Correction (too late to edit):
‘I always message the SELLER before I purchase’
and
‘I’d be wary of buying from any SELLER who doesn’t reply or ...’
Sorry for the inaccuracies!
Vestiaire Collective experiences?
- Thread starter Kopisusu
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Correction (too late to edit):
‘I always message the SELLER before I purchase’
and
‘I’d be wary of buying from any SELLER who doesn’t reply or ...’
Sorry for the inaccuracies!
VC is full with expensive fakes. I found several for 10 minute search. If I have nerve to search I will find dozens more. I don't know how many of them will pass their in house authentication but probably enough.
When buy from them is better to request more pictures and authenticate the bag before buy it which can save you headache from returning fake bag. After you get the bag from them take the actual pictures and send it again for authentication.
https://us.vestiairecollective.com/...athers-birkin-35-hermes-handbag-6378168.shtml
https://us.vestiairecollective.com/...eather-birkin-30-hermes-handbag-6399086.shtml
https://us.vestiairecollective.com/...eather-birkin-30-hermes-handbag-5305972.shtml
https://us.vestiairecollective.com/...leather-kelly-32-hermes-handbag-5465237.shtml
https://us.vestiairecollective.com/...eather-constance-hermes-handbag-6430461.shtml
I agree with you that there are fakes on the VC site (I’ve previously observed this in this thread) and agree with you that it is advisable to get more photos for authentication wherever possible, and proceed with caution especially on expensive items.
However I think from my experience that it’s reasonably likely that fakes will not pass VC quality control, and that if they do and are subsequently challenged, they will generally make suitable amends. I’m sure there will be the occasional exception to this, as has been observed by other posters.
I honestly do not believe that VC is a systemically dishonest business; but I think that realistically, if unfortunately, when we dabble in the pre-owned market, we all have to recognise and remain aware that levels of competence, consistent attention to detail, and even hypothetically the honesty or otherwise of an isolated individual supposed authenticator who just manages to evade detection by the system, may vary with VC’s authentication or with authentication elsewhere. Caveat emptor, but we can still find good buys out there!
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If you look at the sold Birkin bag from the third link and after that comments below ( the buyer complains about some missing accessories) you will see that buyer of the bag already received it which have to mean it passed VC authentication control.
Also this bags from the links are not low quality fakes ( except one ) and I even suspect one from the bags even is a super fake so I'm sure it will pass.
Also this bags from the links are not low quality fakes ( except one ) and I even suspect one from the bags even is a super fake so I'm sure it will pass.
There are fakes there as on most online platforms, and I’m sure it must happen from time to time that the good ones make it past QC, as I said; you’re right, but from my experience when I deal with VC they will rectify things when they turn out to be wrong. I can’t comment on other people’s experiences apart from those of friends, but am extrapolating so far as I can from my own.
I suppose from time to time buyers will never know they have purchased a superfake or even a less-than-super fake, but will be happy with the purchase anyway, so they will never query the purchase. This absolutely doesn’t make it ok, it’s appalling (and my goodness, I would advise anybody never to purchase a pre-owned item online as an actual financial investment — what a risk!). However my main point in all this is really just that unfortunately but realistically when we buy pre-owned, to a certain extent we take our chances, and I believe that occasional mistakes by VC are more likely a failure of competence than anything more sinister. There’s a massive amount on that website and just from logic I wouldn’t expect it all to be ok, though I don’t particularly distrust the company’s intentions. I can’t comment on whether they are much less reliable than other independent authenticators, as I have never used the latter, and I believe it is acknowledged there is no such thing as complete certainty (and even when the manufacturing brand itself sees the item, people sometimes dispute the result). I feel that the situation is undoubtedly always less than fully satisfactory, and it just behoves us all, in this uncertain second hand market, to protect ourselves as far as we can and decide what risks we are willing to take with our hard-earned money. I think that’s the most important question any of us should ask ourselves when we take this particular kind of plunge.
I’ve only come to all this relatively recently and find it fascinating! It was because of my two or three years’ experience with VC, having found the platform useful and, broadly speaking, competent if approached wisely, and because of coming across this VC experiences thread, that I started exploring these issues further. I have seen your posts in the Hermès thread I mentioned and found your perspective well worth reading. I await with bated breath the outcome of that situation and hope very much that it will be resolved happily for the OP of that thread.
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I’m not sure if having fakes on the website is VC’s fault. After all, it’s seller to buyer through a platform called VC. I never experienced fakes before. Just super late and lazy sellers who can’t be arsed to inform you if products are not available...
