Guide to Selling Designer Bags and Luxury Items in Australia
This post was last updated in 2024
In a previous blog post I covered the best places to sell clothing online and I thought next I would cover where you can sell designer bags and luxury items in Australia.
I don’t own many designer items but I do have a Prada Galleria bag that I purchased (second-hand) back in 2017. I used it for a year before I realised I needed something a little less precious. It was getting worn out around the edges but otherwise, it was going strong, so I thought it would be a breeze to resell.
I purchased it off eBay so I thought it should be easy to resell back on eBay. Not so.
A couple of years on eBay and still no takers. Just a whole lot of picky fussy buyers and zero support and protection from eBay customer service.
Hence this blog post.
I started to research what options exist for selling designer bags and luxury items in Australia and it was clear online consignment was the best option available.
So this is what this blog post covers – online consignment options in Australia, specifically addressing these topics:
Below I provide a full list of reputable, established consignment stores that operate in Australia. There is a handy table that summarises what items they accept, where they operate from and what fees they charge, so you have all the information you need to pick the right store to help you sell designer handbags and luxury items.
Note: If you want a definition of consignment, there is more information on this in the FAQ, which covers the following questions:
But let’s get to the main points…
How to start selling bags and luxury items online
Before you send your items off for consignment, there are some things you will need to do to set yourself up for success:
1. Know Your Items Inside Out
Take some time to familiarise yourself with your designer item.
Research its original retail price, current market values on the second-hand market* and any unique features that make the item stand out.
*Tip: eBay is a terrible place to sell luxury items but a great resource to use to explore current market values.
This knowledge will allow you to sanity check the listing price that the consignment store will offer you, so you can make sure the price they offer is a fair one.
2. Clean and Prep Like a Pro
Make sure your item is thoroughly cleaned, paying extra attention to any stains, scuffs, or signs of wear.
The second-hand market for luxury goods is very fussy and particular. Rightly so, because they end up shelling out hundreds for the item – so it needs to be in the best possible condition.
A little TLC can go a long way to enhance the item’s appeal and ensure it fetches top dollar.
Consider investing in leather cleaners, fabric protectors, and conditioning products to get bags looking their absolute best. Professional dry-cleaning might be a necessary step to take when it comes to clothing.
I have to admit, I failed to take this step seriously when trying to sell my Prada bag and that did me no favours. Once I cleaned the item up and minimised the appearance of any damage, it helped with the next step.
3. Stage Your Bags for Success
With online consignment stores you typically have to send them photos of your item before they agree to sell it on your behalf.
So after you have cleaned up your item as much as possible, take some time out to stage your item for photos.
Find a well-lit area with a neutral background to showcase the item. Experiment with different angles, compositions, and props to create visually captivating images. It sounds superfluous but it is necessary – appearances matter.
And don’t forget to highlight any special details or features that make the item unique!
And that’s essentially it. You should be set for the next steps, which is choosing the right consignment store to help get your item sold.
Where to resell designer bags and luxury items online in Australia
As mentioned, online consignment is the best option avialable to sell luxury bags and other items – they will outperform general marketplaces in terms of speed (of sale) and price. And you will be surprised – there is an abundance of options out there when it comes to online consignment options and I have trawled through a lot of them to come up with a list of well established online consignment stores that operate from Australia.
The list is long I know! So if you want some tips on who you should choose from this list, check out the next section.
Here’s the table that summarises all available options:
Note: The earnings can vary based on the sale price of the item. The rates noted above are based on an item that sells for $750. The earnings are expressed as % of the sale price (less any fixed fees that are charged). All stores listed allow you to post in your item for consignment, so it doesn’t matter where you are located. However some stores allow you to drop off your item. If drop off is an option, I note the store location in the “Drop Off” column.
Below is more information about these different retailers and the fees they charge (since the fees can charge based on the sale price).
Luxury Reborn
Luxury Reborn specializes in selling pre-owned luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. They authenticate and curate their collection to ensure high-quality products.
You will receive:
- Items between $750 – $2000, you will receive 80%.
- Items between $2001 – $4000, you will receive 85%.
- Items over $4001, you will receive 90%.
Shop Luxe
Shop Luxe offers a curated selection of luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, and accessories. They focus on providing high-end designer pieces at discounted prices.
You will have to pay: 20% Consignment Fee + $35 Authentication Fee per item
LuxeLink
LuxeLink is an online consignment store that offers a range of luxury fashion items, including clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. They aim to make luxury fashion more accessible by offering pre-owned items at competitive prices.
You will have to pay:
- For Item Value $0-$1000: 20% Service Fee Plus $50 (Postage& Authentication)
- For Item Value $1001-$3000: 15% Service Fee Plus $50 (Postage& Authentication)
- For Item Value over $3001: 10% Service Fee Plus $50 (Postage& Authentication)
Revior
Revior specializes in selling pre-owned luxury handbags and accessories. They authenticate all items to ensure their authenticity and offer a range of designer brands.
