UPDATED 11/11/2007 Top 20 Questions to ask an eBay Seller BEFORE bidding on your "new" Dooney

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*** For some reason I'm not always allowed to answer every question that comes in because it doesn't deal with an auction. Here are some answers to those questions... Please don't block your email addresses so I'm still able to respond to your questions via email if eBay does not allow me to respond. Thank you!

Hey Lisa,

Thanks for your compliment!

The DB brass fobs are from the 70's - 80's. Dooney did bring them back recently trying to capture that look with their latest fashions though. They are not exactly like the first DB fobs but close to it.

If you watch their styles you'll see they take ideas from the past trying to bring them into the styles now to compliment various age ranges.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Have a blessed weekend,

Pamela

SOME Dooney items are now being made in Mexico. PLEASE make sure that if you purchase one of the purses "made in Mexico" you purchase it from a high end store of QVC. Because the border towns sell fake Dooney purses like hotcakes.

!!! NEW ALERT ADDED NOVEMBER 11, 2007 !!! I recently went to a flea market and looked at their "Dooney" items. I looked at items that had the DBs on it. The ones from their signature and anniversary lines. They had the Red, White, and Blue Dooney tag inside. When I asked the sales rep stated these WERE NOT AUTHENTIC Dooney items!!! They had also the Red and White Dooney sales tag on the outside along with the leather Dooney and Bourke on the inside. Now, having handled the purses I  can honestly tell you I COULD NOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE because all of the markings were there that should have been there. I was simply SHOCKED!!! Please be careful, ask ALL QUESTIONS before bidding. If the Seller states, "As far as I know it's authentic..." I would bid on a different item.  

I'm writing this to assist others in purchasing a Dooney item on Ebay. Several times I have been disappointed after receiving my item, and I hope that my Selling and Buying experience will help you.  I pray that I can help you become a better Buyer and not fall into some of the fluff of an eBay Auction.  Get the facts, skip the fluff, research your item, get what you want, and save some money!!!  Please keep checking back I'll be adding more helpful hints!  Keep in mind; what's old to you is "new" to me and just as fantastic.

To learn more about us please click on the following link:

  PamelaandMateo's About Us Page

***Special Alert - Be careful of auctions that are offering the Registration Card! The product MIGHT already be registered since Dooney & Bourke offers this service online! Make sure to ask if it has been registered already!!! ***

1.  Is this item authentic?  Many people are now fooled by many of the newer styled Dooney purses that are out there because they are not "Made In The USA".  I suggest that if you are new to the Dooney line please visit your local department store, look at the Dooney items they have to offer, inspect them closely and make sure you keep notes on what to look for in the kind of purse or wallet you would like to have.  Remember the sales person is there to answer all questions even if you are not going to purchase something.  Get educated first then get a better deal on eBay.  It's your money, you work hard for it, spend it wisely. You might even find that a sale item at the store might be a better deal then what is online. Compare and Save. The more you save the more you can purchase in the end. :)

2.  Is the RED, WHITE, AND BLUE MADE IN THE USA fabric tag inside of the purse and does it have it's serial number on the back? Some of the newer purses do not have these, and most of the vintage purses do not have these but usually they do have the old green Dooney tags or at least the old DB Fob.  The DB Fob is different from the Duck All Weather Leather Fob.  Don't be afraid to ask the seller a question, that's why there are there.  Customer Service should be their priority, if it is not you'll find another Dooney you'll love, trust me! :)

Vintage Green Dooney fabric tag inside of purse.

All Weather Leather (AWL) inside of purse, you can clearly see the red, white, and blue tag on the left hand side of the photo.

AWL (All Weather Leather) Dooney Checkbook Holder. If you would please look in the middle portion of the checkbook holder right above the flash of the camera you will see an embossed image. That is the Dooney and Bourke name. The AWL line has this on their checkbooks and some wallets.

3.  Are there any pen marks, stains inside or outside of the purse? You might be surprised at the answers you get, remember your question is not stupid and it's your job to make sure you get what you pay for.

4. Are there any odors? Does it come from a smoke free home?  No offense to any of the smokers out there, but the odor that lingers in the leather purses can be just awful.  Make sure that you ask these questions.  One of my first purchases on eBay the purse came from a smoker's house and I had to give it away because the odor was simply too much for me to take.  I had no idea I would even have to ask that question.  We live and learn.  (See helpful hint #20)

5. How is the leather trim or piping along the edges? Most Dooney purses last forever and with special care they can always look "almost new" or in "mint condition".  Be sure to ask the seller for additional pictures of the corners of the purse, the bottom, and the sides to make sure the leather is not running thin due to abuse of the item.

Dooney and Bourke Signature line...notice the tight stitching, the quality of the leather. This is how the stitiching should be.

Below are some more examples of how stitching and the piping (the rounded leather around the edges of the bag) should be....

6. Is the Dooney brass FOB still there? The FOB is the little extra touch Dooney uses on its purses.  On the older purses it's the old DB.  The "newer" Dooney uses the Duck and the All Weather Leather.  Dooney in its more trendier line uses the heart and will continue to come up with new ideas as time goes on.

