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Well...maybe not last forever...but long enough to gain many years of faithful service! Hello! And Welcome!
If you have managed to navigate yourself to this Guide, then I can presume you have been shopping eBay for that "perfect" purse or wallet...perhaps with little luck in finding just what you are looking for!
I adore purses! Seems the novel idea of a handbag has been around this planet quite awhile, from early ancestors tying scraps of animal skins in a knoted "sack" so as to ease their troubles transporting their belongings during travel. These crudely made early travel companions probably weren't very pretty to look at and retained much soiling and odor over time (Kinda like some old cast-off purses nowadays!)-I think we have come a long way since then! Purses can be a fashion statement with ill consequences, or your best-loved companion in the world!
Knowing what to look for in a secondhand purse and deciding what it is worth to you is the reason you may be here, so...
On to the guide...
On any one day, there is literally over 100,000 individual purses and wallets listed on ebay. Finding the style you are looking for can be a challenge when the market is saturated. With luck, it can be done by narrowing your search with the left hand navigation bar where you will find easy to use options to locate different styles, colors and materials of purses and handbags.
You will come across many listings of used or secondhand purses, at great prices, and these can be well-worth investing your money in, sometimes a better choice than buying new !
The primary reason I state this thought is because purses are just not made like they used to be! (back to the animal skins!) Mass production of designer and well-known popular brands and the retailers who offer them have resulted in poor quality purses that do not measure up to today's standards for durability and long lasting features in a handbag.
My personal experience with this involved a first-ever purchase of a very high-end wallet . I was shocked when I recieved the wallet. It was the flimsiest, poorest-made thing I had ever used! It was not functional, nor was it dependable for secure features. I will never, ever again substitute quality for a designer name!
Which leads me to searching for secondhand purses.
I sell many "refurbished" purses because I enjoy seeking out these rare finds in a good purse, and I know I appreciate a clean, good-looking handbag. Not one with lipstick and ink stains inside, broken straps and cracked, dried-out leather finishes. I have taken a few of the most well-loved purses I have ever seen and with a little TLC, transformed them nearly back to their glorious new selves!
Vintage handbags are popular and can certainly be worth a good look. Genuine leather and suede is always a favorite, and no wonder, it is known for it's longetivity. Cloth is obvious for it's surface washable features, as is microfiber ...I imagine now would be a good time to offer you the following points to consider when shopping for a secondhand bag !
When Buying Used Purses:
Pictures: Hopefully, the auction has photos of most all sides, top, bottom and interior of the purse. If not, request additional pictures from the seller, as outer appearances can be decieving. Here's an example of a good "photo shoot" of a clutch .
The Interior: Is it cloth, nylon, vinyl, leather? My personal favorites are cloth or leather because they can withstand lots of repitition and hold up in the long run plus you can usually spot-clean without a hitch. Is the interior clean and free of debris? If it is a little dirty, don't despair! Most hand-held vaccum -hose attachments will do the trick!
Size: Here again, appearances are not what you think! Always read the description to look for the dimensions or measurements of the purse! If it's not there, inquire! I have purchased a few bags only to discover the only thing I could fit inside was my hand! Others are larger than life and roomy enough to get lost in! What appears big in a picture may actually be real tiny ! I find it is easy to trace out the mesurements on a sheet of blank paper to give me an idea if the size is going to work for me! Depth and side width and mouth opening are always good to know.
Compartments and Closures: ...Can be most important, you'll want your things secure and safe! Are the zippers metal or plastic and they close freely? Are they intact and not missing any teeth or broken. Clasps , snaps , velcro should all be in good operating order. Repeated use can cause a weak or ill-functioning closures so be sure to inquire and have the seller test the specific type of closure to make sure your bag isn't going to be popping open while you're carrying it! Some closures can be repaired if you truly like the purse, such as replacement velcro strips or buttons . Snaps and zipper repair are best left to a leather craftsman or heavy-duty seamstress, provided you are willing to pay for such services.
