Downsizing Diary: The Best Place to Sell Designer Handbags Might Surprise You
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Given my recent downsizing, my handbag collection has gotten lighter as I shed my beautiful older handbags.
I Sent My Handbag to The RealReal, Got an Unreal $2
Beautiful leather, pristine condition (they had lived in dust bags in my closet), and they sold — for peanuts: $2. The purses that people really want and buy are the luxury designer handbags bearing a brand name.
No one knows this better than Heritage Auctions Luxury Expert Diane D’Amato. The New York City-based Birkin expert will be at Heritage’s Dallas office June 24 – 26 and is currently accepting consignment appointments for their upcoming Autumn Luxury Accessories Signature Auction.
With the demand for luxury handbags soaring and the secondhand luxury market flourishing, I’ve learned this is the perfect time to sell your special pieces. They offer free appraisals, generous cash advances, and galleries in New York, Beverly Hills, Dallas, Chicago, and Palm Beach, plus international offices — meaning serious global reach for your consignment.
Why are used — excuse me, vintage — designer label handbags, such as the Birkin by Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Burberry so very much in demand?
“These incredible bags are not only wearable art, but also a valuable investment,” says Diane “Clients love the secondary designer handbag market because they realize it’s where they will find the most sought-after pieces without a waitlist or buying restrictions.”
The waitlist for a new Birkin bag is long, and depends entirely on your “relationship” with the boutique. You have to be invited to purchase one. It’s intentional scarcity that works!
Hermès kicked off 2026 with another round of increases — up 3.8% to 10.3% depending on the bag. The Birkin 25 in Togo is now $13,500 (up 6.3% from $12,700 in 2025). The Birkin 30 in Togo jumped to $14,900, a 7.2% rise. Oh, and the entry-level Picotin 18 is now $3,975, and the Evelyne TPM is $2,525. That’s one reason why Birkin and Kelly sales grew 44% in 2025 on the secondary market.
The good news? Resale prices haven’t fully caught up to the new retail increases yet — so there’s a brief window where pre-owned is genuinely cheaper than boutique. Sell yours while it’s hot!
Alongside hosting five auctions annually, Heritage Auctions also offers private sales through The Boutique by Heritage, specializing in the acquisition, sale, and sourcing of pristine condition Hermès bags. Diane D’Amato will be available for private consignment appointments at Heritage’s Dallas headquarters June 24–26. Whether it’s a coveted Hermès Birkin, a rare Chanel collectible, or another exceptional designer piece, now is an ideal time to bring treasured accessories to market and connect them with a global audience of passionate collectors.
“We are scheduling appointments now, ” says Diane. “Let’s find a convenient time to discuss the best ways to showcase your luxury accessories in our upcoming auction.”
To schedule an appointment, email [email protected].
If You Are in the Collection Mode…
Heritage Auctions’ June 25 Luxury Accessories Signature Auction features an extraordinary assortment of handbags and accessories that capture the spirit of the season, from Chanel minaudières to some of the most coveted Hermès Birkins and Kellys in the world. Highlights: the Hermès Matte Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin with diamond hardware, the highly sought-after limited-edition “So Black” Birkin, and a Louis Vuitton Watercolor Monogram Cocktail Trunk.
Pro Tip:
Black, gold, and neutral colors in Togo or Epsom leather hold value best. Avoid faded or heavily used hardware. Always ask for original receipt, dustbag, and box — it matters at resale!
