Re-Selling a Designer Bag

boab88 on 27/08/2013 - 13:04

Hello OzBargains!

My partner went a bit crazy and spent 1.7k of savings on a Mulberry bag. After my heart attack she has came to her senses and we are now trying to sell the bag to re-coup some of the money wasted on it.

We've got a receipt but it was bought well over a month ago and store credit is going to be useless as all we could buy is more designer bags.

I know we're going to lose the majority of the value but can anyone in the know recommend the best way to on-sell this? I thought eBay would take a big chunk in fee's so maybe gumtree?

Tips and how much I could hope to recoup would be appreciated

General Discussion

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 27/08/2013 - 13:28
    +3

    Depending on the terms of the credit, perhaps you could sell the store credit more easily?

  • ilostnemo on 27/08/2013 - 13:32
    +1

    You mean ex partner.

    Sheesh, I would first try the shop and see what they will buy it back for.

    You may have better luck getting store credit and selling the store credit. That way the buyer will have choices.

    Good Luck with it, I would also be having a little chat on the lines of "both agreeing on large purchases"

    My missus would kill me if I did that, so I just give her things I want for Christmas/birthdays.

  • bbqwer on 27/08/2013 - 13:44

    you got any picture ? post it up, may be others ozbargainers could be interested.

    If its a LV , Gucci , chanel or dior Its more easy to resell it. for sure, you will lose money.

    • cloudy on 29/08/2013 - 16:48

      my friend used to sell heaps of her old design bags and MAKE money from it. A lot of her bags she tells me are investments, and i laugh, untill she actually sells it on ebay and makes cash. Minus ebay fees and stuff its almost no profit, but she still got to use her bag and not lose mulla.

  • cannedhams on 27/08/2013 - 13:51
    +1

    The thing about selling designer bags on eBay or Gumtree is that THEY ARE ALL FAKE. The receipts that people post to "prove" that they are real ARE ALL FAKE. So you have to go the extra distance to prove to people that they are not fake.

    When I sold an Ergo baby carrier (most of the Ebay listings for these are fakes) I posted the receipt and offered to hand it over at the baby store where I purchased it so that the sales assistant could vouch for the fact that I had bought it there. I would bear something like that in mind.

  • c64 on 27/08/2013 - 14:01
    +12

    for $1.7k you could hire a human being to hold your possessions and to follow you around all night

    • erroorfree on 28/08/2013 - 19:09
      -7

      in a world where approx 52.2% population lives below $1.25 a day, $1700 could have helped a family live for atleast 2 years!
      I mean how can someone be so selfish and disconnected to the world and buy a bag worth $1700? your partner should be doing some soul searching, self analysis and rethink priorities in life

      • mily on 28/08/2013 - 19:15
        +3

        Well, think it in another way, if OP's wife didn't buy the bag, someone working in the factory may loss one month worth of work and put her family in a poorer situation.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2013 - 10:57

        I think she already did. ;-p

        Besides… Everyone is selfish - just to varying degrees.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2013 - 14:49
    +1

    Definitely store credit. Rather have 100% back in credit that you have months to on-sell for say, 75%, than attempt to sell a $1700 bag on ebay and only get 30% back because it's "secondhand", then the ebay fees - then the paypal fees - and then find the buyer claims they never received it and reverses the paypal payment anyway.

    That's assuming anyone trusts your ebay history enough to buy in the first place. e.g. If it's a completely different item to what you usually sell… much higher value than usual items… or you never sell much… They're all doubts that keep higher bidders away.

    Consider there's so many criminals on there that no-one knows who to trust anymore. I nearly reversed a payment on a genuine seller the other day, just because he was in China and I found a message in an ebay forum warning about a site con artists use to provide fake tracking info. My seller had quoted that site to me. I had 6 days remaining to take action through ebay, so I decided I'd wait one more day - and the item arrived that afternoon.

    If she bought something like that, maybe she has friends that shop there? Foist the gift certificate off on them for a reduced price.

    Or you could look up popular but less risky/lower priced items. List them for sale - somewhere - and erode the store credit slowly by posting a picture online, buying it only AFTER they've sold and then mail them out.

    Depends how creative (and motivated) you are. ;-p

    BTW. You can check (recent) ebay history to see what things sold for. Not much use nowdays though as it only goes back 30 days I think. It used to go back months.

