This may be a bit more off the main subject but I'm just so curious because I don't have any Gucci stores anywhere near me (thank goodness for online shopping just for this reason), but what is your favorite part about the in store experience? I'm looking into purchasing a Gucci bag but I can't decide if I should just shop pre-loved online, or if I should wait until I go visit a Gucci store in September. Is the store experience worth it and what can I expect?
Is there something about purchasing new that would make you completely avoid purchasing preloved?
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the in store experience is nice, but it'll really depend on where you go, how much you spend, and honestly, if you have a regular SA. I tend to buy from different places, I'm not "loyal" to one store/SA only the brand. AND, I'm not the type who likes/needs a lot of coddling, when I go in I know EXACTLY what I want, and I don't drink, so I do not like the fanfare, but many ppl do. but it's certainly worth at least going in the store.
This is just my personal experience when I buy brand new from boutiques: if you go on a good day when it's not busy and the SAs are nice, you get to look at several items, try on several items, and have nice conversation with the SA(s). When you select what you want to buy, sometimes you are led to a nice lounge area (if there is one) and, depending on how generous the SA is, he/she may offer you a beverage or a snack. They then ring you up, put your receipt in a nice envelope, and your bag is all boxed up and bagged with a fancy bow on top. It's a nice experience and I'd recommend people try it at least once. You can't really replicate the in-store experience if you buy online, whether brand new or secondhand.
Ditto!!! I dealt with one SA who got annoyed with me because I "only" bought a SLG from him. I was so disgusted with the experience and the brand. Not going to say which brand, but I will say it wasn't Gucci. I've thought about selling that SLG since then because I get mad when I look at it.
Not saying that all SAs are like that (I've met more good ones than bad) but you're likely to get better service if you intend to buy, have a personable SA, and the purchase you make is big.
I'm the opposite. There is something about purchasing preloved that makes me avoid buying new - I get exactly what I want with zero compromise and keep more of my money.
With just a few exceptions (for hard to find bags), I only buy preloved bags that are never used or like new bags. So, I don't give up anything in quality. And, it's never just a few hundred dollars saved. Most recently, I saved 90% on a bag that was perfect but for want of conditioner. That was an unusual deal but, usually, I save 30% or more on my preloved bags. That's significant given I've been buying 8-12 premier designer bags each year. (That madness needs to slow down. Lol!)
Overcoming the authenticity issue is fairly easy. I typically know the bags I'm buying so I'm the first line of defense. And, I get each preloved bag authenticated twice. It's worth the $15 - $50 to make sure I don't buy a fake. Interestingly, I bought a fake new Gucci from a retailer (the now defunct MyHabit). I knew it was fake as soon as it arrived. They took the return, confirmed it as fake and apologized. I've also read about people getting fakes in boutiques because someone returned a Superfake. Now of course the odds of getting a fake in a new retail setting are very slim. But, I just make the point that it can happen. So some level of vigilance is warranted no matter from who or how we buy.
All this said, buying preloved bags is really just me being me. I like luxurious things and luxurious living. But, I like my money more.
Continuing to build wealth is more important to me than a boutique experience or packaging. I don't need the new car smell so, I let someone else take the depreciation hit on my preloved luxury car. I don't like the cuckoo jewelry markup so, I buy most of my pieces preloved. I use miles for airfare. I use points for many travel stays. And, I will happily shop at Costco, Walmart and Aldi with my Gucci dangling from my arm. 
So, for me, it's a total mindset - not just how I participate in the handbag category. I'm all about champagne wishes and caviar dreams on Koolaid dollars and sardines cents.
With just a few exceptions (for hard to find bags), I only buy preloved bags that are never used or like new bags. So, I don't give up anything in quality. And, it's never just a few hundred dollars saved. Most recently, I saved 90% on a bag that was perfect but for want of conditioner. That was an unusual deal but, usually, I save 30% or more on my preloved bags. That's significant given I've been buying 8-12 premier designer bags each year. (That madness needs to slow down. Lol!)
Overcoming the authenticity issue is fairly easy. I typically know the bags I'm buying so I'm the first line of defense. And, I get each preloved bag authenticated twice. It's worth the $15 - $50 to make sure I don't buy a fake. Interestingly, I bought a fake new Gucci from a retailer (the now defunct MyHabit). I knew it was fake as soon as it arrived. They took the return, confirmed it as fake and apologized. I've also read about people getting fakes in boutiques because someone returned a Superfake. Now of course the odds of getting a fake in a new retail setting are very slim. But, I just make the point that it can happen. So some level of vigilance is warranted no matter from who or how we buy.
All this said, buying preloved bags is really just me being me. I like luxurious things and luxurious living. But, I like my money more.
Continuing to build wealth is more important to me than a boutique experience or packaging. I don't need the new car smell so, I let someone else take the depreciation hit on my preloved luxury car. I don't like the cuckoo jewelry markup so, I buy most of my pieces preloved. I use miles for airfare. I use points for many travel stays. And, I will happily shop at Costco, Walmart and Aldi with my Gucci dangling from my arm. So, for me, it's a total mindset - not just how I participate in the handbag category. I'm all about champagne wishes and caviar dreams on Koolaid dollars and sardines cents.
