Trading up - Selling other treasures to buy H

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stillfabulous

stillfabulous

Luxury Writer
O.G.
Aug 12, 2008
1,001
857
#1
I've been reading H threads on tPF for countless hours over the past few weeks, garnering wisdom and H savvy from the many lovely ladies (and the occasional generous gent) here on tPF. One piece of advice really resonated with me, so I am going to repost it here with the intent of taking this conversation in a slightly different direction than the original topic.

docride said:
Re: How do you fund your Hermes addiction? Without using your nestegg > First off sell off what you do not need want or use (other designer bags etc..) and see what you have to work with money wise..if you need more $$$ start adding into your fund with some play cash/mad money (so to speak.).start with buying a vintage bag at a good price and then later if you still want something newer or a different style trade up this way you won't lose you investment.
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Several months ago, before I even read this, I started selling off other bags that I don't love as much as I once did, bags that are not bringing anyone happiness by sitting in my closet. I've also started selling off some of my shoes that hardly ever come out to play. When I read docride's post, it helped me to reframe what, for me, started off as a decluttering process of sorts.

Now, instead of feeling sad when I let go of some of these treasures I've enjoyed over the years, I am starting to get excited about the H bags that may be in my future as a direct result of this process. But I am also questioning whether there may be a better way to sell off items I no longer wish to keep.

I have been using a certain eBay Seller (not sure if it's OK to mention her by name) who makes it pretty easy: she provides the shipping labels, I box my stuff up and ship it to her, they do a lovely job of listing the item, and when it sells she sends me a percentage. I've already cleared four figures rather easily by doing this, but now that I've discovered similar sellers from reading tPF posts, I am wondering whether I am letting my things go too cheaply. Recently, she's started listing more items as BuyItNow, which I think puts too low of a price on items that might go much higher if listed as an auction item. I've sold several LV bags (some never worn), some Blahniks, etc., and have still more to move out.

I'd love to hear who you lovely ladies have used to do this. I really don't have the time to do the listings myself. --Many thanks
 
#2
Not through eBay but I have sold through consignment and friends but darling in a ll honesty if it's truly unfair forget the process and don't sell through this seller if it is a logical with in reason percentage I would continue to sell through(buy it now) it's faster and if up to now it has worked then darling maybe consider going on, because in all truth with the economy as it is, and the fact that as all things, once they are used loose there value it does not seem so bad..... so.............this is just my view of things I would continue to sell if the conditions are fair.best as always.birkel.
 
#3
I don't know if this helps but I can say for certain that in today's Luxury Goods re-sale market things are selling for much lower than a few years ago..regardless of what prices you may see things being listed for. I see plenty of authentic Birkins for instance going around and around at Auction and Buy it Now prices which are below 8K and even some below 7K and still not selling...

Re-sale of LV and other designers are having an even worse re-sale.

IMO,Items that are are started at higher prices and relisted over and over again with price drops tend to get a worse final price than if they had been listed at a price more inline with current sale prices... hence you often get less and have to wait longer to get a sale. This is just what I see...

Truth be told no reserve auctions tend to get market price; however the market price may really be poor...

Still a bird in the hand is worth more than three in the bush...Just my 2 cents...

To get a good idea what your items may actually bring if put up for sale on eBay do a search for your item and then hit see completed listings...look at what price your item has sold for in the past week if at all... then you'll get a feel for the actual market value. :o) I hope this helps?
 
#4
docride said:
I don't know if this helps but I can say for certain that in today's Luxury Goods re-sale market things are selling for much lower than a few years ago..regardless of what prices you may see things being listed for. I see plenty of authentic Birkins for instance going around and around at Auction and Buy it Now prices which are below 8K and even some below 7K and still not selling...

Re-sale of LV and other designers are having an even worse re-sale.
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Maybe it is the economy and not just that she is listing them at low BIN prices. But I thought, for example, a piece that cost me a couple thousand should go for more than a few hundred, which is why I am now interested in exploring other venues where the seller perhaps isn't so overwhelmed with merchandise and can give my items a better chance of bringing in a price that's good for everyone: the buyer, the seller, and me.
 
#5
I just consigned four pristine Chanel bags, bought in 2010 and 2011 to a local consignor to fund a new Birkin. She sold them all within a week at near or at what I paid for them. We agreed on my percentage upfront. xxx
 
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#6
I sold my black chanel reissue 227 to fund a vintage sellier kelly 28 rouge vif in GHW.
So far no regrets. See my avatar. Its a beauty and in very good condition.
 
#7
stillfabulous said:
Maybe it is the economy and not just that she is listing them at low BIN prices. But I thought, for example, a piece that cost me a couple thousand should go for more than a few hundred, which is why I am now interested in exploring other venues where the seller perhaps isn't so overwhelmed with merchandise and can give my items a better chance of bringing in a price that's good for everyone: the buyer, the seller, and me.
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It always is best to explore all of your options. Did you spend a bit of time and look at what similar items are selling for? Were the prices your items sold for so far below what is an average selling price ?
 
#9
docride said:
It always is best to explore all of your options. Did you spend a bit of time and look at what similar items are selling for? Were the prices your items sold for so far below what is an average selling price ?
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No, I didn't do this kind of research. I realize that listing, and listing well, takes time, effort, and experience. I didn't want to devote that kind of time, which is why I decided to share the proceeds with a trusted seller.

I just googled her to get her contact info for someone who PMed me, and I was surprised to see that my search returned multiple complaints from people who had sent her stuff to sell and also from past employees. One of the complaints was nearly identical to the situation I experienced--listing at a low BIN--so I guess I am not the only one who's noticed that trend.
 
#10
stillfabulous said:
No, I didn't do this kind of research. I realize that listing, and listing well, takes time, effort, and experience. I didn't want to devote that kind of time, which is why I decided to share the proceeds with a trusted seller.

I just googled her to get her contact info for someone who PMed me, and I was surprised to see that my search returned multiple complaints from people who had sent her stuff to sell and also from past employees. One of the complaints was nearly identical to the situation I experienced--listing at a low BIN--so I guess I am not the only one who's noticed that trend.
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Oh my,I am sorry to hear this. Luckily there are many consigners to choose from. Wishing you much luck in finding your special bag and having a better out come in future with your consigned items :smile1:
 
#11
Stillfabulous - I have used Ann's Fabulous Finds for some of my bags, scarves, etc., and I have been very satisfied with them. I realize I could probably get more by selling them myself on e-bay, but I don't want to spend the time either.
Re docride's post - I don't think she was implying that you sell on e-bay - just that you research the completed sales to see what similar items have sold for.
 
#12
Florasun said:
Stillfabulous - I have used Ann's Fabulous Finds for some of my bags, scarves, etc., and I have been very satisfied with them. I realize I could probably get more by selling them myself on e-bay, but I don't want to spend the time either.
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Thank you, Florasun, for the recommendation. I will take a look at Ann's.:smile1:
 
#14
birkel said:
Not through eBay but I have sold through consignment and friends but darling in a ll honesty if it's truly unfair forget the process and don't sell through this seller if it is a logical with in reason percentage I would continue to sell through(buy it now) it's faster and if up to now it has worked then darling maybe consider going on, because in all truth with the economy as it is, and the fact that as all things, once they are used loose there value it does not seem so bad..... so.............this is just my view of things I would continue to sell if the conditions are fair.best as always.birkel.
Click to expand...

Thank you birkel. You have a gift for getting right to the essence of a dilemma, and your advice is spot on.:smile1:
 
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