    • _Bruce_ on 27/08/2013 - 16:26

      BTW. You can check (recent) ebay history to see what things sold for. Not much use nowdays though as it only goes back 30 days I think. It used to go back months.

      Isn't that only if you aren't signed in? Not sure I haven't used Ebay in so long.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2013 - 16:29

        If there's ever a time you can't do something on ebay, it's because you're NOT signed in. Unless that was a typo and that's what you meant? If so, they can't tell what you're looking at in their history.

  • tsunamisurfer on 27/08/2013 - 15:58

    This is an interesting read.

    My partner has real Burberry, LV and Gucci, all with proof of pruchase.

    I was hoping we could find some tips on selling on Gumtree or Fleabay.

    As…if I put myself in the position of a buyer, I sure as hell would NOT spend $1k on a $2k bag even if you have some nice embossed Gucci paper.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2013 - 16:26

    Hey, I guess you could always set a reserve. If you have lots of good feedback, and avoid silly mistakes with "youre engwish", you'll appear trustworthy enough. Oh - and I would definitely list personal pickup as being welcome. It's one method I use if I suspect a seller isn't genuine. They may actually BE genuine, but if my alarm bells are already ringing and then they won't allow pickup, or are not interested in cash…

    Also, I'm not even sure if you can still do this or not, but I remember in the ebay forum ages ago, something about cautious buyers requesting the seller's contact details at the end of the auction. If they don't match the bank details (I think it was), or the name on their other preferred payment methods… For example, first they might "Greg Johnson" in emails to you - then want payment sent to their girlfriend "Sukin Wonton" - they refuse to pay. Note that this was a long time ago. So I don't know if you can still access a seller's name, address & phone number.

  • voteoften on 27/08/2013 - 18:19

    store credit.

  • Gotchacha on 27/08/2013 - 18:52
    +1

    Store credit for sure. I spend a lot on handbags (my husband will never understand) and I'll never buy one from ebay or Gumtree because the chance of getting a fake is far too high. Unless you know someone who's looking to buy a Mulberry bag I think you're better off trying to sell store credit. Just make sure the store will let you on-sell it.

  • exc3113nce on 27/08/2013 - 19:57
    +2

    I think the Vogue forums will help you out. Or forums in regards to the specific brand.

    • stig on 28/08/2013 - 14:13

      I agree that they could be very helpful - http://forums.vogue.com.au/

      There is also a Facebook page where some Vogue forum members sell and buys things off each other (including designer goodies.) It is a closed group, you'd need to apply to join the group (just a click of a button) and await confirmation, which from memory only took a few hours for me. Obviously you'd want to be careful when selling/buying, as it's a similar concept to Gumtree. https://www.facebook.com/groups/165952736776549/

  • boab88 on 27/08/2013 - 20:35

    Thanks All,

    Is it just a matter of walking in and explaining she regrets the purchase and asking for store credit? Or do we need a better reason than that? I kind of thought they'd just say too bad but if that's an option I will definitely pursue it.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2013 - 21:35
      +6

      Hm… Seems we all wrongly assumed you'd already been given that as an option by the store.

      Hopefully it's still unused/wrapped etc…

      First, if it's a chain store, I'd phone another branch, say someone offered to sell you a store credit at a discount and you want to be certain it's transferable. Hopefully because they think you'll be coming to spend it there, they'll be forthcoming.

      Second, I'd go to the real store. Say you (she) bought it for a wedding or some event a month in advance, but the recipient received two - and the other folks didn't keep a receipt. So were hoping you could return, get a store credit, and buy something else for her. (Again, more likely to be receptive if they think you'll spend again there and the bag is still mint.)

      One problem I can see with this is, they not give a store credit, but may say, "Pick something now." Or, "Come in with her and we'll do it all the same day." So don't mention timeframes. Say she's on a surprise honeymoon overseas no-one knows about yet and you're not sure when she'll be back, etc. and you're not comfortable holding onto the bag in the meantime.

      Just some suggestions. They could be really snarky about taking it back after a month though. Which is kind of why I suggested before swapping for smaller items. We just don't know what if anything they'll do for you/her.

      • mily on 27/08/2013 - 22:42
        +2

        What a professional!

  • voteoften on 27/08/2013 - 22:39

    Keep us updated, for sure.

