Photo courtesy: Poshmark
If you’ve ever tried to pare down your closet, you know it can be seriously hard business. (Read: Why One In and One Out? And No More Than 10 Bags) Sometimes, you feel sentimentally attached to your bags. Sometimes, you think: I once spent quite a bit of money on this bag—how could I possibly get rid of it? One way of alleviating some of the stress is to sell your bags. So, you can sell your bags to clear up some closet space and possibly make a little cash in the process. But you may be thinking, where do I even start?
PurseBop knows how difficult and daunting the task of selling your bags can be, which is why we’ve compiled some important tips to help you navigate the reselling world without error. Take our advice and always remember to use your best judgment!
@g_g_g_sandy
1. Know Your Options
First off, it’s important to know that there are 2 main options for selling online. The first option, which gives you more control, is to essentially go through an online marketplace. Think sites like eBay, Poshmark, and Tradesy. You’re the boss, though the site will get a cut of your sale. Alternatively, you can go through websites like Yoogi’s Closet, Vestiaire Collective, and TheRealReal, which set the prices (and do all the other busy work—like authenticating, picture-taking, and writing descriptions—themselves). With this option, you obviously have less freedom and generally have to pay a larger commission fee to the website. While this latter option is certainly convenient, the rest of this guide will primarily concern those who want to sell through a marketplace themselves!
@mywardrobediaries
2. Research the Right Price
In order the set the right price, make sure to research other listings for the bag—especially ones that have recently sold—on various resale sites. Compare the prices for the bag (or similar bags) on different platforms, paying attention to wear + tear, year, etc. Then, be realistic. Unfortunately it’s highly unlikely that a bag will sell if its price is too steep. If you feel attached to your handbag and think that the average selling price is far too low, it might be time to reassess whether selling is good option!
@luvorange29
3. Prepare Your Handbag
Sometimes bags just need a little love in order to look their best. Unless your handbag is in great condition, you might want to considering prepping it for sale. Depending on the condition, this might mean cleaning the bag with the appropriate solutions and tools to deal with stains, marks, scratches, and dirt. If you’re unsure how to clean your bag, it’s wise to call the boutique or store where you purchased it. Taking it to a professional is also an option.
@bags.and.fashion
4. Get the Photos Right
Imagine this: a beautiful caviar leather Chanel flap for sale online at a great price…but the only pictures are dark and blurry. Would you be tempted? Probably not! It’s incredibly important to take well-lit photos in natural light that are clear and in-focus. It’s also a good idea to take a side-by-side picture with an everyday object so that potential buyers can see the relative size of the bag. And don’t be tempted by filters.
Additionally, make sure to include close-ups of the logo, hardware, and serial number/date code (if you can’t find the number, contact the store where you bought the bag). Overall, just ask yourself this: what would make me more comfortable when buying an expensive bag online?
Photo courtesy: Poshmark
5. Note the Little Details
If the bag still has tags, describe them and take photos of them. If you still own the box and the dust bag, describe them and take photos of them. This tip’s pretty simple, but important. You’re just trying to make the buyer feel more at ease. It’s hard to give too much detail, so don’t worry about going overboard!
@happybaggage
6. ...and Disclose the "Bad" Details
This is an extension of noting all the details. While it may be tempting to not disclose that coffee stain, or the scratch on the bottom corner, or the small rip in the lining, it’s incredibly important to be upfront and honest. Your buyer is going to receive the bag eventually, and you don’t want to get in a messy situation later on!
@PurseBop
7. Use the Right Keywords
Good descriptors are key. In the title of your listing, you have to be precise. Of course, you should include the brand name, but you should also note the style name, material, size, and color—all of the major details. If you don’t, you might miss out on potential buyers checking out your listing.
@steffysstyle
8. Take a Video + Pictures of the Bag with Packaging Materials
This tip might seem a little strange, but as we all know, shipping doesn’t always go the way we plan. Sometimes, there are delays. Very rarely, things get lost in the mail. When there’s a problem, many sites (like eBay) tend to be more sympathetic to the buyer. (It makes sense, if you think about the risks involved in buying a resale designer bag online!)
So in order to avoid any problems, it’s a good idea to take a quick cellphone video of you packing the bag, as well as a pic or two of the bag with the packaging materials and shipping label. You probably won’t have to use these, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. It also may be helpful to purchase insurance for your package. Remember to keep track of all necessary addresses, track numbers, and contact information.
@la.vie.est.belle70
9. List it on the Right Day
Tuesday is apparently the best day to shop online. But, at least on eBay, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the best days to list—you’ll get the most traffic! Just think middle of the week, and you’re set. This tip’s not essential, but a little extra help never hurts.
@gorgeous_daily_dose
10. Know What You Want, But Be Flexible
If it’s been a little while and your bag has yet to catch the eyes of a buyer, ask yourself if you’re willing to wait for the sale. If you are, the price can be a bit on the higher end (but not too high, especially for a popular bag with many resale listings). If you’re looking to sell right away, bringing the price down might be a better option. It’s a bit of a wait-and-see, give-and-take kind of game. Ultimately, you’ll just figure out what you’re comfortable with, and pretty soon you’ll be an online resale pro!
@helensfashiondiary
We hope this guide was helpful! Have you ever resold your handbags online? Is there anything we missed? Any tips you’ve figured out through experience that you’d like to share with others? Let us (and your fellow PurseBop community members) know below! Happy selling!
Read related articles below:
How to Spot a Fake Designer Bag 101 Guide
10 Useful Tips for Buying Pre-Owned Bags
Would You Pawn a Birkin Bag?
Why One In and One Out? And No More Than 10 Bags
No More Than 10 Bags!?
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Updated: September 14th, 2017
Comments
2 Responses to “10 Tips for Reselling Your Bag Online”
i love this blog and thank you for it – so fun to celebrate others’ collections and finds, and the info is essential in this very ve$ted area of one’s wardrobe! i have shopped online since its inception – from eBay to online luxury pioneer site, eluxury – remember them?
i take polite issue with authentication as being categorized with “busy work.” authentication is imo be-all, end all essential, from a personal shopping standpoint as well as in the protection of the luxury goods market. fakes, part of the faux presentation of self (which, faux carriers, is actually far easier to decipher visually than you might think) is an epidemic dilution of the items/designers they represent and all owners who strive to carry genuine articles and support the legit industries behind them.
the few times i ever sold directly online, i actually offered the original sales slip (with some info inked out. once i even located and printed out the years-old online purchase order from the dept store where i bought an item) as part of the deal. that level of info is what i’d be looking for too – i want to verify where from a piece came. it’s my deal breaker Q. when emailed this Q, sellers often respond they are selling it on behalf of someone else. sometimes they can still verify the item’s original retail source, sometimes they can’t, which is where i choose to opt out. happily, my experience is that people have been forthcoming when directly asked. sites that self policing via feedback do so for a good reason – it’s critically important, and a must to review any seller’s history. ask clear Qs, expect clear Qs.
personally, i prefer entities that vet and authenticate. it is where i am selling these days – and where, after years of experience, i am choosing to buy. even here, decipher the listings down to the last word. enlarge the photos – don’t just rely on the small phone screen – and scrutinize every detail. email their customer service if there is any detail you need clarified.
I think you should have considered the new way of selling which is through the social media.