Would you buy a Chanel "vintage" bag without serial number?

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J

jqbirdie

Member
Aug 11, 2019
50
17
#1
Hi all,

So I have been eyeing a Chanel Jumbo for awhile and I am thinking of jumping on one as the prices seem relatively low on the resale market for them. I came across a Jumbo on a resale site, that also would be authenticating the bag before it came to me. It's a gorgeous Jumbo in Caviar leather, in a color I have had my heart set on. The person selling says they bought it pre-loved as well and it does not have the serial number inside nor does she have the authenticity card. She says it's "vintage" but who even knows if she doesn't have those other 2 items? My question is, for a bag that on the exterior looks to be in "very good"/great condition and shape, but the interior looks fairly worn (ie Chanel logo looks faded and interior looks to have marks), what is a fair price? Or is it even worth pursuing without the serial number or card?

I really couldn't find too much on the forum about it, so curious what others would advise. If I did purchase and it was authenticate - I would almost want to have it authenticated again by another party... I would ideally want to have this bag for the long haul, but if push came to shove and I had to sell I would want to know I would at least be getting my money back. What do you say, buy & authenticate & enjoy or pass without at least the serial #?

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#2
I personally always skip one without sticker and/or card (pre current system); even if it is a quarter of its perceived price.

I feel incomplete (just like I can't get out of house without spitz of my perfume).

To resell in future, you'll meet roadblocks. Not impossible, but just probably much longer process. And also to lower expectation on your selling price.

Ultimately it's your personal comfort level. And it might help if you think of it as a good piece to use for good years to come, not thinking of reselling so that'll take the stress away but instead truly enjoying the bag.

Good luck in deciding.
 
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#5
I am looking forward to the responses. I am in a similar situation. I have looking a pre-loved vintage bags and several that I like either don't have a serial number and/or authenticity card. I don't have any intention to sell my bags, but I am reluctant to buy bags without a serial number and authenticity card.
 
#8
You wont get a huge discount for no card and missing sticker. If you do great, but it doesn't mean you couldn't get a good price one day. Vintage bags don't always have these things. Even with stickers - sometimes the number can barely be read. Don't stress on this stuff. A good authenticator doesn't need them - the bag is what's important.
 
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#9
If i recall from my much older bags, the serial number was this sticker like thing in a corner. (Trying to remember. It was a while ago). Also, I’ve purchased enough items that I lost track of authenticity cards and am sure just threw a bunch away. Honestly, otherwise you end up with zip lock bags, shoeboxes and drawers filled with authenticity cards, those button and thread and fabric swatches for RTW, and other assorted stuff. (DH and I did start keeping watch boxes but not until after i disposed of several high end ones). This was of course back in the days when there was no internet, no resellers, nada, and people either gave their old bags to framily members or places like good will.

if the bag is older, authentic, relatively rare, and in otherwise excellent clean condition, inside and out, and from a reputable reseller (not Facebook or individual, but YMMV), I am of the opinion that a sizable discount is unwarranted for a plastic card and a sticker. I would probably feel differently if the bag came from a newer season. Of course,this is only my layman opinion, and I only consign items; I don’t sell myself, so I am not expert in these matters.
 
#11
^^ what the others have said.

Before you decide to bite the bullet, double check their return policy. If it were me, I'd definitely pay the extra $ for another third party authentication for peace of mind. It's hard to say how much lower a "fair" purchase price should be since that's all subjective. Do you have any references to recent sale prices for the same style/age bag (even if diff color)?
 
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#12
Coach Superfan said:
^^ what the others have said.

Before you decide to bite the bullet, double check their return policy. If it were me, I'd definitely pay the extra $ for another third party authentication for peace of mind. It's hard to say how much lower a "fair" purchase price should be since that's all subjective. Do you have any references to recent sale prices for the same style/age bag (even if diff color)?
Click to expand...

I am actually in contact now with Zeko to see if the photos I have are sufficient for them to authenticate the purse - otherwise I will ask the seller for more pictures, and if they don't provide them I will move on.:frown: More than anything I was just curious what the overall thought was with the serial number not being there/card also not being there. Seems to be a mixed bag, but regardless I want to do my due diligence especially for a bag that is as costly as Chanel.

I have done some searching on various sites, and this bag does seem to be below most others by about $500 or so. I am thinking the seller has factored in the serial # situation plus I am guessing because of the inside too... which does look a little rough.
 
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#13
880 said:
If i recall from my much older bags, the serial number was this sticker like thing in a corner. (Trying to remember. It was a while ago). Also, I’ve purchased enough items that I lost track of authenticity cards and am sure just threw a bunch away. Honestly, otherwise you end up with zip lock bags, shoeboxes and drawers filled with authenticity cards, those button and thread and fabric swatches for RTW, and other assorted stuff. (DH and I did start keeping watch boxes but not until after i disposed of several high end ones). This was of course back in the days when there was no internet, no resellers, nada, and people either gave their old bags to framily members or places like good will.

if the bag is older, authentic, relatively rare, and in otherwise excellent clean condition, inside and out, and from a reputable reseller (not Facebook or individual, but YMMV), I am of the opinion that a sizable discount is unwarranted for a plastic card and a sticker. I would probably feel differently if the bag came from a newer season. Of course,this is only my layman opinion, and I only consign items; I don’t sell myself, so I am not expert in these matters.
Click to expand...

I completely could see how the sticker could wear away and someone might not even notice till it's too late. This bag definitely is very clean and in pretty awesome shape on the outside, the inside (I shared a photo of), is a little rough. And I'm thinking that has a good deal to do with the price as well as the serial #/card...it is through a resale site that would also authenticate it before it came to me. But I am also talking to Zeko to see if what pictures are provided are sufficient to say it's authenticate. I have heard some super fakes may make it through some companies authentication process, would rather do the leg work now than have to deal with being out a few thousand and having a fake Chanel lol.
 
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#14
jqbirdie said:
I am actually in contact now with Zeko to see if the photos I have are sufficient for them to authenticate the purse - otherwise I will ask the seller for more pictures, and if they don't provide them I will move on.:frown: More than anything I was just curious what the overall thought was with the serial number not being there/card also not being there. Seems to be a mixed bag, but regardless I want to do my due diligence especially for a bag that is as costly as Chanel.

I have done some searching on various sites, and this bag does seem to be below most others by about $500 or so. I am thinking the seller has factored in the serial # situation plus I am guessing because of the inside too... which does look a little rough.
Click to expand...
jqbirdie said:
I completely could see how the sticker could wear away and someone might not even notice till it's too late. This bag definitely is very clean and in pretty awesome shape on the outside, the inside (I shared a photo of), is a little rough. And I'm thinking that has a good deal to do with the price as well as the serial #/card...it is through a resale site that would also authenticate it before it came to me. But I am also talking to Zeko to see if what pictures are provided are sufficient to say it's authenticate. I have heard some super fakes may make it through some companies authentication process, would rather do the leg work now than have to deal with being out a few thousand and having a fake Chanel lol.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea. Hopefully you'll have authentication from Zeko. It sounds promising, but definitely better to be safer than sorry. Are there superfakes of uncommon vintage bags? Please keep us updated on what happens and if you do buy this bag, any restoration you have done to spiffy it up!
 
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