Shocking Truth: My First Chanel Bag Secondhand!

Searching for the ideal pre-owned designer handbag without falling victim to scams? I’m detailing my journey of purchasing a pre-loved Chanel bag and the valuable lessons I gained!

*This post may feature affiliate partnerships.*

My Hunt For A Chanel WOC

Generally, I consider myself quite frugal. Like everyone, I appreciate quality items. However, I rarely make impulse purchases or pay full price for anything.

Therefore, when I resolved to acquire a Chanel Wallet On a Chain for my modest designer collection, I knew it had to be pre-owned. It also needed to be flawless. I required guaranteed authenticity, excellent condition, a reputable seller, and the ideal price.

The quest started. It lasted nearly a year, friends.

My quest for the ideal Chanel Wallet On Chain (mission accomplished!) taught me valuable lessons. I even encountered a few scams, but thankfully received refunds. Plus, I used Poshmark’s Posh Authenticate service. This free service is available for Poshmark purchases exceeding $700 (CAD).

Discover how to find and purchase your dream pre-owned designer item! I saved thousands on my Chanel WOC by buying it secondhand. Plus, I feel great contributing to more sustainable shopping practices.

1. Go To The Right Source

Finding the right place to buy pre-owned designer items can be tough with so many options. You’ve got Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, eBay, TheRealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Fashionphile, 1st Dibs, plus countless smaller stores like LuxHub and Retyche.

Based on my experience, especially living in Canada, Poshmark stands out as the most dependable choice. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. I’ve bought several items from TheRealReal. Since it’s a US company, shipping costs are high. I also faced significant import duties upon arrival, which amounted to 17% of the item’s price. That was quite a surprise!

For Canadians seeking authentic designer items, I suggest Poshmark. (More details and tips are coming up!) Alternatively, explore trusted smaller retailers such as LuxHub, VSP Consignment, and Retyche. These choices often provide duty-free shopping, complimentary shipping, and guaranteed authentication for your luxury purchase.

Important: Avoid secondhand luxury dealers lacking a real store and a visible contact number on their site. Protect yourself!

Living in the US offers numerous choices for buying and selling pre-owned luxury items! TheRealReal, Vestiaire Collective, Fashionphile, and 1st Dibs remain top-tier options in 2025. These are trusted retailers, ensuring every item’s authenticity through a rigorous consignment process.

2. Watch Out For These Red Flags

Buying designer items on Poshmark requires caution. Not every listing guarantees authenticity, top-notch quality, or even genuine products. Sadly, Poshmark attracts scammers. Here’s what you need to watch out for to avoid them.

Avoid sellers with no selling history or with only one item listed in their closet.  There’s a good chance they are not a legitimate seller. 

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. I purchased a designer bag for what I thought was a “steal of a deal” on Poshmark, only to have the seller not ship the item and essentially disappear. The bag was likely a fake and they realized it would be sent to Poshmark for authentication. 

Avoid sellers who ask you to buy designer bags off Poshmark/privately. This way they avoid the authentication process and could be selling a replica. 

Avoid designer pieces that are less than the Posh Authenticate threshold ($700 CAD), unless you are certain it is authentic (seller can provide original receipt/proof of purchase). In this case, you can also pay for a third-party authentication service online for about $30. If the seller refuses, then it’s likely a fake. 

Choose a seller with lots of previous sales and positive reviews. 

3. Always Ask for Proof of Purchase

Exercise increased vigilance with sellers hesitant to furnish the original receipt or purchase confirmation. My Chanel bag acquisition included the original Holt Renfrew Chanel transaction receipt from 2018. This provided added confidence in its authenticity, exceeding even the Posh Authenticate verification, confirming it as a genuine Chanel item.

Ideally, the seller should provide the original receipt, especially if they’re the first owner and it’s not a vintage item. If a receipt isn’t available but the seller appears trustworthy, ensure Poshmark can authenticate the bag. For items below Poshmark’s authentication price, consider using a private authentication service like LegitGrails.

4. Authentication Options

As previously stated, Poshmark purchases exceeding $700 CAD are automatically eligible for the complimentary Posh Authenticate service. Following your purchase from the seller, the item is sent to Poshmark’s authentication center (mine arrived at the British Columbia facility). There, a qualified expert examines and verifies its authenticity.

If your item isn’t eligible for our authentication services, I suggest getting it checked privately. Consider using LegitGrails or Entrupy for this. I once found a Chanel WOC on Facebook Marketplace and used LegitGrails to authenticate it. It turned out to be real. However, I chose this bag because it had gold hardware, which I preferred.

Buying your bag from retailers like Fashionphile or TheRealReal? You can be confident it’s been thoroughly inspected and authenticated by experts!

5. Be Patient

It’s tempting to rush and buy the first designer bag that catches your eye. However, patience is key. Take your time and follow all the steps to ensure ultimate satisfaction. I personally reviewed hundreds of bags online before discovering the perfect one.

Examine all images closely. If the bag’s quality isn’t clear, request more photos. Don’t hesitate to ask sellers questions. If they seem impatient, consider finding a different seller!

Finally, avoid overspending in your quest for a designer item. With a practical budget, your desired bag will likely surface. It might require patience! I considered numerous Chanel Wallet on Chain bags. However, I waited for the perfect one that met all criteria, including my budget!

I trust this guide assists you in acquiring a pre-owned designer bag! For any inquiries about the process or my bag, please email me at [email protected]!