THE 12 BEST PLACES TO BUY USED DESIGNER BAGS, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS
We know why you’re here. You’re the kind of person who believes in having her cake and eating it, too. You care about your wallet and your wardrobe, which is why you’re looking for the best places to buy used designer bags. Well, you found the motherlode.
Secondhand shopping is more popular than ever, and that includes the luxury market. Whether your goal is to save money, lighten your consumer footprint, or hunt down that limited edition 2004 baguette, buying used sartorial goods can be so satisfying. The best part is, for some of these hidden gems, you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your couch to discover a chic bag you might not otherwise find.
However, you may question how to mark the authenticity of these designer goods; you can use your best judgment—and the fact that some sellers are using AI technology—to make your final decision. But, in case your judgment isn’t quite on par, we asked experts in the field to share the best tips to find quality luxury bags on the secondhand market.
With that in mind, we went ahead and decoded everything you need to know to shop like a fashion editor. Take notes, and act fast—this is the resale market we’re discussing, which means the stock will be limited.
First things first, do your homework
“Researching is the key to making a successful secondhand purchase,” says Charles Gorra, CEO and founder of resale platform Rebag. “If you don’t have dozens of tabs open on your web browser, then it’s possible you haven’t done enough research.” He suggests checking blogs and forums for peer-to-peer reviews and cross-comparing resale sites to ensure prices are legit. Remember the age-old adage: If it seems too good to be true—i.e., the bag costs way below its resale market value—it probably is.
Buy from reputable sellers
The best types of sellers tend to have detailed descriptions of the bag with plenty of information, plus a variety of photos showcasing it from different angles. Gorra suggests looking for “sellers that are responsive and willing to give more information.” You’re looking for complete transparency from the seller because they should have nothing to hide. Sasha Skoda, head of The RealReal’s women’s department, agrees. “If you’re investing in a luxury handbag, you want to be positive you’re buying from a legitimate source that authenticates bags and has an authenticity guarantee,” she says. “Make sure you’re clear on the site or seller’s return policy, so you know what your options are if something is off.”
Know the value of your bag
“You will get back a substantial ROI for a luxury brand compared to an aspirational luxury brand,” says Gorra. Chanel’s flap bags and Hermès Birkins are classic handbag styles because their superior quality makes them outlast others. Skoda shares the same sentiment, noting, “Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, and Goyard are some of [The RealReal’s] most popular handbag designers—and that demand translates into strong resale value for consignors.”
When it comes to contemporary labels, you’re likely to get more bang for your buck. “If you’re hunting for a great deal, consider a style that speaks to you but is from a few seasons back (like the Loewe Puzzle Bag or The Row Hunting Bag) or bags from more emerging designers—we love Staud and Cult Gaia,” says Skoda.
The last option is going vintage. With brands like Dior dipping into the archives for inspiration and reissuing iconic shapes like the Saddle, “the participation of brands in ‘vintage revival’ has resulted in the popularization of the original vintage pieces, thus increasing their resale value within the market,” says Gorra. You’re still on-trend because what’s old is always new again but at a fraction of the cost.
Now that you’ve had a quick 101 lesson on shopping secondhand, use your newfound knowledge to shop the 14 reputable sites below.
The RealReal
Known for: In-house curation and authentication.
Price range: $20-$220,000
Based in San Francisco, this tech-first company is one of the most well-known resale sites. Browsing the plethora of consigned goods on The RealReal is all about spontaneous discovery, with offerings like handbags, clothing, and even housewares. Its brick-and-mortar locations are a playground of quirky styles, and the Soho store even has a secret Hermès vault filled to the ceiling with colorful Birkins.
What Comes Around Goes Around
Known for: High-fashion secondhand shopping experience.
Price range: Under $500-$10,000
WGACA is one of Los Angeles’ and New York City’s most beloved vintage stores. It makes sense, then, that it’s frequented by celebs like Beyoncé and the Kardashians, who love the tight edit of well-kept Chanels, Guccis, and Saint Laurents of designers past. It feels like shopping from someone’s (really good) personal closet in pristine condition. These high standards mean you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
Rebag
Known for: Multilayered evaluation criteria.