Functional, multi compartments serving varied accessories such as cell phones , credit card slots, ect..should all be free of rips, tears and extreme stress. Look at the stitching or construction of how the compartment is designed to decide if it is going to work for you. Think about all you will need to fit in your "new-to-you" purse !
I like to be able to "get in and get out" of my purse fairly quickly and easily, to find exactly what I need (without holding up the person in line behind me at the store!) So looking for a purse that is easily accessible with organized compartments is a wise choice, especially for on-the-go moms and a must in high-paced careers! I really don't need to fumble around with ten different clasps to open and re-close a bag that offers more in the fashionable department than the "I gotta get going" department!
Odors/Stains/Cleaning: Vintage handbags can retain strange old odors! Heavy perfumes, mildew and plain old age are some I have encountered. You can battle these with such products as Lysol, Febreeze, or a good airing out (with purse open) in the sun. Sometimes it's not possible to remove all signs of odor, although I have had good success. If you have a sensitive nose, again, ask your seller to do a scent test!
Stains, even old ones, may be able to still be removed with spot cleaning. There are some fabulous stain removers on the market today and if it isn't too bad, it's worth a try! I have removed lipsticks and inks with citrus based cleaning agents, and even my son's can of car tire foam! Another great tip for soiled vinyl purses is the spray vinyl cleaner commonly found in the car-care section. You can spruce up white handbags with, believe it or not, effervescent denture cleaner tabs, dissolved in warm water. It can remove much of the dinginess. Leather handbags can be re-conditioned with leather polish or saddle soap and on areas where the leather has worn in color, simply use leather dye in the same color for touch-ups!
Straps: The strap should be without much wear, tears or popped stitching, and securely attached to the purse by some means whether it is buckles , loops, or directly sewn to the bag. Length is important! Do you want the purse on your shoulder to hang close to your side, down past your hips, ect? Or do you prefer to carry it on your wrist or by hand ? Individual choice here is essential for comfort and ease of carrying. I can't count the number of times I have bent over in a store and my purse comes sliding off my shoulder to the floor, it is a pet-peeve with me, and any purse I consider best have a shoulder pad that can prevent this situation, lol! (I haven't found one yet!) ...I have found the wider the width of the purse strap, the better it will stay in place.
Brand Names/Designers/Styles: Individual preference again hails here, however, in personal opinion, it is not so much WHO made the PURSE as WHO it is MADE FOR! Overall, a functional purse with ease of operation and versatile, secure features made of quality, long lasting and durable materials will always come out a winner compared to a bag constructed without regard to the needs of today's modern woman! Also, beware of designer fakes! Visit the website or retail store of the designer you are interested in and make note of their hallmarks and specific design strategies-it will help in determining if what you are considering a bid on is the real thing, or a false imposter!
There is an array of styles and colors out there to choose from. Familiarizing yourself with the attributes of each style bag will aid in your decision. Hobo and sling , messenger , slouch , drawstring , pink , orange , floral , canvas and more, all at your fingertips!
I have discovered many original , little-known designers and off-brands that are overlooked simply because they weren't well-known in the past. The quality offered is impressive if you take a chance and give these goodies a scruntinized look!
Here's another example. This is a vintage, leather document briefcase made with the business person in mind. With the simplicity and thoughtful, quality construction that went into this case, you would be hard-pressed to find another like it in today's modern market!
Overall: This guide is far from a complete overview of the "second-time around" handbag market, however, the information contained here-in is meant to offer advice and guide you with your handbag investment. I am confident when you venture out into the eBay world of secondhand goods, you're sure to discover the perfect purse or handbag accessory created especially for you-it's been waiting there all along, it just needed to find you! Whether it is a vintage bag from the 50's or a modern take on an old design, or a very expensive designer bag , I wish you well and all the luck in your online auction experience while you pursue the alternative market of "worn-before" and "well-loved". You may just find an old friend (or several of them!) along the way! And with a little TLC, (or none at all) you'll be on your way to begin your day knowing you have made the ultimate choice in style and sensibility, it's what works perfectly-for YOU!
I appreciate your interest! Feel free to visit this guide often for further updates!
