Hey there, fellow fashion lovers! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best deals on designer goods. Well, I‘m here to dish on one of my go-to sources for buying and selling pre-owned luxury: Fashionphile.
In this honest Fashionphile review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on what this company is all about, the pros and cons I‘ve experienced, and how it stacks up to other big names in the luxury resale game. By the end, you‘ll have all the insider info to decide if Fashionphile is the right fit for your lux secondhand needs. Let‘s dive in!
What is Fashionphile?
First things first, let‘s define what Fashionphile actually is. In a nutshell, it‘s an online platform for buying, selling and consigning authentic pre-owned designer goods—think handbags, accessories, jewelry and watches from top brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and more.
Fashionphile was founded way back in 1999, making it one of the OGs of online luxury resale. Over the past two decades, they‘ve grown to become the largest reseller of pre-owned luxury goods in the US. In 2019 alone, Fashionphile generated over $200 million in sales. They‘ve authenticated over 1 million items to date.
One thing that sets Fashionphile apart is its brick-and-mortar showrooms. Unlike some other resale sites that are online-only, you can actually go see Fashionphile‘s products in person at their locations in Beverly Hills, San Francisco, NYC, Dallas and Carlsbad.
They also have a close partnership with Neiman Marcus. You can buy Fashionphile items directly on the Neiman Marcus site, and there are Fashionphile counters inside select Neiman Marcus stores where you can get a quote for your luxury items on the spot. Pretty cool, right?
The Fashionphile Buying Experience
Now I‘ll walk you through exactly what it‘s like to shop on Fashionphile, based on my many (many, many) experiences over the years.
Browsing and Product Info
When you first hit the Fashionphile site, it‘s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of drool-worthy designer goods. But don‘t worry, you can easily navigate by filtering your search by:
- Specific designer
- Item type (bags, accessories, jewelry, watches)
- Condition (excellent, very good, good, fair)
- Price range
- New arrivals
Once you‘ve zeroed in on an item, the product page is packed with all the details you need to make an informed purchase. I‘m talking tons of up-close photos from every angle, specific callouts on features like hardware and lining, measurements, and a text description explaining the overall condition and any wear.
Fashionphile uses a straightforward 4-level condition rating:
- Excellent: Like new, no flaws
- Very Good: Gently used, minor signs of wear
- Good: Visible signs of wear, but no major damage
- Fair: Significant wear, but still fully functional
Here‘s a screenshot to give you an idea of the typical format:
As you can see, they‘re not messing around when it comes to product info and imagery. I really appreciate that what you see is what you get with Fashionphile.
Authenticity Guarantee
The biggest reason I feel confident shopping Fashionphile is their authenticity guarantee. They have an expert team that inspects every single item inside and out to make sure it‘s legit. And if you ever have doubts, Fashionphile offers a lifetime guarantee—they‘ll always take it back and re-authenticate.
Plus, Fashionphile‘s the only resale company with an in-house authentication facility that‘s earned accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. Fancy!
Pricing
So, how do Fashionphile‘s prices compare to buying brand new? Well, it depends on the specific item, brand and condition. In general, you‘ll pay a pretty penny for pristine and like-new items from super popular brands (think Chanel flap bags). Many "excellent" condition classics still command close to retail.
But the deals are definitely there, especially if you‘re open to brands and styles that aren‘t as hyped, or those with visible (but not destructive) signs of wear. I‘d say most items are priced around 30-70% off original retail.
A few examples of current steals I spotted:
- Chanel Jumbo Classic Flap in black caviar leather, very good condition: $5,495 (retailed around $7,000)
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull MM tote, good condition: $875 (currently retails for $1,620)
- Hermès Evelyne III PM crossbody in Etoupe, excellent condition: $2,895 (hard to find style, comparable retail around $4,000+)
Shipping and Returns
I‘ve never had an issue with Fashionphile‘s shipping. They offer free shipping via UPS ground on orders over $500 in the US. Or you can pony up for 2-day or overnight. In my experience, they usually get the order out same or next day. Returns are also painless. You have 30 days to send back most items over $500 for a full refund, and return shipping is on them.
International shoppers: Fashionphile does ship worldwide! Just expect to foot the bill for shipping costs and any duties and taxes for your country.
Is Fashionphile Legit?
I get this question all the time: is Fashionphile legit? The answer is a resounding YES. They‘ve been around since 1999 and have a stellar reputation in the industry. I‘ve bought and sold with them for years and never had a problem with fakes or inauthentic items.
Of course, no company is perfect. I have seen some negative Fashionphile reviews out there, mostly related to customer service issues or lowball offers for sellling. But the vast majority of reviews are positive and cite the ease of use, authentic products and fair pricing as big pros. Fashionphile also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
If you‘re still skeptical, consider this: Fashionphile is now the exclusive resale partner of Neiman Marcus. A company like Neiman Marcus would never risk its brand reputation by affiliating with a sketchy reseller. That partnership speaks volumes about Fashionphile‘s legitimacy.
Selling to Fashionphile
Alright, time for some real talk about what it‘s like on the selling side of the Fashionphile experience.
Getting a Quote
First, you‘ll need to submit your item for a quote on the Fashionphile. You can do this a few ways:
- Online form: Provide the item details, upload photos, and wait for an email quote (usually within 1-2 days)
- In-person appointment: Bring your items to a Fashionphile or select Neiman Marcus location for an on-the-spot verbal quote
- Virtual appointment: Schedule a video call to show your items and get a quote in real-time
I usually opt for the online route out of convenience. The key is to give detailed info and clear, well-lit photos showing any signs of wear. That way your quote will be as accurate as possible.
