Same bag, same price: NWT vs Preloved

[Bag peace]

Which would you choose?

I asked this question in passing on another thread, and figured I should open up the discussion because I'm genuinely interested in people's thoughts.

I have thrice been in a position where a bag I wanted was available by different sellers at the same price, except one is NWT and fully wrapped and the other is in excellent preloved condition.
All 3 times, I've opted to buy the preloved one for the same price. My choice, according to my best friends, is ludicrous!
But, in my mind...

1- I'd rather extend the life of a bag that doesn't work for someone else. It benefits them and me, and it honours the source of the leather. The fully wrapped version of the bag will certainly be bought by others who would rather a perfect specimen.

2- There is a higher chance that the person selling their preloved item is in need of cash- particularly these days- and I'd rather give someone a leg up that way. The fully wrapped version is likely being sold by someone who professionally flips for profit, or a store employee who is using their discount to maximize their profit. This is fine of course, but if there's even a slight chance my $$$ would be more useful to the former seller (who will likely get less interest when listings show a new piece priced similarly), then that helps my conscience a bit.

3- This one is a new thought that now gives me pause but did not come into effect with my earlier purchases... given lootings of late, perhaps the NWT piece is stolen and I categorically cannot stand for that.

Having said all that, my friends do regularly joke that I'm an absolute pillock for not taking the NWT pieces considering the list price is identical. I need to know: Am I the only one who'd make this choice? Would anyone else do as I do?
Also, I should say that I do try to negotiate the preloved prices down a bit, but the difference is always negligible because I never want to offer or pay less than a fair price for my items. When the condition is great, I do not ask for more than a discounted shipping rate. That's just me, but I see how it contributes to my friends' opinion of me as being wrong in this case.

Very interested to hear outside opinions.

Edit: I should note I'm speaking of contemporary brands, so the money is modest by all accounts.

 

[leechiyong]

I tend to go for the cheapest option in acceptable condition to me when I buy pre-loved, which generally means there’s nothing broken and no noticeable marks on it. I’d never thought about the scenario you’re describing, but I like your thought process.

Regardless of what your friends might think, rather than getting trapped in the cycle of buying something because it was X amount off, it indicates your purchases are well-thought out and you truly love what you’re buying, which sounds very sane to me.

 

[Purseloco]

Don't debate your beliefs with others. March to your own drum and do what is best for you without the need for explanation. I say this because I endlessly questioned myself and asked others what their opinions are and found in the end that I must do what I think is best for me and what satisfies me. For example, I inherited a beautiful expensive diamond ring that I just for some reason could not enjoy, so I took the center stone and made it into a solitaire, which is something that I would appreciate it and gave the rest away. Some would say that was foolish, but it was my choice, and it made me happy.

 

[sdkitty]

I like your philosophy but I think I'd buy the NWT as sometimes people misrepresent bags as excellent or like-new and they have wear on them. I've had this experience a couple of times.

 

[IntheOcean]

To each their own, but I personally wouldn't go for a preloved item if I could get a new one for the same price. Not that I'm opposed to preloved things - not all. But there's a certain experience to be had when buying something new, especially if it's a luxury item.

My main goal when shopping preloved is to save money, the second one is to get something I can no longer buy new at the store because it's been discontinued. I agree that waste is a big problem we have and helping those in need is certainly a nice thing to do, but those reasons don't really do it for me in this case.

 

[smallfry]

Which would you choose?

I asked this question in passing on another thread, and figured I should open up the discussion because I'm genuinely interested in people's thoughts.

I have thrice been in a position where a bag I wanted was available by different sellers at the same price, except one is NWT and fully wrapped and the other is in excellent preloved condition.
All 3 times, I've opted to buy the preloved one for the same price. My choice, according to my best friends, is ludicrous!
But, in my mind...

1- I'd rather extend the life of a bag that doesn't work for someone else. It benefits them and me, and it honours the source of the leather. The fully wrapped version of the bag will certainly be bought by others who would rather a perfect specimen.

2- There is a higher chance that the person selling their preloved item is in need of cash- particularly these days- and I'd rather give someone a leg up that way. The fully wrapped version is likely being sold by someone who professionally flips for profit, or a store employee who is using their discount to maximize their profit. This is fine of course, but if there's even a slight chance my $$$ would be more useful to the former seller (who will likely get less interest when listings show a new piece priced similarly), then that helps my conscience a bit.

