The best place to sell designer handbags is where you can get the most money with the least effort. But how do you do it?
I am the director of the Luxury Handbag and Accessory department at Alex Cooper Auctioneers. I’ve put a lot of work into making Alex Cooper the best place to buy and sell vintage designer handbags in the Baltimore-Washington area. I’ve learned the best (and worst!) ways to sell vintage handbags, how to get the most money, and the best way to sell your bag quickly (so you can buy the next one!).
At Alex Cooper, we love our bags as much as you do, so we’ve compiled a list of all of the most popular ways to sell designer handbags online and in person. This article is our way of sharing what we learned. If you have experience selling your designer handbags, we’d really appreciate your comments below.
Best Places to Sell Designer Handbags Online
If you're looking to make room for next season's finds in your closet, there are many different avenues that you can explore. We rounded up some of the top online reselling opportunities and are breaking down the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision when selling your luxury goods.
Best Places to sell designer handbags (in alphabetical order):
Click here to skip ahead to the worst place to sell designer handbags
Alex Cooper Auctioneers
We worked hard to make Alex Cooper the best place to buy and sell designer handbags in the Baltimore Washington area. Here’s why we think we’re the best:
- Easiest Way to Sell Every Type of Vintage Handbag
- Live Online and Gallery Auctions for High-End Designer Handbags
Our live gallery auctions include luxury handbags by high-end designers like Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more. Here are some recent items and selling prices: - Online Only Discovery Auctions for a Wider Range of Vintage Designer Handbags
Our online only Discovery Auctions feature a wider range of handbags in vintage or new condition from designers like Frye, Cole Haan, Vince Camuto, Etro and more.
- Easy to Consign
Submit photos of your item for a virtual appraisal or visit our Gallery for an in-person valuation of your items. - Easy Access to Experts
If you’ve ever tried to contact a human being at any of the big online auctions, it’s awful. Department director, Angela Donati-Miller, will schedule an individual appointment to discuss the auction process and an estimate for your items.
- No Limit to How Much You Can Make
Unlike sites that pay you upfront, an Alex Cooper Auction puts your bag in front of thousands of people online and in person who compete for your handbag or accessories. - Exposure to Millions
Vintage designer handbags consigned with Alex Cooper are placed for bidding on websites that get millions of visitors. Here is a partial list of the where your vintage designer handbag will appear for bidding when you consign with Alex Cooper: - LiveAuctioneers.com
4,600,000 Visits Per Month - Bid.AlexCooper.com
92,100 Visits Per Month - Invaluable.com
3,600,000 Visits Per Month
The RealReal
Our Overall Review of The RealReal
We love TheRealReal.
What You Can Sell at The RealReal
The company offers multiple ways to consign and accept a diverse range of brands, including luxury designers like Chanel, Hermes, Gucci to more accessible names like Tory Burch, Michael Kors and Kate Spade. The RealReal accepted designers.
In addition to having a ton of handbags, The RealReal also accepts clothing, shoes, jewelry, home decor and a lot more.
Downside of Selling With The RealReal
The RealReal sets the sale price of your item when it is received and can take up to 50% commission while reducing the price as needed.
When Should You Sell with The RealReal
The RealReal is the best if you own the brand names they take and would like to do a closet clean out.
Fashionphile
Our Overall Review of Fashionphile
Fashionphile is one of the most well-known luxury resale companies online, accepting handbags, shoes and designer name jewelry.
Downside of Selling With Fashionphile
- They have a very high standard for accepting items based on brand name and condition, giving the site its high-end reputation.
- Like The RealReal, they too have the ability to reduce the sale price of your item if it is not selling fast enough.
What Can You Sell on Fashionphile
Fashionphile List of Designers
When Should You Sell With Fashionphile
Sell with Fashionphile if you are looking to sell a designer handbag that is in excellent condition.
Worst Place to Sell Designer Handbags
eBay
Our Overall Review of eBay
Unless you’re selling really low quality bags, avoid eBay. It’s just too much trouble.
There are no regulations on brands or condition and you can set your own price, therefore possibly taking home the most commission. However, finding a buyer may be trickier on a website like eBay, which is set up as a person-to-person marketplace.
Downside of Selling With eBay
- All the work needs to be done yourself; From taking photos to negotiating with buyers.
What Can You Sell on eBay
Anything and everything.
When Should You Sell With eBay
You have absolutely nothing better to do, or you have an existing eBay business and are intimately familiar with how to maximize your returns on the platform.
Sell Designer Handbags with Alex Cooper Auctioneers
We hope this reference guide helps you to make an informed decision when selling your luxury accessories. We’d love to hear about your experiences buying and selling designer handbags and luxury accessories. Please let us know in the comments below.
If you would like to consign with Alex Cooper, please fill out this form. We have thousands of registered bidders who would love to compete for your handbag and accessories.
