I live in France and have bought a few items on VC. I think its great! However no site is perfect so you still have to do your research. How I shop is most often when I want the bag,
1. I compare on the site to see if the same bag as sold on the site and for how much I can negotiate, or if I should bother. For example I was interested in buying the small GIVENCHY Pandora, I compared the bags that had already sold to get an idea of the lowest price that it was bought and from there I could tell okay i was getting a good price for it. There are some sellers that do sell their bags nearly the same price as retail, and often when you ask them why will actually give a reason to it.
2. I look at the sellers activity. How much they has sold, the other items listed, their comments, I also ask where they bought it, what year, if they have receipt , dust bag, the whole nine yards. Even if the seller may not have the receipt, their response gives me clarity on where they bought it. If they tell me they bought it in NY Barneys it gives more credibility then a seller who doesn't reply at all or is very vague. We have as much right to ask the questions needed for such a big purchase. For example I bought A GIVENCHY lucrezia , I knew the color palette had actually sold out in the stores and so I knew what to look for. 2 , the seller replied to all of my questions- I saw her other bags on sale, you can kinda get an idea of the person through the dialogue, and I saw the items she had sold the comments left by others and her reply An honest seller is willing to add additional pics and tell you more about the item and why they are selling it.
3. I personally like to buy it brand new or never used, even if it is second hand because most often these sellers have bought the bags and still have the proof of purchase, dustbag, authenticity card. For me it makes me reassured then buying a vintage luxury bag unless I really know which bag I am looking for and have researched it for a while. The bags I have bought on VC have all been never been used and had all the needed information and have all satisfied.
4. My only complain on VC is that I wish it could block certain people. There is one person on VC who comments on nearly every it bag and offers a ridiculous price and often makes inane comments as to why it's so expensive sometimes she tells the seller she thinks its fake- its absurd because as an honest bag lover, she does it to try to get the bag at a lower price with no intent to buy , you can tell she has no intention about buying because any user you can click a person's activity and you can see that she writes stupid comments on nearly every bag possible. Her username is emiliya
5. My advice is if you are still unsure about the item you can always pay through paypal on VC so at least you are protected in terms of getting reimbursed even if it is a hassle. But if you are in doubt, it is best to not spend. All my purchases on VC I had no doubt about the seller's credibility and the authenticity of the bag, I asked more than enough questions and there are pictures, details that give me all the sufficient evidence I need. And when I negotiate I negotiate fairly and know exactly the retail value.
ullhair:
Now I kind of wish that she sell it to somebody on eBay. And I have a feeling that she will sell it via eBay coz still got 14hrs to go for bid and price is very close to what I paid at VC and less commision and faster of course. 
