Buying new or pre-owned?

[Mirai]

I bought my first pre-owned bag years ago, a beautiful Gucci canvas bag that had the GG logo in pink. I carried that bag EVERYWHERE, it made me feel so fancy. Then it got waterlogged because I was careless with it and left it by a cooler at a party on the ground. I since tried to clean it, that made it a little better but the canvas will never be the same again. So it sat in the closet for YEARS, untouched. I forgot about lux for a long time and carried the typical Coach and Michael Kors which I always purchased brand new. This year, I quit smoking cigarettes and thought I deserved something nice for that, so I begin looking into LV because their canvas bags are a different material and hold up better than the Gucci canvas. I am not wealthy by any means, but I’ve always appreciated the finer things for their durability and craftsmanship. I found out about online authentication and began my pre-owned search for the perfect bag. I started small, with a Pochette from 1998. I now think I overspent on that one, because I was so scared of buying a fake, I went for a higher price tag. I paid $360 for the Pochette. Since then, I have learned quite a bit. I ALWAYS ask for more photos, specifically of heat stamp, date code, hardware. I typically search for items under $250. Don’t be afraid to be extra with the questions. If the seller seems annoyed when you ask for more photos or specific questions, DON’T BUY IT. Chances are they are aware they are selling a fake or they are just honestly not sure if it is real or not. You have to sift through a LOT of fakes and very damaged pieces to find a good deal, but I have had success with the Mercari app. I purchased an authentic old model Petit Noe from 1996 for $210. The seller even included the old broken drawstring, and the box and receipt for the replacement drawstring that she purchased from Saks. She stated the bag was in poor, poor condition. I got the bag, and maybe her idea of poor condition is different than mine, but I think the bag still has YEARS of life left in her. I will eventually have the top lining of the Vachetta trim replaced through LV, but it is still functional and durable enough for me. My next purchase was for a 1989 Speedy 25. I also paid only $210 for that bag as well. So I have 3 authentic pre-loved bags in my collection, and they cost me less than one brand new bag. Yes, they are old, but they have character. They were built to last, so I’m bringing it new life. As for other people’s germs, I thoroughly cleaned my bags as best as I could and I just purchased a felt organizer to go in each bag so my items aren’t swimming around in whatever was in there over the years. It really doesn’t bother me too much. I also know that if I bought brand new that I would be fearful and beat myself up over the tiniest stain or watermark, which is bound to happen, especially as clumsy and careless as I am. So I’m all for pre-owned at a steal. Just be cautious, ask questions and if you have the slightest inkling that it’s fake...don’t make the purchase. All in all, it’s a personal decision. Some people get a rush from saving and knowing you worked hard to buy a brand new item, and that is totally fine! Some people just do not want anything used, and I understand a purse is certainly a very personal item. I just know that I am careless, I love a good thrifted item, and money goes to other more important things in my household. This is why I buy pre-loved. Sorry for the book!

Very good stories!

 

[boyoverboard]

This thread is interesting. I wonder how many people who previously said they prefer to buy new will have changed their minds by now, due to rising prices, inferior quality of materials, lack of availability etc. Most of my collection was bought new from LV, but I have also had some amazing pre-loved finds. I am definitely more likely to buy pre-loved, especially older/vintage, LV now.

 

[BleuSaphir]

This thread is interesting. I wonder how many people who previously said they prefer to buy new will have changed their minds by now, due to rising prices, inferior quality of materials, lack of availability etc. Most of my collection was bought new from LV, but I have also had some amazing pre-loved finds. I am definitely more likely to buy pre-loved, especially older/vintage, LV now.

Buying pre loved is tempting with the SC bags. I’m contemplating to get one in the orange leather on fashionphile!

 

[Loriad]

This thread is interesting. I wonder how many people who previously said they prefer to buy new will have changed their minds by now, due to rising prices, inferior quality of materials, lack of availability etc. Most of my collection was bought new from LV, but I have also had some amazing pre-loved finds. I am definitely more likely to buy pre-loved, especially older/vintage, LV now.

Me!!! I have some great pieces I bought new, but I definitely prefer the quality of the vintage pieces.

 

[Sail4Seas]

I'm thinking for buying from a Neverfull from Fashionphile. The cost would be 50% off but the condition is probably 50% too!

I have had a love/hate relationship with LV. I have bought several NEW bags and always ended up selling them because I regretted the purchase price. I can't believe the prices of Neverfull now.

I am calling Fashionphile today to ask about two of their bags to see if there are any odors because they have not been clear on that but I plan on thoroughly cleaning the bag inside and out.

I really want it for a travel/bum around kinda bag so I think preowned will be fine.

 

[Llesuer]

I'm thinking for buying from a Neverfull from Fashionphile. The cost would be 50% off but the condition is probably 50% too!

I have had a love/hate relationship with LV. I have bought several NEW bags and always ended up selling them because I regretted the purchase price. I can't believe the prices of Neverfull now.

I am calling Fashionphile today to ask about two of their bags to see if there are any odors because they have not been clear on that but I plan on thoroughly cleaning the bag inside and out.

I really want it for a travel/bum around kinda bag so I think preowned will be fine.
[/QUOTEthats what I was thinking! I usually use my NF for travel but want the GM but only will
Use for travel. Figured if o save a few hundred dollars abs also don’t stress about water bottles, planes and trains through Europe!

 

[THE_Lena]

I posted my answer on a different but similar thread.

I prefer to buy direct from LV. But there are some pieces that I really wanted that are discontinued. So I had to buy pre-loved. I bought the Eva clutch in DE, the Pochette Métis in Rose Poudre and a Speedy B 40 in DE. All in really good condition.

 

[LeahLVoes]

I love buying pre loved. Actually just recently I rebought a speedy 40 (had one, was stollen in a burglary) it was a great price also the date code matched my birthday which I thought was fun. And now its at LV for full leather replacement. In the end the price will be a little under retail. Personally I prefer older styles which are often times discontinued. Also LV does a great job on bringing old pieces back to life, so that makes the piece not only like new its also very sustainable.

 

[girl_chill]

I usually buy new for ‘utility’, the ones I use everyday and want to really make it my own, with my imprint on it. However, there are pieces that I missed out on years ago that I would purchase now and really just for the pleasure of the hunt and collecting. I prefer LVs from the early 2000s and the Marc Jacobs era.

 

[ariasaft]

LV I've always bought new. But that is because the bags I wanted were somewhat popular and the preloved price was too close to retail. I'm also living in a country with almost 0 preloved stores and very high taxes when buying from outside Europe, where I've usually seen better prices. But with other brands, (Gucci, Saint Laurent, Dior, Prada) I prefer preloved. I got great deals and bags that were never worn or in excellent condition. I've only bought from Vestiaire (I know, I've been lucky I guess). I don't have a huge collection but I have enough purchased brand new in order to compare and be able to tell if the item is authentic or not.