DESIGNER LABELS ARE HOT SELLERS!
How To Sell Second-hand Designer Handbags on eBay

Selling designer handbags, luggage, wallets and briefcases on eBay and other online auction sites can be and has proven to be very lucrative. Auction sellers can range from individuals selling used handbags acquired at yard sales and/or thrift stores, to liquidating businesses selling retail store overstock or inventories of retail stores gone out of business. Even if you have no experience selling this type of item through online auctions, this information should help make your auctions successful.

Not Just Luxury Items

Designer handbags, luggage, wallets and briefcases are not just luxury items or fashion statements, but necessities. Every woman needs a handbag to carry the items they need to have at their fingertips throughout the day. People need a wallet to carry money, identification, and credit cards. People need luggage to carry clothing and other necessities when they travel. Business people need briefcases or portfolios to carry work related documents and electronics.

It is a common belief that people (especially women) who own and use the established "name" designers of handbags and such accessories do so for; snob appeal, status recognition, or to be part of the latest fashion fad. The truth is that "name" designers are sought after because of their history and commitment to quality and use of premium materials and craftsmanship. These designers have a tradition of never being out of style and continue to produce the same design lines and signature styles that were popular years ago which remain popular today.

Buyers that are familiar with any of the "name" designers, may not be able to afford or are unwilling to purchase a new designer accessory at a retail store at full retail price. Because they recognize and appreciate the quality of any "name" designer accessory, they will purchase a used item for a much cheaper price. Many have discovered online auction sites to be a continuous source of good deals.

To attract these buyers and profit in providing them a good deal, you need to familiarize yourself with:.

Popular and sought after designer names
Recognized names used for the various styles of handbags, luggage, and wallets
Unique names by used each designer to describe their design lines and signature styles
Proper and recognized names of the common materials used in the construction of accessories
The unique names used by each designer to describe the materials used in the construction of their popular design lines and signature styles
Special characteristics that can determine whether the designer accessory is authentic or reproduction copy (fake)

POPULAR DESIGNERS & MANUFACTURERS

The popular and sought after designer names can be found all over the Internet. For example, check out eBay's Designer Boutique. The Designer Boutique provides an alphabetical list of fashion designers with a one-click hyperlink to all auctions with items by that designer. eBay's Designer Boutique also provides a list of the top ten most sought after designer names with a one-click link to all auctions by those designers. Popular designers can be found at authorized e-commerce retail sites such as www.eLuxury.com. Visit your local high-end department store and browse the accessories and luggage departments.

Designer Names

The various styles of handbags, luggage, wallets, and business accessories have recognized names. Most online auction sites have auction categories to list these recognized styles. It is important to list an auction item in the correct category in order for potential buyers to find your item. Many buyers search for items they desire within such categories versus serching for items by specific designer names. Some of the recognized style types for handbags are: shoulder bag, clutch, backpack, tote. Some of the recognized style types for luggage are: carry-on, duffle bag, garment bag, suitcase, cosmetic case. Some of the recognized style types for wallets are: billfold, checkbook cover, change purse. Some of the recognized style types for business accessories are: briefcase, portfolio, organizer, laptop (computer) case.

Designer Accessory Construction & Materials

Various materials, parts and hardware are commonly used in constructing designer accessories. Learn to tell the difference between genuine leather and man-made materials that look and feel like leather. Most of the time, man-made leather like materials will have a fabric backing. Genuine leather and leather like materials come in many forms, have various colors, textures, stiffnesses, and thicknesses. Genuine leather and leather like materials can be imprinted with a reptilian pattern, a designer logo, have a smooth polished shine, or fuzzy suede texture. Man-made leather like materials can be called; leatherette, naugahide, or vinyl. Textile fabrics can be organic, man-made, or a combination. Common organic textiles are cotton, wool, silk, and fur. Common man-made textiles are nylon, pvc, and rayon. Common textile weaves are canvas, twill, acetate, and taffeta. Common parts and hardware used in construction are: snaps, zippers, buckles, latches, clasps, velcro snaps, pull-ties, combination locks, carrying handles, and shoulder straps.

