Finding a Coach Court bag in thrift stores?

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N

namiboo

Member
May 6, 2014
60
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#1
I've been wanting a Court bag for a while now and I've seen quite a few people find them in thrift shops and consignment shops.

In what area would these be in? Behind the counter or just mixed in with the bag section.

I'd like to hear your story of finding a Coach in a thrift store.

Is it worth it to look for weeks for this bag (considering I only want 1 color and that I want it in good condition) or should I wait until it hits ebay? What are you experiences with both?
 
#3
I found both of my court bags in thrift stores. One is black, missing the shoulder strap and was in sorry shape. It looks great now after my rehab. The other is brown and I found it in great condition. Just conditioned it and it's gorgeous! Let us know what color you are looking for. We could pm you if one is found on eBay.
 
#4
I bought a pre-owned black court bag on ebay. There are some really good deals there on this particular style, if you're careful. I want to say I paid around $40 or $50. I always read the descriptions and study the photos very carefully. I also don't buy from anyone who has a rating lower than 98%. The bag did not look brand new, but was in excellent condition with no marks, creases or wrinkling. The leather had softened a bit, that's all. Just looks like I've owned it forever and taken really good care of it.

Edited to add, I always make sure the seller indicates from a non-smoking home, because otherwise, ick. That smell doesn't ever go away completely. Maybe I'm sensitive, but all the cleaning and airing out in the world won't work for me. I can always detect it.
 
#6
bigal said:
I found both of my court bags in thrift stores. One is black, missing the shoulder strap and was in sorry shape. It looks great now after my rehab. The other is brown and I found it in great condition. Just conditioned it and it's gorgeous! Let us know what color you are looking for. We could pm you if one is found on eBay.
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That's great that you could rehab them! I've never rehabbed before so I'm a little nervous of buying something that may not turn out as gorgeous as I'd like.

I'm looking for a British Tan one and I've been checking the bay everyday now in hopes of a new listing. I've seen the others and they are either more expensive than I want or pretty beat up.

Thanks for the pm offer!

Edit: how long until you found the bags at the thrift store? Were you going in trying to find them or just stumbled across them? Also, were they behind the counter ?
 
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#7
firstclasscoach said:
I bought a pre-owned black court bag on ebay. There are some really good deals there on this particular style, if you're careful. I want to say I paid around $40 or $50. I always read the descriptions and study the photos very carefully. I also don't buy from anyone who has a rating lower than 98%. The bag did not look brand new, but was in excellent condition with no marks, creases or wrinkling. The leather had softened a bit, that's all. Just looks like I've owned it forever and taken really good care of it.

Edited to add, I always make sure the seller indicates from a non-smoking home, because otherwise, ick. That smell doesn't ever go away completely. Maybe I'm sensitive, but all the cleaning and airing out in the world won't work for me. I can always detect it.
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Thanks for the advice! I wanted to pay around that price (or less, lol) but anything around that price doesn't include shipping so you are then looking at $65-$70.

That's why I was hoping to find it at a thrift store.

I know I try to look for a nonsmoking home but every year I go visit my fiancé's family and stay with them and they smoke.
 
#8
namiboo said:
I was wanting a British tan. The few that are on there are either really scratched up or more $$$ than I'm willing to pay at this time.
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I would just keep watching ebay and any thrift stores you go to for a decent one in your price range. I had a hard time finding one in British Tan for the same reasons, but I eventually found an acceptable one at a price I was willing to pay.
If you are willing to rehab the bag, maybe go check out the rehab clubhouse to get ideas about what bags to avoid and which ones might clean up nicely. Sometimes a bath and conditioner makes a big difference.
Good luck! I love Court bags!
 
#9
EGBDF said:
I would just keep watching ebay and any thrift stores you go to for a decent one in your price range. I had a hard time finding one in British Tan for the same reasons, but I eventually found an acceptable one at a price I was willing to pay.
If you are willing to rehab the bag, maybe go check out the rehab clubhouse to get ideas about what bags to avoid and which ones might clean up nicely. Sometimes a bath and conditioner makes a big difference.
Good luck! I love Court bags!
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I'm definitely willing to rehab if needed. If the bag is in good condition I think I will still bathe it. Thanks for your insight! Court bags are the best!
 
#11
Hi, you may want to also take a look at a website called ETSY. There are a lot of pre loved vintage bags at very good prices. I have never dealt with them so hopefully someone on TPF have and can help guide you.

Happy hunting for your bag :smile1:
 
#12
louisprada25 said:
Hi, you may want to also take a look at a website called ETSY. There are a lot of pre loved vintage bags at very good prices. I have never dealt with them so hopefully someone on TPF have and can help guide you.

Happy hunting for your bag :smile1:
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I also have been looking at etsy but it's so far the same problem as ebay: not many British Tans, high price when including shipping, or not good condition (there have been a lot of really good condition ones but again, high price)

I've also tried poshmark but the one in perfect condition (recently rehabbed) the seller wants $75 plus shipping and won't budge on the price/won't do PayPal.
 
#13
namiboo said:
That's great that you could rehab them! I've never rehabbed before so I'm a little nervous of buying something that may not turn out as gorgeous as I'd like.

I'm looking for a British Tan one and I've been checking the bay everyday now in hopes of a new listing. I've seen the others and they are either more expensive than I want or pretty beat up.

Thanks for the pm offer!

Edit: how long until you found the bags at the thrift store? Were you going in trying to find them or just stumbled across them? Also, were they behind the counter ?
Click to expand...

Like mentioned earlier, check out the rescue and rehab thread under the clubhouse. They have lots of information on rehabbing.

I think British tan is hard to find. But keep looking you will find one. I just stumbled across my black Court at goodwill. I bought it because I thought it was cute and convinced myself that I liked it all distressed. But, then I found the rescue and rehab thread. I decided to give it a try. It was so worth it! It's really pretty now. The Brown one was at a different thrift store. The guy showed me all the Coach bags they had and I found the Sonoma flap brought it home and rehabbed it. I went back a few days later to show him how pretty it was cleaned up. Then took a look around the store and the cute little brown court was hiding in with some clothing. So cute I couldn't leave her behind.

Good luck, keep looking you will find the perfect British tan court for you!
 
#14
firstclasscoach said:
I also don't buy from anyone who has a rating lower than 98%.
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As someone who sells on eBay, this makes me sad. I have sold since 2000 and had more than 300 positive feedback (100%) until this past December, when the customer from hell gave me a negative - even after I fully refunded her AND let her keep the product, despite her being in the wrong.

Because I don't sell a high volume and eBay calculates feedback % from the last year, that one negative dropped me down to 95%. :( Please do give sellers a chance and read their feedback.

OP, good luck finding your bag!
 
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#15
vesperholly said:
As someone who sells on eBay, this makes me sad. I have sold since 2000 and had more than 300 positive feedback (100%) until this past December, when the customer from hell gave me a negative - even after I fully refunded her AND let her keep the product, despite her being in the wrong.

Because I don't sell a high volume and eBay calculates feedback % from the last year, that one negative dropped me down to 95%. :( Please do give sellers a chance and read their feedback.

OP, good luck finding your bag!
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Oh no! That's really unfortunate. I didn't know that eBay counts it as up to the previous year (which is good since someone could be authentic and then use their good ratings to deceive buyers)

I'm glad you told me this, though, I will keep it in mind. Thanks!
 
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