If you have managed to navigate yourself to this Guide, then I can presume you have been shopping eBay for that "perfect" purse or wallet...perhaps with little luck in finding just what you are looking for!
I adore purses! Seems the novel idea of a handbag has been around this planet quite awhile, from early ancestors tying scraps of animal skins in a knoted "sack" so as to ease their troubles transporting their belongings during travel. These crudely made early travel companions probably weren't very pretty to look at and retained much soiling and odor over time (Kinda like some old cast-off purses nowadays!)-I think we have come a long way since then! Purses can be a fashion statement with ill consequences, or your best-loved companion in the world!
Knowing what to look for in a secondhand purse and deciding what it is worth to you is the reason you may be here, so...
On to the guide...
On any one day, there is literally over 100,000 individual purses and wallets listed on ebay. Finding the style you are looking for can be a challenge when the market is saturated. With luck, it can be done by narrowing your search with the left hand navigation bar where you will find easy to use options to locate different styles, colors and materials of purses and handbags.
You will come across many listings of used or secondhand purses, at great prices, and these can be well-worth investing your money in, sometimes a better choice than buying new !
The primary reason I state this thought is because purses are just not made like they used to be! (back to the animal skins!) Mass production of designer and well-known popular brands and the retailers who offer them have resulted in poor quality purses that do not measure up to today's standards for durability and long lasting features in a handbag.
My personal experience with this involved a first-ever purchase of a very high-end wallet . I was shocked when I recieved the wallet. It was the flimsiest, poorest-made thing I had ever used! It was not functional, nor was it dependable for secure features. I will never, ever again substitute quality for a designer name!
Which leads me to searching for secondhand purses.
I sell many "refurbished" purses because I enjoy seeking out these rare finds in a good purse, and I know I appreciate a clean, good-looking handbag. Not one with lipstick and ink stains inside, broken straps and cracked, dried-out leather finishes. I have taken a few of the most well-loved purses I have ever seen and with a little TLC, transformed them nearly back to their glorious new selves!
Vintage handbags are popular and can certainly be worth a good look. Genuine leather and suede is always a favorite, and no wonder, it is known for it's longetivity. Cloth is obvious for it's surface washable features, as is microfiber ...I imagine now would be a good time to offer you the following points to consider when shopping for a secondhand bag !
When Buying Used Purses:
Pictures: Hopefully, the auction has photos of most all sides, top, bottom and interior of the purse. If not, request additional pictures from the seller, as outer appearances can be decieving. Here's an example of a good "photo shoot" of a clutch .
And an example of a vintage leather purse:
The Interior: Is it cloth, nylon, vinyl, leather? My personal favorites are cloth or leather because they can withstand lots of repitition and hold up in the long run plus you can usually spot-clean without a hitch. Is the interior clean and free of debris? If it is a little dirty, don't despair! Most hand-held vaccum -hose attachments will do the trick!
Size: Here again, appearances are not what you think! Always read the description to look for the dimensions or measurements of the purse! If it's not there, inquire! I have purchased a few bags only to discover the only thing I could fit inside was my hand! Others are larger than life and roomy enough to get lost in! What appears big in a picture may actually be real tiny ! I find it is easy to trace out the mesurements on a sheet of blank paper to give me an idea if the size is going to work for me! Depth and side width and mouth opening are always good to know.
Compartments and Closures: ...Can be most important, you'll want your things secure and safe! Are the zippers metal or plastic and they close freely? Are they intact and not missing any teeth or broken. Clasps , snaps , velcro should all be in good operating order. Repeated use can cause a weak or ill-functioning closures so be sure to inquire and have the seller test the specific type of closure to make sure your bag isn't going to be popping open while you're carrying it! Some closures can be repaired if you truly like the purse, such as replacement velcro strips or buttons . Snaps and zipper repair are best left to a leather craftsman or heavy-duty seamstress, provided you are willing to pay for such services.
Functional, multi compartments serving varied accessories such as cell phones , credit card slots, ect..should all be free of rips, tears and extreme stress. Look at the stitching or construction of how the compartment is designed to decide if it is going to work for you. Think about all you will need to fit in your "new-to-you" purse !