3- This one is a new thought that now gives me pause but did not come into effect with my earlier purchases... given lootings of late, perhaps the NWT piece is stolen and I categorically cannot stand for that.

Having said all that, my friends do regularly joke that I'm an absolute pillock for not taking the NWT pieces considering the list price is identical. I need to know: Am I the only one who'd make this choice? Would anyone else do as I do?
Also, I should say that I do try to negotiate the preloved prices down a bit, but the difference is always negligible because I never want to offer or pay less than a fair price for my items. When the condition is great, I do not ask for more than a discounted shipping rate. That's just me, but I see how it contributes to my friends' opinion of me as being wrong in this case.

Very interested to hear outside opinions.

Edit: I should note I'm speaking of contemporary brands, so the money is modest by all accounts.

I would absolutely choose the NWT, but I love your reasoning for choosing the preloved

 

[indiaink]

I’d buy new. I have absolutely no way of knowing the background on the owner of a pre-loved item, so I’ve never even considered that aspect. I detest assumptions, so try my best not to make them.

It’s a transaction, period. To me.

 

[Bag peace]

A few of these responses are deep and I'm extremely grateful that people are chiming in and giving me so much food for thought. I will be mulling this over some more. Thanks!

I have absolutely no way of knowing the background on the owner of a pre-loved item
...
I detest assumptions, so try my best not to make them.

I must admit, this one hit me hard but I sincerely thank you for your candour. It is not so much that I meant to assume the seller may be in financial hardship but, more so that I have been in that position and sold things I loved to get by. I had not even realised that I was projecting my previous experiences into simple transactions.

 

[indiaink]

A few of these responses are deep and I'm extremely grateful that people are chiming in and giving me so much food for thought. I will be mulling this over some more. Thanks!


I must admit, this one hit me hard but I sincerely thank you for your candour. It is not so much that I meant to assume the seller may be in financial hardship but, more so that I have been in that position and sold things I loved to get by. I had not even realised that I was projecting my previous experiences into simple transactions.

 

[880]

my friends do regularly joke that I'm an absolute pillock for not taking the NWT pieces considering the list price is identical. I need to know: Am I the only one who'd make this choice? Would anyone else do as I do?
Also, I should say that I do try to negotiate the preloved prices down a bit, but the difference is always negligible because I never want to offer or pay less than a fair price for my items. When the condition is great, I do not ask for more than a discounted shipping rate. That's just me, but I see how it contributes to my friends' opinion of me as being wrong in this case.

I have done this for reasons of sustainability and preventing landfill. I also love vintage, discontinued or hard to get pieces, and I tend to think the older items are better quality. . . It makes me feel better about shopping, since I’m not exactly a minimalist. DH is more of a boutique shopper, so when I am with him, I tend to buy boutique.

 

[papertiger]

Which would you choose?

I asked this question in passing on another thread, and figured I should open up the discussion because I'm genuinely interested in people's thoughts.

I have thrice been in a position where a bag I wanted was available by different sellers at the same price, except one is NWT and fully wrapped and the other is in excellent preloved condition.
All 3 times, I've opted to buy the preloved one for the same price. My choice, according to my best friends, is ludicrous!
But, in my mind...

1- I'd rather extend the life of a bag that doesn't work for someone else. It benefits them and me, and it honours the source of the leather. The fully wrapped version of the bag will certainly be bought by others who would rather a perfect specimen.

2- There is a higher chance that the person selling their preloved item is in need of cash- particularly these days- and I'd rather give someone a leg up that way. The fully wrapped version is likely being sold by someone who professionally flips for profit, or a store employee who is using their discount to maximize their profit. This is fine of course, but if there's even a slight chance my $$$ would be more useful to the former seller (who will likely get less interest when listings show a new piece priced similarly), then that helps my conscience a bit.

3- This one is a new thought that now gives me pause but did not come into effect with my earlier purchases... given lootings of late, perhaps the NWT piece is stolen and I categorically cannot stand for that.

Having said all that, my friends do regularly joke that I'm an absolute pillock for not taking the NWT pieces considering the list price is identical. I need to know: Am I the only one who'd make this choice? Would anyone else do as I do?
Also, I should say that I do try to negotiate the preloved prices down a bit, but the difference is always negligible because I never want to offer or pay less than a fair price for my items. When the condition is great, I do not ask for more than a discounted shipping rate. That's just me, but I see how it contributes to my friends' opinion of me as being wrong in this case.

