Investing in a luxury pre-owned designer bag or piece of jewelry for your store is a big deal. The secondhand market for designer goods is thriving right now as brands like Gucci, Dior and Chanel continue to raise prices on their retail stock, and consumers head to resale sites and shops to find the best deal on their pre-loved obsessions. With this week’s news of a major price hike on the most-wanted bags and accessories by Louis Vuitton, it’s become more obvious than ever before that the resale industry is on fire and you need to strike while the iron is hot.

So, how do you get your hands on some pre-owned, authenticated luxury designer merchandise to resell at your shop? How do you know it’s authentic? And how do you know you’re receiving what’s shown in the photos? The answers to these questions depend on where you’re purchasing your stock and the legitimacy of their business. Sure, you can go to one of those generic bidding sites and pray the items being shipped from around the world are in fact legit, and they’re not a scam, or you could buy from a trusted reseller who does all the work for you.

Source your stock from LePrix Wholesale!

While presentation is key for the products in your store, so too is the condition of the items themselves. From minor hardware scratches to cracking and flaking, and even tears in the leather, the shape of your items can make or break a sale. So, what if someone drops off a limited-edition Louis Vuitton Speedy with multiple water stains, only to discover those marks are from a spilled beer and the removal process might damage it even more? Well, you’re stuck with a damaged good, which is not good. It’s costly.

You can discount the price of the item and hope someone takes it as is, but shoppers will probably go elsewhere to search for the same item in better condition. Truth is, if you continue to accept items that are in less-than-average condition, it could negatively affect the reputation of your business, but don’t worry… we’ve got you covered!

CONDITION GRADES

We use the following condition grades to rank the general appearance, age, and state of each item list on our platform. The condition grades we list vary so reference the description and images. Just remember that items below the “A” range of conditions are the most flexible and subjective in terms of wear and require additional attention. Condition grades can vary from supplier to supplier so it’s important to consider them along with images and descriptions.

CONDITION EXAMPLES

If the product is brand new and unused, it’ll receive an N rating.

If the product is practically new, meaning it’s only been handled as a display piece or it’s in near perfect condition, it’ll get an S rating.

If the product has been lightly used, but still shows some signs of wear such as light patina, a little scuffing or scratching, it’ll receive an A rating.

If the item shows signs of use that are consistent with everyday wear, but still in good condition, it’ll receive a B rating.

If the item has been very loved, but still functional and may require some refurbishment or repair in the near future, we’ll give it a C rating.

Sometimes our products will fall somewhere in between two different categories such as SA, which means it’s somewhere between like new and gently used and would indicate there are minor blemishes.

Or AB, which is somewhere between lightly used and used condition.

IMAGES

We take our photography very seriously—so you can easily see the product, any imperfections, and if it’s right for your store.

We focus on the following features to help gauge the quality.

Base corners will often show the most scuffing and creasing because it most often comes in contact with other surfaces.

Handle bases can often indicate the state of the leather. Check for dryness and cracking because this might make it prone to breakage.

Tops of handles and straps will show dryness, and also be mindful of discoloration where the bag is most often touched. Some darkening is normal, but extra dark straps could indicate the item was very well loved and might show additional signs of overall wear and tear.

Top trim and fabric surrounding zippers are also touched often, they may show signs of cracking, creasing, or discoloration.

Zipper pulls and straps with buckles need to be checked to make sure they’re in good working condition and they’re not cracked, broken, or missing.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

To ensure you’re getting exactly what is advertised, but might be easy to miss from a photo, we also add a product description. We’ll call out things like the fabric, dimensions, inner and exterior pockets, handle drop, metal fittings, accessories, scratches, a strange odor, stickiness, or a tear.

Odor can range from storage (musty), cosmetic (perfume/fragrance), and tobacco.

Stickiness is often seen on older vintage LV models in pockets or poorly stored patent leather or PVC pieces.

REPAIR & RESTORE YOUR BAGS AT LEATHER SURGEONS

Do you have a Chanel or Hermes bag that needs a restoration or repair? Check out our interview with Leather Surgeons and see if they can help.

ABOUT LEPRIX

LePrix means “the price” and “the prize” in French, which captures the spirit of the hunt for pre-owned luxury. The thrill of the hunt sparked the launch of the world’s largest marketplace enabling access to shop over 600 designer consignment boutiques online. While working with hundreds of the world’s best consignment boutiques, we discovered that our store partners were wasting a lot of time and energy sourcing inventory to grow their businesses. They needed a convenient way to source more top-selling products like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, etc. from other trusted resale businesses. And that is how LePrix Wholesale was born.

In 2018, LePrix launched LePrix Wholesale, which is the only marketplace in the U.S. unlocking access to pre-owned, pre-authenticated luxury from the world’s most trusted suppliers at deeply discounted prices. Our team of experts carefully select suppliers, curate the most desirable inventory and inspect your orders before shipment. You will be assigned a dedicated account manager to help you optimize your wholesale buying experience. We believe in empowering businesses like yours with the right tools (access to top sellers, inventory you need, or valuable resources) and support to help you grow your business.

*LePrix is not affiliated with any brands in any manner. All items are LePrix Vetted and Approved: LePrix’s team of specialists inspect every item before it’s listed and sold on LePrix Wholesale.