How do you decide when to sell a bag?

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louise_elouise

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Nov 6, 2017
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#1
Hi all! I'm quite a bag lover but I am also value conscious. When I buy an expensive bag (i.e. over £1k), I generally want it to last...for a lifetime or at least be super super beautiful.

So here is my dilemma. I'm fortunate enough to have 4 chanel bags, all of which are classics but in varying degrees. My first bag was a Chanel 2.55 (reissue) with black hardware and in metallic black, which I purchased in 2008 and quite frankly, was quite a newbie into the luxury handbag scene.

Fast forward to present day, and I know that the so black line is SUPER popular. I also know that this first bag is showing wear and loss of structure and i don't wear it that often (maybe a couple times a year?), partially bc i find it hard to match, partially bc I know the metallic leather is delicate.

Should I sell the bag? On the one hand, it was my first bag and I do think it's really beautiful. Also, I know last year was a particularly casual year for me and that will change in 2019. However, I have 3 other chanels, 2 of which are also black, and having recently dipped my toe in Hermes, I could use the funds towards an H bag, which is longer-lasting...

How would you guys approach such a problem?!
 
#2
My approach is pretty much this:
- Do I love the bag enough to keep it even though I won't use it ever again?
- Is the bag a style that's gone out of production, won't come back and is difficult to find again?
- Do I carry the bag?
- Is there a need for this bag in my life right now or if my definite near future? Can my needs change suddenly?

If the bag gets a "No" from all categories, it goes.
 
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#3
-I do not keep bags that I do not reach or have to force myself to wear (after they are very new since those first few wears are exciting and can also be nerve-racking), and don't see myself wearing in the future, no matter how much I love them.
-Along with the first item here, does the bag work for my lifestyle? I am very casual but like to be put together most days. If the bag is ultimately too fancy or only for dinners or parties, it really won't work for me.
-Size of the bag. If a bag is too big, I've found that I won't use it anymore. I barely carry around anything these days, so big bags are just heavy and full of nothing.
-If there is a similar bag (color, smooth vs pebbled leather) that I know I ultimately want in my collection, then I try not to keep the bag that it would be replacing. This is tough for me, but I'm trying.
 
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#4
OP, I was in a similar position with two Gucci Soho Bags I owned. One was a large shoulder bag in a gorgeous teal nubuck. The other was an equally gorgeous red leather medium shoulder bag.

I didn’t wear the teal bag because I was concerned about wear on the nubuck. And I didn’t wear the red bag because I had other red bags I loved more. I kept thinking I “may” use them but didn’t. After a couple years, I knew that they were pretty much at the height of their popularity, so I sold them to recoup as much as I could while the market was hot. Happily, since I purchased them during one of Gucci’s last 50% off sales, I ended up getting all my money back! I put that towards bags I actually love and carry.

So, my thought is that you’ve owned the bag for several years and know you don’t wear it. Plus it’s delicate. And, it’s showing some signs of wear that it seems will just accelerate. Given that, I would sell the bags and buy something else I know I’d love and enjoy. Good luck!
 
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#5
Rhl2987 said:
-I do not keep bags that I do not reach or have to force myself to wear (after they are very new since those first few wears are exciting and can also be nerve-racking), and don't see myself wearing in the future, no matter how much I love them.
-Along with the first item here, does the bag work for my lifestyle? I am very casual but like to be put together most days. If the bag is ultimately too fancy or only for dinners or parties, it really won't work for me.
-Size of the bag. If a bag is too big, I've found that I won't use it anymore. I barely carry around anything these days, so big bags are just heavy and full of nothing.
-If there is a similar bag (color, smooth vs pebbled leather) that I know I ultimately want in my collection, then I try not to keep the bag that it would be replacing. This is tough for me, but I'm trying.
Click to expand...
One thing I'll add is, do I know of a bag or something that I want more? This is actually pretty huge for me in tailoring my collection. If there is something that I want or need more, and I know I'll use it more, then that helps me make my decision.
 
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#7
Great advice!!

Amazona said:
My approach is pretty much this:
- Do I love the bag enough to keep it even though I won't use it ever again

If the bag gets a "No" from all categories, it goes.
Click to expand...

This is a great methodology! Really forces you to think about what adds value regularly to your closet!!

Rhl2987 said:
-I do not keep bags that I do not reach or have to force myself to wear (after they are very new since those first few wears are exciting and can also be nerve-racking), and don't see myself wearing in the future, no matter how much I love them.
-Along with the first item here, does the bag work for my lifestyle? I am very casual but like to be put together most days. If the bag is ultimately too fancy or only for dinners or parties, it really won't work for me.
-Size of the bag. If a bag is too big, I've found that I won't use it anymore. I barely carry around anything these days, so big bags are just heavy and full of nothing.
-If there is a similar bag (color, smooth vs pebbled leather) that I know I ultimately want in my collection, then I try not to keep the bag that it would be replacing. This is tough for me, but I'm trying.
Click to expand...

Yes exactly. I feel like my black classic flap serves largely the same purpose...

Sparkletastic said:
OP, I was in a similar position with two Gucci Soho Bags I owned. One was a large shoulder bag in a gorgeous teal nubuck. The other was an equally gorgeous red leather medium shoulder bag.