Hi there, how are you? [emoji2]
I agree, it’s not entirely their fault; mostly when they list they are working from a small number of photos only, and most often discrepancies will be picked up at quality control, which is where the barrier to fakes is. I haven’t experienced fakes either, and as a seller have found them pretty rigorous when my items go through quality control. And as we know we all have our gripes with VC, but by and large find it quite useful. Buying pre-owned is just tricky, and quality control and authenticator’s skills and opinions on any platform or in any context are bound to vary, so the odd thing might slip through from time to time, unfortunately.
Hi
Sorry maybe I’ve got it wrong , but I thought that before they ship out your items that they went through a authentication process?
I understood that the seller shipped to vc head quarters where they check them,
The problem I met was there were a few things that were wrong so I really can’t for the life of me understand how these passed,
I know buying preloved is a risk I just thought that any thing that wasn’t authentic would not get through,
Thanks x
Sorry maybe I’ve got it wrong , but I thought that before they ship out your items that they went through a authentication process?
I understood that the seller shipped to vc head quarters where they check them,
The problem I met was there were a few things that were wrong so I really can’t for the life of me understand how these passed,
I know buying preloved is a risk I just thought that any thing that wasn’t authentic would not get through,
Thanks x
Absolutely you’re right, they are supposed to be authenticated, it’s the service they offer, and it is very poor if a fake gets through, and completely unacceptable if despite a verifiable fake being brought to their attention they then fail to make reparation.
I was only saying that I don’t think the authentication process can ever be perfect, and that I don’t believe VC is intentionally dishonest. VC is a pretty useful platform and mostly works well. I’ve had really good purchases as well as having made sales. It’s not right that they should get it wrong, and when they do get it wrong, they must put it right because they have failed to do what they say they will: there’s a contract.
In my experience with them they have actually always tried to protect me against rogue sellers, and have also acted to protect buyers when I have unintentionally missed a small flaw in something I’ve sold.
It’s quite often implied by reviewers and posters that VC is something approaching a scam (I am not by any means suggesting that you are doing this), and I only mean to say that I do not believe this particular thing to be the case: in my experience both buying and selling they have actually always endeavoured to do the right the right thing. I don’t think people generally post about their good experiences, so we are less aware of them. Some sellers are poor, lazy, slow, some sellers are outright scammers — I’ve noticed when VC ensures some of these latter are taken off the platform.
I’ve had my heart in my mouth when buying a really expensive pre-owned item because I can never truly believe, whatever anybody says or offers, that authentication is guaranteed, and I will always believe I’m choosing to take a risk. The backstop should then be that even if VC makes a mistake (and I do believe it would be a mistake, lack of thoroughness, or incompetence, as it may be with your shoes, not deliberate) they should rectify the situation if challenged with fair evidence. It seems, from reading other posts on TPF, that even the most respected independent authenticators may make mistakes at times and even manufacturers don’t seem to be always clear on the authenticity of items supposedly made by themselves. I think there are different levels of competence at VC depending on which particular quality control person inspects the purchase, and I think some things get rushed through on busy days without enough attention. This is undeniably wrong and should not happen, but realistically it does sometimes I am sure; however my experience would lead me to believe that VC will respond and put matters right in that eventuality if queried. Other people may well think differently.
I’d be surprised and sorry to hear it if in the end they insist an obvious fake is authentic even after it’s re-inspected, and if they do you should definitely get independent authentication and challenge them on it, because they have failed to do what they offered. That’s a crazy amount of hassle, obviously, and you really shouldn’t have to do it.
I really hope there is a satisfactory outcome for you. [emoji846]That sinking feeling when you think you might have spent a lot of money on a fake is horrible.
Aww thanks
I’m sure it will get sorted ,
I will certainly get them authenticated if they do say they are genuine,
I too have bought a couple of things that have been a fantastic buy off them , I think that’s why I was so shocked by what I received ,
Thank you for your time and effort on this I will let you know what happens
Thanks x
I’m sure it will get sorted ,
I will certainly get them authenticated if they do say they are genuine,
I too have bought a couple of things that have been a fantastic buy off them , I think that’s why I was so shocked by what I received ,
Thank you for your time and effort on this I will let you know what happens
Thanks x
Can anyone tell me what happened with Rebelle, not used it for a while and then due to us moving away thought I have a clear out, the site is a total mess, and I wanted to sell a few designer items from the main lines (the black labels) and they gave me prices that would even be low for the cheaper lines, for one of the super expensive ball gowns from Vera Wang main line, hand embroidered, they suggested I sell it for 70 Euros, those dresses cost from 2K upwards. On another forum somebody said they reject most pictures all of a sudden, change the rules, have increased their percentage and they don't reply to mails anymore, others complained that the items are shown as first picture from the back and if you complain, then your items get rejected.
