"MULING" IT OVER- TIME FOR NEW SHOES

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Okay, February is definitely boot weather, but I'm already dreaming of spring and, of course, mules! I love how versatile they are— you can find everything from a comfortable flat loafer mules to ultra stylish embellished stilettos. Since there are so many choices, it's a good idea to start looking now. Just a quick note for the shoe aficionados: I'm sticking to the classic definition of a mule, meaning it has a closed toe. Open-toed versions are usually called slides. Slides will be covered in another post.

Jeffrey Campbell consistently delivers interesting designs, unique heel shapes, and diverse fabrications—and in abundance! The Vader, style with its high vamp and sculpted 3.5-inch heel, is a perfect example. Available in an array of eye-catching brights, including chartreuse, pink, orange, red, and the turquoise suede shade shown here, these mules are a stylish way to step into spring. Price: $155

Link: https://tinyurl.com/4dapvrr4

ALAÏA's Cube Wedge Mule is the kind of shoe that can do it all. The wedge sole offers all-day comfort, while the pointy toe adds a touch of elegance. This versatile style is shown here in a sophisticated satin dune shade, but you can also find it in black and a rich dark brown. With a heel height of 75mm (approximately 2.9 inches), it's the perfect balance of height and comfort. Price: $1,200

Link: https://tinyurl.com/mrxmm7m3

VINCE, a go-to brand for minimalist clothing and shoes, offers a chic update to the classic loafer with the Samy Leather Kitten Mule Pumps. Featuring a pointy toe, a walkable 1.75-inch heel, and leather soles, the hardest part is choosing between the rich ganache brown and the always-reliable black. Price: $295

Link: https://tinyurl.com/yc6uwvjf

Square toe mules are a stylish and modern choice too. Consider this Prada minimalistic patent leather mule. Though the heel is about 3.3 inches, because of its design, it should be comfortable for daily wear. Plus, the glossy patent leather adds a touch of polish that works beautifully with everything from casual to dressy looks. You will be wearing this shoe for a long time! Price: $ 1,200

Link: https://tinyurl.com/awkvt9e2

While Jimmy Choo is often synonymous with towering stilettos, the brand also excels at creating elegant lower heels, like the Staz Mule. With a comfortable 50mm (nearly 2 inch) heel, this mule features a beautifully sculpted heel shape, a delicate bow detail, an elegant pointy toe, and a truly eye-catching metallic silver shade. These aren't just for dressy events; imagine how great they'd look with your everyday wardrobe! Price: $1,125

Link: https://tinyurl.com/3ktyd7pm

Do you wear mules, and if so when and what are your favorite styles? I'd love to hear your recommendations!

Full Disclosure: The content in my blog is based on my personal opinions and experiences. It is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. All opinions are my own, and I have not received any compensation for writing this post.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO RETURN A PRE-LOVED LUXURY BAG IF YOU SUSPECT IT IS NOT AUTHENTIC?

Buying a luxury handbag from a reseller can be exciting, especially when you have tracked down a bag on your wish list, or while browsing come across a bag you never even knew about!

However, this excitement should be tempered with caution. It requires carefully reviewing the description, photos, and the reseller's policies to avoid the potential pitfalls of counterfeits, overpricing, or unexpected imperfections.

When buying a luxury bag from a reseller, it's crucial to understand their authentication process and policies, including guarantees and refunds if the bag is later deemed inauthentic. Furthermore, when it comes to buying pre-owned luxury handbags, the options are all over the map. You've got everything from small local shops to huge global platforms, and it can be a bit much to take in.

With so many choices for buying secondhand luxury handbags, I researched the return policies of roughly twenty resellers operating within or shipping to the USA concentrating on returns due to authenticity concerns, with key findings noted below. My informal research revealed a significant problem: most resellers don't explicitly state their return policy for such cases, requiring further inquiry. Even then, their responses often fail to fully address the question.