I only buy new for the peace of mind and I'm a little superstitious and finicky. I think handbags are very personal and I don't want a bag that someone that isn't me, my mum or my sister has used. There seems to be a misconception that buying new means you won't save money. I save a lot of money by buying only what I need and what I'm sure I will use. Buying new means I have less of a pressure to get the deal now or never so I think my purchases through for several months, try them on at the boutique, etc before I finally decide. I own less than ten bags and I've never bought a bag and had it sit in the closet. All my bags get used - a lot. I know certain bags can be bought for a significant discount preloved but that doesn't bother me because I don't need so many bags. I'm not a collector, just a girl that buys bags for use.
This is just my personal experience when I buy brand new from boutiques: if you go on a good day when it's not busy and the SAs are nice, you get to look at several items, try on several items, and have nice conversation with the SA(s). When you select what you want to buy, sometimes you are led to a nice lounge area (if there is one) and, depending on how generous the SA is, he/she may offer you a beverage or a snack. They then ring you up, put your receipt in a nice envelope, and your bag is all boxed up and bagged with a fancy bow on top. It's a nice experience and I'd recommend people try it at least once. You can't really replicate the in-store experience if you buy online, whether brand new or secondhand.
Ditto!!! I dealt with one SA who got annoyed with me because I "only" bought a SLG from him. I was so disgusted with the experience and the brand. Not going to say which brand, but I will say it wasn't Gucci. I've thought about selling that SLG since then because I get mad when I look at it.
Not saying that all SAs are like that (I've met more good ones than bad) but you're likely to get better service if you intend to buy, have a personable SA, and the purchase you make is big.
that's so annoying, I avoid them like the plague
Wish I could like this a thousand times— I feel the exact same way! I can understand why people buy preloved but for me there’s a superstitutious element- I’m fine with bags passed down from my mom but I don’t want a stranger’s bag.. I have no idea what kind of bad energy it could carry from the previous owner. Also I’m a complete germaphobe and I treat all my things (not just bags) with extra care. I know other people toss their bags around or put god knows what in them and I wouldn’t want a bag from someone like that, even if there are no visible signs that the bag was mishandled.
I don’t make impulse purchases either— if I like a bag it is usually a relatively timeless shape or part of a classic line, so it is available for more than one season. This gives me time to mull it over and be 100% certain that I love the bag and will not get bored of it quickly. Sometimes, by the time I’ve made my decision, the bag comes along in a seasonal color I like (but most of the time I just buy black
).I also don’t aspire to build a massive collection. I think I could only own maximum 20 bags that I really love, any more than that would overwhelm me and I wouldn’t use them. Buying and selling trendy pieces or owning the same bag in 10 colors is just really not my thing. If it was then I would probably consider preloved then!
Since I live in "fashion hell", 2 hrs. away from Gucci, Chanel, LV etc., I tend to purchase online. While nice to buy in-store, I've cultivated good relationships with wonderful SAs, who know what I like and strive to please. I bought my first pre-loved bag (Gucci) from Tradesy last week. Nervous as hell till the bag arrived. NWT, authentic, perfect...and a steal!
I would take exception on this because I don't think it is exactly the case. In fact, the only reason brands can get away with the exorbitant price increases that bear no relation with inflation levels is because the pre-loved market is so strong. Case on point is Chanel. People feel more comfortable to spend that money on Chanel flaps because they "know' they can sell them at almost or no loss. Even Hermes now, the way if functions is very much influenced by the pre-loved market. And the way first time buyers buy too. Who engraves their Hermes with their initials nowadays, a common practice in the past? it devalues them...
On my side, for me the important thing is the bag I want (within my budget), more than how do I get it. I am not faithful to a brand and not interested in building relations with SAs (even though my Gucci SA, he is so very nice). I enjoy wearing bags more than I enjoy buying them. I have my small boutiques where I buy fashion where you feel like at home with SAs or owners, and I like good customer service, but I am not really into the luxury brand customer experience. I think for many people that experience is a big deal, and that kind of attention gives them something that they feel is important and is obviously not provided in the second hand market.
So sometimes I buy new in the store, and sometimes second hand. I love some vintage bags more than the new versions: case in point is Chanel, the gold plating... and if you want that look, you cannot buy new. Other times is the joy of the chase and the hunt, like tracking down the perfect Dior saddle. And other times I have to have the newest thing and will purchase in store. It is about what I want.
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the first two things you said are the EXACT reason I do not have a Chanel, Hermes, or LV [well only one extremely old and it was a gift] in my collection. the prices are outrageous [Gucci too] and I am a brand loyalist, but I like the thrill of the hunt, I HATE the in-store/SA experience. it's annoying to me to be quite honest. I already know what I want, please don't try to upsell me, please and thank you. but I have NO PROBLEM buying used/preloved. it's more about having the bag than how I get it.