You will receive: 80% less $50
Re-luxe
Re-luxe offers a curated selection of pre-owned luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. They focus on sustainability and quality, offering well-maintained items from top designer brands.
You will receive:
- Under $1,000 70%
- $1,001 – $3,000 80%
- $3,001 + 85%
Luxe It Forward
Luxe It Forward is an online consignment store that offers a range of luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. They donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, making it a socially conscious shopping option.
The earnings you will recieve from consignment is shown below.
Designer Archives
Designer Archives brings the world of high-end designer clothing and accessories to you at an affordable price, specializing in fashion resale and consignment with hand-selected luxury vintage and contemporary pieces.
You will receive:
- For items valued under $4,000 the consignor (you) receives 70% of the sale price with a minimum rate of $150.
- For items valued over $4,000 the consignor (you) receives 80% of the sale price.
- For items valued over $10,000 the consignor (you) receives 90% of the sale price.
IRVRSBL
IRVRSBL, based in Melbourne, Australia was founded in 2013 with a mission to provide an unparalleled selection of rare, authentic one-off pieces that fit neatly into contemporary wardrobes. With decades of experience in curating and buying vintage luxury, their highly curated selection focuses on high-quality items carefully vetted for authenticity.
You will have to pay:
- Every product that goes online incurs a $30 non-refundable processing fee. This fee covers the cost of product photography and authentication
- On top of this, when an item is sold IRVRSBL takes a 30% consignment fee (excluding GST), as well as a $25 shipping fee.
Blue Spinach
Blue Spinach specialises in selling pre-owned luxury fashion items for men and women. They offer a curated selection of clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from top designer brands.
The amount you will recieve is shown to the right/below.
The Turn
The Turn, the latest addition to UTURN, offers a platform for buying and selling quality second-hand designer apparel, footwear, and bags, combining a luxury shopping experience with a valet consignment service to support Australia’s growing desire for a circular economy and sustainable fashion practices.
You will receive:
- For items that are sold for less than $100 you receive 20%.
- For items sold between $100-$200 you receive 40%.
- Items sold between $200-$800 you will receive 60%.
- Items sold for $800 + you will receive 80%.
The Consigners Closet
The Consigners Closet offers authentic pre-loved designer and luxury fashion at discounted prices from their boutique in Nedlands, WA, with worldwide shipping available. They accept luxury clothing, shoes, handbags, and jewellery in excellent condition. Their experienced team conducts thorough research on each item, pricing them based on condition, age, brand, and current resale value, with sellers able to track sales through their online consignment software.
You will receive:
- 50% for items under $500
- 55% for items over $500
- 60% for items over $1,000
- 70% for items over $2,000
- 80% for items over $4,000
Goodbyes
Goodbyes is an online consignment store that offers a range of pre-owned luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. They focus on providing high-quality items at affordable prices.
You will have to pay: 50% sale price
Trading in Style
Trading in Style, founded in 2018 by Jenna and Bianca, merges their passion for fashion, styling, e-commerce, social media, and sustainability into a luxury consignment store. Their approach emphasizes high-end labels and premium quality design, offering a dynamic shopping experience centred on timeless, modern collections that encourage self-expression and support the circular economy.
You will receive:
- 50% – per item under $999
- 60% – per item over $1,000
- 65% – per item over $2,000
- 70% – per item over $3,000
- 75% – per item over $5,000
- 80% – per item over $6,000
- 85% – per item over $10,000
The Frock Exchange
The Frock Exchange provides a high-fashion experience for all, offering a curated selection of pre-loved designer pieces alongside end-of-season merchandise from international boutiques, meticulously chosen by sisters Wendy Murray and Bee Smith for their quality and contemporary appeal. Their store embodies the ethos that “Love is sweeter the second time around,” making fashion accessible and sustainable.
You will receive:
- 50% up to $1000 sale price per item
- 60% up to $2000 sale price per item
- 70% up to $3000 sale price per item
The Sleeveless Society
The Sleeveless Society is a premier consignment store dedicated to recycling unique vintage pieces alongside pre-loved luxury designer items, carefully curated for quality and relevance.
You will have to pay: All vintage and branded items are 45/55% split their way
Votre Luxe
Votre Luxe was founded as a platform for buying and selling premium, authentic designer handbags and accessories, inspired by the success of its founder’s venture into selling pre-loved luxury items among friends. Evolving from a hobby into an officially registered store, Votre Luxe offers an environmentally conscious approach to rehoming luxury items, fostering a community of enthusiasts passionate about sustainable fashion.
You will have to pay:
- AUD $0 – AUD $1000 AUD $250 Flat Rate
- AUD $1,001 – AUD $3,000 25%
- AUD $3,001 – AUD $5,000 20%
- AUD $5,001 – AUD $10,000 15%
- AUD $10,001 PLUS 12%
The Purse Affair
The Purse Affair is your ultimate destination for luxury handbags and accessories, dedicated to curating a collection of exquisite pieces reflecting the beauty and craftsmanship of renowned designers worldwide. With a focus on timeless elegance and individual style, they offer an unparalleled shopping experience, showcasing a carefully curated selection ranging from iconic classics to the latest trends, ensuring something for every taste and occasion.