  • hj0809 on 28/08/2013 - 01:52
    +1

    Try to get an exchange or store credit. The biggest problem with most designer brands is that once the season's over, unless the item is a limited design or popular model, you can expect the price to drop significantly (either sales from official retailers or places like Reebonz). AFAIK only LV/Hermes don't do sales hence they tend to retain their value.

    You can try eBay, but make sure to always check the buyers. You may also want to get an independent third party verification prior to ship in case the buyer decides to pull a fast one and claim it as a fake.

    Edit: You would probably expect to get about 50-60% of the retail price if off eBay regardless of whether it's new or not.

  • LMN on 28/08/2013 - 12:26

    Why don't you try to sell the bag on consignment. There is one in Darlinghurst called Blue Spinach. Check out their website: http://www.bluespinach.com.au/about/

  • ilostnemo on 28/08/2013 - 13:36
    +9

    Not that I would do it, or my missus would ever do it, but have you considered this.

    She wanted the bag, she bought the bag.

    There is a saying "Happy Wife, Happy Life"

    If you don't get store credit, reality is you are going to lose a hefty chunk of that $1700.00.

    If it's her savings, then she can do what she wants with her money.

    Also I would go out and buy a motorcycle if I was you.

    • _Bruce_ on 28/08/2013 - 13:38
      +4

      This ends badly with life goals not being met and future unhappiness.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/08/2013 - 10:13
        +5

        Got to agree here. When people get married they join a partnership for life (or are supposed to). Not many businesses partnerships would survive long if the partners each purchased things for the business without consulting the other.

    • esq on 30/08/2013 - 11:45

      +1 for motorcyle.

  • m0nkeycheese on 29/08/2013 - 07:30
    -1

    Id let her have it but take her credit cards off her and explain that she cant buy any clothes accessories or personal items for 6 months. Yeah sounds like a childish move but its the only way sometimes to give them a lesson. Plus they get to keep it to. Imagine all the money you could save from 6 months of no buying things, probably equal more than 1.7k!

    P.s yes im married too

    • _Bruce_ on 29/08/2013 - 09:49

      Becuase the man of course has control over the finances and the woman should be happy for what she gets? I am sure your wife understands she is lucky to get money to buy food!

      The ONLY way that this could ever work in an equal (or even vaguely less bigoted) relationship is if one member of the relationship requests for these restrictions to help with self control.

      • m0nkeycheese on 31/08/2013 - 17:49
        -1

        I expected such a comment. Sometimes you need to step up and realise its your responsibly as the head of the household to make sure everyone is fed and has a roof over their head. If being 'bigoted' is a small price to pay the so be it! Obviously you replace all those material 'wants' with quality time, and im sure you know which she would rather and in the long run.

  • mooboy on 29/08/2013 - 11:02
    +2

    Maybe you could sell it to altomic to go with his new red shoes?
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/114623

  • slow on 29/08/2013 - 11:55

    I think crying helps in situations like this. If she really wants to return it get her to go the shop on her own and beg and be really upset and say she bought it without her husbands knowledge he is really upset and making her life hell etc etc etc …

    • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2013 - 03:20

      I was thinking that same thing, but for when they say no. But then I thought, they probably deal with Paris Hilton types everyday that do that because the bag no longer matches their nail polish (because they changed it) - so maybe not after all, LOL.

  • sm10 on 29/08/2013 - 12:01

    Try http://forum.purseblog.com/ there may be a forum on easiest way to re-sell, not sure if they have any threads to be able to sell on the forum though, dont think that's allowed, maybe have a read of the rules then have a look at the Mulberry section. Can always post a question asking what they would do in your situation

  • cdeep0 on 29/08/2013 - 16:41

    I would Never EVER sell this bag..reason-being this will give an opportunity to my partner to keep buying expensive bags and then selling it at an acceptable loss. Secondly - I doubt that majority of girls would stop buying expensive bags ( girls, bags and shoes - go together).

    Most importantly this is my opportunity for the rest of my life to have a conversation about money management - hope in less than 2k you have saved thousands going forward.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2013 - 03:25

      As opposed to buying them continuously to, oh - keep?

  • kobrien456 on 03/09/2013 - 09:15

    If she really wants it she should have it. Everyone has things which to them are worth spending money on. While I wouldn't have spent it on a handbag; sometimes a very occasional blowout can help you stay on track with a very long term savings plan. Works out to be $6.50 per working day for 12 months. So if she was buying her lunch maybe she could bring a sandwich or give up a flat white.

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