Let’s face it, shopping online is pretty much everyone’s favourite pass-time: you can do it anywhere and anytime, and these days you can also get just about anything you want on the world wide web, including designer bags.
That being said, Chanel seems to be keen on maintaining its exclusive status by holding out on the world of online shopping. If you are looking to get your hands on a shiny new Chanel bag, your only way of satisfying your classic French designer craving is to make your way into one of the company’s boutiques and subject yourself to the fabulous experience of luxury shopping.
But, online retail always finds a way, and if you are in the market for a pre-owned Chanel bag, you do have a few options. While your shopping experience will vary depending on your choice of service, we are confident that you will find your next fave at one of them. We do recommend doing your research on the specific model that caught your eye, because not every retailer accepts returns.
Ladies, start your search engines!
BLUEFLY
A mainstay for designer online shopping, Bluefly is a great place to find overstock goods, as well as pre-owned items. This online boutique has a lot of designer stuff, sourced wholesale from brokers, so you will likely not find any exclusive or sought-after pieces, but what you will find is reasonable prices and a money-back return policy. Overall, this is a safe bet for authenticity and value, especially if you happen to find what you were looking for.
SHOPBOP
Another online go-to for designer goods is Shopbop, which mainly sells brand new clothes, bags and shoes, but also has a vintage section called What Goes Around Comes Around where you can find pre-owned bags and accessories. All items, including a selection of covetable Chanel bags are authenticated, so you know it’s the real deal. Like Bluefly, Shopbop has a pretty good return policy, though true bargain hunters can find better prices elsewhere. But girls: free shipping!
FARFETCH.COM
Have you ever dreamed of an international designer marketplace where you can find stuff from boutiques across the world at the click of a button? Like a fashionistas-without-borders? Well, it exists and it’s called farfetch.com. The online retailer compiles online inventories and coordinates shipping for boutiques from US, Europe and Asia, offering a huge selection of designer goods, including vintage Chanel bags. What’s nice is that shipping and import charges are included in the listed price, so you don’t have to budget for those little extras. On the other hand, prices can vary greatly depending on the individual boutique and its location.
VESTITAIRE COLLECTIVE
Vestitaire Collective is an upscale online resale boutique where you can buy and sell designer goods in a much more dignified setting than, say, eBay. The online retailer’s team of experts checks the authenticity of items once they are sold, so you are definitely not on your own in that regard. Vestitaire Collective is dedicated to providing the best service, and a carefully curated catalog of 600,000 coveted items, with over 30,000 new listings submitted every week. The impressive inventory includes a large selection of vintage Chanel bags, and the website even allows you to make an offer, as opposed to setting a non-negotiable price.
THE REALREAL
Searching for a fantastic deal on a fabulous Chanel bag online? You should definitely check out the RealReal, an online consignment retailer with a mind-blowing 4,000+ Chanel bag listings. Item prices are set by individual sellers, so if you don’t mind sifting through a ton of listings, you are sure to find something that’s great for both your closet and your wallet.
PORTERO
Another well-known online pre-owned designer goods retailer is Portero, which represents consignment listings as well as items from vetted sellers who basically use the website as a platform for their luxury resale business. The upshot of this is better, more professional photos and communication, broader selection, and overall a more upscale experience. While the sellers definitely know the value of their items, that doesn’t mean there aren’t deals to be had, and you will likely find a better-curated selection than eBay.
HERITAGE AUCTIONS
Whether you are searching for an elusive rare gem or simply a beautiful designer piece, Dallas-based Heritage Auctions is a great place to check out. Like most others of its kind, the auction house deals in art, fine jewelry and antiques, but it also has a curated online selection of designer bags that can be purchased at very reasonable prices. And if you are searching for a rare, highly-sought after luxury bag, you can certainly find it at Heritage Auctions as well.
EBAY
We’ve mentioned eBay a few times now, so now let’s talk about its awesome online shopping possibilities. eBay has long been the internet’s largest marketplace for anything and everything, including Chanel bags. Here, you can find great deals and the rarest pieces, shop at vintage “stores”, and browse thousands of listings that will take you into the wee hours of the morning. There is always new stuff being listed and the possibilities are seemingly endless.
But, there is always a but. Because eBay is a user-to-user marketplace, it does not guarantee the authenticity of merchandise, so it’s up to you to do the homework. Generally, if the price is too good to be true, it may very well not be real. Check the seller’s feedback reviews, shop at vintage eBay “stores”, and research how to spot a fake Chanel bag.