They recently celebrated being 5 years in business, they made mistakes in the past, though I don't think they ever let fakes slip through, the website was always buggy, but it seems they are totally trying to put themselves out of business now, they have an automated price proposal system that frankly is a joke, their brand experts don't seem to have any clue about what are the different lines of brands (possibly a bunch of unpaid interns) are and the price proposals are frankly not even worth thinking about selling if you consider the time it takes you to measure, take pictures, do a description and then wait and wait and wait until the item goes online, then they want you to sell for less than 10% of the item, which means you end up with peanuts.
Sorry if I sound like a snob, but designer items are exclusive, everybody knows that used they lose value, but a genuine designer item for less than what something mass produced from a chain store costs, that is totally devaluing designer brands. are they trying to appeal to the people who usually shop at ASDA.
VC is quite known for the price dumping, but if you have a really valuable item, they buy it then and sell it themselves for 5 times the price, happened to me twice, so really not too keen on them. There is also HEWI but I really hate listing there as the site is terrible when it comes to responses and the staff just seems to be disinterested and grumpy and I had a really bad experience with somebody buying a dress, obviously wearing it and returning it a week later, apparently as not the size stated, which was a joke, the item was brand new with tags, somebody had taken the tags off, tried to attach them again with a nylon string, and there was a pull in the dress and the hemline soiled.
So I am desperately on the look out for something similar, because before I sell a ball gown I paid 3K for for 70 (which would mean 40 for me) I put it into a shredder and then give the rags to charity.
I don't mind the companies making a profit, if they provide the platform and do the quality control, but I really mind the total dumping prices that seem to have started, it just makes no sense, if somebody can't afford say 200 to 500 for a ball gown, chances are they won't be able to go to an event where such an item is worn, so they are marketing to the totally wrong crowd.
They recently celebrated being 5 years in business, they made mistakes in the past, though I don't think they ever let fakes slip through, the website was always buggy, but it seems they are totally trying to put themselves out of business now, they have an automated price proposal system that frankly is a joke, their brand experts don't seem to have any clue about what are the different lines of brands (possibly a bunch of unpaid interns) are and the price proposals are frankly not even worth thinking about selling if you consider the time it takes you to measure, take pictures, do a description and then wait and wait and wait until the item goes online, then they want you to sell for less than 10% of the item, which means you end up with peanuts.
Sorry if I sound like a snob, but designer items are exclusive, everybody knows that used they lose value, but a genuine designer item for less than what something mass produced from a chain store costs, that is totally devaluing designer brands. are they trying to appeal to the people who usually shop at ASDA.
VC is quite known for the price dumping, but if you have a really valuable item, they buy it then and sell it themselves for 5 times the price, happened to me twice, so really not too keen on them. There is also HEWI but I really hate listing there as the site is terrible when it comes to responses and the staff just seems to be disinterested and grumpy and I had a really bad experience with somebody buying a dress, obviously wearing it and returning it a week later, apparently as not the size stated, which was a joke, the item was brand new with tags, somebody had taken the tags off, tried to attach them again with a nylon string, and there was a pull in the dress and the hemline soiled.
So I am desperately on the look out for something similar, because before I sell a ball gown I paid 3K for for 70 (which would mean 40 for me) I put it into a shredder and then give the rags to charity.
I don't mind the companies making a profit, if they provide the platform and do the quality control, but I really mind the total dumping prices that seem to have started, it just makes no sense, if somebody can't afford say 200 to 500 for a ball gown, chances are they won't be able to go to an event where such an item is worn, so they are marketing to the totally wrong crowd.
I agree, I find VC useful but my biggest gripe is the low price they try to force on you when you’re selling. Sometimes I think they’ve turned out to be right, but not always, and I haven’t experienced them buying anything of mine and raising the price, so I don’t know how often that happens, but it would be seriously annoying. I will donate to charity if I can’t get a fair price anywhere. If you donate to Oxfam I understand they’ll pick out the good stuff and send it to a London store where they can sell it for more, then at least the money is going to good causes (current scandals notwithstanding). One poster mentioned they’d sold an occasion dress for a better price to a rental company. That might be an option with something like your Vera Wang. I didn’t like HEWI from the start because I couldn’t get any answers out of them about protection against dishonest buyers. No replies at all. I haven’t tried Rebelle yet so can’t comment on that.
