How to Avoid Scams When Buying a Vintage Chanel Handbag on Chairish

Fake Designer Attribution: Be extremely cautious of listings that falsely attribute a handbag as a genuine designer piece when it is, in fact, a reproduction or a lesser-known brand. Scammers may use terms like 'inspired by' or 'style of' to mislead buyers. Always verify the seller's claims with independent research and authentication resources.

Vintage vs. Reproduction Bait: Some sellers may advertise a vintage item but send a reproduction, hoping the buyer won't notice or will have a difficult return process. Always scrutinize product photos and descriptions for inconsistencies. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Stolen High-End Gallery Photos: Scammers sometimes use high-quality images stolen from reputable dealers or luxury brand websites to create fraudulent listings. If a seller's profile lacks history or other genuine listings, be suspicious. Reverse image searches can sometimes help identify if photos have been lifted from elsewhere.

White-Glove Shipping Surcharge: While Chairish offers shipping services, be wary of exorbitant or unexplained 'white-glove' shipping surcharges, especially if the item is not particularly large or fragile. Ensure you understand the full shipping costs upfront and that they align with typical rates for similar items.

Off-Platform 'Local Pickup' Fraud: Never agree to conduct a transaction or payment outside of the Chairish platform, especially if the seller suggests a 'local pickup' arrangement to avoid fees. This often leads to no item being delivered and no recourse for the buyer.

The 'Payment via Check' Trap: Avoid sellers who insist on payment via check or wire transfer outside of the platform's secure payment system. This bypasses buyer protections and makes it difficult to recover funds if issues arise.

Unreported Structural Damage: Sellers may fail to disclose significant damage, such as tears, stains, broken hardware, or wear on linings, especially if the item is described as 'vintage.' Always ask for detailed condition reports and additional photos of specific areas of concern.

Fake Restoration Certificate: Be skeptical of any claimed restoration certificates, especially if they seem generic or lack verifiable details. True authentication and restoration information should be detailed and traceable.

Account Takeover via Phish: Be vigilant against phishing attempts that impersonate Chairish to steal your login credentials. Always verify the sender's email address and never click on suspicious links or download unverified attachments.