While it's understandable that resellers wouldn't prominently advertise the possibility of selling inauthentic goods—as this could deter customers—many require buyers to search their websites for information about authenticity and refunds. Based on my review, it's crucial for buyers to contact the reseller directly to confirm the website's information and ask specific questions about their authentication policies.

Range of information provided by resellers

Interestingly, while most resellers state something like "we sell only authentic items" and some even offer "100% authenticity guarantee or your money back" they fail to outline the process for securing a refund if an inauthentic bag is inadvertently sold.

A number of resellers kind of addressed the issue of proving a bag is inauthentic by saying they'd accept proof from a recognized authentication expert. But here's the catch: they didn't say who those experts are! In a few cases I used their chat feature to ask, and even then, only one reseller provided the name of the authentication company they accept.

Lux Lair, in business for about ten years, comes close to providing clear information on their website. Their website states that it will refund the buyer 10+ years from now "if it is ever deemed inauthentic—by the brand or a well-recognized authentication expert (documentation required)—we will take it back and offer a full refund, including any shipping and authentication costs." In this case I did not follow-up with an email asking for a list of the "well-recognized authentication experts." Note: Lux Lair also sells on thredUP. The only information about authentication for the few dozen bags I looked at on thredUP show "this item has been authenticated by Lux Lair" And regarding returns, the bags I looked at show this:"No returns on this item because it is final sale"

Use email and chats to ask questions

In a number of cases I sought help via the chats on websites and my attempts to contact resellers via email yielded inconsistent results. Some responses were thorough and easy to understand, while others were vague regarding approved third-party authentication services. And in two cases I became more confused! Even among those accepting third-party authentication, refund policies differed, with some paying for the third party authenticators while others did not mention they would. Others have not yet responded to my questions.

FASHIONPHILE'S website states:"We guarantee the authenticity of every item we sell or 100% of your money back. Ensuring your trust is most important to us." Using the chat function with a pleasant FASHIONPHILE representative, I learned it accepts the third party authenticator Authenticate First and once the buyer emails the third party certificate, a return label will be generated and process a refund upon the Company receiving the bag. Clear enough!

Couture USA and Bag Borrow or Steal, both in business for over twenty years, provided additional information about their authentication processes via email. Both companies stated they would issue a refund and reimburse authentication fees if a bag is deemed inauthentic by a third-party expert. Importantly, neither company disclosed the names of the specific authenticators they deem acceptable.

Luxe Collective (based in the UK and has 1.7 million TikTok followers) responded to my inquiry about authentication and refunds. They offer a one-year return window for inauthentic items, with (another) authentication performed at their headquarters. They don't mention third-party authenticators. Given their large TikTok following, I assume they'd be willing to work with a buyer who obtains a conflicting third-party authentication.

Luxury Promise with stores in Dubai, London and Singapore and notes on its website "Luxury Promise , the first re-sale platform to introduce live shopping, regarding authenticity shows on their website:"We are confident that you will be happy with your purchase and we offer a full refund on authenticity." I filled out the message form asking for details and will update this post when Luxury Promise provides a response.

Yoogi's Closet, based in Seattle and operating since 2008 on its website clearly states it has a 100 % money back promise and will also refund the original and return shipping costs. What is not as clear though is what is included when it refers to "your local authorized retailer" When explaining its policies on the page:"The Shopping Experience At Yoogi's Closet" It states: "You can shop with confidence at Yoogi's Closet, because every item we sell comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee of Authenticity and is backed with a 30-day return policy. This allows you to inspect the condition of the item in person and even bring it to your local authorized retailer to ensure it's quality and authenticity." I sent an email asking for clarification and this post will be updated when Yoogi's Closet responds.

Bam Luxury, Store, a Spain-based reseller with weekly new bag and accessory drops on Wednesdays, states on their website: "We take great care in ensuring that all bags are 100% authentic. We work with trusted sources, experts, and authenticate every bag thoroughly before listing. " They later confirmed via email they use Entrupy for third-party authentication, which I found reassuring.

