Designer handbags are one of the best selling items on eBay. At any point, you can search on Louis Vuitton handbags and bring back over 1000 active listings.  With this many competing items, it becomes important to differentiate your listing from those of other sellers. Here are some simple but effective tips that will turn an average listing into a great listing that will attract more prospects, and consequently, more bids. This guide covers handbag details about construction, styles, titles and other aspects to writing outstanding auction listings that sell.

1. Use Effective Titles
Titles are the most important way for buyers to find your listing. Search engines zero in on keywords, and rank their relevance when returning search results. Using effective keywords in your title will increase your chances that buyers will find your item.

Here is an actual example of two listings running at the same time for the same bag:

Authentic*Louis Vuitton* Purse /Handbag / Bag

Louis Vuitton EPI Blue 30 Leather Speedy Boston Bag

Buyers are not going to sift through 1500 listings to find a particular bag, and will use keywords such as color, style, material etc to refine their search. The first listing will not generate any results if the buyer types in blue as a keyword. The second title is an excellent example of using effective keywords.
     
Also, identify the particular type of handbag, such as purse, handbag, back pack, shoulder bag, tote, clutch, messenger bag, etc.in the title.

2. Name That Bag
Designer brands including Louis Vuitton,  Coach, etc. names the style of handbag. For example, Louis Vuitton “Speedy” bags resemble older doctor bags.  Kate Spade has a line of bags with feminine names, such as Melanie and Veronica. To find the right style, use the completed listings on ebay, the manufacturer’s website, or websites that sell used handbags for identification.

The style should always be used in the title, such as Batignolles.  If the bag is monogrammed, use the word Monogram in the title. If your bag is older, you may want to identify it as vintage. Vintage bags are typically from the 1970s and earlier. And absolutely identify them as authentic, and stand behind your guarantee.

3. Material and Construction
There are so many types of fabrics used in handbags. Canvas, leather, or lizard?  Suede or lambskin?  Vintage monogram Louis Vuitton bags were made with something called Egyptian broadcloth, not leather, for example, and this is sought after by Louis Vuittion buyers. 

Your listing should describe the material for the exterior and the interior. The interior may be canvas, satin, suede or leather.  Be sure to mention if the style is quilted, textured or have a unique type of construction.

When describing the bag, be sure to describe the type of closure, such as snap or zipper,
Call out all pouches and compartments, including hooks for optional shoulder straps,
keys, cell phones, etc.  Finally, be sure to mention the label and serial number.

4. Measurements
Many sellers neglect to provide complete measurements of their items. Your auction listing should provide the measurements for the width, length, and base of the bag. Also, if there is a shoulder strap, measure the shoulder hang (the length from the top of the strap to the top of the bag. )  This helps buyers decide if the bag can be worn across the shoulders. It is also a good idea to provide the width of the strap.

5. Condition Specifics
Finally, your listing should provide a complete description of the condition of the bag. When describing the exterior, be sure to mention ay scuffs, water marks and other condition issues. Describe the wear on the piping—light wear, splits to the corners? Is there any wear to the strap, where the buckle is fastened? Are there any pen marks to the interior?  If the original dust cover, or swing tags are available, be sure to indicate this, as this may increase your final price. Sometimes providing a rating, such as on a scale from 1(fair) to 10 (new) will help.

6. Pictures that tell the story
Take plenty of pictures to give your buyers the confidence in your items. Additional pictures are also useful to demonstrate the authenticity of items (to your buyers and to eBay/Vero!)

We recommend taking the following pictures:
1. The entire front of the bag, with the dustcover,  for the gallery picture.
2. A good overview of the interior of the bag to show condition.
3. The manufacturer’s label. Older Coach bags were made in New York, and buyers often
look for this on the label. 
4. The serial number of the bag.
5. The back of the bag.
6. The piping and corners of the bottom of the bag.
7. The strap and buckle.
8. Any fasteners or swing tags. Showing the hardware that says Louis Vuitton is one way to identify fakes.

You can even design a template that incorporates the outline above. After you have completed a couple of listings, these details will become second nature. Good luck!

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