Guide · Updated September 29, 2026

How to check a pre-owned designer bag before you buy

No checklist replaces a professional authenticator, but a few simple checks weed out most bad listings, and a good platform does the rest.

1. 01Start with the price

   Look up what the same model, in the same condition, sells for on reputable pre-owned sites. A price far below the others is the first warning sign, especially for very popular bags.

2. 02Ask for the right photos

   You need clear, close photos of: the stamp or logo inside, any serial or date code, the hardware (zippers, clasps, engravings), the stitching on the handles and corners, and the lining. A seller who refuses to send them is a warning sign.

3. 03Compare with official photos

   Open the same model on the brand's official website or in a trusted catalog. Compare the shape, the proportions, the logo's font and spacing, the color of the hardware and the stitching. Details that look « almost right » deserve a closer look.

4. 04Don't rely on the box or receipt alone

   Boxes, dust bags, cards and receipts can be sold separately or copied. They're a nice extra, not a proof of authenticity.

5. 05Let the platform or an expert decide

   Buy where items are checked before listing and where you're refunded if a piece can't be authenticated. On HEWI, items managed by HEWI are checked in-house, private-seller items are verified from photos, and some high-value pieces may go to an external authenticator.

   Browse checked pre-owned bags on HEWI ↗Affiliate link