Policies differ among well known resellers

Interestingly, my research also revealed that two of the four well-known resellers I contacted left me even more confused after I sought clarification. A third's response, while seemingly helpful, raised concerns about its validity in a genuine authenticity dispute. The fourth reseller echoed the common practice of accepting a verified authenticator's decision but failed to name any specific authenticator.

While The RealReal  with about 15 US retail locations (including recent additions in Houston and Miami's Design District), extensively promotes its authentication process, its website doesn't address the possibility of selling inauthentic items.

Even after several email exchanges, customer service only provided a link to an irrelevant page called 'RealStyle.' My question was easy and I was confused I had to restate my simple question a multiple emails. Despite my past positive experiences selling on the platform, I still need more information and if I were to buy a bag from The RealReal, I'd visit their Madison Avenue store to follow-up.

thredUP sells luxury handbags in on its site through a partnership started in November 2023 with Rebag. Other luxury resellers also selling on the thredUP platform include Luxclusif, BrandCo Paris and Lux Lair. Additionally, individuals may consign their luxury bags for sale with the platform.

During my web chat with the thredUP customer service my focus was on Rebag's authentication and the question concerning if I bought a Rebag item on thredUP, and subsequently thought it was not authentic, what was the process for a refund.

The thredUP site clearly states Rebag items sold on their platform are sold and shipped by Rebag. But since the site also showed "No returns on this item because it is final sale" I was concerned and asked questions. For several reasons the chat left me more confused. First, when I asked about the authentication, I was led to believe thredUP also authenticates the Rebag items on the site. And when I asked if it is true both platforms authenticate, I did not get a clear answer. Second, when I asked about returns (the item description states final sale) I was told Rebag accepts U.S. returns for a full refund if the return is requested online through your Rebag account within 7 days.

Like many other resellers, Rebag's website is vague about approved authenticators. Their return policy for inauthentic items simply states: "If you purchase an item and it is proven to be inauthentic by a verified authenticator, Rebag will honor a full refund upon return of the bag." Since there is a Rebag store in New York City, I would pay them a visit to learn more rior to buying.

eBay has an Authenticity Guarantee service where authenticators (eBay's team of professionally trained authenticators) inspect all eligible luxury handbags before shipping to the buyer. The authentication process is presented clearly. For listings priced at $500 or more, which includes about 42 brands on the platform, authentication is included in the price and the buyer cannot choose to bypass the authentication service.

For qualifying handbags priced between $200-$499.99, there as an optional add-on authentication service and the buyer pays the is $40 fee plus taxes.

When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item to the authentication facility. Once verified, the item is shipped to the buyer. There is an information page covering returns for authenticated items. However, I was unable to locate information if the bag could be returned if buyer believes it is not authentic.

I contacted eBay and spoke with a friendly and professional customer representative. I confirmed I was aware of their return policy. However, it was unclear about returns for authenticity issues. He said the authentication team would contact me after I contacted eBay. While this didn't fully alleviate my concerns, I appreciated that there seemed to be a next step.

Niche luxury resellers

There are a few names that quickly come to mind when thinking about luxury handbag resellers focused on just a few brands and two are noted below.

Founded in 2010 , Madison Avenue Couture, based in New York City states on its website "... it is the most trusted dealer in the United States for authentic Hermès and Chanel  merchandise in the secondary market". Furthermore, it states: "We have one of the largest online collections of store fresh, new and like-new Hermès handbags in the world, with new merchandise being offered every day."

Similar to a number of resellers above, while it mentions trusted third party authenticators, it does not specify them by name. Their website states: Madison Avenue Couture purchases comes with a full money back guarantee. In the unlikely event that something is found to be unauthentic by any of our trusted third-party authenticators, we will refund 100% of the original price."

1st Dibs, established in 2000 is an online marketplace for a range of luxury items including vintage, antique, home décor, art, fine jewelry, watches and fashion, including luxury handbags. The sellers on 1st Dibs are screened third parties. At one point I recalled individuals were able to complete an application to be considered for selling on the platform. However, the eligible sellers are now limited to professional sellers and galleries.