Signature Styles

Designers usually have unique names to describe their individual design lines, collections, and signature styles. They also have unique names used to describe the materials used in the construction of their various designs. These unique names should be included (when possible) in the title of auction items, and always in the auction descriptions. The easiest way to find out and use these unique names and descriptions of materials, is to visit the designer's website. Some designers do not have a website, but you can find the information you need at authorized e-commerce retail websites. To make your work easier, I have provided most of the Links you will need to research and provide this information in your auctions.

FAKE vs AUTHENTIC

Be aware that there are a lot of fake designer handbags out there. If you know that a handbag is a fake, or if you are unsure, don't sell it on eBay or any other online auction site. People that could never afford to buy a new designer handbag or accessory, will still pay a bit of money for a used item, but they do not want to be stuck with a fake! Also, the designers have their reputation built on their history of quality and craftsmanship, and the substandard craftsmanship of fakes lessen the quality of the authentic designs. Before selling designer items on eBay, review eBay's VeRO Program™ (Verified Rights Owner). Many designers are part of this program and can have auctions cancelled if they consider the item being sold is a fake. Most other online auction sites do not allow the sale of fakes or reproductions and have similar policies.

Serial Numbers and Authenticity Certificates

Most designer handbags, wallets and luggage have serial numbers inside them, hologram seals, or authenticity certificates. If you find a handbag with a designer name, but there is no serial number, or a white tag with "Made In Korea" sewn into the interior lining, that is a dead give-away to it being a fake. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a handbag or other similar accessory is a fake or not. It is not wise to sell designer fakes in online auctions! If you are personally unsure of the authenticity of an item you wish to sell, you can bring it to a local authorized dealer of the particular designer and have someone there verify its authenticity for you.

HOW TO CHOOSE USED ACCESSORIES TO SELL

If you are not selling new items, always choose to sell items with minimal wear or in near new condition. When you are familiar with the particulars about the designer handbag, luggage, wallet or briefcase you want to sell (various particulars described in detail above), you are ready to create auctions that will attract a wide array of buyers for this type of item.

The words used in the title should include the designer name and as many particulars you can about the item such as; the materials it is constructed of, color, style type, the unique name the designer uses to describe the style or materials. Include as many keywords about the particulars you can in the limited amount of characters allowed for auction titles. It is a real trick to do this right, but if done right your auction will be found when buyers they use the special theme searches like eBay's Designer Boutique, or found by buyers searching for certain designers, styles, construction materials, colors, etc.

Tips on Describing Used Items

Your descriptons must be informative, accurate and appealing. Include the information used in your auction title with more detail such as; style, designer name, where made, the materials it is constructed from, the unique designer name for the design lines, collections, signature styles, and materials it is constructed from. Also include information such as; shoulder strap length, adjustment and if removable, how the item opens and closes, the material used for lining the interior compartments, describe the various compartments and side pockets, include color(s), mention special features, give the dimensions (length, width, and height), inclue the serial number (or any other authentication), and any special features. Include the particulars of any wear or damage it has if a used item, but be sure to balance any noted bad points with the good points about the item.

Provide Pics

The buyers of this type of item always want to see what it looks like. You must provide pics of your items! Good presentation is important for successful sales of designer handbags, wallets and luggage in online auctions. Photograph your items using good lighting with an attractive and/or non-distractive background. Provide pics that show the front, side, bottom, interior, and any special features the item may have. Provide close-up pics of the serial number or other authentication, and designer logo. If the item has damage that cannot be accurately described in the text of your description, you should include a pic showing this damage.

Visit the Links PAGE for dozens of collected links that will help you research and describe designer handbags, luggage, wallets and briefcases you wish to sell in online auctions.

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DESIGNER LABELS ARE HOT SELLERS! How To Sell Second-hand Designer Handbags on eBay