M
MsSandy
I have absolutely loved reading some of the posts on this forum. The amount of knowledge and love for bags is truly amazing, and I feel there are some kindred soles out there!
I wanted to see if any of you ladies have some advice for me, in selling some Hermes bags. My best friend (one a "once" celebrity) and I have been playing around with the idea of getting together to start our own online high end designer consignment business. We are each "single again" and going through major changes. Her closet is bigger than some people's bedrooms, and when looking through my to find something to wear one night a while back (so I didn't have to go home first) I realized she was as bad as I am - with so many things that half never get worn and literally hang on the rack going to waste for years! Some clothes I have still are unworn with tags on them from at least 2 years ago. Same with bags, shoes, and other accessories. Now I am in a position where I am going to move to a much smaller space, downsizing in order to stay INDEPENDENT! I have been putting off going through my closet, since although I have my "favorites" the other things I think are so lovely...otherwise, I suppose I wouldn't have just NEEDED to buy them! Another friend actually pointed out that the things I have really should be considered "assets" and since I have to downsize anyway, we could do pretty well selling many of these things - to people who hopefully will appreciate them, and get them out on the town! My best friend agreed to go through her closet as well, consigning many of her own things. I think she wants to do this more to be supportive, and show me that I am not making as big of a sacrifice as I may think, but regardless of the reason, I am considering it, rather than just taking a truckload to an established high end consignment store in town and only getting a percentage of the sale. I do have quite a few friends that already take their things to some of these shops, so I know I could get them to bring then to me instead. As the business grows, I know enough about authentic products to be sure anything I consign is real, although I intend to send pics in of each Hermes (and other high end items that would benefit from being authenticated) I list to this forum to be authenticated that I didn't personally buy myself. So, one problem solved - I should have enough merchandise to not only get started, but keep this going. Now, I have to figure out the other parts of the equation - where to list them to find buyers?
Between the 2 of us, we have a handbag collection that would make most women drool, and honestly, I think these are the most expensive things we will be selling, which is why I wanted to post the question in this forum, figuring I should use the highest end product to determine the best way to do this. I had thought about opening an ebay store, but am concerned because of what I read about warnings to buy from those on ebay, and wanting to be sure to keep a very good reputation, so don't want to start off being tainted by others that have sold cheap knock offs. Perhaps I am over reacting a bit to what message selling on ebay may send. Hoping some of you can either back me up or set me straight.
I know ebay is very user friendly though, but also know starting a store will take some time just to develop good feedback. Thinking that if that is the best route after all, it may be better to sell some of the clothes and more worn items for less just to get the store established. I read many times on this forum warnings NOT to buy from an ebay seller without very good feedback. I am not super web savy though, and know that opening my own website will take a LOT of effort, both in designing, promoting and managing a store. It seems a bit overwhelming to me!
I do know, from reading many posts, that I MUST take very good pictures to post, and think I am clear on all of the important shots that any wise shopper should look for. That in itself has been great advice, and I hope will help me successfully sell these bags.
So...I figured if any of you have any advice, as to the best online sites/outlets to sell these things, especially considering there will be a good number of bags, including some fabulous Hermes that have been carried once or twice, please chime in!
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to provide!
I wanted to see if any of you ladies have some advice for me, in selling some Hermes bags. My best friend (one a "once" celebrity) and I have been playing around with the idea of getting together to start our own online high end designer consignment business. We are each "single again" and going through major changes. Her closet is bigger than some people's bedrooms, and when looking through my to find something to wear one night a while back (so I didn't have to go home first) I realized she was as bad as I am - with so many things that half never get worn and literally hang on the rack going to waste for years! Some clothes I have still are unworn with tags on them from at least 2 years ago. Same with bags, shoes, and other accessories. Now I am in a position where I am going to move to a much smaller space, downsizing in order to stay INDEPENDENT! I have been putting off going through my closet, since although I have my "favorites" the other things I think are so lovely...otherwise, I suppose I wouldn't have just NEEDED to buy them! Another friend actually pointed out that the things I have really should be considered "assets" and since I have to downsize anyway, we could do pretty well selling many of these things - to people who hopefully will appreciate them, and get them out on the town! My best friend agreed to go through her closet as well, consigning many of her own things. I think she wants to do this more to be supportive, and show me that I am not making as big of a sacrifice as I may think, but regardless of the reason, I am considering it, rather than just taking a truckload to an established high end consignment store in town and only getting a percentage of the sale. I do have quite a few friends that already take their things to some of these shops, so I know I could get them to bring then to me instead. As the business grows, I know enough about authentic products to be sure anything I consign is real, although I intend to send pics in of each Hermes (and other high end items that would benefit from being authenticated) I list to this forum to be authenticated that I didn't personally buy myself. So, one problem solved - I should have enough merchandise to not only get started, but keep this going. Now, I have to figure out the other parts of the equation - where to list them to find buyers?
Between the 2 of us, we have a handbag collection that would make most women drool, and honestly, I think these are the most expensive things we will be selling, which is why I wanted to post the question in this forum, figuring I should use the highest end product to determine the best way to do this. I had thought about opening an ebay store, but am concerned because of what I read about warnings to buy from those on ebay, and wanting to be sure to keep a very good reputation, so don't want to start off being tainted by others that have sold cheap knock offs. Perhaps I am over reacting a bit to what message selling on ebay may send. Hoping some of you can either back me up or set me straight.
I know ebay is very user friendly though, but also know starting a store will take some time just to develop good feedback. Thinking that if that is the best route after all, it may be better to sell some of the clothes and more worn items for less just to get the store established. I read many times on this forum warnings NOT to buy from an ebay seller without very good feedback. I am not super web savy though, and know that opening my own website will take a LOT of effort, both in designing, promoting and managing a store. It seems a bit overwhelming to me!
I do know, from reading many posts, that I MUST take very good pictures to post, and think I am clear on all of the important shots that any wise shopper should look for. That in itself has been great advice, and I hope will help me successfully sell these bags.
So...I figured if any of you have any advice, as to the best online sites/outlets to sell these things, especially considering there will be a good number of bags, including some fabulous Hermes that have been carried once or twice, please chime in!
Thank you in advance for any advice you may be able to provide!