Very interested to hear outside opinions.

Edit: I should note I'm speaking of contemporary brands, so the money is modest by all accounts.

You're just a very nice and thoughtful person.

 

[papertiger]

If available at the boutique/store, I'll buy it direct.
If not available
I'll buy from a trusted official outlet
If not available
I'll buy preloved from a friend
If not
I'll take a chance on preloved, so long as I've seen the original IRL and can evaluate the authenticity and condition for myself
If not practical
I'll may take a chance so long as the seller doesn't mind sending good pics and/or accepts returns
If possible I'll go for NWT unless the model has an older original issue
I'd rather go for older/original issue bags for the same reason @880 outlined above. I can't think of a single brand where the quality of craftsmanship or materials has got better.

I did something similar with an H scarf. The choice was between an older 1969 version (original issue) and a newer 2012 (reissue) version of the same design, but the price of the 1969 was cheaper. I don't think the seller realised that original issues and older scarves are most often priced higher in that market (but not always). I gave the seller extra money, matching the price of the newer version. It was still good value and very reasonable. I hate it when people take me for a fool or overcharge, but I also remember, during my life there have been people that could have taken advantage of me and didn't and try to follow their example. In this case though, I chose the more valuable, rarer scarf, so perhaps it's not directly comparable.

 

[880]

I'd rather extend the life of a bag that doesn't work for someone else. It benefits them and me, and it honours the source of the leather. The fully wrapped version of the bag will certainly be bought by others who would rather a perfect specimen.

BTW, this is also my rationale for when I buy rescue bags that will become art bag projects for my personal use

 

[Fimpagebag]

Which would you choose?

I asked this question in passing on another thread, and figured I should open up the discussion because I'm genuinely interested in people's thoughts.

I have thrice been in a position where a bag I wanted was available by different sellers at the same price, except one is NWT and fully wrapped and the other is in excellent preloved condition.
All 3 times, I've opted to buy the preloved one for the same price. My choice, according to my best friends, is ludicrous!
But, in my mind...

1- I'd rather extend the life of a bag that doesn't work for someone else. It benefits them and me, and it honours the source of the leather. The fully wrapped version of the bag will certainly be bought by others who would rather a perfect specimen.

2- There is a higher chance that the person selling their preloved item is in need of cash- particularly these days- and I'd rather give someone a leg up that way. The fully wrapped version is likely being sold by someone who professionally flips for profit, or a store employee who is using their discount to maximize their profit. This is fine of course, but if there's even a slight chance my $$$ would be more useful to the former seller (who will likely get less interest when listings show a new piece priced similarly), then that helps my conscience a bit.

3- This one is a new thought that now gives me pause but did not come into effect with my earlier purchases... given lootings of late, perhaps the NWT piece is stolen and I categorically cannot stand for that.

Having said all that, my friends do regularly joke that I'm an absolute pillock for not taking the NWT pieces considering the list price is identical. I need to know: Am I the only one who'd make this choice? Would anyone else do as I do?
Also, I should say that I do try to negotiate the preloved prices down a bit, but the difference is always negligible because I never want to offer or pay less than a fair price for my items. When the condition is great, I do not ask for more than a discounted shipping rate. That's just me, but I see how it contributes to my friends' opinion of me as being wrong in this case.

Very interested to hear outside opinions.

Edit: I should note I'm speaking of contemporary brands, so the money is modest by all accounts.

My choice is the same as yours but perhaps for different reasons. A NWT bag still wrapped can hide a multitude of sins. Not every new bag is without blemish. But a preloved bag, with plenty of pics, is what it is.

Then there is my philosophy to use my bags without fear. As one wise member on another thread put it, when you buy a preloved bag you won’t be responsible for its first dent or ding.

 

[Jktgal]

@jblended I get why you do this and you shouldn't have to justify yourself to others. most people do this in one form or another because they value the public benefits ('for the greater good') brought about by their actions.

I don't do this with bags but with electronics I choose to repair rather than purchase new even when the price of repairing is the same with new. I also prefer purchasing used and in good condition clothes than buy new clothes of the same price. For bags, I now never buy new but purchase used designer bags still in good condition, and I know I pay multiple times the price my contemporaries spend on their new (contemporary/non-designer) bags.