Price Range: $100-$3,000+
The idea behind Rebag is to refresh your wardrobe constantly. Here, you’ll find everything from hard-to-get Kelly bags to kooky Chanel accessories you only saw on the runway. It’s a veritable candy shop of designer goods, where every item is examined by an in-house team that inspects, vets, and approves all bags sold.
1stdibs
Known for: Connecting design lovers of all industries.
Price Range: $70-$5,000+
1stdibs, a mega destination for antique furniture, jewelry, art, and fashion, can feel a little daunting at first. Think of this online marketplace as the middleman between you and vetted shops and galleries around the world. Treat it as a one-stop destination for that Roly Poly chair you’ve been eyeing on Instagram, authentic vintage fashion in incredible condition, and designer bags at every price point.
StockX
Known for: A competitive hype market.
Price Range: Under $500-$10,000+
Recently expanding from its sneaker roots (also an active re-sale marketplace) to include bags in its stock market-like format, StockX is where the hypebaes shop. Once you find a bag you love, you can place a bid below the asking price and wait for the seller to approve. It’s similar to eBay’s “make an offer” option versus “buy it now.”
Vestiaire Collective
Known for: Authenticated pre-owned luxury goods, not vintage.
Price Range: $50-$5,000+
Vestiaire Collective is a community of over 3 million users both buying and selling pre-owned items. Once you add items to your cart, the product goes through rigorous authentication and quality control processes to ensure it’s exactly what you expected before it’s sent to you. If any issues occur or there are discrepancies about the product’s description, the company will help you and the seller haggle the price down, too.
Farfetch
Known for: New and pre-owned designer pieces.
Price Range: $30-$45,000+
Farfetch is one of the luxury e-commerce forces that brought pre-owned items back to the forefront of fashion. Ever since the global platform—which connects shoppers with independent boutiques around the world—rolled out its Second Life designer bag selling program in 2019, the site has become a destination to find some of the most iconic vintage bags out there. Whether you’re looking for pristine Hermès Kellys from the ’70s, iconic Chanel styles from the ’90s, or that limited-issue Dior bag you just couldn’t manage to get your hands on, you can find it at Farfetch.
Bag Borrow or Steal
Known for: A unique business model.
Price Range: Under $250-$1,000+
We all remember Bag Borrow or Steal’s iconic cameo in the Sex and the City movie back in 2008, and the service is still going strong over a decade later. While it still offers rentals (like the one Jennifer Hudson’s character took advantage of), you can also opt to buy a bag.
Ebay
Known for: A user-driven, organic marketplace.
Price Range: N/A
Thanks to a rigorous authentication program, you can now be assured that the luxury bag you finally tracked down on eBay is worthy of a bid. Any listing stamped with the marketplace’s “Authenticity Guarantee” undergoes a multi-point physical inspection by eBay’s team of authenticators and receives an NFC-enabled authentication card so you can learn more about your bag.
Fashionphile
Known for: High customer satisfaction.
Price Range: Under $200-$2,000+
Founded in 1999, Fashionphile originally started off selling high-end items on eBay before it became the luxury resale giant it is today. You can buy and sell on its sleek site simultaneously, meaning you can use your credit to fuel your continuing fashion addiction. If you happen to be in California, its three real-life stores are not to be missed; for city dwellers, there’s a newly opened 60,000-square-foot HQ in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. Fashionphile also partnered with Neiman Marcus, redefining the resale industry as an inclusive experience, dubbing the venture as a new strategy for “re-commerce.”
Vivrelle
Known for: A monthly subscription model in which you can rent to buy
Price Range: Varies widely
If you’re in that season of life during which you go to weddings every weekend, you might want to consider Vivrelle. The subscription-based service allows customers to rent designer bags as you would with Rent the Runway or Nuuly. Vivrelle has everything from Chanel backpacks to Fendi baguettes and classic Celine luggage totes. If you love an item so much that you simply have to keep it, you’ll score a discounted price due to its pre-loved status, plus any money you’ve spent on your subscription is credited towards the price. Wins all around!
Amazon
Known for: Buying groceries, household goods, and designer items from the same place
Price Range: $550-$32,000+
Yes, you really can buy secondhand designer bags on Amazon. What a time we live in. Thanks to the e-tailer’s luxury storefront, you can shop from a wide and ever-changing selection of pre-owned bags—and maybe even get Prime shipping, too.
Additional reporting by Ashley Achenbach and Madison Rexroat.
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