Buying new or pre-owned?

[themeanreds]

I am a preloved/vintage devotee and I think it just depends on your preference. I also enjoy hunting for things too, so there is that. If I think I can save some money and I know the item is real and in good condition, I like to save the money. I do that for all of my other shopping too, so why not my bags and luxury items? I have bought small things at the boutique and one day I probably will buy a bag, but not yet. I think with wallets, you may be better off buying new at the boutique or hunting one down at consignment that is either new or almost new but less than retail as wallets tend to get worn a lot quicker than bags in my opinion. Good luck!

 

[lv.uni.girl]

I could never purchase pre-owned goods. I don't want to worry about getting a fake, but mainly I couldn't deal with using someone else's old handbag as my own. Handbags are often filled with food, tissues, makeup, other stuff - these are things that when they are my own I want to be kept clean (in a clean handbag of my own haha) and when other people's I do not want to have contact with tbh. Odours, stains, hairs, etcetera will deter me - I don't smoke, drink, or have pets.

I buy what I like and if something is discontinued I don't really care enough to pursue it, there are so many others out there within easy reach.

Tbh wallets will get dirty no matter what because money is dirty and that's a fact, but wallets also go through a lot of wear and are worth buying in new quality - my cousin has had one beautiful wallet gifted to her (new) 15 years ago and still uses it.

 

[Dooneysta]

I buy preloaded when the condition is great for a price that is ‘a significant difference’ from retail. (I don’t have a hard and fast percentage, because the condition factor is so variable from piece to piece)
But in ‘general’, the closer a piece is to ‘new’ or the higher demand it is, the closer to retail it is, and for those kind of pieces I just go retail. Neverfull, for example. Ones that aren’t chewed on by some dog and need $500 worth of vachetta are not THAT much cheaper than brand new. I see a ton where people want, like, $50 less than LV charges. Pffft.
If you go this route have it authenticated first, since you haven’t had any wallet experience up close.
I suspect that if you find a real one in excellent condition, the price differential will be small enough that I would forgo the preloved, unless perhaps you are purposely seeking an older style.

Preloved in ‘worse’ condition that’s still serviceable but cheap might be good if you just want to see if LV is even for you. (I went that route originally not sure if I was going to feel stupid carrying monogram or if my coworkers were going to steal it or if I’d get too much grief from people, etc).

I hope you find a good piece and enjoy it!

 

[OBXGirl]

Thanks everyone! I'm in no rush and may just wait until I can get to a store to see some in person. I tend to use wallets for a long time, so buying new for something that I will have for years is probably worth it vs the discount of pre-owned.

 

[gburgnicole]

I've done both. I prefer buying new, but I'm primarily a SAHM now and work very part-time, so I'm doing the pre-owned route at the present. Yoogis and Fashionphile seem to be really good, although I also bought something on Tradesy that I had authenticated. I bought a batignolles vertical as my first pre-loved bag because it was discontinued. I bought this one fairly well-used, so I got a really good price. I was looking for a bag that I didn't have to "baby" since I just had my son and wanted something that I could use without worrying about him getting it dirty or it being out in the rain. I was also able to clean it up a bit with Apple leather cleaner and baby wipes.
Otherwise, I've bought two other pre-loved bags that were very gently used but cheaper enough than paying for a brand new bag (plus tax) that it was worth it.

 

[rocketbean]

I only buy new because the super fakes are so damn good nowadays. Search the forum for stories of people buying from authenticated sources only for it to be fake. Peace of mind. Plus for seasonals the resale market gauges you. Even for hard to find permanent collection items I often see resales priced more than retail.

 

[Ladan Mrss]

I like to purchase bags and SLGs all preloved.
The idea that I can give life to a beautiful piece of art that was abandoned by its owner, makes me feel superwoman. I like the idea of adoption, for me this is a miniature example of being generous with the love I can spread throughout the universe; it helps with recycling and expanding the life cycle of an item too.
On the other hand, my journey with luxury goods has proven that I am not 100% certain with my purchases and might change my mind or find out that it does not suit my lifestyle, no matter how much I fancied it at first. (LV Speedy was the love of my life, turned out it just does not work for me)
Buying preloved allows me to save big time, and I really mean big time. I am very open minded regarding "Preowned" and know that if I want to save, I need to settle down for an item that is not absolutely brand new. I do not care for the shopping experience - I had worked in a high-end department store while I was a student - so I know I am not missing out.
That being said, I have finally found my holy grail bag - Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM - I can totally see myself using it every single day for the rest of my life, and I have been doing just that since I got the bag. I purchased in preloved (was so hesitant about it) and it was just perfect.
So I can say that if this bag dies on me (IF), I will purchase it brand new as I know that I am going to use it forever, and it is the only one.