The platform includes new and pre-loved handbag brands Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton Gucci and a few others. 

1st Dibs has the lengthiest section covering authentication of all the resellers reviewed. Yet, it is overwhelming to take it all in at one reading and therefore recommended it be carefully read. A few points are included here: " ... if an item purchased on 1st Dibs is found to be inauthentic, the 1st Dibs Authenticity Guarantee will provide up to $100,000 to reimburse the purchase price and related shipping expenses for the item. To be eligible for payment under the Authenticity Guarantee, a Buyer must:Provide 1st Dibs  within one year of the delivery date of the item written opinions from two (2) independent and recognized experts in the field substantiating the claim of inauthenticity. Note that in limited circumstances, 1stDibs may in its sole discretion waive the requirement. The Seller will have the opportunity to provide one or more written opinions from independent and recognized experts in the field to refute the inauthenticity claim. Ultimately, 1st Dibs  shall have the sole right to determine the validity of any inauthenticity claim and whether the 1st Dibs Authenticity Guarantee program will reimburse the Buyer..."

Resellers requiring written confirmation from luxury brands the bag is not authentic

What stood out was the policy of some resellers to offer refunds for inauthentic handbags only with written confirmation from the brand—a virtually unattainable requirement.

The buyer would probably be in a bind because it's widely understood that luxury brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Dior do not provide authentication services or written verification for secondhand bags. While I haven't received direct confirmation from these brands, the consistency of reports in news articles and online discussions suggests this is indeed their policy. This puts the buyer in a difficult position as they need proof of inauthenticity to get a refund, but the very brands that could provide that proof refuse to do so.

Sellier Knightsbridge with locations in London, Liverpool, Monaco and Glasgow, includes the following on their website: "WE GUARANTEE THE AUTHENTICITY OF ANY ITEM BOUGHT WITH SELLIER KNIGHTSBRIDGE. AS SUCH, WE WILL OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR ANY ITEM THAT IS PROVEN NOT TO BE AUTHENTIC." I emailed the Company asking for further information. They replied: "If a buyer believes that an item purchased from us is not authentic, we require official confirmation from the brand itself. This must be provided in the form of a signed letter from the brand confirming that the item in question is not genuine."

My Gemma, the New York City based luxury reseller notes on their website: "If the brand determines in writing that the item is not authentic, we will give you a full refund of the purchase price."

Additional information

Finally, What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA), founded in 1993 and now with two locations in New York City and one in Beverly Hills, as well as selling on other platforms, including being a part of the Amazon Luxury Store platform, and sells in certain Dillard's stores, (not available on Dillard's  website) according to their website:"is the premier purveyor of the finest luxury vintage accessories and apparel from around the world."

WGACA has been the subject of news coverage since 2018, when Chanel filed a lawsuit against them.WGACA argued Chanel's lawsuit was an attempt to stifle the legitimate resale market for its products. After a lengthy battle, in February 2024 the verdict, delivered by a New York jury, found WGACA liable on all four counts of Chanel's claims, which included trademark infringement, unfair competition, false advertising, and the sale of counterfeit products. As a result, Chanel was awarded $4 million. I have not been able to learn if WGACA  paid the $4 million fine to Chanel. Since the verdict, the case has continued with post-verdict motions and discussions about potential injunctive relief5.

The verdict in Chanel's  lawsuit against What Goes Around Comes Around has implications for the luxury resale market, with potentially reshaping how resale companies operate. Resellers need to be cautions with their authentication and marketing practices. It is possible claims of "authenticity" could lead to legal challenges. I will be closely following developments in this area of the luxury resale market.

So, is it possible to return a pre-loved luxury bag if you suspect it is not authentic?

The answer is probably yes, though probably not in all cases. The burden is on the buyer, who should carefully read all pertinent information posted on the seller's platform and then follow-up with questions.

