more information.
- Carefully examine your bag and write down and take photos of any flaws. Look out for:
1. Rips or flaws on the leather
2. Scratching or discoloration on the hardware
3. Any external or internal stains
4. Check that any zips still work
- Be realistic - How much are other sellers selling their bags for? If it’s on a resale website, remember that the company will be looking to make a profit so the amount on their website isn’t 100% reflective of how much you will sell it to them for. If it’s on a marketplace, they will be taking a cut in the form of a percentage of the sale. There could also be other hidden fees, so make sure to take that into account.
How To Sell Vintage Bags
1. Marketplaces/Auction - In-person/Online
Auction websites such as eBay can be a good option for selling your designer goods. You can select the option for ‘Buy Now’ or set an auction for a number of days. You can set your own prices based on similar items.
One of the drawbacks with selling this way is that you leave yourself and the item you have sold to criticism. When this happens, the disputes can take a while to resolve. This can happen if you have not described the item in a way that the buyer deems correct, or because the photos you upload are in any way misleading.
It can be complicated with vintage items, as the expectation should be that there is a bit of wear on the item. However, how much wear is considered as passable or good can change from person to person. This can affect how much you might think your item is worth vs how much a customer is willing to pay.
You can also attend in-person auctions, but ones specific to designer accessories are not particularly easy to come by.
2. Sell Directly On A Free Marketplace
You can always sell directly on a marketplace, such as Facebook. This is a good way to quickly sell your items. Yet, when it comes to designer accessories, people are not generally willing to pay premium prices when the item has not been authenticated. You also open yourself up to potential scams.
3. A Reputable Resale Website
If you want to get the right price for your designer handbag, leave it to the experts. It takes a lot of the pressure off and most of the hard work is done for you.
When you choose to sell to a luxury resale company, you will get the right price for your vintage bags. This is because you are selling to experts who can correctly determine how much your vintage bags are worth based on the model and the condition.
myGemma offers a simple solution. By buying your designer handbags, and other accessories outright you do not need to wait for another customer to buy your items. There is no middleman involved and so there are no hidden fees. The price you are offered is the amount you receive.
The entire selling journey is designed to be as hassle-free as possible. All you have to do to get started is fill out the online form and a member of the team will be in touch with an offer. From price quote to payment, it can take as little as 24 hours.
Should I Sell My Designer Bag?
There are a few questions to ask yourself before going ahead with a sale, especially when it comes to a designer handbag or a bag that holds emotional significance of any kind.
- Have you worn this bag in the last six months?
- Can you see yourself wearing it in the next six months? (If you are not sure, put a note in your calendar for in six months’ time to check in with yourself)
- Do you have similar bags that you reach for more?
- Was it a trend bag that you no longer like?
- Does it still suit your personal style?
- And last but not least, would the money mean more to you at this stage than the bag?
By answering these questions, it may have helped you to make your mind up. If not, check in with yourself in six months and re-evaluate. It is better to wait it out than make a sale you could end up regretting. But at the same time, if you do not wear your bag, then you will be unlikely to miss it.
Where To Buy Designer Vintage Bags?
You may be looking to sell your vintage bags in order to make space for something you prefer. If that is the case, myGemma is here to help.
myGemma has a wide range of luxury bags and designer accessories, ranging from Rolex watches to Chanel Flap bags.
The key to buying designer accessories online is to do your research. Make sure to read previous customers’ reviews so you can make up your own mind. You will want to be sure that the company you buy from has a strict authentication process, so that you can rest assured you are buying the real deal.
myGemma ensures authenticity or your money back. Each and every item that goes onto the website and app has been through a rigid authentication process beforehand. myGemma has an in-house team of authentication specialists with a meticulous eye for detail.
When you buy a designer vintage bag from myGemma, you help to contribute to a circular economy. So, it's not only better for your wallet, but for the planet, too.
