I think it may be different if the pre-loved bag is on sale at the store... my pre-loved bags are or have been either sold out/hard to find items or, mostly, vintage. And what I value about those vintage finds are the things you can’t find anymore in terms of leathers, details, or the style itself. Because of that they tend to feel more unique and special. When I buy current models I would buy them new, rather than risking a fault or a fake to save...
Do you value your pre-loved bags as much as your purchased-new ones?
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Thanks for all your responses! Maybe I've gotten over the initial "off-putting" feeling of buying pre-loved, because I've ordered a pre-loved LV style that has been out of production for years. I really, really wanted it and preowned was the only way to get it. We'll see how I feel when it gets here but I'm super excited and I think I'm gonna love it!
I probably have a 90% new / 10% pre-loved split amongst my puchases. What diminishes my love for a bag is its condition, not whether I purchased new or pre-loved. If I receive a MINT pre-loved item, I an just over the moon!!! At the same time, I have purchased brand new items straight from the brand that are slightly "off", I tend to be put off from that brand overall.
There’s something very quaint about a preloved item - though I wish I knew more about how the previous owner used the bag... but store fresh is great for the new history you’ll impart on your purchased item!
I prefer buying new; as others have said, I prefer the wear to be mine. I feel the same way about cars. I know they depreciate as soon as I take them off the lot, but that's ok. We usually will drive a car 10-12 years, so I figure that I get my money's worth anyway. I feel the same way about bags. I buy them to keep. If I make a buying mistake, I'll give it to one of my daughters or donate it.
I don't think there's anything wrong with a pre-owned bag, I just don't have the inclination or really the knowledge to confirm that it's authentic, that I'm getting a good deal, etc. I'd rather just pay a bit more and get it new. Now, if I found one in mint condition at a steal and knew without a doubt that it was authentic, I would probably go for it. But it would almost have to come to me; I'm not someone who enjoys pouring over websites to find just the one. Once I know what I want and that I'm prepared to pay for it, I just want to pull the trigger.
For those who buy pre-loved, carry it for a bit, sell it and move on to the next bag, I think going used makes a lot of sense. As someone else noted, it's essentially renting the bag. Not my thing, but it makes perfect sense. I'd do that too if I had the time and wanted to flip bags frequently.
I don't think there's anything wrong with a pre-owned bag, I just don't have the inclination or really the knowledge to confirm that it's authentic, that I'm getting a good deal, etc. I'd rather just pay a bit more and get it new. Now, if I found one in mint condition at a steal and knew without a doubt that it was authentic, I would probably go for it. But it would almost have to come to me; I'm not someone who enjoys pouring over websites to find just the one. Once I know what I want and that I'm prepared to pay for it, I just want to pull the trigger.
For those who buy pre-loved, carry it for a bit, sell it and move on to the next bag, I think going used makes a lot of sense. As someone else noted, it's essentially renting the bag. Not my thing, but it makes perfect sense. I'd do that too if I had the time and wanted to flip bags frequently.
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I love my pre loved bags. Especially balenciaga ones. The leathers are so soft and broken in. Some are faded and I think that makes them even more special. The new Balenciagas just look so boring to me. I no longer buy new Bals, but I've recently dabbled in Coach and all of those have been new. So I guess it just depends but I don't love them any less or more if I bought them new or used!
As someone who buys mainly pre-loved/vintage (from charity shops, not websites), there's a major quality issue. If buying new, I could only afford mid-range/high street brands, and the quality just isn't there - bonded leather, straps cracking, inferior lining etc (I'm thinking UK brands like Modalu, Osprey etc). Whereas I have vintage bags which were originally at the same price point, but far better made, and with much better leather. And, of course, there's the fun of the hunt ...
I agree with this 100%. My 5-10 year old bags look new and last forever..just can't get into the new bags, too expensive, lacking quality, and boring design .
Update: I have decided to re-sell the bag. I'm not sure if it's the bag I'm not too fond of or the fact that I got it pre-owned. The LV pochette florentine I got pre-owned I actually love, but there was no wear on it at all. Also since it is out of production I really had no choice but to get it pre-owned. I think in the future, I will only buy pre-owned if I cannot get it new, or if the item is in new or like new condition.
It’s good to know yourself and what makes you feel comfortable.
It depends on the bag, the condition and the price. So many variables. Having said that, I do prefer my pre-loved Birkins to my brand new Celines/Chloes, etc. I have bought 2 pre-loved Chanel bags that I wear as much as the ones I bought in the store brand new. I also only buy if the pre-loved bag is in excellent condition. I kinda like knowing that soem of my bags have been loved by other people as much as by me, and that they have a bit of history.
I can honestly say yes, I value them equally. My two favourite bags that I have are my Speedy B 30 in DE, which I purchased new from the store, and my Balenziaga Giant 12 City, which I got preloved. Both are bags that I find beautiful and functional, and both are always fun for me to use. Getting the LV new was fun at the boutique. I love knowing that I'm the only person to have ever used it, and I've been able to keep it looking pristine. My preloved City is a bag I spent ages trying to find, because I wanted a very specific version that isn't made anymore. It was such a thrill to finally find it, and other than some slight wear on the corners it also looks immaculate to me. I'm oddly proud of finding it used in a way, knowing how much I saved. So for different reasons I love both bags equally.
Very sweet stories!Interesting. I will let you know, as someone who has mostly second hand Coach, and most of it Vintage, I have been all over the map with some of my pre-owned purchases. As was noted above, clearly part of my excitement for a used bag is the hunt (pouring through a gazillion listings), a bargain, the cleaning/rehab, an unexpected find of a HG type bag, recycling, you get the drift.
I have also bought several used bags in excellent condition (I swear they sat in a closet for 25-30 years) that needed virtually no cleaning or conditioning (I still vacuum them out and wipe them down with a cleaner and conditioner). One of them I was chomping at the bit to use, and did. Another , my black Plaza, had this slight universal fading , that nagged at me. And I am not a perfectionist by any means with my bags, but I was really disappointed when deep conditioning did not remedy it. I did get recolorant dye, restored it, and we are in love. Then there is my red Pocket Bag. It is gorgeous. If it was not for the barest pen mark inside, I would not think it ever used. So a basically unused red leather Coach bag circa 1990 would be admired by any vintage collector. But I did not immediately fall in love with it. I thought it would be a tad bigger. It seemed so plain! I couldn’t put my finger on it. And I had paid more for it than any other bag ($80, yeah I know some of you may be laughing). So I knew I could recoup that if I did not use it. But I decided to use it to see if I could bond with it over a few uses. I decided to date it, lol. Well, we dated and we are in love lol. She’s a keeper.
Nah, you’re not crazy. When you mention the strap not being the right length, it made me think of the fading of the Plaza. That nagged at me. Best of luck thinking on the bag. Perhaps like the above poster, pre-owned is not for you. Maybe you two should go out on a coffee date