Buying Chanel jackets on eBay is my version of hunting. There is something about it that’s exhilarating and satisfying. But, just like old-fashioned hunting, there are a lot of dangers out there. As an avid eBay Chanel buyer (10 jackets from eBay so far) here are my 10 tips for safe shopping.
Look For Sellers Time on eBay
- Look at how many years the seller has been on eBay.
- This is especially important if you are buying from a casual (non-professional) seller on eBay who has a low number of feedback.
- This is one metric to look at to avoid newbie sellers.
A casual seller is a private individual who is trying to sell something from her/his own collection. So they are not an eBay store or a legitimate business.
Check Out the Seller’s Current Listings
I always look at what other items the seller is selling. If they are selling used skates, Lilly Pulitzer shorts, and other random stuff, I know they are not a professional luxury seller. That doesn’t mean that they are scammers. It means that you need to be extra mindful.
If every item is Chanel or other designer clothing in used condition from older collections then it is a good sign.
BUT if every item is brand new with the tag Chanel jacket from the current collections…RUN! Here is a seller selling all current season Chanel, all BNWT, and all at 1/2 the current retail.
Check Out Seller’s Feedback
I know I am stating the obvious, but FOMO can cause people to ignore this. I personally stay away from anyone with less than 99% feedback. It’s a high bar, but it’s also a high-value item. It’s achievable, and plenty of sellers have it and maintain it for years.
Look Deeper Into Seller’s Feedback
Don’t just look at the number of 5 stars and %. Read the actual feedback! Especially of other high-end items they have sold in the recent past.
- Look for mentions of “counterfeit item,” but the seller refunded my money
- Look for innuendos like “Things didn’t work out, but the seller refunded my money.”
- If the seller has *one* counterfeit item in their history, assume all items are counterfeit.
Why? I have read positive feedback that mentions “counterfeit item,” but because the seller refunded the money, the buyer left positive feedback!
The seller can’t hold your money hostage for negative feedback if they sold you counterfeit goods, but newbies don’t know this. They don’t want conflict; hence they comply. So read the actual feedback text! Don’t just scan like Amazon ratings.
Newbie Sellers Are Sus
Run far away and fast as you can when you see a seller
- With a brand new eBay account
- Selling a high-value, hard to find or currently boutique item
- At a very low price
At one time, there was a newbie who was trying to sell the 2011 cruise collection iconic collectible jacket for $500 within the same month of opening an eBay account.
The average price of this jacket has been $5000- $8000. I purchased it from a reputable reseller for $5750. The $500 price on such a high-value item combined with a new account are all signs of a scammer.
Stick To Professional Re-Sellers
When you are just starting the journey of buying pre-loved Chanel jackets on eBay, professional resellers are your best bet. These are sellers that have a long history of selling high-end goods and mostly Chanel items. They have a storefront.
They are (likely) consignors that take items from 3rd party and sell them on eBay for a commission.
- These sellers are pros, and they have a trained eye.
- They will have accurate descriptions “excellent,” “good,” “pulls,” and “pilling” will be described accurately.
- They are likely to authenticate the merchandise themselves before offering it for sale.
- They have skin in the game. If their eBay score goes down, so does their livelihood.
Here are some professional sellers that I have purchased from and gotten authentic merchandise:
These are not all the sellers I have bought from, and you should get your purchase authenticated no matter what.
Ask Questions About The Item
This is important if you are buying from a casual seller because they would have the information. But some questions are good for professional sellers as well.
- Ask where the item was purchased.
- Can they get the information from the owner if it’s not their own?
- Is this a smoke-free home?
- Is it a pet-free home (if that matters)?
- Ask to confirm measurements if they sound off.
- Ask to send pictures with measuring tape laid on top.
- Ask questions about pulls, pilling, or any other signs of usage in case it’s not clear in the description.
Ask Questions About Past Alterations
If some measurements sound too tight, you probably should ask this question. You may or may not get accurate information about this depending on the age of the item, but it never hurts to ask.
Ask For Seller’s Social Media Account
You may not always get the answer you want, but you should ask, especially if they are selling a lotta high-end goods and look like a store. It’s a good sign when someone with a dedicated social media account for their business that’s open (not private) and they have posts about things they are selling.
It’s good for trust. Don’t offer them to buy out of eBay for a reduced price. That’s not professional on your part. With eBay, you both are protected.
Always Use Amex or PayPal
eBay claims that they will protect you in case you receive an “item not as promised,” which includes counterfeit goods (because the seller had advertised it’s authentic) or if it was in much worse condition. Here is eBay’s policy in detail. I believe it, but I want another layer of protection.
Hence I always always use Amex. This is my rule for any new vendor with whom I am doing business. Use Amex or PayPal to protect yourself in case things go sideways. Amex or PayPal will have your back if there are any leaks in eBay policy or, for some reason, the item doesn’t qualify for coverage.
Call Amex, and they will reverse the charge. Always keep all the records of your communication with the seller and eBay as well as an authenticator for the chargeback case.
Final Thoughts
- eBay is a great place to find unexpected gems.
- If it looks too good to be true, then it’s likely untrue.
- Do your homework on the seller.
- Ask questions!
- Pay with a protected method of payment.
Buying Chanel jackets on eBay is a lot of fun! With some basic safety practices, you can buy great pieces from older collections at a fraction of the retail price. I don’t buy auction listings, but they can be a lot of fun. Always always get your items authenticated as soon as they show up!