Yes I agree that I often have to reduce prices drastically to get something sold. I am currently selling an old Chanel bag and people are legit making really ridiculous offers even though I'm offering it for a pretty low price already. But it's a good place if you need instant cash to buy new stuff LOL.
That's why I don't buy obscure/too trendy designers if I am SO SURE that down the road, I am going to sell it. I mean, not everyone thinks that way. For instance, Gucci used to be the hot stuff and second hand Gucci clothes on VC costs a bomb. Now I could get a Alessandro Michele shirt that retails for 1K for 200 euros only. Tell me about EXCLUSIVE!!
I think there is always a trick to selling items higher. You gotta really observe the trends and the season. If it is fall, it make sense to sell winter clothing. If it is ball gown season, sell it during ball gown season. I've bought gowns off VC before. Not for 70 dollars for course. I actually buy a lot from VC because I believe that it's pointless to buy obscure/ trendy designers for MORE.
VC tends to be a lot hit and miss, I had a few items where I asked questions about the items and the replies I got were not truthful, when I got the item and instead of the "lining looks like new" the lining showed that it was worn an awful lot, if you try to talk to VC, they will tell you that the item description counts and that it was not mentioned there so nothing they can do about it.
Plus I am still totally angry about the 2 Hermes items, got them from an aunt who literally lived for Hermes and while they were beautiful, I couldn't see myself ever using them, VC kept on beating down the price with mentioning age and style, when I finally just went "OK" the items then appeared to be sold literally while I answered a phone call. I really didn't think anything of it, but had kept the description and serial numbers, a few days later a friend called me and told me the bags I wanted to sell, she saw the same ones for a lot of money on VC and ready to send, so I checked, compared the numbers and was really really angry, especially since they sold really quick for literally 5 times the price. I was a bit daft then and VC was the only place I knew of.
To be honest, I don't really want to buy a designer for a dumping price, a good bargain, great, happy to do that, but if it is so cheap, I think it does devalue the brand and if I see them too cheap resold, I avoid buying it in the future, and call me a snob, but I really don't want to make exclusive items accessible to the fast clothes crowd with their knock off bags
Plus I am still totally angry about the 2 Hermes items, got them from an aunt who literally lived for Hermes and while they were beautiful, I couldn't see myself ever using them, VC kept on beating down the price with mentioning age and style, when I finally just went "OK" the items then appeared to be sold literally while I answered a phone call. I really didn't think anything of it, but had kept the description and serial numbers, a few days later a friend called me and told me the bags I wanted to sell, she saw the same ones for a lot of money on VC and ready to send, so I checked, compared the numbers and was really really angry, especially since they sold really quick for literally 5 times the price. I was a bit daft then and VC was the only place I knew of.
To be honest, I don't really want to buy a designer for a dumping price, a good bargain, great, happy to do that, but if it is so cheap, I think it does devalue the brand and if I see them too cheap resold, I avoid buying it in the future, and call me a snob, but I really don't want to make exclusive items accessible to the fast clothes crowd with their knock off bags
I think they have grown really big and the staff seems to be quite disinterested now, possibly underpaid, I helped a friend pack and ship a few items she sold via VC and I was totally shocked, things got returned but not as they were sent, one time really expensive sunglasses had scratches on them that weren't there when we sent and packed them, so their handling is not always with great care, one time an item got returned with the comment it has pulls, no pulls were found, upon contacting them, they said if QC saw pulls there were pulls, the end...
My only explanation is, the companies have grown and are trying to increase their market share with mass instead of class and quality, fast turn over for less price, more Walmart than Saks.
They are trying to increase their profit, so they are most likely also cutting down on staff.
Rebelle and VC seem to have cornered the market in Europe and are trying to race each other to the bottom of the bargain bin, I guess we will have to see if it works for them on the long run. The people who buy from them are possibly not people who would ever buy designer or go for investment pieces. Personally I would have thought that their service would appeal to successful business women who rather have 2 or 3 outfits instead of one for the price and value quality, but it seems they are courting the bling bling crowd who wants everything cheap, a bit like Audi or Bentley advertising their cars in a Penny Saver publication.