You will have to pay: 15% of the sales price with a $280 minimum
The best place to sell high-end bags and luxury items in Australia
The best place to sell high-end items ultimately depends on your individual needs, preferences and the item you are trying to sell. Ideally, you should choose a consignment store that is located near you, charges a reasonable fee and has a wide reach in the luxury resale market.
To be honest, I am not in a position to make a solid recommendation on which store is THE BEST out of the list of stores mentioned above. There is no way I can approach each of these retailers and try them all out – it would be impossible!
But I can give guidance on how I would choose from the list above and you can apply this same approach:
- Focus on stores located near you – this is a personal preference because if they are located nearby, I can go in person to talk to them about the selling process and be assured my item is in safe hands. Of course, if you don’t need that extra level of comfort, this would not need to be no. 1 on your checklist.
- Focus on those that can give the highest return – using the table above, I sort by earnings and work from the top of the list down.
- Ensure the retailer sells the type of items you are trying to sell – I would go to their website to check this. While there, I would take the opportunity to check if they are already selling something similar to what I have. That will give me some idea of how much I can hope to receive if I were to sell through them.
- Check out the retailers social media profile – a high follower count is a good indication that your items will be seen by a lot of people. It;s not the be all and end all factor here, but it is something to look out for.
- Make a shortlist of at least 3 stores based on information gathered at this point – that is a general rule when it comes to any research I do. Get a short list of 3 options minimum.
- Contact those on your shortlist, fill out their enquiry forms and see if they can provide you with an estimated sale price. Based on your enquiry experience, you should be able to make a final call on which consignment store is best for you.
So hopefully now you are equipped with all the essential knowledge to navigate the world of luxury consignment and make informed decisions when selling your pre-loved treasures in Australia.
Happy consigning, savvy sellers! 💼✨
xxx Tahsin
FAQ
What does designer consignment mean?
Designer consignment refers to the process of selling pre-owned luxury goods through a third-party consignment service or platform. In this arrangement, the owner of the luxury item (you, the consignor) hands over the item to the consignment store to sell on their behalf. Once sold, the consignor typically receives a percentage of the final sale price, while the consignment service earns a commission for facilitating the sale.
What are the advantages of consigning luxury goods for resale?
Consigning luxury goods for resale offers a myriad of advantages for both sellers and buyers. For you as the seller, a key advantage is that you can hand over the nuisance of managing the selling process to someone else that can do it for you. But the main advantage is that consignment is the best way to reach the very niche, luxury goods market.
Consignment services handle the entire selling process – from authentication and pricing to listing and dealing with customers and shipping – so you don’t have to deal with any of these tasks.
But the real drawcard is the fact that consignment stores have a dedicated clientele of luxury enthusiasts – it’s a market you won’t have access to, through platforms like eBay or Marketplace. When consignment stores list their items for sale, they are seen by people ready, willing and primed to spend the money needed to purchase a high-end item. This will increase the likelihood of a quick and profitable sale.
What are the disadvantages of consigning luxury goods for resale?
While consigning luxury goods for resale has its benefits, it’s not without its drawbacks. One potential disadvantage is the commission fee charged by consignment services, which can eat into the seller’s profits. Additionally, consignment agreements may come with strict terms and conditions regarding pricing, payment timelines and item returns, which sellers should carefully review before entering into any agreements.
Here are some things to be aware of:
- Hefty fees can be charged if they find your item is not authentic. At one place, the fee was as high as $400! So you better be 100% sure your item is authentic before you send the item off for consignment.
- Stores will only consign an item for a set period (the consignment period). Make sure the consignment period is not too short so your item has the best chance possible to be sold.
- If your item doesn’t sell within the consignment period and pick-up is not an option, you will need to pay to have the item returned to you. So you will be out of pocket for the postage both ways if your item doesn’t sell, which can be a real bummer.
- Some stores set a minimum amount of items you need to sell – you can’t just send them one or two items.
The biggest drawback is the fact that these stores only hold onto the item for a set period and at the end of the consignment period, if your item does not sell you will be out of pocket.
It’s a risk. But if the store you choose has a wide reach and your item is in reasonable condition, you should be okay.
Is it better to consign or sell?
The decision to consign or sell outright ultimately depends on your individual preferences, priorities, and circumstances. Consigning luxury goods offers convenience, expertise, and access to a dedicated clientele, making it an attractive option for sellers seeking a hands-off approach to selling their items.
On the other hand, selling outright on a marketplace may be preferable for sellers who are not willing to take on the risk that they may be out of pocket if the item doesn’t sell on consignment.
By weighing the pros and cons of each option and considering factors such as item value, market demand, and your personal preferences, you can determine whether consignment or selling the item yourself is the best fit for you.
