Consignment shops can be a great place to find hidden gems or for when you want to save money on luxury items. However, there are things that you should consider before you go ahead with a purchase. So, let’s take a look at a few tips that will allow you to buy from a consignment shop like a pro.
Make Sure that they Authenticate the Products Properly
One of the first things you should do is to investigate their authentication process. Stores like Consigned Sealed Delivered go above and beyond when it comes to authentication, which is why they are one of the top luxury consignment stores for luxury brands in the UK. CSD inspects every item carefully, and make sure that the item is authentic. They carry top luxury brands, but affordable luxury brands as well, so you should be able to find everything you need there and be 100% satisfied with your purchase.
Make Sure that they Use Safe Payment Methods
You also must make sure that the shop offers safe payment options. Virtually anybody can start a fake consignment shop, and if you want to avoid fraud, you should check that they use either PayPal or a verified credit card payment service. You also should make sure that their PayPal account is verified or else you won’t be protected. As well as this, you want to ensure that the transaction page is properly encrypted so that your payment information remains safe. This can easily be checked by looking at the prefix before the web address. Make sure that you make your payments from an HTTPS page only.
Don’t Go for the Brand Only
You also shouldn’t be stuck on well-known brands when buying from a consignment store. These stores will usually have a very large selection of brands suitable for various budgets. Some of these items might be from lesser-known designers. In this case, they will be less expensive, but could still be very high quality. So, instead of going for an item just for the name, take the opportunity to try new things and see how you look in them. The most important thing is that you look great and feel comfortable. Besides, price doesn’t always equal quality when it comes to couture.
The brand is Still Important, However
You should know that you have to choose your brands carefully when buying from consignment shops. Here, it depends on what your goals are. Some people go to consignment stores because they want to save a few pounds. While most people would go out and shop for items that appreciate, in this case, you want items that drop significantly in price between retail and resale.
There are a few examples of brands that devalue faster than others. Celine and Chloe are two examples. Many Chloe and Celine pieces will lose a few thousand pounds the minute they hit the resale market. This is great to know if you are looking for something that still looks great but you want it for a fraction of the price.
On the other hand, if your goal is to invest, you need to look at classics like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. One of the greatest things about buying items like these from consignment stores is that you could wear them for a year and sell them for almost the same price a year later if there’s minimal damage and they still look great. This means that you could end up wearing a £2000+ piece for a year practically for free.
Do Your Research Before Shopping
Never start shopping on a consignment website or at a physical store without getting your facts straight first. You should know what you’re in the market for and check how much you can expect to pay for an item in the same condition. Check how much the bag is selling for via different outlets. You could check out multiple consignment stores and see if you can see the item, or look at auction sites. This way, you won’t be taken advantage of, and you won’t overpay.
Consignment stores are one of the best places for finding great deals on luxury items. By following these few tips you’ll be able to get the most value for money and hopefully find that holy grail that you have always been looking for.