I'd assume resellers, except for those knowingly engaging in scamming shoppers would want the buyer to have a positive experience and therefore would be open to refunding bags that third party authenticators determined were not authentic.

Full Disclosure: The content in my blog is based on my personal opinions and experiences. It is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. All opinions are my own, and I have not received any compensation for writing this post. My research was conducted from January 22, 2025 until February 3, 2025, so it possible the companies mentioned in this post have updated their policies and platform content. All images in this post were generated by Gemini AI Pro.

Tips for Navigating the Secondhand Luxury Handbag Market

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The topic of luxury handbags made headline news in late December 2024 when dupes of the Hermès Birkin handbag, a notoriously expensive handbag went viral on social media. The dupes, with price points from about $80 - $100, sold by a third-party seller on the Walmart Marketplace became known as the "Wirkin" and these handbags quickly sold out.

Walmart Marketplace and Rebag

Soon after, in January 2025 Walmart and luxury handbags again made headlines. It was reported Walmart and the luxury New York based Rebag, a luxury reseller operating since 2014 would be partnering to offer secondhand luxury handbags, fine jewelry and watches on the Walmart Marketplace. Link: https://tinyurl.com/esby6b6f

Walmart Marketplace and Luxury Reseller eLady

Of note, prior to Rebag's January 2025 announcement, shoppers were already able to buy secondhand luxury handbags on the Walmart Marketplace sold by other companies. One of these is the Tokyo based luxury reseller eLady. As of this writing, eLady has hundreds of listings on the Walmart Marketplace, including luxury brands such as Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Tiffany, among others. For example, this is an eLady listing for a Hermès Birkin

eLady's Listing on Walmart Marketplace

Link to the above Hermès handbag: https://tinyurl.com/th6z6xmn

Note also there are others selling pre-owned luxury handbags on the Walmart Marketplace, including Luxclusif.

Walmart Marketplace and Rebag

Several news articles indicated the Walmart Marketplace site would feature tens of thousands of items from Rebag's inventory. However, my own observations over the past week suggest the actual number of listings is currently somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000. This discrepancy is understandable considering the partnership is a few weeks old.

Rebag's offerings on Walmart Marketplace include handbags from the brands Chanel, Louis Vuitton Gucci, Dior and Hermès, among others. Interestingly only one Hermès Birkin is listed! On the other hand, the Hermès' handbag style named Eveylne looked to have the most number of listings, with about 35.

While Rebag has partnered with other retailers in the past and it sells on other platforms, its latest collaboration with Walmart is making headlines due to the unexpected pairing of a luxury reseller with a mass-market retailer.

Bloomingdale's and Rebag

In August 2024 Bloomingdale's and Rebag started a partnership to sell Rebag's pre-owned

luxury handbags, (including small leather goods) and accessories on the Bloomingdale's website. Link to website: https://tinyurl.com/hpbys8mj

The partnership also includes Rebag store-within-a store in these Bloomingdales' stores

Name of Shopping Center /Mall	City and State
Boca Raton Town Center	Boca Raton, Florida
Fashion Valley, San Diego	San Diego, California
Sherman Oaks Fashion Square	Sherman Oaks, California
The Mall at Short Hills	Short Hills, New Jersey
A Bloomingdale's Standalone Location	White Plains, New York

Per Rebag's August 8, 2024 press release,"The partnership includes a meticulously curated selection of over 2,500 designer handbags, watches, and fine jewelry, available online at Bloomingdales.com and over 500 items in five select Bloomingdale's stores nationwide."

It also states:"The items bought and sold by Rebag at Bloomingdale's and on Bloomingdales.com will be focused solely on select ultra high-end pieces including handbags, watches, and fine jewelry."

My recent review of Rebag's listings on Bloomingdale's website shows a little over 2,200 items, with about 1,700 handbags and small leather goods and 475 jewelry and accessories items, including 86 watches.

The handbag and small leather goods brands are limited to the following five brands shown in the table below. Given the August 8, 2024 press release mentioning "it will be focused on select ultra high end pieces" it is surprising there are not any Chanel listings.