OLDER DOONEY BRASS FOB

New Nickle FOB the front has a colored Duck, colors vary

Front of Purse, New Nickle logo replaced Dooney Duck

Front image of Dooney FOB with light baby blue duck

7. Are there any holes? It's good to always ask, you might be surprised at what some people put on here.

8. Are there any cracks or tears on the leather or the plastic ID Holder or the Credit Card holder areas?  I know it seems like a common sense thing that would be listed, but again it's better to ask then to be disappointed in what you receive.

9. Do the fingernail test. Yes, the fingernail test.  (I know your laughing at me or at least smiling but it works.)  Run your fingertips over a real leather AWL Dooney item, then go to your local thrift shop or whenever you're at an estate sale and run your fingertips over a fake leather purse.  You'll be able to tell the difference quickly, the sound gives it away.  It's shocking, but it's a tried and true way of seeing quickly what's authentic and what isn't without being overly obvious about it. 

10. Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!  If you see something you really want, always ask for detailed close up pictures of the areas you want to see.  Remember, this is your money, your investment.  If the Seller is confident in their item, they know they are selling a nice product they will give you as many pictures as you request.  If they have a happy buyer, they know you might come back and purchase again from them.

11. Don't give into the excitement of a "Buy It Now" auction. I've done this myself.  I see something I've wanted for awhile, I see the Buy It Now, and "BAM" I go to get it before taking my own advice because I'm afraid someone else is going to get it before me.  Ask ALL questions before bidding, take your time, sooner or later another item just like that and perhaps even better will come up. 

12. Ask the Seller to send your Dooney purchase in a BOX!   Please ask them to send your item in a box, not in a thick paper package or plain brown shopping bag paper wrapping.  They can get the boxes FREE if they send your item Priority so it doesn't cost them any money.  They can even receive the shipping priority tape free if they ask nicely or have the Postal Clerk tape it up for them with the Priority tape.  This hasn't been a problem for me until recently.  Perhaps they are trying to save on shipping fees?  I'm unsure, but ask them to ship it in a box before bidding.  You don't want your Dooney to become damaged in shipment and then have the hassle of filing your insurance claim and trying to receive a refund. 

13. Ask for Delivery Confirmation!  I love Delivery Confirmation.  The USPS allows you to track your item and you know when it arrives at your home.  It is worth the 45/55 cents extra that it cost.  If your Seller uses their Paypal to print the shipping labels, the USPS offers FREE Delivery Confirmation if they also use Priority Mail Services.

14. Are there any cigarette burn marks?  I know this should be covered under " smoke odors or holes" but again, there are wording loop holes out there let's keep ourselves safe.  A burn mark isn't considered a hole unless it goes all the way through.  Be sure to ask.  Keep yourself safe.

15.  Helpful Hint:  Number your questions when you are asking your eBay seller your questions and send a copy to your email.  When they reply you're able to check each one of them off.  If they forget to answer one, don't be afraid to resend the question.  Remember, that's why the Seller is there, to answer all of the questions that you have. 

16.  Helpful Hint:  Use eBay's "Live Chat".  The people that I've dealt with on the Live Chat have always been wonderful and pointed me in the right direction when I thought I was lost.  The longest I've waited for someone was about 7 minutes, and that's not bad!

17. Helpful Hint:  If you feel you have been taken advantage of or the Seller did not represent the item correctly please contact the Seller first before leaving feedback and try to work things out.  If you're unable to work things out, contact eBay's Square Trade or contact the Live Chat and they will point you in the direction you need to go in.

18. Helpful Hint: Many thanks to another eBay Member for pointing this out to me!  On some of Dooney's newer lines, they will have a "Made in China" tag in them.  The recent one that I personally know of is their Signature line.  They will still have the same quality look though and will still or many years to come. 

Black "Made in China" on my Dooney signature it also has a leather tab next to it

19.  If you are unsure if an item you purchased is authentic Dooney will inspect your item.  Please call them directly for more information.  If you don't want to ship it to them, you can also ask one of the sales girls that sell Dooney items.  If they have worked with the line long enough they will be able to spot a fake from the real deal.

20. If you purchased a purse that has smoke odor, buy a high quality cat litter place the purse and litter inside of a sealed plastic bag. Let it sit for about two weeks or so. The cat litter takes out most of the smoke odor.

*** As countless others know I will answer your emails and do the very best I can to help you out! If for some reason I'm unable to answer via email I'll post your answer here. If you do not receive a response within 72 hours please check here for your answer at the top of the page.

The purpose of writing this is to help the buyers out there that are new to Ebay or to the Dooney line.  It isn't meant to offend, harm, or discourage anyone.  The best way to make a great deal on eBay is by both parties being educated on what they are buying and selling.  I hope this helps you, if anyone has any other tips I'd be happy to add them to our list.  I like to think of our eBay community as a friendly one and we can help each other.  I love eBaying both buying and selling and I hope you will too!  Good luck and happy bidding!

I am not an authorized dealer/seller of Dooney and Bourke; I just love, love, LOVE their quality and their items!

You are more than welcome to link to this guide. Please know that if you have any helpful hints please email me and we'll add it to the guide. Let's be proactive and help each other!

Thanks to everyone for your emails and support!

Please note the auctions listed by this guide ARE NOT MY AUCTIONS !!! These are placed by random due to the keyword "DOONEY".  Thank you for your understanding.