The Offer
Not gonna lie, this is where things can get a little hairy. Fashionphile prides itself on giving fair market value, but "fair" is subjective. Based on my experience and what I‘ve heard from other sellers, Fashionphile quotes tend to be 30-50% of the retail price depending on brand and condition.
They‘re definitely not lowballing like some other resale sites, but Fashionphile‘s not the highest payer either. For super in-demand stuff in pristine condition, I‘ve found they‘re pretty competitive. But for less popular pieces or items with significant wear, you might do better consigning with a local shop or selling peer-to-peer.
But, if you‘re willing to accept Fashionphile credit instead of cash, they‘ll give you 10% extra. So that‘s something to consider if you‘re a frequent flyer on the site.
Shipping and Processing
Once you accept a quote, Fashionphile makes it super easy to send in your items. They provide a free, pre-paid UPS shipping label—all you have to do is pack it up and drop it off. Transit is also fully insured, so your goods are protected.
Processing usually takes 1-2 days after Fashionphile receives your package. They‘ll give your item a final inspection to make sure it matches the details you provided. Assuming all is well, you‘ll get an email confirmation with your final payout amount and a choice of payment methods.
Now for the good part: getting paid! Fashionphile gives you a few options:
- Direct deposit (fastest)
- Paper check
- Fashionphile store credit with an extra 10% bonus
- Neiman Marcus gift card
Payments typically hit your account within 1-3 biz days. I go with direct deposit for the quickness.
A word of warning: if you‘re a first-time seller with Fashionphile, they‘ll only pay out your first order by paper check. It‘s an extra security measure and a bit of a pain, but I get why they do it.
My Take
So, would I recommend selling to Fashionphile? It depends. If you‘re looking for a seamless, low-effort selling experience and getting absolute top dollar isn‘t a huge priority, then heck yeah, go for it! But if you‘ve got the time and patience to shop around and wait for the perfect buyer, you might make a bit more going a different route.
Personally, for trendy items in great condition, I typically try my luck with Fashionphile first since it‘s so dang easy. If their quote is way under what I‘m hoping for, then I‘ll consider other options.
But for things I‘m just eager to unload? Fashionphile is my go-to. I‘m willing to potentially sacrifice a few bucks for the convenience factor. Your mileage may vary!
Brands and Products
Now for the fun part: let‘s talk about the actual stuff you can score on Fashionphile. The big draw here is the breadth of selection. Fashionphile carries all the heavy hitter designers like:
- Chanel
- Louis Vuitton
- Gucci
- Prada
- Hermes
- Fendi
- Goyard
- Celine
- Dior
- Saint Laurent
Plus a ton more contemporary brands like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Coach, etc. If it‘s a label carried by a major department store, Fashionphile probably has it.
In terms of categories, you‘ll find:
- Bags and purses (biggest selection)
- Small leather goods like wallets and card holders
- Accessories (belts, scarves, sunglasses, bag charms, etc.)
- Jewelry and watches
- Luggage and travel pieces
- Men‘s bags and accessories
Basically, if it‘s designer and it‘s not clothing or shoes, Fashionphile is a safe bet.
Current Best-Sellers
Curious what‘s flying off the virtual shelves? Here‘s a peek at some of Fashionphile‘s most popular bags and accessories of the moment:
Bags
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 Bag
- Chanel Quilted Caviar Leather Jumbo Classic Double Flap Bag
- Gucci GG Marmont Matelassé Leather Super Mini Bag
- Fendi Zucca Canvas Baguette Bag
- Hermes Togo Birkin 35
Accessories
- Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Canvas Millionaires Sunglasses
- Gucci Blooms Print Silk Square Scarf
- Hermes Reversible Mini Constance Belt
- Chanel CC Logo Earrings
- Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Love Bracelet
The secondhand market has been booming in recent years, and it‘s clear why. According to a 2021 report by Bain & Company, the luxury resale market grew by 65% between 2017 and 2021, while the overall luxury market only grew by 12%.
And it‘s not just because of the pandemic. The report also found that younger generations are driving this shift, with 70% of secondhand luxury shoppers being under 40 years old. The top motivators? Saving money and being more sustainable.
Pros & Cons
To sum up my Fashionphile experience, here‘s a quick rundown of the major pros and cons:
Pros
- Huge selection of authenticated designer goods
- Detailed item descriptions and condition ratings
- Free shipping and easy returns on most orders
- In-person showroom locations to shop or get a quote
- Seamless selling process with free shipping
- Reputable company with 20+ years in business
Cons
- Prices aren‘t always the lowest for popular items
- Quotes are final sale, no price negotiation
- Some customer service complaints around communication and delays
- Payout options can be limited for new/first-time sellers
- 5-10% higher prices compared to other luxury resellers
Overall, I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons, especially if authenticity and ease of shopping are your top priorities.
The Final Verdict
We‘ve covered a lot of ground in this Fashionphile review, so let‘s bring it on home. Is Fashionphile worth it? For most luxury lovers, I say absolutely yes!
No, it‘s not the cheapest secondhand site out there. But you get what you pay for in terms of product authenticity, detailed condition info, and buyer protections. I don‘t think twice about dropping serious coin at Fashionphile because I know I‘m getting exactly what I expect, hassle-free.
And when I‘m ready to resell, Fashionphile makes it incredibly easy to cash in my investment pieces. It‘s not always the biggest payout compared to other resellers, but it‘s darn close—and way more convenient IMHO.
Ultimately, your decision to buy or sell with Fashionphile will come down to your personal preferences and priorities. But if you want the widest selection of authenticated luxury goods and a seamless experience from start to finish, Fashionphile should definitely be on your radar.
I hope this brutally honest review helped you decide if Fashionphile is right for you! Feel free to hit me up with any other questions. Happy shopping, loves!