Also interesting is the inclusion of the Bvlgari and Teflar brands. Both have relatively low price points listed, compared with what is typically considered ultra luxury. Yet, in terms of including Teflar on the Bloomingdale's site, it makes sense as a Bloomingdale's customer could also be a Teflar customer. Teflar, is a genderless brand and the designer won the CFDA Fashion Award for American Accessories Designer of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

Rebag Listings of Handbags and Small Leather Goods

on bloomingdales.com

Information as of January 26, 2025

Brand	Number of Listings	Price Range
Hermès	1,269	$356 - $62,605
Goyard	400	$631 - $9,320
Bvlgari	57	$995 - $2,610
Judith Leiber	8	$600 - $3,650
Telfar	3	$375 - $561

Searching for a Particular Louis Vuitton Bag

Dropdown Menu in Rebag Section on Walmart Marketplace

While reviewing the Rebag listings on

the Walmart Marketplace, I decided to look for a particular Louis Vuitton bag, the Sac Plat Cross Bag Limited Edition Wild Animals Damier Graphite.

Compared to dedicated luxury resale platforms with advanced search capabilities, the Walmart Marketplace falls short in this regard.

For example, when in the Brand Tab, clicking on Louis Vuitton and then the Handbag Type, the only option listed is Hobo. The Handbag Type option needs to be improved and expanded as the types of Louis Vuitton handbags on the Walmart Marketplace include totes, pouches, backpacks, messenger bags and wallets, and more.

Since I was unable to locate the Louis Vuitton bag noted above, I decided to search for it on other platforms, specifically on Rebag and other partner platforms.

The next place I looked was on Bloomingdales.com and saw Rebag does not include the Louis Vuitton brand on Bloomingdales.com so I then moved on.

Rebag Sells on Multiple Platforms

Keep in mind it's easy to assume you are comparing apples to apples when browsing similar styles, but that's not always the case. Luxury brands may update their designs over time. If the seller doesn't specify the bag's production year or date code, and if photos of key details like hardware, and date code are missing, you might be looking at different versions of the same style. Also, remember that many styles come in different sizes, so always check the measurements.

Rebag Sells on Multiple Platforms

While searching for the Louis Vuitton Sac Plat Cross Bag Limited Edition Wild Animals Damier Graphite, I reviewed Rebag ad the other platforms where Rebag sells, and assumed the bag is the same on each platform. In other words, I'm searching under the assumption

I'm comparing apples with apples. These are the factors I considered:

• Price

• Shipping Cost

• Condition of Handbag

• Returns Policy

Rebag

The Louis Vuitton bag was easy to search for on the Rebag website. The most striking point about the listing is that the bag could be purchased for two different prices.

The higher price is, $3,165 and the lower price is $3,007. The lower price, a reduction of $158 is available if the purchaser is a Rebag + Member. With this membership, shipping and returns are free.

If the shopper is not a member, shipping is $20 and returns are $75. The Rebag + membership fee is a minimum monthly fee of $50 and it includes other benefits in addition to the lower price of the handbag. Be sure to read the "fine print" and of course ask the Company questions before joining Link: https://tinyurl.com/yu9y4ecz

The condition of the bag is listed as "Great" the third of six condition categories Rebag assigns to handbags. Condition details are described further and it notes the interior has a perfume odor. Not a pleasant thought!

Listing on Rebag

Louis Vuitton Listing on Rebag

Benefits of Rebag + Membership

After clicking on "Add to Cart" the following section appears. This page, with two columns on the top section shows the two prices and lists the Rebag+ benefits, such as early access to sales and if selling a bag to Rebag, you could earn up to 5% more.

The lower half of this section asks if this bag is to be purchased by paying with a trade. If a trade is included, the shopper needs to provide information and photos of the item and it needs to be shipped to Rebag within 24 hours.

