Secondhand stores feed frenzy for top-end goods

Lucy Liu, 32, who shops frequently at Milan Fashion, said she likes the concept of buying used luxury goods.

"One woman's trash is another woman's treasure," said Liu, who checked out a beige Chanel bag and hung it on her shoulder. "Women get bored easily with the new discretionary items that they bought, but it is a waste if they throw them away and buy new ones."

Tony Chan, Milan Station's chief promotion officer, said many of his most recent handbags are trendy and are from women who got bored with their new "toys".

"This is how we receive the most innovative programs," he said, adding that many women get bored even before the bag is displayed on the shelf.

Cecilia Zhang, an English translator who regularly shops at Milan Station, said she does not care whether a bag is used. She mostly cares about its condition and how the current price compares to its original price.

"Secondhand goods don't necessarily equal lower quality and someone's cast-off," she said. "We all grew up wearing our big sister's or brother's worn clothes, so if you think that way, the whole concept of buying secondhand goods is kind of green."

At the shop, a secondhand Bottega Veneta bag sells for more than $3,000, compared with its $6,000 original sticker price.

Zhu said the secondhand luxury goods market has recently been hit hard because more people are turning to the Internet to shop for luxury items.

"The thing about online shopping is that you can't tell whether it is fake or real," Zhu said. "Sometimes shoppers are attracted by the low price online, but it might be a fake with cheap leather or it is missing details. You wouldn't know if you don't see it."

Zhu plans to expand one of her stores into a place where consumers can find a secondhand purse for only $100, far cheaper than it would be online.

"I've been in the luxury goods market for more than 10 years and I have accumulated much in my inventory during this period," she said. "The place will be somewhere I can clear my stock and at the same time enable genuine luxury to be within reach of the average Jane."

lvchang@chinadaily.com.cn

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