Friday, September 18, 2009

Just getting started!

Well, this is it.

The official start to another business venture. I have to admit this one is just a guilty pleasure. I love handbags! I think I'm actually addicted to them and love has nothing to do with it!

Background:

I travelled to Asia 5 years ago and I did it for another business venture. I learned so much on that trip about myself and business practices. My one favourite find, among many, was a factory that specialized in replica products. I saw many factories like this but this particular one was different. While they did a phenomenal job at most items, like belts, scarves and watches, their designer handbags were to die for.

If I haven't made it clear, I'm a handbag junkie. A self proclaimed afficionado...and happy to admit it. In my personal collection, I have well over 60 original designer bags. All bought for at regular prices at boutiques, outlet malls and off friends who were moving on up to the next best handbag.

Upon seeing the bags, I instantly felt a little foolish. I thought, why am I paying real prices for something that I can get for so much less. That lesson has stayed with me for a long time. Yes, I have to agree with you that the original designers pay fortunes, use creative talent and inspiration to create these pieces and funnel a lot of money into their production. I am not saying that one should only buy replicas. I'm only saying there is nothing wrong with a replica. For more of an explanation on this, please read the Terms of Use and the Disclaimer. If you have any questions, please write me directly.

Objective:

Moving right along, I brought some of the handbags home to Toronto and my girlfriends went ga ga over them. They could not believe the quality of the bags. Nothing was made from vinyl. Nothing was plastic. No detail was missing. To this day I use a LV Alma bag that no one knows is not real.

Finally, about a month ago, when a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend, wanted a bag, she asked me why I didn't just offer the bags online. I thought about it and while I admit I have an addiction but did I really want to spend this much time on it? And the answer is yes.

Having said that, yes, I am selling the handbags online. I will be updating this site on a regular basis and I will be adding pictures of bags I have in stock. That's just what I have in my personal stock to sell. I can get any bag for you. You just have to ask. 

Currently, I have all LV handbags and wallets (Monogram, Mahina, Speedy, Hobo, Noe, etc.). 







I have Chanel handbags and wallets.








I have Hermes handbags and wallets, including the Hermes Birkin handbags.



I have the awesome Prada Fringe.  I actually own this one. 
Okay, I'm a little biased!









I am in the process of watermarking pictures, adding descriptions and setting up PayPal to operate right from this site (hopefull that will work). 

Goal:

When I started to do my research into replica bag sites and I want to see what I could do differently from the millions of sites out there doing the same thing.  And this was a big one.  Most people that buy from me do so because:

  • I am fluent in English (well, I like to think I am!);


  • I'm in Canada, Toronto to be exact, and I'm on the same page as them on many levels, including style sense, deals, etc.;


  • You can reach me via phone (just ask for the number.  I find posting it here, just invokes calls from telemarketers);


  • They don't want to deal with a website they have never heard of, have no reviews on, and have little faith in the workmanship;


  • They don't want to deal with sellers that clearly have no grasp of the English language; and lastly


  • The owners are in far away land that if there is a problem with their order and/or satisfaction, fixing the problem will be nothing but a big headache. 


Personally, I know that there is nothing more frustrating than dealing with an issue with someone that cannot understand you.  Doing that through email, the only communication option you get on about 99.9999% of these sites, exasperates the problem to nth degree and is MAJORLY frustrating.  Then you try the credit card option and try to deal with problem with your credit card issuer.  They also take at least 6 weeks to do their investigation, paperwork, etc.  They most likely will side with you but that headache is one I like to avoid.  Trust.


Next Steps:

Eventually I'd like to set up an area on this site to showcase particular bags, at your suggestions, and if you like it, we can do a bulk buy for that bag and that way everyone gets the bag for far less than buying one or two pieces.  So instead of a handbag costing $300CAD, if we buy 25 pieces, the bag now costs $200CAD.  You can then use that $100CAD you saved to buy a wallet!  LOL.  Now I know why my husband rolls his eyes at me.
 
If you have any questions while I do this start up phase, please contact me.  I'm selling bags on a regular basis in my day to day life.  This is not a full time venture for me.  It's strictly for fun.  Making huge profits was never my objective in this and that is why I can sell a Hermes Birkin for $325.00CAD (a replica that is 99% like the original) and include shipping to anywhere in Canada and the US.

Happy Bag Shopping!