A selling point of this trade feature appears to be that selling an item and purchasing a new one at the same time will end up with the buyer paying only the difference. The downside is if the buyer receives a lower price for the bag once Rebag inspects it in person than anticipated and needs to pay more for the bag than originally thought.

When considering a trade, be sure to carefully read the information and ask your questions to Rebag. Link: https://tinyurl.com/yjx953w5

Rebag has the Louis Vuitton bag I'm looking for. However, I'm unsure whether to buy it as a Rebag+ member or make a one-time purchase. Membership has its perks, like credit towards future purchases, but it also comes with a monthly fee.

Another concern is the perfume odor mentioned in the listing. I'm not sure a charcoal odor absorber would completely eliminate the scent, and I'm hesitant to buy the bag without knowing for sure if I can fix that issue.

I then decided to see if the bag would be less expensive on another platform.

thredUP and Rebag

The Rebag x thredUP partnership was announced in November 2023. The collaboration allows customers to resell their items on thredUP for Rebag credit and shop a selection of Rebag’s inventory directly on thredUP's site.

The Louis Vuitton bag is listed on thredUP. Differences between the listing on thredUP and Rebag are price, shipping fees, condition and return policy, so there is lots to compare! For example, buying this bag on the Rebag website as a Rebag+ member, it would be $292 less and if not a member the price is $134 less, plus $20 shipping. thredUP includes free shipping.

It's worth noting that thredUP and Rebag have different condition rating systems. thredUP uses a four-tier system and has rated this bag as 'Excellent' (their highest rating). Rebag, with a six-tier system, lists it as 'Great' (their third-highest rating). This discrepancy warrants further investigation to understand the actual condition of the bag. Reading the detailed descriptions would be helpful; yet it is understandable if a potential buyer would have concerns. Please refer to the table at the end of this post for comparison details.

Louis Vuitton Listing on thredUP

eBay and Rebag

According the information posted on eBay, Rebag has been a member of eBay since 2013. This is interesting as on its own website, Rebag notes it was founded in 2014. eBay lists this bag for $190 more than buying it on the Rebag platform if not being a Rebag+ member. eBay offers free shipping; but returns are not allowed.

Louis Vuitton Listing on eBay

Note though, eBay has a promotion until January 28, 2025 for this bag, 15% off, up to a maximum of $500. Since 15% of the price of this bag is $503, the total amount of the coupon could be applied, and the bag would cost $2,855.

eBay wins on price and has free shipping, though returns are not allowed. While the price is higher on the Rebag platform, it allows returns, so you'll need to weigh your priorities. Please refer to the chart at the end of this post for comparison details.

Limited Time eBay 15% Coupon

ShopStyle and Rebag

ShopStyle, the fashion search engine owned by Rakuten, includes Rebag on its platform. The Louis Vuitton bag was found by using the search bar. Once the bag was located, ShopStyle refers the shopper to the Rebag website. Since ShopStyle partners with thousands of companies, it draws significant traffic and therefore makes sense for Rebag to have this option to attract customers.

Louis Vuitton Listing on ShopStyle

Conclusion

Shopping for a pre-loved luxury bag with Rebag can be time consuming as there are a number of factors to consider. It is possible, depending on the bag, the shopper's priorities can change. For instance, if you are willing to take a risk and know returns are not allowed, you might opt for the lowest price seller, which might not be Rebag, but one of its partners.

In this particular case, based on price, eBay wins, though it is due to it having a limited time 15% promotion. The Rebag + option is also attractive as it has the lowest price for this bag when the eBay promotion expires and provides free shipping and free returns. However, the membership fee might be off putting.

Don't forget that walking away is always an option! If the perfume odor is a deal-breaker, it might be wiser to keep searching for a similar bag in better condition.

Everyone has different priorities when it comes to buying a pre-loved luxury bag.

The table below summarizes the key differences between the listings mentioned above, but ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. What matters most to you?

Rebag and its Platforms - Comparison Highlights

Full Disclosure: The content in my blog is based on my personal opinions and experiences. It is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. All opinions are my own, and I have not received any compensation for writing this post.