A Chanel bag is a timeless investment, bridging the traditions of one of the world’s most iconic brands with the innovation of designers, revolutionaries, collaborators, and more.
Chanel bags are designed and manufactured with an unrivalled approach to quality, and consistently tap into the demands of Chanel’s core customer base – both in terms of style and underlying principles.
Chanel’s sustainability goals remain at the forefront of the luxury fashion industry – with the brand leading the way for others who strive to become more sustainable in their practices. The ban on exotic skins back in 2018 marked a major cornerstone for the brand, while investments in alternative materials, and cutbacks on manufacturing emissions, all highlight Chanel’s principles.
And that’s all before we start to consider the design flair at the heart of Chanel’s collection. Vintage bags packed with history and charm are met with new and innovative creations, many of which draw on the ideas from Chanel, Lagerfeld, and other revolutionaries, and continue to celebrate their passion with standout collaborations and designs.
What all of this means is that a Chanel bag is so much more than just an accessory purchase. It’s a culmination of history, style, innovative design, the very best materials, and the highest quality craftsmanship. Which is why, when it comes to selling your Chanel bag, it’s so important to understand the value of your asset before you reach out to the market.
1) The Model and History of Your Bag
The type of Chanel bag that you are selling is undoubtedly the most important thing to consider before you list and try to sell the piece.
Every Chanel bag has its own charm and character, with some valued for their design flair and finishes, while others are intrinsically linked with Chanel’s early days, and so owe much of their popularity to tradition.
Knowing the history of your bag is crucial – for example, whether it’s one of Chanel’s own 2.55 original bags, or Lagerfeld’s enhanced Flap bags. Similarly, does your bag meet one of the collection standards when it comes to its colour tone and hardware, or do you own a limited-edition bag that stems from one of Chanel’s many high-end collaborations?
Some models are simply more coveted and therefore more valuable than others. The more you know about the market and your bag’s position within that market, the better placed you are to sell it.
2) Condition and Age of the Bag
The condition of a Chanel bag that you are looking to sell can have a huge impact on how much it is worth. There’s a reason why so many owners of Chanel bags and other luxury goods never take their items out of the box for prolonged periods – and it’s all to do with retaining the perfect condition of the bag and its packaging.
The age of a bag correlates to its reference number and will be easy to decipher during a formal valuation and authentication check.
3) Certification and Authentication Checks
The rise in counterfeit goods means that, when it comes to selling an authentic Chanel bag, certification and the right level of authentication are crucial to protect your sale.
Chanel bags come with a unique reference identification number, which can be used to ascertain the age of the bag and whether or not it is authentic. The high value of these luxury goods also means that proper receipts are integral when completing a sale, with the original packaging and boxes for the bag all contributing towards helping you to get the best possible price.
In an ideal world, a Chanel bag should be sold with all the original packaging that it was first sold with – in the best possible condition, and with receipts to track the movement of the bag from manufacturer through to its current owner.
4) Identifying the Best Place to Sell
With auctions, resellers, and private buyers all vying for access to authentic and limited-edition Chanel bags, finding the right place to sell is an important part of the process.
Some of these options are more efficient than others, with sellers needing to determine when they want to sell their bag and how much time they can invest into the process. Selling to a private buyer is by far the most long-winded affair, largely because sellers will need to market their bag and then negotiate with the buyer until an agreement is reached. Auctions are efficient but offer less of a guarantee regarding price, while selling to a boutique reseller offers efficiency and value – provided you choose one that is reputable and trustworthy.
The best way to identify a reputable reseller is by the way they handle valuation and authentication checks. You can also look out for reviews relating to their services, taking care to seek out testimonials from both buyers and sellers.
Should You Sell or Hold On to an Authentic Chanel Bag?
The luxury goods market is separated into buyers who value investment potential and resale value, and those who want to own a Chanel bag to become a part of the brand’s rich history.
With the majority of the Chanel collection inspired, influenced, and brought to life by ideas that stemmed from the founder herself, every bag boasts direct connections with Coco Chanel’s innovative and creative spirit. As such, a Chanel bag is more than just an accessory with a high price tag.
But the choice between holding on to or selling your Chanel bag ultimately depends on you. The beauty of Chanel, like many luxury brands, is that each authentic piece retains its value and can be sold for increasing prices as the market ebbs and flows. So, provided you have a bag that is in good condition and has all its original packaging and certification, the chance of making a profit when you come to sell is high.