 

[thebagqueen]

I only buy new because the super fakes are so damn good nowadays. Search the forum for stories of people buying from authenticated sources only for it to be fake. Peace of mind. Plus for seasonals the resale market gauges you. Even for hard to find permanent collection items I often see resales priced more than retail.

+1

 

[LaDolceLaria]

One of my best purchases this year was a preloved Josephine wallet (Epi piment with fuschia interior). It was offered on Yoogi's Closet as 'like new' and it really is! Probably because it is not the most popular style or material...but it is perfect for me. I have two preloved handbags and one purchased in the store. I do like to buy certain items new (like the cosmetic pouch and key ring holder). Good luck!

 

[mrceral]

I only buy new because the super fakes are so damn good nowadays. Search the forum for stories of people buying from authenticated sources only for it to be fake. Peace of mind. Plus for seasonals the resale market gauges you. Even for hard to find permanent collection items I often see resales priced more than retail.

I have a friend who buys a lot of "superfakes," mostly LV but some Hermes and Chanel. TBH, the LV fakes are the worst and are easily distinguishable in hand. Chanel and Hermes... those are a whole different story. He paid almost $2k for a Birkin/Firkin and a mutual friend who has TONS of Hermes can't tell it's a fake. I'd be hesitant to buy those brands online, but with LV, even though they may look the same through pics, they don't in person.

 

[ultravisitor]

How did you decide whether to buy new or pre-owned?

I have never considered used Louis Vuitton because

1. I am not going to end up with a fake.
2. If I'm spending however much a luxury good costs, I want the full experience in the store.
3. If I'm buying for any special reason, I'm not going with something used.
4. Even if the item is going to be used a lot, who cares? That's the point. These items are actually meant to be used. That is why they are made. I'm not going to spend a lot of money on something and then be too scared to use it the way it's supposed to be used.

 

[Sugartats]

I do consider used Louis Vuitton because

1. I research seller and buy what I am confident is genuine. If I have the slightest doubt I don't buy.
2. I don't understand the 'in store experience', though I've always had a nice SA when buying new. I want the item, that's all.
3. Why pay over £725 for the Favorite, when I got it as new with stickers and all packaging for £595.
4. I never feel a bag should be babied, new or second hand. They feel the same to me - just something to carry my crap in. [/QUOTE]

I have bought an Alma PM, Marylbone, Favourite MM and Pochette A second hand and saved over £1000, all immaculate. I couldn't deal with the used look at all, though they get thrown about when I get them.

OP - thanks for using the term pre-owned. I despise pre-loved!

 

[Cattyyellow]

I buy both. It really depends on the time. I find that I tire of some bags very quickly and I try to limit my collection in numbers so if the resale isn’t great I try to find preloved in excellent condition. An example would be my Epi Alma B.B. I got it from Fashionphile in almost new condition for $800 off retail. But I am pretty fussy about preloved. If I’ll only save $100-$400 I just buy new if possible.

Other items I buy new if I’m sure it will be in my collection for a while. My Croisette was purchased new because I knew for a fact it would be with me for a long time.

I also buy all my SLGs new because I don’t find it “worth it” to buy them preloved for the most part. An exception would be a discontinued item.

I guess that’s a pretty long winded way of saying it really depends on the person and how you use bags. Are you someone who tires of them quickly? Or are you someone who gets a bag and it stays with you forever?

 

[gburgnicole]

I do consider used Louis Vuitton because

1. I research seller and buy what I am confident is genuine. If I have the slightest doubt I don't buy.
2. I don't understand the 'in store experience', though I've always had a nice SA when buying new. I want the item, that's all.
3. Why pay over £725 for the Favorite, when I got it as new with stickers and all packaging for £595.
4. I never feel a bag should be babied, new or second hand. They feel the same to me - just something to carry my crap in.

I bought my last car used for these reasons. I used to buy new, but my husband convinced me otherwise. I was able to buy a one year old car with only 5,000 miles for much less than the price of the same one new. It was so gently used that no one I showed it to even thought it was used. This is exactly why I am willing to hunt for months to get a good deal on a used LV.

 

[kbell]

I say buy new unless it’s an item you love but is no longer available new. I’m always on the lookout for my favorite wallet (French purse) in certain vernis colors.