Before you buy the vintage bag of your dreams, here are some questions to consider:
Is it fairly priced?
Cheaper is not always better. In the world of vintage, condition remains king. A better condition bag will hold value for much longer.
Does it fit my lifestyle?
Does the size, shape, strap length and material fit my use case? A lot of people want caviar but it is very expensive and there are actually great durable vintage lambskin options available if you know your models!
Is the seller reputable?
Or in other words: "Buy the seller." Bags are actully very technical products and like any technical products, you need expertise. If you’re buying any luxury item, buying the seller is almost more important than trying to authenticate an item yourself.
Do you need a card?
Vintage Chanel bags were typically made with a serial sticker and a matching card. Given the age and how easy it is to misplace these, bags that come with its matching card are usually more expensive. You should ask yourself for your use case if it is worth the extra money.
Conclusion
You shouldn't be afraid to buy vintage, so long as you build the right knowledge and ask the right questions.
Happy collecting!