I like to be able to "get in and get out" of my purse fairly quickly and easily, to find exactly what I need (without holding up the person in line behind me at the store!) So looking for a purse that is easily accessible with organized compartments is a wise choice, especially for on-the-go moms and a must in high-paced careers! I really don't need to fumble around with ten different clasps to open and re-close a bag that offers more in the fashionable department than the "I gotta get going" department!
Odors/Stains/Cleaning: Vintage handbags can retain strange old odors! Heavy perfumes, mildew and plain old age are some I have encountered. You can battle these with such products as Lysol, Febreeze, or a good airing out (with purse open) in the sun. Sometimes it's not possible to remove all signs of odor, although I have had good success. If you have a sensitive nose, again, ask your seller to do a scent test!
Stains, even old ones, may be able to still be removed with spot cleaning. There are some fabulous stain removers on the market today and if it isn't too bad, it's worth a try! I have removed lipsticks and inks with citrus based cleaning agents, and even my son's can of car tire foam! Another great tip for soiled vinyl purses is the spray vinyl cleaner commonly found in the car-care section. You can spruce up white handbags with, believe it or not, effervescent denture cleaner tabs, dissolved in warm water. It can remove much of the dinginess. Leather handbags can be re-conditioned with leather polish or saddle soap and on areas where the leather has worn in color, simply use leather dye in the same color for touch-ups!
Straps: The strap should be without much wear, tears or popped stitching, and securely attached to the purse by some means whether it is buckles , loops, or directly sewn to the bag. Length is important! Do you want the purse on your shoulder to hang close to your side, down past your hips, ect? Or do you prefer to carry it on your wrist or by hand ? Individual choice here is essential for comfort and ease of carrying. I can't count the number of times I have bent over in a store and my purse comes sliding off my shoulder to the floor, it is a pet-peeve with me, and any purse I consider best have a shoulder pad that can prevent this situation, lol! (I haven't found one yet!) ...I have found the wider the width of the purse strap, the better it will stay in place.
Brand Names/Designers/Styles: Individual preference again hails here, however, in personal opinion, it is not so much WHO made the PURSE as WHO it is MADE FOR! Overall, a functional purse with ease of operation and versatile, secure features made of quality, long lasting and durable materials will always come out a winner compared to a bag constructed without regard to the needs of today's modern woman! Also, beware of designer fakes! Visit the website or retail store of the designer you are interested in and make note of their hallmarks and specific design strategies-it will help in determining if what you are considering a bid on is the real thing, or a false imposter!
There is an array of styles and colors out there to choose from. Familiarizing yourself with the attributes of each style bag will aid in your decision. Hobo and sling , messenger , slouch , drawstring , pink , orange , floral , canvas and more, all at your fingertips!
I have discovered many original , little-known designers and off-brands that are overlooked simply because they weren't well-known in the past. The quality offered is impressive if you take a chance and give these goodies a scruntinized look!
Here's another example. This is a vintage, leather document briefcase made with the business person in mind. With the simplicity and thoughtful, quality construction that went into this case, you would be hard-pressed to find another like it in today's modern market!
Genuine Leather
Sturdy Dividers
Overall: This guide is far from a complete overview of the "second-time around" handbag market, however, the information contained here-in is meant to offer advice and guide you with your handbag investment. I am confident when you venture out into the eBay world of secondhand goods, you're sure to discover the perfect purse or handbag accessory created especially for you-it's been waiting there all along, it just needed to find you! Whether it is a vintage bag from the 50's or a modern take on an old design, or a very expensive designer bag , I wish you well and all the luck in your online auction experience while you pursue the alternative market of "worn-before" and "well-loved". You may just find an old friend (or several of them!) along the way! And with a little TLC, (or none at all) you'll be on your way to begin your day knowing you have made the ultimate choice in style and sensibility, it's what works perfectly-for YOU!
I appreciate your interest! Feel free to visit this guide often for further updates!
Guide created: 04/25/06 (updated 04/15/08)
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