So, my thought is that you’ve owned the bag for several years and know you don’t wear it. Plus it’s delicate. And, it’s showing some signs of wear that it seems will just accelerate. Given that, I would sell the bags and buy something else I know I’d love and enjoy. Good luck!
Click to expand...

THIS!!! It's the maybe that kills me!! But then I've never regretted a purchase in the past...this was so useful and ultimately made me decide to sell it!

Rhl2987 said:
One thing I'll add is, do I know of a bag or something that I want more? This is actually pretty huge for me in tailoring my collection. If there is something that I want or need more, and I know I'll use it more, then that helps me make my decision.
Click to expand...

I do, another Hermes Kelly agree that helps though I've no idea if that will ever happen for me again!!

NateSelwyn25 said:
My rule is simple: if I go 60 days without carrying it, it is very unlikely I will carry it again, and I get rid of it.
Click to expand...

Wow that's amazing! You must get so much wear from your bags!! I definitely don't ascribe to this now but I definitely should!!

Thank you ladies!! I've decided to sell the bag .breaks my heart a bit but I think it's for the best. Plus I suspect it's generally good to not be so attached to material things...
 
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#8
louise_elouise said:
Thank you ladies!! I've decided to sell the bag .breaks my heart a bit but I think it's for the best. Plus I suspect it's generally good to not be so attached to material things...
Click to expand...
Good to hear! I was a little sad when I sold my last bag because it was a special one, but I just wasn’t using it at all! It’s good the funds went to something I know I’ll use regularly.

Also, keep in mind that we have gents here as well!
 
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#10
louise_elouise said:
Hi all! I'm quite a bag lover but I am also value conscious. When I buy an expensive bag (i.e. over £1k), I generally want it to last...for a lifetime or at least be super super beautiful.

So here is my dilemma. I'm fortunate enough to have 4 chanel bags, all of which are classics but in varying degrees. My first bag was a Chanel 2.55 (reissue) with black hardware and in metallic black, which I purchased in 2008 and quite frankly, was quite a newbie into the luxury handbag scene.

Fast forward to present day, and I know that the so black line is SUPER popular. I also know that this first bag is showing wear and loss of structure and i don't wear it that often (maybe a couple times a year?), partially bc i find it hard to match, partially bc I know the metallic leather is delicate.

Should I sell the bag? On the one hand, it was my first bag and I do think it's really beautiful. Also, I know last year was a particularly casual year for me and that will change in 2019. However, I have 3 other chanels, 2 of which are also black, and having recently dipped my toe in Hermes, I could use the funds towards an H bag, which is longer-lasting...

How would you guys approach such a problem?!
Click to expand...
I ask myself:
‘Would I buy this today?’
If the answer is no, then I shouldn’t keep it.
 
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#12
Doe
Rhl2987 said:
Good to hear! I was a little sad when I sold my last bag because it was a special one, but I just wasn’t using it at all! It’s good the funds went to something I know I’ll use regularly.

can you tell me if there’s and easy way to sell bags myself? I wound up buying the lv epi Voltaire and the lv epi Pont Neuf GM preloved from the real real last year and never wore them. It kills me to send them because I’ll take a big hit.
Click to expand...
 
#13
I literally just struggled with this exact same issue. I have a brand new Hermes Kelly in a rare color - it's in demand and I know I can sell it immediately for more than I paid, but potentially, never get it again. This is the reason I held on to it although in 5 years, I carried it once. I finally (today!) sent it to to Ann's to consign. My rationale is a) although the color is 'rare", it was too light and I was afraid to use it b) a kelly doesn't work with my lifestyle as it's too fussy c) it was a lot of money to be sitting around in a box d) I was only keeping it because I was afraid I'd never get it again (terrible reason to keep a bag lying around.) e) I have other H bags including another Kelly that I use ore f) if I sell the bag, I can get another H bag that is more my style

If you have 3 other channels (2 in the same color) and are only keeping the bag for "sentimental" reasons, I would absolutely sell it and buy the Hermes :) I'm partial to H so am a bit biased!
 
#15
I'm constantly questioning my collection and reassessing what I have vs what I want because:
a) I feel overwhelmed by too much choice (for me that's more than 10 designer handbags)
b) I feel guilty about the crazy amount of money I spend on handbags and anything just sitting on a shelf makes me feel like I've wasted money.
c) there's ALWAYS another stupidly expensive bag on the wishlist!

The strategies for testing whether or not I'm ready to sell a bag to fund a new purchase include:

1. Hiding the bag out of sight and seeing if I have the urge to reach for it.
2. Going to the effort of actually creating an online ad for the bag but never posting it. This includes taking detailed pictures etc and focussing on the bag's good points. I find that the process of promoting a bag to a hypothetical buyer makes me fall in love with it and question if I'm actually ready to part with it. If not, it's confirmed that I'd be ok to let it go.
3. Wearing the bag in question to the boutique to compare it against the one you want.
4. Asking myself whether or not I'd buy it again today.

Sounds neurotic but when so many popular handbags cost upwards of $5000 (over $10,000 if it's Chanel or Hermès) we're allowed to obsess over these beauties.
 
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